Diary of a small town sensation: how the Wimpy Kid author built his dream bookshop

Growing up, Jeff Kinney discovered Tolkien, comics and computers at his local bookshop. When it closed he was bereft – would opening his own as an adult help to right that wrong?Author Jacqueline Woodson recently spoke about books being either mirrors or windows. Mirrors for seeing ourselves, and windows for seeing into other worlds. Growing up, I enjoyed both types of books, from the realistic contemporary fiction of Judy Blume to the epic fantasy of JRR Tolkien. I had access to books by these and every author in between courtesy of a bookstore a short drive from my house. I didn’t understand my privilege then, but I’ve come to understand it better over time.In the short time that it was open, I developed interests that would shape my career. I grew up at the advent of personal computing, and the books I read helped me along a path to becoming a programmer. I also developed a deep appreciation for comics, thanks to an expansive humour section at the bookstore. Those comic collections helped to prepare me for my dream career as a cartoonist. Had we not had a bookstore nearby during my formative years, I would have grown up to be a completely different person.We’ve had several romances develop from first dates in the cafe, and one couple is getting married this autumn Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-05 09:00:40 UTC ]
News tagged with: #local bookshop #judy blume #epic fantasy #formative years #bookstore

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Authors on the Air June 30, 2014: Ron Capps

Ron Capps, author of "Seriously Not All Right: Five Wars in Ten Years, A Memoir" (Schaffner Press, 9781936182589) will appear on PBS's "Tavis Smiley" on Monday, June 30. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors speak out on Staffordshire libraries

Authors Jacqueline Wilson and Alan Gibbons have spoken out in defence of libraries as part of a... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As Amazon slugs it out with the big publishers, authors are left cowering | Adam Fletcher & Paul Hawkins

And whoever comes out on top, you can bet the poor old writer won't be any better offA few weeks ago, we published a book called Denglisch for Better Knowers, a (hopefully) humorous book about how the English language could be improved by taking new words and concepts from German. Like "ear... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lincoln Targets Millennials With 'Dream Ride'

Lincoln’s new campaign—dubbed Dream Ride—makes a big push to sell millennials on the 2015 Lincoln MKC crossover SUV with an interactive microsite, social advertising and an influencer program. The effort builds on two similar campaigns Lincoln has run in the past year that used musicians Beck... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2014-06-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Bunker Diary’s Carnegie Medal: The Debate Continues

The debate over Kevin Brooks winning Carnegie Medal for his dark YA novel The Bunker Diary continues, with many calling the book "sickening." Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Are authors running out of book titles?

Novels by Kate Atkinson, Stephen King and Muriel Spark have all had namesakes. Should writers adopt the imitator-proof JK Rowling approach instead?People first started to notice last year when Kate Atkinson's Life After Life coincided in the US with Jill McCorkle's Life After Life, which had... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air June 27, 2014: Paula Marcoux

Paula Marcoux, author of "Cooking with Fire" (Storey Publishing, 9781612121581) will appear on NPR's "The Splendid Table" on Saturday, June 28. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kobo Writing Life Now Carries 250,000 titles by 30,000 Authors

Two years after its launch, Kobo Writing Life (KWL), ebook retailer Kobo’s self-publishing channel, carries more than 250,000 self-published digital titles by over 30,000 authors who publish regularly through KWL. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Europa Editions UK signs first British author

Europa Editions UK has acquired its first title by a British writer, a historical fiction novel... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-06-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Bunker Diary wins book prize

Kevin Brooks' fictional diary of a kidnapped boy held hostage in a bunker wins 2014's Cilip Carnegie Medal as Jon Klassen's This is Not My Hat wins the Kate Greenaway Medal. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-06-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Introducing Your Publishing World Cup “Dream Team”

Who would you have on a book business World Cup dream team? Who would you place up front? On the bench? As manager We humbly submit our own selections. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-06-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sarah Waters to tour high street bookshops

Sarah Waters will be going on a two-week tour, largely of high street bookshops, to promote her... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-06-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air June 20, 2014: Bruce Kraig

Bruce Kraig, author of "Man Bites Dog: Hot Dog Culture in America" (Taylor Trade Publishing, 9781589799325) will appear on "CBS This Morning Saturday" on Saturday, June 21. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Diary of a Kickstarter Campaign Part 1: What Am I Getting Myself Into?

Thinking of Kickstarting a book? Follow along with this weekly diary of what works, what doesn't, and how to figure costs and navigate the Kickstarter process. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air June 19, 2014: A.J. Baime

A.J. Baime, author of "The Arsenal of Democracy: FDR, Detroit, and an Epic Quest to Arm an America at War" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780547719283) will appear on MSNBC’s "Morning Joe" and MSNBC’s "The Cycle" on Friday, June 20. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookshop memories: your pictures and stories

When we asked you to share anecdotes and photos of your favourite independent bookshops, the stories poured in. From romance surrounded by Shakespeare to an encounter with a falconry-loving policeman, here is a selection of your bookshop memoriesSee all the contributions and add your own on... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air June 17, 2014: Ray “Dr. BBQ” Lampe

Ray “Dr. BBQ” Lampe, author of "Pork Chop: 60 Recipes for Living High on the Hog" (Chronicle Books, 9781452113678) will appear on the CBS’s "The Talk" on Wednesday, June 18. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry gears up for The Great Bookshop Debate

Authors want both online and bricks and mortar retailers to thrive, Louise Doughty has said.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-06-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Waterstones to open 'The Southwold Bookshop'

Waterstones has announced the opening of its fourth shop in two months in Southwold, Suffolk.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-06-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New UK Competition to Find the “Next Big Thing” in Kids Books

A new competition to find the “next big thing” in children’s literature is being launched by the UK’s National Literary Trust and Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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