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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BEA 2014: Authors Will Want to Be ‘Binked’

The terminology is fresh because the concept is fresh: “curated, additional content” on an ebook. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Neil Patrick Harris, Anjelica Huston Speak at Author Breakfast

Neil Patrick Harris, Anjelica Huston, Tavis Smiley, and Lisa Scottoline all spoke at the opening breakfast at BookExpo America 2014. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More exam boards drop US authors

Two further exam boards have omitted American novels and plays from their lists of proposed set... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette US: Amazon actions 'affect authors' lives'

Hachette Book Group in the US has continued the public discussion of its terms battle with Amazon... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 28, 2014: Michael Waldman

Michael Waldman, author of "The Second Amendment: A Biography" (Simon & Schuster, 9781476747446), will appear on the "Diane Rehm Show" on Thursday, May 29. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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NLT and Bloomsbury Children's launch unpublished authors prize

The National Literacy Trust (NLT) and Bloomsbury Children’s Books are launching a prize to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Want to help your local bookshop? Visit it | The New Reading

Yes, it's called My Independent Bookshop, but what does Penguin Random House's new site do for booksellers?I've just opened my very own bookshop at myindependentbookshop.com, the new book recommendation site from Penguin Random House. I enjoyed choosing the font for my logo (Shakespearean), the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Teen authors' dystopian approach to feminism

Dystopia in teen fiction can be a vehicle to help teenagers explore feminism, according to three... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 23, 2014: Nicholas Belardes and Susan Spano

Nicholas Belardes, author of "A People’s History of the Peculiar A Freak Show of Facts, Random Obsessions & Astounding Truths: A Treasure Trove of Freaky Facts and Strange Stories" (Viva Editions, 9781936740833), will appear on "Coast to Coast AM" on Friday, May 23. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Goodreads Adds 'Ask the Author'

On May 21, the social network launched its "Ask the Author" function, a feature that allows readers to submit questions to their favorite authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins Offers Kids' E-books via Epic!

HarperCollins continues its support for subscription ebook services in a deal with Epic!, a children’s subscription service, adding 1,000 backlist kids’ ebook titles to the company's library. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 22, 2014: Sue Conley and Peggy Smith

Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, authors of "Cowgirl Creamery Cooks" (Chronicle Books, 9781452111636) will appear on NPR’s "Morning Edition" on Friday, May 23. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 19, 2014: Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren, author of "A Fighting Chance" (Metropolitan Books, 9781627790529), will appear on the "Colbert Report" on Monday, May 19. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gwyn Jones: 'fears for our dispossessed authors'

The former publisher of literary imprint Flamingo, and later Portobello and Granta Books, has... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chinese Company Buys PIL's Kids' Unit

Chinese publisher and printer Phoenix Media has agreed to acquire the children's publishing unit of Lincolnwood, Ill.-based Publications International Ltd. (PIL) for $80 million. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Founder of Just-Launched Authors Alliance Talks to PW

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 9, 2014: Dari Alexander and Ryan Porter

Dari Alexander, author of "The Quick and Clean Diet: Lose the Weight, Feel Great, and Stay Lean for Life" (Globe Pequot/Skirt, 9780762791934), will host a special called “Body and Soul with Dari Alexander" on Fox News on Friday, May 9. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 8, 2014: Cathy LaGrow

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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My Independent Bookshop launches to consumers

Over 70 bookshops have signed up to create profiles on Penguin Random House’s consumer book... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HMH Trade Posts Small Loss in Quarter

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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