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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PRH launches My Independent Bookshop

Penguin Random House UK has launched My Independent Bookshop - a consumer book recommendation... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air April 4, 2014: Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis, author of "Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt" (Norton, 9780393244663) will appear on C-SPAN2's "BookTV" on Saturday, April 5. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Small Gain

With all major categories except the children’s/young adult segment reporting an increase in 2013, total book sales at the 1,211 publishers that report results to the Association of American Publishers’ StatShot program grew 1% over 2012 figures, to $15.05 billion. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Marlborough's White Horse bookshop saved

Two businessmen have bought the freehold of Marlborough's only bookshop in order to keep it... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild's Constantine Testifies

In testimony delivered before a House subcommittee, AG counsel Jan Constantine recapped the AG’s long running copyright dispute with Google and offered one possible solution—a collective licensing agreement for digital presentation rights to out-of-print books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #out-of-print books #authors guild


Canongate confirms Brand kids' books buy

Canongate has confirmed it is the publisher for a series of children's books by controversial... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Prejudice' claim from Scottish authors

London publishers are turning down work they consider “too Scottish”, the chair of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What’s Cooking at... Avid Bookshop

Just how well do cookbooks do at Avid Bookshop in Athens, Ga.? The bestselling book at Avid – period – is "Top Chef" judge Hugh Acheson’s James Beard Award–winning cookbook, "A New Turn in the South." Store owner Janet Geddis spoke to PW about her store's cookbook-themed events and the books her... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air March 31, 2014: Jennifer Buhl and Max Brooks

Jennifer Buhl, author of "Shooting Stars: My Unexpected Life Photographing Hollywood’s Most Famous" (Sourcebooks, 9781402297007), will appear on "Entertainment Tonight" on Monday, March 31. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Scribd’s Andrew Weinstein on Bookshops, Territorial Rights and…Scribd

Andrew Weinstein, the new VP of Content Acquisition at ebook subscription service Scribd discusses the role of bookstores, territorial rights and content. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With 'Orphan Train,' Author Finds Bestsellerdom Fifth Time Around

Sixty thousand is the number of copies Christina Baker Kline thought her newest book, "Orphan Train," might sell in her "wildest dreams." For a midlist author on her fifth novel, it was a lofty number. It turns out, it was also way too low. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rush Limbaugh: rightwing talkshow host to bestselling children's author

He's no friend of those on the political left, but he knows how to woo kids. He's been named as one of four finalists for book of the year at the Children's and Teen Choice Book AwardsName: Rush Limbaugh.Age: 63.Appearance: Angry face drawn on a pink dish.Occupation: Radio talkshow host,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Germany’s Small Presses: Gourmet Reading for Book Gluttons

Germany's small press scene is thriving, with an eclectic mix of ambitious publishers seeking out new authors, experimenting with formats and finding audiences. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Obituary: Author and Editor Donald Michael Kraig, 63

Kraig is perhaps best known as the author of "Modern Magick," published in 1988. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Prices: Have Authors Lowballed Themselves?

This week Porter Anderson sets up an #EtherIssue discussion on the market implications of bargain-basement book prices and looks at Kobo's fight for Agency. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors sign up to Hacked Off declaration

JK Rowling, Philip Pullman, Jeanette Winterson and tens of other authors have signed a... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-03-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Small publishers are benefiting from changes in the industry

The advent of digital publishing technology and ebooks has created opportunities for home-based publishersThe world of publishing was once the preserve of very large organisations, huge publishing houses with massive production infrastructures and costs, that kept smaller niche publishers on the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Small Presses Mark Boston Bombings

Two publishers, including one formed specifically to publish a book on the 2013 marathon, will release books in advance of the April 21 race. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air March 14, 2014: Ralph Reed

Ralph Reed, author of "Awakening: How America Can Turn from Moral and Economic Destruction Back to Greatness" (Worthy, 9781617952876) will appear on "The Sean Hannity Show" on Monday, March 17. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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North Korean dictators: also successful children's book authors?

North Korean dictators Kim Jong-Il and Kim Il-Sung were credited with writing children's books featuring thinly veiled metaphors for North Korean political theory. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-03-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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