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 March 13, 2014: Melissa Wardy and Jenni Pulos

Melissa Wardy, author of "Redefining Girly: How Parents Can Fight the Stereotyping and Sexualizing of Girlhood, from Birth to Tween" (Chicago Review Press, 9781613745526) will appear on NBC's "Today Show" on Friday, March 14. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More authors added to YALC lineup

Sally Green and Charlie Higson have joined the line-up for the UK's first YA literature... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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“Self-Published Authors = 50% of the EBook Market by 2020″

Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, has made the prediction that self-published books will account for 50% of ebook sales by 2020. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air March 12, 2014: Paul Brinkley

Paul Brinkley, author of "War Front to Store Front: Americans Rebuilding Trust and Hope in Nations Under Fire" (Turner, 9781118239223), will appear on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Thursday, March 13. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Keith Richards to write kids book

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards teams up with his artist daughter to write a picture book inspired by his own granddad teaching him to play the guitar. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air March 7, 2014: Jenni Pulos and Lisa Bloom

Jenni Pulos, author of "Grin and Bear It: How to be Happy No Matter What Reality Throws Your Way" (St. Martin's, 9781250028198), will appear on the "Today Show" on Monday, March 10. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Libraries, Authors and Publishers Head to SXSW 2014

SXSW Interactive (March 7-11), the annual tech festival, opens today in Austin, Tex. and expect to see a wide range of publishers and publishing-related events. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tony Robinson wins kids' book prize

Weird World of Wonders: World War II wins Tony Robinson a Blue Peter Book Award, as World Book Day organisers reveal the top 50 life-changing teen reads. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-03-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air March 6, 2014: Pat Williams

Pat Williams, author of "The Mission is Remission: Hope For Battling Cancer" (HCI, 9780757317828), will appear on "CBS This Morning" on Friday, March 7. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Award-Winning Authors Struggling to Make Ends Meet

Writing for The Guardian, Robert McCrum observes that “the credit crunch and the internet are making writing as a career harder than it has been for a generation.” Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air March 4, 2014: Jaron Lanier

Jaron Lanier, author of "Who Own the Future" (Simon & Schuster, 9781451654974), will appear on the "Colbert Report" on Tuesday, March 4. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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VIDEO: Cherub author begins a Rock War

A decade after beginning his successful Cherub series, best-selling children's author, Robert Muchamore, publishes his new book, Rock War. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Author Fair’s Debut: Change Agents

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Challenges and Rewards in Small Press Publishing: An AWP Panel

The panel centered on broadening audiences for independent literature while working under budgeting constraints in an oversaturated market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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German Author Christoph Hein Honors US Publisher Sara Bershtel

In this speech, German author Christoph Hein examines the importance of literature and honors Metropolitan Books' publisher Sara Bershtel for her work in bringing German literature to the USA. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Court Date Set to Decide Ban On 'Diary of Malcolm X'

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air February 25, 2014: Lisa Bloom

Lisa Bloom, author of "Suspicion Nation: The Inside Story of the Trayvon Martin Injustice and Why We Continue to Repeat It" (Counterpoint, 9781619023277), will appear on the "Today Show" and the "Leonard Lopate Show" on Wednesday, February 26. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air February 24, 2014: Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik, author of "Mayim’s Vegan Table" (Da Capo Lifelong, 9780738217048) will appear on the "Wendy Williams Show" on Tuesday, February 25. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent bookshops in decline as buying habits change

Booksellers Association calls in celebrity support for Books Are My Bag campaign after more than 500 closures since 2005The number of independent bookshops gracing British high streets has fallen below 1,000 – a third fewer than nine years ago, amid cut-throat competition from supermarkets,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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