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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'The Martian': Author Andy Weir discusses his new sci-fi novel

Weir's debut novel is experiencing good sales and is receiving praise for the scientific detail involved in his tale of an astronaut stranded on Mars. The author says he was inspired by the movie 'Apollo 13,' where it's 'man versus nature... it's all of us against the physical world.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hugh Howey and The Indie Author Revolt

With a debate brewing about how much indie authors can, and do, earn, PW asked Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, to weigh in. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air February 20, 2014: General Stanley McChrystal

General Stanley McChrystal, author of "My Share of the Task: A Memoir" (Portfolio Trade, 9781591846826), will appear on the "Colbert Report" on Thursday, February 20. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA Adds Programming for Indie Authors

BookExpo America is expanding its offering for indie authors, introducing Author Hub. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #bookexpo america #indie authors


Authors on the Air February 18, 2014: Su Meck

Su Meck, author of "I Forgot to Remember: A Memoir of Amnesia" (Simon & Schuster, 9781451685817), will appear on the "Diane Rehm Show" on Wednesday, February 19. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dawn O'Porter up for kids' book prize

Nominations for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize include journalist Dawn O'Porter's teen novel Paper Aeroplanes and books by an actress, a performance poet and a screenwriter. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #performance poet #waterstones children #book prize


Authors on the Air February 13, 2014: Andy Weir

Andy Weir, author of "The Martian" (Crown, 9780804139021), will appear on NPR's "Science Friday" on Friday, February 14. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Action Lab: A Small Publisher Looking To Expand

With a mix of all-ages and adult material, print and digital, Action Lab Entertainment is trying to establish itself while maintaining a balance with a staff located around the country. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen' inspires Disney and a children's author (+video)

'The Snow Queen' inspired not only Disney's hit musical 'Frozen' but also author Karen Foxlee, who based her critically acclaimed novel 'Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy' on the wintry tale. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #wintry tale #marvelous boy #critically acclaimed #hit musical #snow queen #inspires disney


Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen' inspires Disney and a children's author

'The Snow Queen' inspired not only Disney's hit musical 'Frozen' but also author Karen Foxlee, who based her critically acclaimed novel 'Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy' on the wintry tale. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #wintry tale #marvelous boy #critically acclaimed #hit musical #snow queen #inspires disney


YA literature convention announces authors

The organisers of the UK’s first YA literature convention has announced a range of authors... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Check It Out with Michael Kelley: Small Libraries Make a Big Impact

Big libraries get all the attention. But in late September of 2013, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) issued an interesting report on small and rural libraries in the United States. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #interesting report #late september #big impact #michael kelley


5th Festival Neue Literatur to Bring German Authors to NYC

The fifth annual Festival Neue Literatur begins in NYC on February 28 with a series of readings and discussions with German-language authors. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two Authors Launch Brown Girls Publishing

Bestselling Simon & Schuster authors Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley are now teaming up on the business side: the two writers are launching Brown Girls Publishing, a new digital publishing venture that debuts today. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Web advertising: still a small net in a very large pond

Internet ad revenues are growing fast. But, even now, they make up only 4.5% of the global wholeHere, as recession ends, is a reality check on the global media ad market (courtesy of Nielsen). Revenues via the internet are up 32.4%, up 4.3% via TV and 5.1% on posters. But they're down 2.2% for... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book the Writer service brings authors to book clubs – for a fee

While authors have appeared in person, via Skype or via telephone at book clubs before, Book the Writer has the clubs pay for the author's appearance. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Posts A (Small) Profit

Total sales in Amazon’s fourth quarter in 2013 rose 20% over the last quarter of 2012, hitting $25.59 billion, while net income rose to $239 million from $97 million in last year’s final period. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kate DiCamillo's 'Flora & Ulysses' earns author a second Newbery award

Kate DiCamillo wins Newbery: The awards, the most prestigious in children's publishing, were announced Monday by the American Library Association. DiCamillo, a popular and acclaimed author, won the Newbery a decade ago for 'The Tales of Despereaux.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Epic! Debuts Kids’ Subscription E-book Venture

Founded by a group of gaming developers looking to provide quality book content for kids, Epic! is a newly launched subscription ebook service offering access to a curated selection of children's ebooks for $9.99 a month. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Issues on the Ether: Profit-Sharing Authors

Porter Anderson looks at Ian K. Ellard's concept of authors sharing profits with publishing-services experts in his winning essay at The Bookseller, The Toast. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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