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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Amazon Has Big Sales Gain, Small Loss

Total revenue at Amazon increased 24%, to $17.09 billion, in the third quarter of 2013 while its operating loss was $25 million, down from $28 million in the third quarter of 2012. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Duly Noted: The best steak houses in town (Video)

Warren Buffett, perhaps surprisingly, has seen Breaking Bad and says the character he most identifies with is Saul. Read into that what you will. -- Bloomberg video above Chicago is a time zone away from the ocean, so it's no surprise there is an overflow of excellent steak houses. The good... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2013-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ether for Authors: Where Is Publishing’s Jetpack?

A look at a the week's round of web musing on the future of publishing in concept, creative work, and technical production, after Frankfurt Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mainstreet becomes Campbell's 'Busy Bookshop'

The Mainstreet Trading Company has won a competition to feature in a new book in the Busy Books... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Almost 300 authors sign up to participate in 'Indies First' effort

Writer Sherman Alexie asked other authors to work at an indie bookstore on Small Business Saturday this year and hundreds of other writers have already pledged their support. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ether for Authors: Is It Time for Publishing to Call a Truce?

Porter Anderson looks at the Frankfurt Book Fair, at Sprint Beyond the Book and Book Sprints, at pen names, and more in Ether for Authors this week. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-10-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nothing small about short story Nobel

The first Canadian winner, Alice Munro has published nothing but short stories in a 50-year career.     Continue reading at The Sydney Morning Herald

[ The Sydney Morning Herald | 2013-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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VIDEO: Meet the Author: Val McDermid

Author Val McDermid tells the BBC's Nick Higham about her latest book Cross and Burn, the eighth novel in The Wire in the Blood series. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2013-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Killing Lessons author revealed as Glen Duncan

The author of literary thriller The Killing Lessons, snapped up by Orion at auction on the eve of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AUDIO: Bookshops 'are a pleasure'

Waterstones chief executive James Daunt and critic Alexandra Heminsley discuss the future of the publishing industry on 'Super Thursday'. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2013-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Brain Food: McDonald's to Push Kids' Books in Happy Meals

McDonald's just might become the country's largest children's book publisher for the month of November.The chain, which typically offers toys in its kids meals, will package four original children's books carrying a nutritional message Nov. 1 through Nov. 14 with its Happy Meals, the beginning... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2013-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2013: Debut From Joshua Ferris’s Wife Draws Buzz, Along With Co-Authored Iraq War Novel

Two more books drawing buzz at the fair include a debut novel by Joshua Ferris's wife, and a co-authored book about friendship and the Iraq war. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Run, Brother, Run' author David Berg discusses his brother's murder – a crime made famous for the wrong reasons

Berg's memoir chronicles the death of his brother and the aftereffects of the crime. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Small Paper Sees Big Lift With CMS Change

Most small newspapers would be happy with an online publishing system that solves more headaches than it creates. Finding software that makes digital revenue and reader traffic skyrocket seems like the stuff of dreams. But that’s precisely ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-10-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guide to Frankfurt Available in Spanish

Our Authors Guide to the Frankfurt Book Fair is now available in Spanish, thanks to Dosdoce, The Spanish Digital Link, and Actualidad Editorial. Download it here. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Small Press Secrets to Establishing a Vertical Marketplace

The key to developing a community of readers is to approach them as fellow book lovers, not necessarily as customers, say several top US small press publishers. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ether for Authors: What Happens When Everybody’s a Critic?

Our look at the week's web buzz including hotbutton issues around reader reviews, at questions of print vs. ebooks, and at Amy Tan's new book cover. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #book cover #amy tan #reader reviews


Author Bryson urges ebook tie-up

Author Bill Bryson calls on publishers to give away ebooks with printed copies in order to tempt readers back to buying physical books. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2013-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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