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

Other news stories related to: "Diary of a small town sensation: how the Wimpy Kid author built his dream bookshop"


A new indie bookstore named for Octavia Butler is opening in the author’s hometown.

Here’s a piece of good literary news to start the year: a new independent bookstore named after the legendary Octavia E. Butler is opening in Pasadena, California, where the late Sci-Fi icon was born and raised. I took the leap and quit my job to open my very own bookstore. Octavia’s Bookshelf... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-01-03 17:31:27 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #bookstore #independent bookstore #octavia butler


Top-selling Canadian cookbook author Jean Paré dies in Edmonton at age 95

Jean Paré, a farm girl from a small village in rural Alberta, and who gained worldwide fame for her Company's Coming cookbook series, has died. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2022-12-27 15:54:46 UTC ]
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French comic book author Fabcaro to pen next Asterix

Author says he will remain faithful to the characters in 40th volume of series, due out next yearThe French comic book series Asterix will turn a new page for its forthcoming 40th volume, with a new writer chosen to pen next year’s instalment, the publisher has said.The French novelist and comic... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-12-20 08:21:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #comic book #french novelist


New Releases from Popular Religion Authors

The new year has a wealth of titles from well-known and bestselling authors in the religion and spirituality category who address topics including getting unstuck, “holy fear,” resilience, and even silence. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #spirituality category #bestselling authors


Literary Luminaries Debate Diversity, Publishing's Moral Obligations at PEN Town Hall

During a panel, "Do Publisher’s Have a Moral Obligation to Diversify American Literature?", authors Min Jin Lee, Chris Beha, Roxane Gay and publishing veteran Erroll McDonald weighed in on a central issue in the book business. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #book business #roxane gay #moral obligation #moral obligations


HC Union Update: Authors Co-Host Rally at Harper Headquarters; Agents 'Overwhelmingly' Support Strike

Authors including Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, R. F. Kuang, and Molly McGhee rally with HarperCollins union workers outside the company's headquarters on December 16. Meanwhile, nearly 80% of literary agents responding to a recent poll said they support the ongoing strike. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #harpercollins #literary agents #recent poll


Authors Guild Urges New York Governor to Sign Freelance Isn’t Free Act into Law

The bill is a crucial step to protect freelancers based in New York and hired by New York-based companies from wage theft, said Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger in a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-15 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Children’s Book Author Tomie dePaola and Activist Icon John Lewis on 2023 USPS Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service announced new subjects for 2023 stamps: children's book author Tomie dePaola and civil rights activist John Lewis. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-12-14 18:11:26 UTC ]
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500+ Authors Sign Letter Supporting HarperCollins Union’s Strike

More than 500 authors have signed a letter standing with the HarperCollins union as they reach of month of being on strike. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-12-12 18:27:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #harpercollins #harpercollins union


Struggling authors know writing is a rich person’s hobby | Letters

Stephen Carver, Guinevere Glasfurd, Brian Needham and Jo McMillan respond to Joanne Harris’s article about horribly low pay in the publishing worldRegarding Joanne Harris’s article (Horribly low pay is pushing out my fellow authors – and yes, that really does matter, 7 December), I guess I’m a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-12-11 17:07:25 UTC ]
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Libraries are not interested in hosting readings of Kirk Cameron’s “faith-centered” kids’ book.

Amid all the stories of shitbag Proud Boys shutting down drag queen story hours at libraries, here’s a nice bit of news about libraries saying a very polite “fuck off” to Kirk Cameron, former Growing Pains star and current Christian film mogul whose latest effort was the anti-abortion... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-12-08 17:19:04 UTC ]
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Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #12 with Elizabeth Miki Brina, Author of 'Speak, Okinawa'

Brina will appear in conversation with Elizabeth Joseph of New Rochelle Public Library. The live stream is set for Tuesday, December 6th at 1 p.m. ET. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-02 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #live stream #aapi communities #register today


Disney built an AI that can easily make actors look younger or older

Disney researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system that seemingly makes it far easier to make an actor appear younger or older in a scene. While artists will still be able to make manual adjustments to make sure the effect looks as realistic as possible, the AI tool could take... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-12-01 15:45:09 UTC ]
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Inaugural Russell Freedman Award Honors Late Author's Impact

The winners of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' inaugural Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World were announced on November 29. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-01 05:00:00 UTC ]
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For Ukrainian Refugee Kids, Books Offer Hope

Thousands of Ukrainian refugee children are about to spend their first Christmas away from home; while it's not the outcome that anyone would have wanted, publishers' efforts continue to ensure that books in their own language will comfort them through a holiday season in exile. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-01 05:00:00 UTC ]
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I’m a HarperCollins author. Here’s why (and how) I won’t cross the virtual picket line.

In days of yore—that is, my childhood in the paper-mill town of Mexico, Maine—a labor strike looked like an ugly affair. Picketing men in steel-toed boots screamed themselves hoarse at every shift change, their righteous anger rising into a sky thick with the sulfurous clouds of... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-11-23 16:38:06 UTC ]
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Children’s authors of colour published in UK rose to 11.7% of market in 2021

BookTrust research shows, however, that the overall picture ‘remains far from representative’ with some writers and illustrators reporting tokenismNew research has found that 11.7% of children’s book creators published in the UK in 2021 were people of colour, up from 5.6% in 2017.Despite the big... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-11-23 06:01:50 UTC ]
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Avery Hill Dreams Big for Graphic Novels

With only three employees, the U.K.-based graphic novel publisher is building an audience, at home and in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Heartstopper author Alice Oseman: ‘If you don’t have sex and romance, you feel like you haven’t achieved’

The writer and illustrator on turning her ‘weird hobby’ into a bestselling YA series and Netflix hit, the importance of asexual representation and lessons from her fans on love bitesAt 28, the author and illustrator Alice Oseman recently achieved what so many of her peers cannot: she bought a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-11-19 09:00:53 UTC ]
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Ned Rorem, Composer Known for Both His Music and His Diaries, Dies at 99

A Pulitzer Prize winner, he wrote many orchestral works but was most celebrated for his vocal pieces. He was also well known for writing candidly about his life. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-11-18 17:18:04 UTC ]
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