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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Teenage Engineering’s Record Factory is a DIY musician’s dream

The digitization of the music industry leveled the playing field for artists. An album can be written, recorded and released from a bedroom without an expensive recording studio or predatory record label. This DIY ethic isn’t new. Bands have been recording and releasing albums on their own or... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-11-18 14:00:29 UTC ]
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Female Authors are Speaking Up, Strengthening Spirits

Female authors reveal honest stories of trauma, the challenges of motherhood, sexual dysfunction, and other rarely-talked about topics in new religion and spirituality books for women. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-18 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Children’s Author Marcus Sedgwick Dies

Celebrated children's author Marcus Sedgwick, who was nominated for more than 30 awards, has passed away unexpectedly. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-11-17 17:42:32 UTC ]
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Marcus Sedgwick, celebrated children’s author, dies aged 54

Tributes have flooded in for the much-loved writer, who wrote more than 40 books for children and adults including the recent Be the Change handbooksAuthor Marcus Sedgwick, who wrote more than 40 books for children and adults, has died aged 54. His literary agency RCW has confirmed his death,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-11-17 13:02:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #literary agency #fiction prize #carnegie medal #much-loved writer #guardian children #celebrated children


Authors Guild Applauds Arrest, Indictment of Major E-Book Pirates

Two Russian nationals are now facing criminal charges in the U.S. for their role in running Z-Library, one of the world's most notorious e-book pirate sites before its domains were seized by U.S. officials earlier this fall. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Sheikh Zayed Award Names Longlists: Literature, Children’s Literature, Young Authors

The first three categories' longlists have been released in the 17th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, based in Abu Dhabi. The post Sheikh Zayed Award Names Longlists: Literature, Children’s Literature, Young Authors appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-10 20:55:04 UTC ]
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These famous authors are expressing solidarity with the striking HarperCollins workers.

As you may have seen on Book Twitter today, the unionized workers of HarperCollins are striking to secure a fair contract, livable wages, and a more equitable publishing industry. Some 250 employees—across the editorial, publicity, sales, marketing, legal and design departments—agreed to go on... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-11-10 19:23:57 UTC ]
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Julie Powell, bestselling author of 'Julie & Julia,' dies at 49

Julie Powell was known for documenting her mission to cook every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook, 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking,' on her blog. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-11-01 18:39:54 UTC ]
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Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #11 with Malinda Lo, author of 'Last Night at the Telegraph Club'

Lo will appear in conversation with Cristina Mitra of the San Francisco Public Library. The live stream is set for Tuesday, November 1, at 1 p.m ET. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurter Buchmesse Stages Its Debut ‘Frankfurt Kids’ Conference

'You have to be what you want to be,' Scholastic's Peter Warwick tells the new Frankfurt Kids program. The post Frankfurter Buchmesse Stages Its Debut ‘Frankfurt Kids’ Conference appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-10-20 03:56:50 UTC ]
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Sri Lankan Author Shehan Karunatilaka Named 2022 Booker Prize Winner

Her Majesty the Queen Consort presented the prize to Shelan Karunatilaka for 'The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida' in a ceremony on October 17. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins Lays Off 'Small Number' of Employees

Faced with slowing industry sales and rising costs, HarperCollins has eliminated what it called a "small number" of positions, and instituted a number of other measures in a bid to "operate as efficiently as possible," CEO Brian Murray announced to employees on October 13. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Cover reveal: See the cover for Jai Chakrabarti’s A Small Sacrifice for an Enormous Happiness.

Literary Hub is pleased to reveal the cover for Jai Chakrabarti’s A Small Sacrifice for an Enormous Happiness, forthcoming from Penguin Random House in February 2023. The book, comprised of 14 short stories, details what family means today across cultures, continents, and faith. The title story,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-12 15:00:59 UTC ]
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Kids and Comics at New York Comic Con 2022

Children’s comics were a muted presence at NYCC, compared to a few years ago, but the children themselves were out in force and the floor was still filled with kid-friendly media properties based on comics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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SIBA Holds Virtual Annual Meeting, Town Hall

The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance held a virtual annual meeting and town hall Tuesday, with SIBA leadership demonstrating that the organization is adapting well to the post-pandemic industry. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Kids' Holiday Titles Giftwrap Spiritual Wisdom

Christian and Jewish publishers offer children religious messages delivered with joy, humor, and fantasy in time for the holidays. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Discover New Japanese Books and Authors: Close-up on Japan Book Bank

As the largest online catalog of published Japanese content in the world, Japan Book Bank is the best and easiest way for publishers and copyright agents to discover new Japanese books and authors. PW caught up with Yoshiaki Hamza Yoshino of Japan Book Publishers Association to discuss JBB and... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Watchmen author Alan Moore: ‘I’m definitely done with comics’

As he releases his first short story collection, the revered writer talks about magic, the problem with superhero movies and why he will never write another graphic novelI’ve been enamoured of prose fiction for quite a long while,” says Alan Moore. He is speaking to me from his home in... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-10-07 09:00:54 UTC ]
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Hachette Book Group Works to Diversify Slate of Authors

Hachette Book Group took another step toward bringing more BIPOC writers to the table in an equitable way by cohosting a Hurston/Wright Writers Week Workshop retreat for the first time this summer. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-07 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Dolly Parton’s program to give free books to kids has expanded to California.

More than 2 million children just became eligible for free books: California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1183 to establish Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program in the state and specify how it will operate. The program will use money from a dedicated fund “to provide... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-06 18:35:28 UTC ]
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