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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‘A terrifying precedent’: author describes struggle to publish British army history

Simon Akam says Penguin Random House cancelled his book about the British army, The Changing of the Guard, and demanded back his advance after he refused to let the MoD vet itIn the summer of 2015, journalist Simon Akam was thrilled when Penguin Random House (PRH) imprint William Heinemann won a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-07-23 13:00:54 UTC ]
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Fantasy Author Scarlett St. Clair Joins Bloom Books

Dark fantasy author Scarlett St. Clair will join Bloom Books, which will publish her new novel 'King of Battle and Blood,' along with her complete backlist and forthcoming new books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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9 Funny Chapter Book Series That Will Keep Kids Giggling

These funny chapter book series will have kids laughing out loud as they flip the pages. Make sure to have the sequels ready! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-07-19 10:40:00 UTC ]
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For the Kids: Spotlight on Vince Cleghorne

With books like I Want to Be a Dino-Kid, Mich & Moose, Bug Soup, Smiles, and Hoo’s There?, an author and illustrator looks to inspire children to fall in love with reading. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Tasmanian author Amanda Lohrey wins prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award for The Labyrinth

Amanda Lohrey's novel about a woman who isolates herself yet finds connection has won the 2021 Miles Franklin Literary Award. Continue reading at The Conversation

[ The Conversation | 2021-07-15 06:31:16 UTC ]
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Laura Lippman’s suspense novel ‘Dream Girl’ takes its cue from Stephen King

In Lippman’s 25th novel, a bedridden novelist is haunted by a woman who claims to be one of his characters. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-07-11 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Hungary fines bookshop chain over picture book depicting LGBT families

Líra Könyv made to pay £600 for failing to clearly indicate the story featured ‘a family that is different than a normal family’A bookshop chain in Hungary has been fined for selling a children’s story depicting a day in the life of a child with same-sex parents, with officials condemning the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-07-08 12:09:32 UTC ]
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RCW and Knights Of launch children's publishing workshop for authors of colour

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[ The Bookseller | 2021-07-08 01:37:05 UTC ]
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Roger Bennett spent his British boyhood fixated on ‘Miami Vice’ and the Chicago Bears — then lived his own American Dream

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[ The Washington Post | 2021-07-01 10:00:00 UTC ]
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Elizabeth 'Betita' Martínez, prolific author and pioneering Chicana, dies

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[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-06-29 18:13:49 UTC ]
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Bookshop site partners with Modern Films to support indies

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[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-29 08:56:46 UTC ]
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Patricia Reilly Giff, popular and prolific children’s author, dies at 86

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[ The Washington Post | 2021-06-29 07:37:56 UTC ]
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Rise of 'hybrid authors' as writers buy back their rights

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[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-24 22:00:58 UTC ]
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Unit Sales Had Small Gain Last Week

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-06-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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London’s ‘Author HQ’ Programming To Be Led by Bestseller Matt Haig

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-06-23 19:50:33 UTC ]
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‘Le Divorce’ was a ’90s sensation. Diane Johnson is back again with another hit.

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[ The Washington Post | 2021-06-21 06:00:00 UTC ]
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Father’s Day can be lonely for some, so author Kristen Arnett is filling the void

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[ The Washington Post | 2021-06-19 14:00:00 UTC ]
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Dawson, Bennett and Page support Independent Bookshop Week with Hachette

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[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-19 08:06:16 UTC ]
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