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 #jrr tolkien #deep appreciation #formative years #bookstore

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Authors Guild Issues Update on New Leaf Authors

The Guild says it met with the agency's leadership on May 18 and was assured of transition plans to support a number of authors who were recently dropped by the agency following the departure of agent Jordan Hamessley. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon sale slashes the price of Kindle Kids and Fire Kids tablets

If you have a child in your life who needs a new tablet or e-reader, Amazon has a sale you may want to check out. The company's devices designed for kids are currently being sold at a discount —some are even listed with the lowest prices we've seen for them on the website. You can get Kindle for... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-08-16 10:01:53 UTC ]
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Ninety budding authors to receive trade tutelage through HC’s Author Academy

HarperCollins affiliate publisher Rose Sandy reveals the details of its new Author Academy, which will give 90 emerging talents guidance as to how the book industry functions. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-10-15 22:41:09 UTC ]
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We’ve Got Your Kids Covered: 20 of the Best Kindle Books for Kids

We're bringing you the 20 best Kindle books for kids. All are either free for all or free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-06-12 10:33:52 UTC ]
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Are Self-Published Authors Still Indie Authors?

The publishing landscape is rapidly changing—as is the way self-published authors are viewed. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Letting Kids Be Kids: A ‘Wrecking Ball’ Event for the Ages (shelftalker)

In which Jeff Kinney oversees dumpster divers, sledgehammer trivia, and a very surprising dance-off! Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-06 13:00:42 UTC ]
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Society of Authors renews calls for TV shows to pay authors

The Society of Authors (SoA) has renewed its calls for TV companies to pay and credit historians and authors for their research work after a rise in complaints from members. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild and Society of Authors Allege Copyright Infringement by the Internet Archive

In a copyright flare-up, California's Internet Archive finds itself on the wrong side of the English-speaking world's two largest author trade organizations. The post Authors Guild and Society of Authors Allege Copyright Infringement by the Internet Archive appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-01-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The UK’s Society of Authors Releases Its Shortlists for the Authors’ Awards Slate 2018

With its Authors' Awards not only for younger writers but also one for a first-time novelist older than 40, the Society of Authors releases shortlists for more than £98,000 in literary awards. The post The UK’s Society of Authors Releases Its Shortlists for the Authors’ Awards Slate 2018... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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US Authors Guild Opens First Regional Chapters and Amazon Author-Complaint Resolution

Following its deployment of a traveling team of workshop leaders, the Authors Guild opens a round of regional chapters. It also has just opened a new author-complaint resolution service in direct cooperation with Amazon.com. The post US Authors Guild Opens First Regional Chapters and Amazon... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Honors VIDA, Announces ‘Boot Camps’ for Authors Outside New York

US-based Authors Guild announced a series of traveling workshops for writers around the country and honored 'VIDA: Women in Literary Arts' with its most prestigious award. The post Authors Guild Honors VIDA, Announces ‘Boot Camps’ for Authors Outside New York appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a tough ad climate, small publishers are finding success in small donations

Publishers are finding readers are willing to make small-dollar donations to support news operations. The post In a tough ad climate, small publishers are finding success in small donations appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2018-05-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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These Kids’ Books Are Written By Kids From Around The World

Rakonto is teaching kids critical thinking skills by making them the authors of their own children’s books. A new children’s book has an unexpected author: a seventh-grader from rural India who, until earlier this year, hadn’t considered himself a storyteller. The book, now part of a project on... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2017-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookshops celebrate Super Thursday and prepare for Bookshop Day

Booksellers are gearing up for a "very exciting and busy" Super Thursday today (5th October), although one has argued the multitudes of releases may mean some "great" titles get overlooked. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kid Gloves seeks to fit the bill for kids’ indies

A new commercial development operation and consultancy for small independent children’s publishers called Kid Gloves, has been established by Roy Johnson, commercial director at New Frontier and former key accounts manager for Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kids Being Kids Get a New Look

In 1942, Gertrude Chandler Warner, a Connecticut grade school teacher, unveiled The Boxcar Children, her first book—she wrote 18 more—in what would become a cherished series of more than 150 titles. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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YouTube Kids Launches #ReadAlong Campaign to Encourage Kids to Read

YouTube Kids partnered with global book publishers HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and National Geographic Kids to launch a global initiative called #ReadAlong month. Taking place throughout the month of June, the program is designed to help young viewers learn to... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2017-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors United warns of attacks on 'author livelihoods' under Trump administration

The new US administration under Donald Trump could make things "very, very much worse" for authors, according to campaign group Authors United. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors United Absorbed by Authors Guild

In a letter, Authors United founder Douglas Preston urged AU writers “to throw their support behind the Authors Guild either by joining or making a contribution.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors join Julian Barnes in condemning US authors' admission to Booker prize

Writers including AS Byatt and Philip Hensher say Commonwealth and British writers face greater struggle to find readers, now ‘dice are loaded’ AS Byatt, Philip Hensher and Susan Hill have joined authors backing Julian Barnes’s call for the Man Booker prize to exclude US writers once again, a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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