‘I’m giddy to be here’: the risk-takers who opened bookshops during Covid

More than 60 bookshops launched in the UK and Ireland in the past 18 months – but who would open one in a pandemic? We asked five to share their stories, while bestselling author Val McDermid remembers the bookshops of her youthWhen I was growing up in a small Scottish town, we had a bookshop that was utterly terrifying. The books were housed on high shelves behind counters staffed by intimidating assistants. If you didn’t go in knowing what you wanted, tough. There was no possibility of browsing. If I got a book token for my birthday or a school prize, I’d always pick a title I hadn’t read yet from a favourite author so I knew what to ask for. Chances were, they didn’t have it and it would have to be ordered. Cue pursed lips and a frown.Honestly, it’s a miracle that I ever managed to amass a book collection at all.Val McDermid’s new novel, 1979 (Little, Brown, £20), is published on 19 August Related: Shakespeare and Company: a 'socialist utopia masquerading as a bookstore' – in pictures Related: 10 independent bookshops you should visit worldwide: our readers recommend Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-08-15 11:00:06 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "‘I’m giddy to be here’: the risk-takers who opened bookshops during Covid"


Patterson Offers 'Happy Holidays' for 320 Indie Booksellers

For the third year in a row, the bestselling author is giving holiday bonuses to indie booksellers. This year he sent checks ranging from $750 to $1,250 to booksellers and bookstore owners around the country. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-12-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rankin and McDermid urge halt to Scottish arts cuts

Leading Scottish writers including Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Denise Mina have called on the Scottish government to halt potentially "devastating" cuts to arts and literature for "the good of everyone in Scotland". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Religion and Spirituality Books Preview: November 2017

The latest title by the bestselling author of ‘Zealot’ Reza Aslan, and a memoir from the "Chewbacca mom" made famous through a Facebook Live video, are among the biggest religion and spirituality books coming out in November. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-10-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Nutritarian Call to Action: PW Talks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman's Editor

Bestselling author and family physician Joel Fuhrman calls on Americans to give up fast food and processed food, as he lays out the benefits of a nutrient-dense, plant-rich, or nutritarian, diet, which can reverse heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-10-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Weekly E-Ranking: Hachette job sees McDermid hit number one

Val McDermid has gone straight to number one in her first appearance in The Bookseller’s Weekly E-Book Ranking. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-09-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Filmmaker hijacks his own movie in 'All the Rage (Saved by Sarno)'

Can chronic pain be caused by such things as childhood adversity, repressed anger and unchecked stress as opposed to a structural abnormality? Dr. John Sarno, the bestselling author and longtime rehabilitation specialist who died in June at 93, had long posited this kind of mind-body connection.... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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McDermid and Horowitz join Noirwich Crime Fest's 'killer' line-up

Val McDermid, Anthony Horowitz and Martina Cole have been confirmed on the killer line-up for the fourth Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-08-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Religion and Spirituality Books Preview: August 2017

Bestselling author of ‘The Artist’s Way’ Julia Cameron’s new book ‘Life Lessons,’ and HGTV star Jen Hatmaker’s newest release, are among the most-anticipated titles publishing in August. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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No Filter and Unashamed: PW Talks to Jen Hatmaker

Despite her outspokenness for the inclusion of LBGTQ people in the church, the bestselling author of ‘For the Love’ explains why she avoids political and cultural hot-button topics, preferring to gather women around common issues and struggles in her books instead. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-07-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rankin, McDermid and Levy named new RSL fellows

Authors Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Deborah Levy are among a roster of starry names made new Royal Society of Literature fellows for 2017. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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McDermid and MacBride feature in Bloody Scotland's first 'chilling' fiction

Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre, Denise Mina and Stuart MacBride will feature in crime festival Bloody Scotland's first ever book of fiction. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon 2017: Heather Graham and Chad Michael Murray Team Up to Thrill

An unlikely meeting brought us together,” says Heather Graham, the bestselling author of more than 100 books and novellas, explaining how she came to write a book with actor Chad Michael Murray. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo 2017: Alan Alda Practicing What He Preaches

Emmy Award–winning actor and writer, acclaimed director, bestselling author, university professor, and today host of the APA’s 17th annual Author Tea, Alan Alda took a few minutes to talk to PW about his latest book, "If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?" Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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James Patterson Expands Bookseller Bonus Program

The bestselling author is renewing his Holiday Bookseller Bonus Program, which launched in 2015. He's also adding more money to the mix this time around, increasing his donation by $100,000. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Anthony Horowitz's claim he was told not to write black characters sparks row

Other writers have reacted with scepticism to the Alex Rider author’s claim that he was discouraged from ‘artificial and possibly patronising’ writingA furore has broken out in the children’s books world around claims by Alex Rider creator Anthony Horowitz that he was “warned off” creating a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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McDermid, Herron and Durrant compete for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year

The shortlist for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year pits "Queen of Crime" Val McDermid's 30th novel against an espionage thriller by Mick Herron, as well as Chris Brookmyre's "celtic Gone Girl".  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Escapist Favorites Top in Europe

Rebecca Gablé, the bestselling author of historical fiction, returned to Germany’s fiction bestseller list in April at #1 with "The Foreign Queen," the second in her new Otto the Great Series. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bill O'Reilly's Publisher Standing by Their Man

Bill O’Reilly has been a mainstay of the Henry Holt list for years and, at the moment, that is not changing. The Macmillan imprint told PW that it has no intention of altering its support of the bestselling author, despite his dismissal from Fox News. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bill O'Reilly's publisher stands by him after Fox sacking

TV host and bestselling author who was fired on Wednesday after multiple sexual harassment claims came to light, retains support of Henry HoltFox News may have abandoned Bill O’Reilly, but the beleaguered TV host, who was sacked on Wednesday following sexual harassment claims, has found support... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2017: Cory Doctorow Unveils His Latest Publishing Experiment—Fair Trade E-Books

For his forthcoming book, Walkaway, out in April, the bestselling author has devised a novel approach to selling the digital edition. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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