‘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 ]
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NYC public libraries are suspending all programs through March, but will remain open to readers.

This morning, both the Chief Librarian of the Brooklyn Public Library and the President of the New York Public Library released statements announcing that they would be cancelling public library programs for the rest of March, in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and encourage social... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-03-12 16:51:47 UTC ]
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COVID-19 Impact Listing: Cancellations, Policy Changes, and More.

We will be maintaining a list of canceled events, impacted book industry functions and policies, and more on this list as a resource for navigating the new coronavirus and its impact on the industry. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Coronavirus: The Brussels Book Fair Is Open for Business

Unlike many publishing trade shows, fairs, and festivals, the Brussels Book Fair has been able to start its run on time this week–with medical personnel on-site and a careful eye on the coronavirus. Editor’s note: A bright spot among so many stories of canceled and postponed publishing events,... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-03-06 16:30:49 UTC ]
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Cowell, Barr and Hannah to take part in Independent Bookshop Week

Authors including Cressida Cowell, Damian Barr and Sophie Hannah will take part in Independent Bookshop Week (IBW).  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-05 23:53:15 UTC ]
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Coronavirus: Reed Exhibitions’ BookExpo Issues COVID-19 Statement

After the late cancellation of London Book Fair due to the coronavirus, Reed says BookExpo aims for a 'proactive and transparent' response to the evolving COVID-19 situation. The post Coronavirus: Reed Exhibitions’ BookExpo Issues COVID-19 Statement appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-03-05 12:30:45 UTC ]
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Frankfurter Buchmesse’s 2020 BookFest: Open for Publishers’ Submissions

With an emphasis on current affairs and diversity, the 2020 BookFest outreach program of Frankfurter Buchmesse is open for submissions. The post Frankfurter Buchmesse’s 2020 BookFest: Open for Publishers’ Submissions appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-03-02 06:05:40 UTC ]
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Indie bookshop pre-orders boom as Mantel publication nears

Indie bookshops are cashing in on a pre-order boom for Hilary Mantel’s new book and are hosting everything from midnight openings to silent discos this week. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-01 15:13:26 UTC ]
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S&S Cancels and COVID-19 Concerns Mount for London Book Fair

With Simon & Schuster's exit from London Book Fair, other publishers are watchful–concerned both for employee safety and for cost in case of a quarantine. The post S&S Cancels and COVID-19 Concerns Mount for London Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-02-28 18:07:02 UTC ]
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Flooding forces Shrewsbury children’s bookshop to close

Button & Bear children’s bookshop in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has been forced to close today (Wednesday 25th February) owing to rising floodwaters. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-25 14:31:43 UTC ]
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Frankfurter Buchmesse Opens Its Sixth Annual Free-Stand Competition

Two free stands at Frankfurt are available again this year—one for a winner from Germany and one for an international recipient. The post Frankfurter Buchmesse Opens Its Sixth Annual Free-Stand Competition appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-02-24 11:30:10 UTC ]
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COVID-19: Bologna Children’s Book Fair Postponed to May

The latest in Coronavirus-19 affected world publishing events, BolognaFiere announces its major annual children's book fair and trade show is postponed. The post COVID-19: Bologna Children’s Book Fair Postponed to May appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-02-23 11:10:27 UTC ]
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Industry Notes: Italy’s 18App Is Funded; International Book Fairs Eye COVID-19

Industry Notes: Italy's teen cultural bonus is refunded for 2020. International publishing events grapple with exhibitor, attendee worries about COVID-19. The post Industry Notes: Italy’s 18App Is Funded; International Book Fairs Eye COVID-19 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-02-20 20:18:40 UTC ]
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Open letter calls for China to release bookseller Gui Minhai

Publisher Eva Bonnier and author David Lagercrantz are among the signatories of an open letter calling for the release of Gui Minhai, a bookseller imprisoned in China. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-20 16:34:50 UTC ]
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Record number of stores in the running for Independent Bookshop of the Year

The British Book Awards, or Nibbies, have revealed the regional shortlists for the 2020 Independent Bookshop of the Year with a record 49 bookshops from nine regions across the UK and Ireland vying to be named the country’s best indie retailer for books.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-18 22:49:23 UTC ]
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Headline and Koomson launch open casting call for black female audiobook narrators

Headline and Dorothy Koomson have launched "Find My Verity", an open casting call designed to bring more black female voices into the world of audiobooks. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-17 06:25:35 UTC ]
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AAP-UNCF Publishing Internship Program Opens to All Minority Students

Previously available to students from any historic black college and university, the paid student internship program has been expanded to include minority juniors and seniors attending any college in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-02-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Prosecco-swilling Gay's the Word bookshop burglars caught red-handed by police

A pair of Prosecco-drinking burglars have been sentenced after police caught the two men knocking back alcohol during a break-in at Gay's the Word bookshop.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-13 04:34:38 UTC ]
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The Risk, and Reward, of Turning from Memoir to Fiction

I feel creatively lost most of the time. It doesn’t matter if I’m beginning a fresh project, wading through the middle, or racing toward the end—I often find myself in a fugue state that makes it impossible for me to understand what I’m doing, even as I’m doing it. This is what I love about […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-02-05 09:48:59 UTC ]
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Patrick Modiano on the Bookshop Owner Who Escaped the Nazis

The copy of Françoise Frenkel’s No Place to Lay One’s Head that was recently found, I’m told, in Nice, in an Emmaus Companions charity jumble sale, had a curious effect on me. Perhaps because it had been printed in Switzerland in September 1945 for Geneva-based publishers Jeheber. That... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-01-27 09:49:55 UTC ]
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Sales on the up for French independent bookshops

French independent bookshops increased their sales by 7.1% last year, despite a 1.3% drop in December because of continuing yellow vest social protests and the start of transport and other strikes against national pension reform on 5th December, according to the Booksellers Observatory. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-01-12 12:12:56 UTC ]
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