‘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"


Lydia Davis refuses to sell her next book on Amazon

The garlanded short story author will release her next collection solely in bookshops and select independent online outlets to coincide with Bookshop DayPrize-winning author Lydia Davis’ new collection of short stories will not be sold on Amazon, with the author saying she does not “believe... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-19 10:05:07 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Bookselling Spotlight: The Neverending Bookshop

We talk with Annie Carl, founder of the Neverending Bookshop in Edmonds, Wash., a community bookstore that focuses on genre titles and children’s and YA. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


To Dine For Podcast: Fighter Pilot Lt. Col. Dan Rooney

Lt. Col. Dan Rooney is an Air Force fighter pilot, motivational speaker and bestselling author who has dedicated his life to meeting sacrifice with hope. He's achieved that goal through Folds of Honor, a nonprofit he founded that provides life-changing scholarships to the families of fallen or... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2023-04-03 14:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Two Seattle Indie Publishers Unite Around Small-Press Distribution

Joshua Rothes of Sublunary Editions and Phil Bevis of Chatwin Books have formed Asterism Books, a wholesale distribution portal and bookshop for independent small presses. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-27 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Lockdown in Literature, by The Editors of WLT

Lockdown in Literature, by The Editors of WLT Lit Lists [email protected] Mon, 03/20/2023 - 14:39 Photo by Jens Maes / Unsplash There has been plenty of handwringing among some over whether it’s too soon to write pandemic literature, but these... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2023-03-20 19:39:01 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Barnes & Noble is stealing the indie shop playbook, and it’s working

James Daunt launched his first indie bookshop in London 33 years ago. The Barnes & Noble CEO is now bringing the lessons he learned to the biggest bookseller in America. If you’re strolling down the Marylebone High Street in London, you’ll stumble across a popular bookstore called Daunt... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2023-02-28 04:30:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Religion and Spirituality Books Preview: March 2023

New books in religion and spirituality include a guide to marriage based on the Enneagram, an examination of women in the early Christian church, the latest from bestselling author and New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Rick Warren Brings a New Book to Zondervan

Megachurch pastor and bestselling author of ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ Rick Warren is writing his first new book in over a decade. The title, ‘Created to Dream: The 6 Phases God Uses to Grow Your Faith,’ is slated for publication on April 11. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


How a real-life stolen violin inspired Brendan Slocumb's bestselling mystery

Bestselling author Brendan Slocumb joins the L.A. Times Book Club on Feb. 23 to discuss his debut, "The Violin Conspiracy." Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-02-15 15:00:54 UTC ]
More news stories like this


British independent publishers thrive despite Brexit and Covid pandemic

Small press of the year award shortlists 48 presses that are ‘reaping the rewards from inspirational publishing’, says British book awards chair of judgesSmall presses across the UK and Ireland have had a “year of exceptional sales and profit growth in the face of Brexit and escalating running... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-15 09:17:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this


A new Highland Park bookstore is funded by publishers — but as indie as it gets

When publishers Rare Bird and Unnamed Press moved into Highland Park, North Figueroa Bookshop soon followed, putting down roots in a bookstore-starved neighbohood. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-02-14 14:00:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this


January Religion Bestsellers: Lysa TerKeurst Tops; ‘Redeeming Love’ Remains #1

Proverbs 31 Ministry president and bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst takes #1 in Religion Nonfiction with her latest release, ‘Good Boundaries and Goodbyes.’ Francine Rivers maintains the top perch in Religion Fiction from last month with ‘Redeeming Love.’ Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-08 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Religion and Spirituality Books Preview: February 2023

The latest title from Bible teacher and bestselling author Joyce Meyer, actress Roma Downey’s angel-inspired devotional, and more religion and spirituality books that are hitting the shelves in February. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-25 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Week in Libraries: January 20, 2023

Among the week's headlines: eight states so far in 2023 have new bills seeking to expose librarians and educators to criminal prosecution for obscenity violations; why a bestselling author with a new kids’ book was barred from speaking at a Texas school; and the first new state e-book bill of... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Dan Kois on Youthful Nostalgia and Rediscovering the Craft of Fiction

I assume that at some point I must’ve told Dan Kois what to do. During the years he worked for me at the grand old Bull’s Head Bookshop on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus somewhere in the late ‘90s. I must’ve said, at least once, “Shelve. Show that customer to the cookbooks. Shut up.” If so, […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-01-17 09:54:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this


James Patterson to complete unfinished Michael Crichton book

Late author’s estate has shared a manuscript with the bestselling novelist centered on a volcanic eruption in HawaiiThe bestselling author James Patterson is set to complete an unfinished manuscript from the late Michael Crichton.According to the Wall Street Journal, Crichton’s estate has... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-12-15 15:20:02 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Exclusive cover reveal: Here’s the cover for Edan Lepucki’s Time’s Mouth

Literary Hub is pleased to reveal the cover for Edan Lepucki’s Time’s Mouth forthcoming from Counterpoint in August 2023. From the  bestselling author of California, comes this “enthralling saga about family secrets that grow more powerful with time, set against the magical, dangerous landscape... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-12-15 14:30:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Have we fallen out of love with celebrity memoirs?

The year’s autobiography big-hitters haven’t sold as well as expected, with buyers disenchanted by pricing and lack of feelgood topicsFrom actors and musicians to athletes and presenters, there are no shortage of celebrity memoirs on bookshop shelves. This year has seen new books published by a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-12-09 10:52:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Napoleonic Conspiracy Theories, Unsociable Shabbiness, and More Occupational Hazards of the Second-Hand Book Trade

“Booksellers are constantly giving their patrons extraordinary bargains. In London recently a copy of an early edition of Keats’ Poems, originally bought from a dealer for 2s was sold for £140, and a first edition of Burns’ Poems bought in Edinburgh for 1s 6d brought £350.” –R.M. Williamson,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-12-07 09:53:48 UTC ]
More news stories like this


FTX crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried subject of new book by Michael Lewis

Bestselling writer Lewis has been shadowing Bankman-Fried as the cryptocurrency founder’s company, FTX, failed Bestselling author Michael Lewis, whose books include The Big Short and Flash Boys, is writing about the former boss of the failed cryptocurrency exchange for his next book.FTX, which... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-11-14 11:44:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this