‘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 ]
News tagged with: #favourite author #book collection #val mcdermid #bookshop #bestselling author

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


'Keep Your Eyes Open' and Other Lessons from a Zen Priest

In ‘Turning Words’ (Shambhala), Zen priest and musician Hozan Alan Senauke, shares a collection of stories from his life that include teachings learned from Buddhist luminaries such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Joan Halifax, Joanna Macy, and dozens of others. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-08 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Registration Opens for PW's 2023 U.S. Book Show

The book publishing trade show produced by 'Publishers Weekly,' now in its second year, will run as a hybrid event May 22-25. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-07 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #registration opens #book show #hybrid event #book publishing


Pasoli and Thomas on Today’s 60th Bologna Opening

With a buoyant mood and a new coalition of new features, Bologna Children's Book Fair beats its own record for its number of exhibitors. The post Pasoli and Thomas on Today’s 60th Bologna Opening appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-06 05:14:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bologna children #children's book


Who will buy this little Welsh bookshop, which comes complete with hundreds of books?

Attention book lovers yearning to get out of Dodge: a down-on-its-luck bookstore in the Welsh mining town of Blaenavon (population 6,055) is headed to (online) auction next week, with bidding to open at the low low price of £72,000. Sure, it needs some work. But it comes with all the books, and... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-01 15:27:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #online auction #bookstore


‘Things are definitely opening up’: the rise of older female writers

Unpublished authors in their 60s, 70s and 80s are now at a premium in the book world – with radical, edgy women in high demandThe literary world is often accused of an obsession with youth, from multiple awards targeted at authors under 40 to publishers who hunt for new voices exclusively among... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-25 07:00:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #unpublished authors #young writers #unpublished writers #literary world #book world


Hundreds of People Showed Up to the Grand Opening of Octavia’s Bookshelf

The Black, Indigenous, and people of color-focused bookstore in Pasadena, California opened to customers lined up around the block. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-02-20 14:38:53 UTC ]
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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 | News stories tagged with: #covid pandemic #profit growth #independent presses #coronavirus pandemic #author events #bookshop #british book #small press


Nielsen BookData Opens BookScan Tracking in Colombia

Amid calls for better and more comparable data among publishing markets, Nielsen's BookData makes a timely expansion in Colombia. The post Nielsen BookData Opens BookScan Tracking in Colombia appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-14 17:19:31 UTC ]
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Cambridge University Press Aims for Full Open Access by 2025

Cambridge University Press reports that 400 of its journals offer open-access options to publishers; 66 with fully open access and 340 hybrid. The post Cambridge University Press Aims for Full Open Access by 2025 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-14 11:01:59 UTC ]
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WNDB Opens Applications for Books Save Lives Grants

Through its Books Save Lives Grants, We Need Diverse Books will provide up to $10,000 in diverse titles to school libraries, prioritizing schools in districts facing book bans. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-08 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diverse books #diverse titles #school libraries


German Book Prize Names Its Jury, Opens Submissions

With its seven jurors named, the 2023 German Book Prize in fiction has opened its submission period to publishers, through March 22. The post German Book Prize Names Its Jury, Opens Submissions appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-07 13:44:53 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #opens submissions #german book #book prize


PW's 2023 Bookstore, Rep of the Year Nominations Open

Authors, booksellers, publishers, distributors, and others with ties to the book industry are invited to nominate their favorite bookstores and sales representatives for PW's annual Bookstore and Sales Rep of the Year Awards. Deadline for submissions is March 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-02 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The Sourcebooks BIPOC Editorial Training Program Is Opening Doors

Sourcebooks' remote intensive training program for BIPOC interns from nontraditional backgrounds is easing entry into the industry for its graduates while fulfilling the Chicagoland company's DEI objectives. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-01 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #opening doors


Taipei International Book Exhibition Opens Its 31st Edition

The 31st Taipei International Book Exhibition has opened its run with professional programming as well as public-facing entertainment. The post Taipei International Book Exhibition Opens Its 31st Edition appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-01-31 14:57:21 UTC ]
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An Open Letter to Stephen King: Book Censorship News, January 27, 2023

No, kids CAN'T get the books being banned at libraries and bookstores, Mr. King. That, plus this week's book censorship news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-01-27 11:40:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #stephen king #open letter #libraries


Open Road Expanded Publishing Partnerships in 2022

Challenges publishers face in generating discovery for their titles helped Open Road Integrated Media attract a growing number of companies to its various services in 2022, Open Road CEO David Steinberger wrote in a letter to company employees this week. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-26 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Open Road Launches Activation 2.0

After launching a frontlist marketing service in July that built on Open Road's Ignition program the promotes backlist e-book titles, the company has unveiled its second iteration. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-11 05:00:00 UTC ]
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France’s Editis Has Opened a New African Publishing House

Awaiting news of a buyer, Vivendi's Editis in Paris continues rolling out new local-focus presses in Québec and Africa, this time in Senegal. The post France’s Editis Has Opened a New African Publishing House appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-01-09 14:27:09 UTC ]
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Why Travel Writing is a Form of Memoir and How Covid Has Changed How We See the World

Hosted by Andrew Keen, Keen On features conversations with some of the world’s leading thinkers and writers about the economic, political, and technological issues being discussed in the news, right now. In this episode, Andrew is joined by Pico Iyer, the author of The Half Known Life: In Search... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-01-06 09:52:43 UTC ]
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A new indie bookstore named for Octavia Butler is opening in the author’s hometown.

Here’s a piece of good literary news to start the year: a new independent bookstore named after the legendary Octavia E. Butler is opening in Pasadena, California, where the late Sci-Fi icon was born and raised. I took the leap and quit my job to open my very own bookstore. Octavia’s Bookshelf... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-01-03 17:31:27 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #octavia butler #independent bookstore #bookstore