Independent Booksellers Support Fledgling Authors (by Tess Callahan)

Most of the events on my book tour so far have or will take place at independent bookstores. The people behind these stores, wave makers in the industry, are feverishly devoted to books.

Originally, I was supposed to have no book tour at all. After all, if you are a first time novelist without name recognition, who will attend your readings? The new trend in book publicity is the virtual book tour via the blogosphere. Indeed, I have been doing a healthy share of Q&A for literary websites I had no idea existed. But this is not the same as meeting people face to face, hearing their reactions to your work, and signing books for them and their loved ones.

It was my good fortune, therefore, that independent bookstore owners with the wherewithal to read endless advance copies, stepped up to request readings. Terry Gilman, owner of Mysterious Galaxy Books in San Diego, is a powerhouse of book promotion on the West Coast. (Standing, third from right). She organizes the LA-based “Ladies, Lunch & Literacy” series which brings debut authors to the South Bay to read, give a talk, and enjoy lunch with readers, many of whom participate in local book groups. In addition to the LA reading, Terry invited me to her San Diego bookstore for a delicious event called, “Wine, Women, Books & Chocolate,” which offers readers the opportunity to discuss books, and their lives, in a relaxed, informal setting. The desserts were rapturous.
http://mysteriousgalaxy.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp;jsessionid=abc76K9ebWcLsefIF8Fhs?s=localinterest&page=338901

While Terry Gilman is a pillar of support for debut authors on the West Coast, Jaime Clark and Mary Cotton, owners of Newtonville Books in Newton, MA, hold up the sky in the East. Newtonville Books is a modestly sized bookstore with a dynamite reading series. In addition to hosting an average of two readings per week, the little-store-that- could has readers’ clubs, writing workshops, and a community blog. On the night I was there, I was lucky to present with Josh Weil, (shown here signing books with me), who read from his novella collection, The New Valley. Extraordinary, by the way! Both Mysterious Galaxy and Newtonville Books have impressive collections of signed first editions by a wide gamut of authors.
http://www.newtonvillebooks.com/

The family owned Book Revue in Huntington, New York, where I’ll be reading on July 9, has evolved into a Long Island community and cultural center which offers workshops, book groups and children’s programs.  Despite its long history of hosting celebrity readings by the likes of Bill Clinton and Caroline Kennedy, the store is just as happy to support local unknowns like me. My siblings who live on Long Island can attest to the loyal support this store receives from its customers.
http://www.bookrevue.com/index.html

Talking Leaves Books in Buffalo, New York, co-founded by Jonathon Welch, has a contagious passion for books that are idiosyncratic, unusual, original, and stem from inquiring, free-spirited and independent minds. They feel that as our culture becomes more uniform, the voices and visions outside the mainstream become more significant. The store is an icon on the Buffalo landscape, and it will be an honor for me to read there on July 16.
http://www.tleavesbooks.com/

These have been lean years for indie booksellers competing against big chains in a precarious economy, but those who survived have unique personality, and make vital contributions to the communities they serve.

Here are a few more stores that generously support and promote new and local authors. These are just a few I happen to know about. If you have a bookstore you love, please share it in the comments section. Independent booksellers need us, and we need them.

Anderson Bookshop, Naperville, IL: http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/

Northshire Books, Manchester, VT: http://www.northshire.com/

Warwick’s Books, La Jolla, CA: http://www.warwicks.com/

Watchung Booksellers, Montclair, NJ: http://www.watchungbooksellers.com/

Comments

[Stacey]

This is a fantastic informative post Tess. Thanks. To your list I'll add The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, in Albany, NY, where I lived for many years.

[MilesB]

Mac's Backs in Cleveland Hts, OH. http://site.booksite.com/5817/

[DL]

Thank you, Tess. You're right; independent booksellers are unsung heroes and heroines. Here in (Ithaca, NY)we have the Bookery as well as a spectacular second-hand bookshop, Autumn Leaves. Autumn Leaves has changed owners, names, and locations more than once; I like the name Blue Fox better, but the inventory has never been larger than it is today.

[Danielle]

The Second Story Bookstore (http://www.personallyrecommendedbooks.com/) in Laramie WY. Housed in what was historically a dance hall, a hotel, and a part-time bordello. And I'll second The Book House in Albany!