I am a member of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) and Director of the Western Slope Chapter in western Colorado. Last Saturday we had a panel discussion with bookstore buyers and librarians. It focused on how small press/self-published books can get on the shelf. The panelists were great and had lots of good information for us but the thing that struck me the most was the difficulty independent bookstores have maintaining a stable financial picture. Every book counts and if they are not selling they can't keep them on the shelf - makes sense. Competing with the big box stores is a full time job for these shops. We lost our only independent bookstore in Grand Junction and it was a sad day.
What does the independent bookstore offer? For me they offer a chance to browse shelves in comfort, a friendly and familiar face, and conversation . There is just a different atmosphere. I am far more likely to engage another customer in a small bookstore as opposed to a big box customer - this may be idiosyncratic. I love the smell of books which is missing from corporate stores which have been sanitized. I like the feeling of community that permeates the air. I have also found that as a self-published author, these bookstores are far more welcoming. I had a book signing in Ridgway, Colorado at the Cimarron Bookstore and Coffee House and it was wonderful. Priscilla, the stores owner, is kind and encouraging, and her store is a delight.
I think there are a few things, we as writers, can do. First, don't shop the big boxes either in person or online. I learned that most independent stores now have an online presence and you can order through their website and support their independence. I had not thought of that and have decided that going forward, I will buy books only from independent stores. I encourage all in the book community to do the same. You can also "adopt" an independent store and refer all your book sales to them. One writer is doing this and is refering business to Off the Beaten Path in Steamboat Springs and it is working well. Leslie and Dick Ryan own and run this well-known independent store and were part of the panel previously mentioned. The Tattered Cover in Denver is also a good choice. Whatever store you choose, make it an independent one.
So, I would love to hear other ways in which we can support independent bookstores. Please send your ideas by commenting on this blog.
2 comments:
Hear! Hear! I am a writer too -- not fiction, not self-published. My books are mid-list and have been published by some respected regional houses as well as larger NY publishers. I too believe in supporting local, independent bookstores as well as local, independent restaurants and other businesses. The chainification and homogenization of the country really disturbs me. I have blogged about the chain restaurant infestation on http://culinary-colorado.blogspot.com. So let's support ALL kinds of independent stores -- including bookstores that feed the soul and restaurants that feed the body.
Claire,
Thanks for your comments. My husband and I do support the local Grand Junction restaurants and feel the same way you do about chainification. There are probably other areas to explore besides restaurants and bookstores. Let's keep thinking of ways to save our sense of community and local flavor which is soul nutritious.
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