Host: Praveen Madan, Kepler’s Books Participants: Jamilah, House of Pages Missy, Katy Budget Books Ryan Jackson, Open Books (Chicago) Suzanna Hermans, Oblong (Did primary note taking) Bradley, BookSmart Lanora, sales rep Deb, Literati Bookstore Kendra, reader Sandra, reader/author Clancey, Seminary Co-Op Esme, Firestorm Books Latanya, Bronx Bound Books Alex, PW Will, Emerson Collective Vanessa, author… Continue reading Should we form something like a Stewardship Council to maintain the momentum?
Year: 2021
What big big changes can we make to re-envision the bookstore business? Maybe something based on a co-op or for-good corporation?
Host: Brad Participants: Bradley Jones, Esme Joy, Laura Larson, Tanya Mills, Nick Johnson Notes: How do we re-envision? – a new business model? Different branding? Branding: How do we brand the concept of an in-person book store? How are we different than being just a place to buy books? What is the story? How can… Continue reading What big big changes can we make to re-envision the bookstore business? Maybe something based on a co-op or for-good corporation?
What concrete steps can we take to pay staff a living wage in traditional brick and mortar bookstores?
Host: Kim at Third Place Books Participants: Kim Hooboer of Third Place Books, Sara Look of Charis Books and More, Amber Norris of Left Bank Books STL, Alex Green of Publisher’s Weekly, Scott Minor (Bookish in King of Prussia PA), Anna Thorne, Amber Norris (Left Bank Books), Roy (Rozzie Bound), Pat Mullins (Bliss Books), Chris… Continue reading What concrete steps can we take to pay staff a living wage in traditional brick and mortar bookstores?
Can the indie bookstore channel work together to create a powerful and moving Storybrand?
Host: Jill Hendrix Participants: Angie Grau, Alana @ Schuler, Eric Green, Marissa, Amanda Hall @ Kepler’s, Steph Opitz, Kristin Hall, Katrina Kruse, Nathan Halter @ Batch, Jamilah, Ryan Jackson, Donna Liu, Melissa DeMotte, and others Notes: What value do we provide to customers? more than just books space itself curation discovery knowledge creating family traditions:… Continue reading Can the indie bookstore channel work together to create a powerful and moving Storybrand?
How do we define our niche in our community as we’re dramatically changing business models?
Host: Anna Brown, Katy Budget Books Participants: Jason Boog (Fable), Margie Franzen (Wanderlust Bookshop), Susan C (The Book Keeper), Brittany Caine (Kepler’s), Emil C (River’s End), Daniel O’Brien, Jasmin Brooks (Bookery Manchester), Kirsten Hess (Let’s Play); Eric Besner (Fable), Jhoanna Belfer (Bel Canto Books) Notes: Jason Boog: Discussed how Fable works Would it benefit indies… Continue reading How do we define our niche in our community as we’re dramatically changing business models?
Our channel has always struggled with how to prove and quantify our marketshare to publishers (financial AND cultural) when not all of our purchases are direct, and when not all of our sales are visible to them, and even then, when we are a small-ish slice of the pie. SO, how do we quantify and re-value our marketshare to better prioritize the indie channel in publishers’ eyes, investment, priorities and resources
Host: Rebecca Fitting, Greenlight / BrocheAroe Fabian, Sourcebooks/River Dog Book Co. Participants: Anne Dimock, Author/Fundraising Ruth Liebmann, PRH Jeff Deutsch, Seminary Coop Billie Bloebaum, 3rd Street Books Brittany Caine Camden Avery, Booksmith Daniel O’Brien Elise, San Fran Emil C., River’s End Emily Warfield, Bluestockings Hele C. Stories Like Me IBID Jamie Fiocco, Flyleaf Jasmin Brooks,… Continue reading Our channel has always struggled with how to prove and quantify our marketshare to publishers (financial AND cultural) when not all of our purchases are direct, and when not all of our sales are visible to them, and even then, when we are a small-ish slice of the pie. SO, how do we quantify and re-value our marketshare to better prioritize the indie channel in publishers’ eyes, investment, priorities and resources
How do we engage in meaningful professional development for our teams? (project management, general management skills, etc)
Host: Stephanie Denton Participants: Linda-Marie Barrett, Anna Brown, Esty, Shari Stauch, Clancey D’Isa, Pam French, Jasmine Brooks, Aggie, Hamid Akbari Notes: Questions and reflections around: Development of staff which seeks professionalizing the aspects of bookselling that are overlooked: management, career skills, development Community foundation: creating and sustaining it How much management matters Transitions to management… Continue reading How do we engage in meaningful professional development for our teams? (project management, general management skills, etc)
Bookstore Events!
Host: Elayna Trucker, Napa Bookmine Participants: Angela, Pursel, Mary Williams, Amy Stephenson, Rebeka Shoaf, Derek Stordahl, Sarah Pishko, Harry from Kepler’s, Eileen Speers, Rachel from Avid Bookshop, Andrew Unger, Kim Patch, Johanna Vondeling, Michael Reinken, Wyatt (unknown association), Wendy Thomas Russell, Cynthia St. John Notes: Definitely need better communication of expectations Placing authors at the… Continue reading Bookstore Events!
Audio books
Host: Cherilyn Parsons Participants: Steve Piersanti; Susanne Pari; Cindy and Art (readers) Notes: Cherilyn wished that publishers would allow audiobooks to be “counted” as a book sale within bundled author events — and same with e-books — because so many people are buying in these other forms instead of hardcover. It’s frustrating to be an… Continue reading Audio books
Community Partners to collaborate with to deepen literacy
Host: Jasmine Valandani Participants: Notes: Durham, NC has a group called Book Harvest a non-profit that provides books to 0-5 year olds – once a month visit and gifted 2 free new books. They collect donations from the community. There are statistics that book ownership translates to higher literacy rates Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo, I came late… Continue reading Community Partners to collaborate with to deepen literacy
Reimagining Bookstores 