Host: Steve Wax Participants: Wendy Thomas Russell, Margo Sage-El, Lisa Uhrik, Vickie Titcombs (?) need 2 more Notes: Indie bookstores are increasingly designing for a story, not just a book or category. — As are museums, libraries, galleries, and shops Lisa at Franklin Fixtures is encouraging and supporting more and more story thinking around the… Continue reading Designing for Stories
Category: Bookselling as a Profession
How do we reimagine connections with universities and libraries as cohorts with Indie bookstores for the benefit of all?
Host: Lisa Uhrik Participants: Lisa Uhrik, Jasmine Valandani, Gayle Wattawa, Shari Stauch Notes: Lisa – Franklin Fixtures: how to create spaces, organizational development and literacy (museums and bookstores) Book – America Becoming by Lisa Uhrik Japan – buy or borrow model – how to partner with libraries to create stores within a library museum stores… Continue reading How do we reimagine connections with universities and libraries as cohorts with Indie bookstores for the benefit of all?
How do we reimagine the relationship between Bookstores and Publishers?
Host: Len Vlahos Notes: Len: The relationship hasn’t changed in at least 35 years Ann Seaton: This affects the entire ecosystem- as an author how does Len see this from an author perspective Len: The relationship is more rational as an author with contracts, royalties, rates etc. As a bookseller he felt he couldn’t get… Continue reading How do we reimagine the relationship between Bookstores and Publishers?
How do we get more people reading books?
Host: Mark Pearson Notes: There are different demographics: kids, young adults, adults, and people access books differently – some through libraries, some through bookstores, some through audiobooks. Young people are visual, but not necessarily with the printed page – graphic novels and manga may be more appealing. Audiobooks can enable people with dyslexia to access… Continue reading How do we get more people reading books?
The movement seems to be towards co-op or non-profit models, but I’m wondering if we can still succeed as a traditional business? Interested in implications of each model.
Host: Carol Participants: Notes: Carol: store owner 10 years, store approaching 50 years. Margot: lot of pivots in 25 years. Uses staff as a sounding board before making business decisions. Jessica: co-ops and unions: how to benefit staff & company, issues of team-building Neil: transparency around expectations of compensation / advancement in bookstore business model… Continue reading The movement seems to be towards co-op or non-profit models, but I’m wondering if we can still succeed as a traditional business? Interested in implications of each model.
What DISTINGUISHES a community bookstore?? What could a movement to support community bookstores look like, and how can we support it?
Host: Anne Stadler & Paul Wright Participants: Notes: What does a “movement” mean? Something comparable to the Free Speech Movement!? Paul suggests: Could there be a national movement that supports local community bookstores. Bookstores should be “civic” organizations, a place where people’s voices can be heard, a central source for community information. A center for… Continue reading What DISTINGUISHES a community bookstore?? What could a movement to support community bookstores look like, and how can we support it?
Regarding Fair Wages – are there government subsidies or public funds available to help support the bookstore to pay our employees – also – any assistance on healthcare provisions
Host: Irene Ryan Participants: Kate Weiss, Binc Kit Steinaway, Binc Talia Whyte, Rozzie Bound Ellen Speers, Titcomb’s Notes: What is needed to open a bookstore in a new location? Is there a lack of workers or a lack of living-wage paying jobs? What resources does a bookstore need to pay a living wage to booksellers?… Continue reading Regarding Fair Wages – are there government subsidies or public funds available to help support the bookstore to pay our employees – also – any assistance on healthcare provisions
New books are the lifeblood of a bookstore, a room full of books. How do you keep your passion and stay on top of the season, make discoveries?
Host: Patricia Nelson Participants: Madi Mullen, Missy from Katy Budget Books, Diana Montano, Hannah Harlow, Nasim Ghasemiyeh, Kristianne, Kelly Munn Notes: Bookstores have to do so many things – but bringing in the new books, the discipline of it, are sales rep relationships outdated? Etc. or anything related to this topic Patricia: Recently at an… Continue reading New books are the lifeblood of a bookstore, a room full of books. How do you keep your passion and stay on top of the season, make discoveries?
What revenue streams are people using for increased wages?
Host: Amanda, Kepler’s Participants: Eric – Mrs. Dalloways Suzanna – Oblong Books Roy – Rozzie Bound (“Rozzie” = Roslindale, Mass) Shelley – Blue Heron Books Kristin – Hicklebee’s Carolee – Kepler’s Alex – Publisher’s Weekly Eileen – One More Page Books Irene & Melissa – Beacon Hill Books Scott – author Esme – Firestorm Books… Continue reading What revenue streams are people using for increased wages?
How can we create an ongoing sense of mentorship, especially for newer booksellers to help them create sustainable careers?
Host: Stephanie Heinz Participants: Ruth (PRH), Stephanie (Print), Donna (Kepler’s), Kim (Third Place Books), Charlie (Kepler’s), Nasim (Alta Journal) Notes: What has been done? Used to have Emerging Leaders and then Indies Forward Emerging Leaders kind of petered out as people moved into management & ownership DEIC was a direct result of Indies Forward’s work… Continue reading How can we create an ongoing sense of mentorship, especially for newer booksellers to help them create sustainable careers?
Reimagining Bookstores 