October 18 Opening Remarks October 18 Evening News October 19 News and Announcements October 19 Closing October 18 Opening Remarks Praven Madan’s introduction HELLOOOOO EVERYONE! WELCOME. Thank you all for joining us today for, what we hope, will be a pivotal gathering for bookstores and our communities. My name is Praveen Madan and for my… Continue reading Plenary Notes, Oct 18-19, 2021
Category: Bookstore Events
How events, and event partnerships, can help bookstores
Host: Cherilyn Parsons (founder/ED of Bay Area Book Festival) Participants: Evan Karp; Steve Wax; Kelly Stromberg; Candace; Margot Sage Notes: The group discussed permutations of, and ideas for, literary events. Questions: Some bookstores produce their own large events (in-person or virtual): what are the dynamics of those, in-person and virtual, in expanding sales and building community?… Continue reading How events, and event partnerships, can help bookstores
Given that publishers tend to focus their tours for bigger, more well known authors in big cities and on the coasts, ignoring much of the flyover country where there’s a greater need for illumination and a wider point of view, how might they re-think their advertising and book launch campaigns to give smaller bookstores a “slice of the pie” and, thus, a real shot at impacting their communities?
Host: Tanya Mills, Book Bungalow Participants: Angie Grau, Bookseller Steph Opitz, Zibby Books Katrina Kruse, sales rep Missy, Katy Budget Books Lauren Gallagher, bookseller Jim Bean, Anthology John Leary, Hachette BrocheAroe Fabian, Sourcebooks/River Dog Book Co. Notes: Q (Tanya): Would publishers be interested in splitting up visits regionally for increased access to authors in rural… Continue reading Given that publishers tend to focus their tours for bigger, more well known authors in big cities and on the coasts, ignoring much of the flyover country where there’s a greater need for illumination and a wider point of view, how might they re-think their advertising and book launch campaigns to give smaller bookstores a “slice of the pie” and, thus, a real shot at impacting their communities?
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?
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!
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 shift indie bookstores from a commodity offering to a “category of one” by creating one or more Grand Slam Offers?
Host: Jill Hendrix Participants: BradleyJones/ Morgan Hill Bookstore in CA, woman from Berrett Koehler, Carol from BookPeople, a couple of latecomers Notes: Inspired by book $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi Books are commodities that are easily price-shopped. With chains/online/ebooks, indie bookstores no longer have book monopolies in their communities. How do we get that back… Continue reading How can we shift indie bookstores from a commodity offering to a “category of one” by creating one or more Grand Slam Offers?
How can authors help independent bookstores?
Host: Anne Dimock Participants: Anne, Meredith, Easty, and one other Notes: Our conversation lasted about ½ hour, then we adjourned and went to other breakout rooms. Three of us are authors; two of us are booksellers – one of whom started her bookstore to accommodate local authors who were not represented in the local B&N.… Continue reading How can authors help independent bookstores?
Reimagining Bookstores 