Let's Make Some Bookstores
Sep. 27th, 2011 04:01 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
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I've been disappointed by the recent collapse of Borders, which took Waldenbooks down with it, after they helped demolish the independent bookstores. So now a lot of towns have no bookstore, chain or otherwise. I don't like this, and I've noticed a lot of other people expressing similar sentiments. I'm not an entrepreneur, so starting a bookstore is not really my thing.
What I am is a wordsmith and a very enthusiastic crowdfunder. So, I propose creating bookstores in fictional settings, and writing/illustrating/portraying bookstores (which may be fictional or real ones). You can do this in your own setting or someone else's. Some crowdfunded projects allow patrons to share in the worldbuilding. Others have prompt calls where you can request something you want to see.
For example,
kajones_writing offers opportunities to name characters or permanent structures in her various series. I established the bookshop Echoes of Alexandria in the Donor House setting. There will be a story to introduce it eventually.
Let's remind people why bookstores are wonderful. They have selections where you can browse the whole book. They often have knowledgable staff who will help you find what you need. They tend to be full of other people who love books. They may host author signings, book club meetings, and other literary activities.
If you've got a bookstore in your crowdfunded setting, or you're up for featuring them in a crowdfunding session, or you've requested one in somebody else's setting, or you've put one in your recent writing/art/whatever, please comment with details and a link if the material is online.
[EDIT 9/29/11] If you own or work at a bookstore, or still know of a local one that you love, please feel free to join the fun. Supporting extant bookstores is easier than building whole new ones! Thanks to
p_m_cryan for speaking up about her bookstore.
“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
What I am is a wordsmith and a very enthusiastic crowdfunder. So, I propose creating bookstores in fictional settings, and writing/illustrating/portraying bookstores (which may be fictional or real ones). You can do this in your own setting or someone else's. Some crowdfunded projects allow patrons to share in the worldbuilding. Others have prompt calls where you can request something you want to see.
For example,
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
Let's remind people why bookstores are wonderful. They have selections where you can browse the whole book. They often have knowledgable staff who will help you find what you need. They tend to be full of other people who love books. They may host author signings, book club meetings, and other literary activities.
If you've got a bookstore in your crowdfunded setting, or you're up for featuring them in a crowdfunding session, or you've requested one in somebody else's setting, or you've put one in your recent writing/art/whatever, please comment with details and a link if the material is online.
[EDIT 9/29/11] If you own or work at a bookstore, or still know of a local one that you love, please feel free to join the fun. Supporting extant bookstores is easier than building whole new ones! Thanks to
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-27 10:23 pm (UTC)The delivery may be a part of a story in itself, just for a little extra fun.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-27 11:58 pm (UTC)Yes...
Date: 2011-09-28 12:40 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-28 01:51 am (UTC)The character's name is April and she's sort of a poet in the game. (She's based off a real life friend of mine, who is also a poet, but does not work in odd bookstore.)
Good for you!
Date: 2011-09-28 02:17 am (UTC)Re: Good for you!
Date: 2011-09-28 02:40 am (UTC)April is a secondary character, but gets into lots of crazy shenanigans with the main characters.
It's a looooong process. I've been working on it for nearly five years and I've just started writing. Woops. LOL
(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-28 01:52 am (UTC)Story! I mean STORY!
Yay!
Date: 2011-09-28 03:29 am (UTC)You did so well with the herb-themed round of stories, a book-themed round would be fun too.
Try this...
Date: 2011-09-28 04:13 am (UTC)The book section in garden stores.
Books about gardening.
Gardens in literature.
Gardens as a place for inspiration and writing.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-28 03:36 am (UTC)When I start the sequel to the novel I have coming out in Feb., I will attempt to make a bookstore a major location.
Yay!
Date: 2011-09-28 03:56 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-28 12:54 pm (UTC)Well...
Date: 2011-09-28 06:39 pm (UTC)I have no problem with folks also celebrating libraries; I like those too. But in terms of affordability? A library card here is over $60. I can look in the junk box at a used book store and find a book for a quarter, occasionally free.
Re: Well...
Date: 2011-09-28 07:23 pm (UTC)I think libraries do and have all the important things I associate with books...or would, if they had the funding. It's that lack of funding that makes me decide to drive more for one than the other.
Hrm. I have just had the idea to combine libraries and bookstores into one entity, and I like it, both in fiction (which I'm writing) and reality. I think I may go pitch the concept to my local libraries.
Re: Well...
Date: 2011-09-29 04:48 am (UTC)No, it's far out of our price range. But they do cost, around here, and some people have them.
>>I think libraries do and have all the important things I associate with books<<
I love libraries, but in a different way than bookstores. They carry a different selection. They actively discourage conversation, whereas a bookstore is a rather good place to chat people up. They may do book clubs, but generally not author signings, at least not the libraries I've known. And they don't sell books, which I prefer to own. Libraries are for refuge and research. Bookstores are for socializing and shopping.
>>I have just had the idea to combine libraries and bookstores into one entity, and I like it, both in fiction (which I'm writing) and reality. I think I may go pitch the concept to my local libraries.<<
Hmm. That could be interesting.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-29 02:31 am (UTC)*has a minor heart attack*
In my neck of the woods, the only time I've heard of a public library charging patrons for cards is when they're not county residents - and it's a lot less than $60! (And they make several exceptions to that rule, too.)
Some public libraries just got hit harder by the recession than others, seems like. They're still hiring librarians in my county...while in my mother's hometown, ALL the branches got axed, leaving only the main library standing. :(
Well...
Date: 2011-09-29 02:41 am (UTC)And it's not just library services: quite a lot of things either won't serve rural territory at all, or only at a ruinously high rate. It's why we don't have a landline phone anymore, or television service, or garbage service. Nobody gives a fuck if people go without. There's a food pantry; it runs out of food. We're okay on that, but lots of other folks aren't. Some of this has been standard for a long time, but it's gotten worse over the years.
The whole middle of the state is just bled dry. It's maddening.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-28 03:43 pm (UTC)It would have comfy sofas, food and coffee, there would be free wifi and interesting art to look at that you could buy.
It might even have a small stage for music/poetry evenings...
Somehow, I doubt I could describe all that in a business plan and get funding for it.
Hmm...
Date: 2011-09-28 06:32 pm (UTC)1) Go to a conventional lender and lay out the conventional part of the plan (bookstore with cafe). You don't need much extra equipment for the art because it's just going to hang on walls; talk quietly with local artists to get started with that. Leave a clear corner for the music/poetry activities, which will work at floor level, and if they're popular you can add a stage later.
2) Seek an alternative lending organization or crowdfunding, and lay out your whole business plan. They'll be more receptive to innovation and culture than a regular bank would.
Re: Hmm...
Date: 2011-09-28 06:38 pm (UTC)3] do both!
Banks do not like giving 100% funding...so if you can say "well, I've managed to raise 50%, can I have a loan to cver the rest?" the answer is slightly more likely to be yes.
Profit!!
Re: Hmm...
Date: 2011-09-28 06:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-09-29 12:11 pm (UTC)I actually OWN a bookstore in meatspace, and need to set up a crowdfunding project in the next few weeks to keep it afloat. Let's talk.
W00T!
Date: 2011-09-29 07:26 pm (UTC)Thank you.
>>I actually OWN a bookstore in meatspace, and need to set up a crowdfunding project in the next few weeks to keep it afloat. Let's talk.<<
Yes, let's!
Silly me, I should have thought to include "support your local indie bookstore" in this. I'll add that.
Are you thinking about an online crowdfunding project set up on IndieGogo or a similar site, or a local project aimed at your foot traffic customers, or some combination of both? I think both could be useful as a way to encourage more activity overall and maybe some interaction across the two groups.
In particular, you might try hosting some kind of live activity, like a reading (Broad Universe does rapid-fire readings at cons with multiple authors, attracting more attention than a single person would) or a writer working in public (as Harlan Ellison has done). Hand out flyers that explain the idea of crowdfunding and your project, and have a tip jar.
Try this...
Date: 2011-10-11 01:42 am (UTC)