“How do you get people to a book signing?” The houseguest who asked this innocent question may have regretted it, because my answer was lengthy and detailed. Nothing can be left to chance for a …

Whether or not we want to admit it, local, charitable, nonprofit organizations are in competition for local dollars with businesses that need to turn a profit to stay alive. School bake sales take customers from …

When I told my husband how it had gone inside, he was surprised I’d bought anything. Well, I found a few books I wanted. I won’t go back, though, and I won’t send friends.

When you visit a strange bookstore for the first time, what goes into your first impression? Organization is important, so you can find what you want, but isn’t that second to whether or not the shop feels inviting?

Don’t Wait for Demand—Create It!
We all know that demand drives prices in out-of-print books and drives sales of new books, too, but how many of us realize that we can work to create demand? Let …

More and more, I am convinced that what we are selling in a bookstore—and here’s an area where the bricks-and-mortar business differs sharply from online selling—is a total experience. In my bookstore, philosophy is often the focus of an impromptu salon…