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- Some tips for starting a multi-author blog by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 16, 2012, 07:28
  I'll be writing a few posts sharing some of my ideas on how to create a strong multi-author blog like this one. First - a bit about myself. I have created a…
- Mystery Readers Too Dumb To Read Oprah Picks? by: Diane Plumley
  March 7, 2012, 21:24
  I paused at Quill and Quire, to read a link to an article about another piece of writing--a paper by an academic on the impact of Oprah Winfrey's famous book…
- Memoir or Fiction? by: Diane Plumley
  March 3, 2012, 23:23
  I finished a mesmerizing story of a horrific but in some ways magical childhood, and started musing over it. The story and its particulars stayed with me all…
- Phone Booth Libraries by: Diane Plumley
  February 29, 2012, 19:29
  At first, the concept of shelves of books as teeny libraries in New York City phone booths seemed laughable. I mean, we're talking about NYC, where men…
- Separating the Writer From His Work by: Diane Plumley
  February 25, 2012, 17:38
  I was searching for info about an Alice in Wonderland in french, illustrated by an artist Morin, when another link popped up about a novel called Alice I…
- A Mystery--How Accounting Can Be Murder by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2012, 10:20
  I can't think of a subject less likely to be thrilling than accounting. I don't understand accounting, I don't understand people who like accounting, and I…
- Are Online Reviews of Books By Customers Fair? by: Diane Plumley
  February 15, 2012, 17:43
  I was starting to research an article about Valentine Day mysteries, and began with looking up a title by Dorothy Cannell. I've sold the lovely Ms. Cannell's…
- Self Pubbed Author Slams Publishers as Unnecessary by: Diane Plumley
  February 10, 2012, 18:57
  J. A. Konrath, whom I've heard of, only through facebook constantly recommending I friend him because so many of my friends are his friends, responded to an…
- Oh, How I Agree! Mostly. by: Diane Plumley
  February 6, 2012, 21:49
  My friend and superlative bookseller/bookshop owner, Maryelizabeth Hart, owner of The Mysterious Galaxy--with two locations now!--posted a link to this article…
- Out of the Loop--It's No Mystery Why by: Diane Plumley
  February 3, 2012, 19:43
  I remember calling up an author to set her up for a signing. Nothing unusual about that. However, the signing was in relationship to her having been nominated…
- Good For Them! But Is It a Sound Business Move? by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2012, 13:25
  Publisher's Weekly covered the announcement by Barnes and Noble, that they will not carry anything published by Amazon in their brick and mortar stores. The…
- Mystery Writers Awards--Left Coast Crime--The Lefty by: Diane Plumley
  January 30, 2012, 20:34
  Left Coast Crime is an annual mystery convention sponsored by mystery fans, for mystery fans. It is held during the first quarter of the calendar year in…
- On The Right Track - Railway Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
  January 28, 2012, 16:12
  My dad loved model railroading. The HO models--not the big antique things that are so valuable today, such as Lionel etc. He built his own layout in the…
- Stephen Colbert Vs Maurice Sendak, or Vice Versa by: Diane Plumley
  January 25, 2012, 02:41
  Once again, I tripped over an episode of mock conservative Stephen Cobert's show, and low and behold, he's interviewing the famous children's writer and…
- The Old Book Shop by: Diane Plumley
  January 23, 2012, 20:39
  Sometimes the urge comes on me, and I desperately need to be among old volumes. The scent of fine aged paper, unopened boxes of new acquisitions, rows of…
- The Invisible Scarlet O'Neill by: Diane Plumley
  January 19, 2012, 19:20
  I was flabbergasted. I thought I was the only human alive that could possibly know who Scarlet O'Neill was. After all, the book I own was printed during WWII…
- Terrifically Sad News by: Diane Plumley
  January 13, 2012, 20:03
  One of the most erudite, funny, brilliant writers in today's world of empty sentiments and repetitive story lines, Reginald Hill, has passed away. For those…
- Hello world! by: wpengine
  January 12, 2012, 18:15
  Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
- Inscribed Books--Which Stay? Which Go? by: Diane Plumley
  January 11, 2012, 21:45
  I'm in the midst of a dilemma. Something most books collectors get into sooner or later. Space. It's not infinite. As much as I want to pretend I can house…
- Parental Interference Allowed To Run Amuck by: Diane Plumley
  January 5, 2012, 17:45
  I don't know what else to call this unbelievable turn in the issue of censorship and disruption of public school curriculum. I only know that a state I…
- Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? by: Diane Plumley
  January 5, 2012, 02:10
  A man inside his car at a gas station is shot point blank by a motorcyclist wearing a opaque helmet who then speeds off. After some detective work, they…
- Dead Is The Door-Nail by: Diane Plumley
  January 4, 2012, 01:22
  I've always heard this expression as: Dead as a door-nail. A rather odd expression to begin with. So I checked on its origins. Apparently no one is absolutely…
- How to detect customers that will waste your time or will be valued. by: Leonid Kouvelis
  December 31, 2011, 10:21
  Time is precious in a bookshop and unless you have a plethora of sales assistants working for you, then you need to carefully ration your time. Some…
- Happiest of Holidays! by: Diane Plumley
  December 23, 2011, 19:54
  Not about book-selling, not about censorship, not about amazon or B&N, not about collecting, not about anything except a wish that everyone have a great…
- Mystery Writers Awards by: Diane Plumley
  December 22, 2011, 01:46
  Whoa! There are far more awards for writers of crime fiction than I realized. I thought I knew them all, even a rather low key one called the Hammett Prize.…
- The Bookshop Mystery--Intrigue Amid Biblio Bits by: Diane Plumley
  December 20, 2011, 02:11
  While researching my articles on biblio mysteries, I again came across the dust jacket art for a title called The Bookshop Mystery, by James Saxon Childers.…
- Christopher Hitchens, Writer, Dies by: Diane Plumley
  December 18, 2011, 19:23
  I have a bunch of articles on the burner, but when I heard of Hitchens' death, and read some obits, I thought I'd comment. I've not read any of his books. I've…
- Fantastic New York Times Editorial on amazon Trickery by: Diane Plumley
  December 13, 2011, 20:11
  Richard Russo interviewed several best selling authors about the recent amazon trickery, and the results were comforting, at least. The authors, including,…
- Amazon, or aka, Scum of the Universe by: Diane Plumley
  December 10, 2011, 22:29
  You know, I honestly used to enjoy buying certain books from this giant non taxing paying Walmart in the ethernet sky. That was before slave labor was…
- Biblios--Rare Manuscripts and Letters by: Diane Plumley
  December 9, 2011, 01:52
  I didn't realize that biblios had such a broad range. While researching, I found rare manuscripts and letters, and even scraps of writing on paper were…
- Book Burning, or the Lack There Of by: Diane Plumley
  December 5, 2011, 19:15
  Rereading articles about last September's London riots, I became bemused over the point many newspapers and blogs made about the lack of looting and book…
- Is Canada A Better Protector Of Intellectual Freedom? by: Diane Plumley
  December 3, 2011, 20:45
  I ran across an article about challenges the Canadian libraries and school libraries faced for the year 2010. Despite lagging a year behind in their statistics,…
- Appreciating All Of Jack's Houses--Comparing Illustrators by: Diane Plumley
  December 2, 2011, 01:02
  Anne Anderson's House That Jack Built is worlds apart from a Victorian's book plate, or Art Deco vision, or a Golden Book's mid century idea of what the…
- Do it yourself bookshelves by: Nora O'Neill
  November 29, 2011, 12:24
  Do it yourself bookshelves: some practical, some novel.
- No 76 Fright Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 28, 2011, 17:20
  No 77. Fright George Hopley 1950 Rinehart--edition available now--Hard Case Crime-in print It's no secret that I love Cornell Woolrich. There are…
- There Really Are a Bunch of Mysteries Featuring Thanksgiving! by: Diane Plumley
  November 24, 2011, 16:00
  Who would have thought it? Not me. Thanksgiving in my life is something I've always wanted to avoid. Stress, relatives, stress, too much food, and stress were…
- Biblios--Part 5 by: Diane Plumley
  November 22, 2011, 21:06
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Bibilos Focusing on Bookselling/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- No. 77 Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 21, 2011, 17:57
  No. 77 Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Alan Bradley 2009 Delacorte There's never been a protagonist quite like 11 year old Flavia DeLuce. Right off the…
- The Best Book Covers by: Diane Plumley
  November 18, 2011, 15:59
  I've already stated that the best book covers DO persuade me and make a difference in whether or not I'll purchase a title. What I didn't relate is that dust…
- Biblios--The Continuing Saga--No. 4 by: Diane Plumley
  November 15, 2011, 19:37
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- No. 78 They Buried a Man Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 14, 2011, 17:05
  No. 78 They Buried a Man Mildred Davis 1953 --Simon and Schuster Inc.,--used Mildred Davis is the author I 'discovered' recently. Somehow I passed her…
- Political Correctness in Literature Appears to Be Universal by: Diane Plumley
  November 10, 2011, 20:22
  No, not another censorship article, but close! Once again, wandering around the net with no clear destination, Pippi Longstocking popped up. Not because she is…
- No. 79 Stone Quarry Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 5, 2011, 00:06
  No. 79 Stone Quarry S. J. Rozan 1999-St. Martin's Press-in print "It can be a treacherous road, State Route 30, especially rain slick in the twilight…
- Biblios--Part 3 by: Diane Plumley
  November 3, 2011, 15:08
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Biblios…
- No Tricks! Halloween Crime and Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
  October 30, 2011, 19:37
  For a person who had a Halloween themed wedding reception complete with a huge haunted house wedding cake, intricately carved Jack O'Lanterns as centerpieces,…
- No. 80 Pictures Of Perfection Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 29, 2011, 00:17
  No. 80 Pictures of Perfection Reginald Hill--1994--Delacorte Press I came to Reginald Hill's Peter Pascoe and Andy Dalziel Yorkshire detective novels…
- Biblios--Part 2 by: Diane Plumley
  October 27, 2011, 01:41
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- Books about Books--Better Known as Biblios--Part 1 by: Diane Plumley
  October 25, 2011, 21:56
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Bibilos Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- No. 81 The Black Paw Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 23, 2011, 23:29
  No. 81 The Black Thumb Constance and Gwenyth Little--1941 Doubleday Crime Club The sisters Little make this list not once, but twice. Why, because their…
- I Never Read a Book Twice! by: Diane Plumley
  October 21, 2011, 16:22
  Do you? Life is too damn short! I need to move on to the next book, then the next, and on and on. To go back and reread something is almost against my…
- Hypermodern and the Selling of a New Author by: Diane Plumley
  October 18, 2011, 21:12
  One advantage of managing an independent bookstore, you meet many writers. Some established like Sara Paretsky, some real old timers like Dick Francis, some…
- No. 82 The Devil Loves Me Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 13, 2011, 21:57
  No. 82 The Devil Loves Me Margaret Millar--1942--Doubleday Crime Club "Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of witnesses.…
- Where Do The Books You've Read Go? by: Diane Plumley
  October 12, 2011, 01:03
  I'm asking, because I need new creative places to take them! I have long ago left behind the notion that I could keep all the books I'd read. As a teenager, it…
- The Customer is Always Right? by: Diane Plumley
  October 10, 2011, 19:25
  I don't believe this adage holds true in this day and time. More and more retailers are responding to obnoxious customers with being obnoxious in return.…
- No. 82 Last Seen Wearing--Best Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 8, 2011, 22:36
  No. 82 Last Seen Wearing Hillary Waugh--1952--Doubleday Crime Club-used This book is on practically every best mystery list I've seen. So, naturally, I…
- A Passionate Bookseller--On The Sidewalks Of Manhattan by: Diane Plumley
  October 5, 2011, 14:34
  Sidewalk booksellers were a common sight in New York City when I lived there. And I frequently bought from them. At first I was surprised they were allowed to…
- Jeff Bezos and Amazon--The New Robber Barons? by: Diane Plumley
  October 2, 2011, 22:32
  Have we as a working nation learned nothing from the past? Are we all so self involved, that when a news story reports a company is mistreating workers,…
- No. 83 The Almost Moon--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 1, 2011, 02:15
  No. 83 The Almost Moon-Alice Sebold-2007-Little Brown One may have assumed that if I were to choose something from this author to be on my best list, it…
- My Lifelong Love Of Mother Goose by: Diane Plumley
  September 28, 2011, 23:54
  Sometimes subjects and ideas for articles are slim, and I struggle to come up with something meaningful, challenging, and pithy. Well, this is not a pithy…
- Judging A Book By Its Cover by: Diane Plumley
  September 26, 2011, 20:35
  How do you decide what book to purchase? Does your selection process change if in a small independent bookshop, or a large supermarket store, or online with…
- No. 84 Mr. Smith's Hat---Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 25, 2011, 01:10
  84. Mr. Smith's Hat--Helen Reilly-1940-Doubleday Crime Club--used I kept struggling with which title of Helen Reilly's I wanted on the list, then if I…
- Remembering Three Giants of Crime Fiction by: Diane Plumley
  September 22, 2011, 15:05
  From time to time I reflect on the number of famous, not so famous, and fantastic writers I've been privileged to meet over the years. Some I met when they…
- Why I Am Thrilled to Be An 'East Coast Elitist' by: Diane Plumley
  September 20, 2011, 21:37
  You've heard that term before, right? Any time someone says anything contrary to the established beliefs of small vocal radical conservative groups, and they…
- No. 85 Haunt of the Nightingale--Best 100 Mysteries Of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 19, 2011, 16:18
  No. 85 Haunt of the Nightingale--John R Riggs--1988--Dembner Books--used Ok, before you start thinking, ‘oh no, another obscure title from a small…
- Do Reprints Lower The Sale of First Editions? by: Diane Plumley
  September 16, 2011, 00:56
  I have no idea! And that's why I am writing this article, because I've had a long discussion on another site about vintage illustration being copied, and one…
- Banned Books Week--Coming Soon To You by: Diane Plumley
  September 14, 2011, 00:09
  If you've been around my articles for any amount of time you may have noticed my links to the organization called Banned Books Week. There is an actual week of…
- No. 86 The January Corpse--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 10, 2011, 01:07
  No. 86 The January Corpse - Neil Albert - 1991-Walker Publishing-used paperback When I started doing the 100 mysteries, I thought I had an airtight…
- What Makes a 'Good' Bookseller by: Diane Plumley
  September 8, 2011, 21:03
  This question has been around for a long time, and naturally I have my firm opinions about what qualities and tasks booksellers should focus on. I've had a…
- Surprise in Finding a New Old Author by: Diane Plumley
  September 6, 2011, 21:48
  By now I believed I'd pretty much acquainted myself with all of the important Golden Age mystery authors, or at least up until the 50s. Even if never read, I…
- No. 87 The Will and Last Testament of Constance Cobble--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 2, 2011, 23:54
  No. 87 The Last Will and Testament of Constance Cobble--Stanton Forbes--1980--Doubleday Crime Club A mystery within a mystery makes this a standout among…
- When Is It OK To Remove Illustration Plates From Books? by: Diane Plumley
  September 1, 2011, 18:10
  If it were up to me, probably never. No, that's not true, I've taken some Anne Anderson Mother Goose illustrations and framed them. The book was missing half…
- Now SHERLOCK HOLMES Has Been Targeted--The Same Old Song--School Book Censorship, by: Diane Plumley
  August 30, 2011, 15:53
  This is getting ridiculous. A Study In Scarlet has been removed from a Virginia 6th grade curriculum--why? Because some of the passages are florid descriptions…
- No. 88-- Meet the Tiger--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 27, 2011, 11:14
  No. 88 Meet the Tiger--Leslie Charteris-1928-Ward Lock--used I was first introduced to the character of The Saint, or Simon Templar as he was usually known,…
- Working With Sociopaths--Part Two---Suspicions! by: Diane Plumley
  August 23, 2011, 22:59
  First, a disclaimer for those who are easily convinced that if some co-workers are nuts, that means I'm claiming all co-workers or bosses are nuts. Not so.…
- The Movie Was Better Than The Book by: Diane Plumley
  August 22, 2011, 13:07
  How many times can that be stated, I wonder? Naturally, it is assumed the opposite is true, that the book is sacred, and no cinematic representation can…
- No. 89--Big Trouble--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 20, 2011, 23:28
  No. 89 Big Trouble--Dave Barry--Putnam--1999--in print There's a famous saying "dying is easy, comedy is hard," and it couldn't be more true in the…
- Booksellers: "A Very Special Class Of Condescending Nerd" by: Diane Plumley
  August 17, 2011, 23:14
  "Book stores employ a very special class of condescending nerd... "If bookstores fall, America will be inundated with a wandering�…
- Book Mania or I'll Eat Some Other Day by: Diane Plumley
  August 15, 2011, 16:00
  What have you done, and what would you do, short of commit a crime, to attain a certain book you can't live without. I mean, you really don't think that life…
- No. 90--Billy Dead--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 12, 2011, 20:55
  No. 90 Billy Dead--Lisa Reardon--Viking Publishers-1998--in print Not an ordinary crime novel. The story is shocking, hard, and to some, I'm sure,…
- Banking on Their New Coffee Shop by: Diane Plumley
  August 11, 2011, 21:07
  Washington NC is a sleepy town of 10,112, unless someone died or was born since we visited. It was deserted when we arrived, but it was 100 degrees in the…
- Not Your Mother's Travel Books by: Diane Plumley
  August 8, 2011, 17:41
  Want to check out a house in the shape of a shoe? Or a duck? How about a building shaped like a cup of snowball ice? Maybe you prefer a cemetery safari--poki…
- Little Did We Know! by: Diane Plumley
  August 1, 2011, 00:05
  What is it about this obscure writing duo called the Little sisters that made so many customers in the mystery book store where I worked willing to pay fairly…
- The Kindle will be dead in four years by: Nora O'Neill
  July 30, 2011, 13:37
  Having served its purpose in making the transition between pritned books and ebooks, Amazon will likely stop production of the Kindle within the next four…
- Rediscovering A Childhood Favorite by: Diane Plumley
  July 19, 2011, 22:26
  My mother is the culprit behind my love of mysteries. Her Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and various other juvenile mysteries were handed down to me, and I read…
- Peculiar Children by: Diane Plumley
  July 14, 2011, 11:53
  If you've ever seen stiff Victorian photographs of children, you understand the creepiness some of them engender. Whether it's the photographic process and…
- An Interview With Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin About Katrina and His New Book by: Diane Plumley
  July 13, 2011, 16:21
  Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has graciously answered some questions regarding his experience during the Katrina hurricane catastrophe and the self…
- Book Theft by: Diane Plumley
  July 10, 2011, 22:08
  I've already related my armed robbery story, but in that case, no books were taken, only money. I say only, because in some cases, the books are more valuable…
- Mickey Spillane by: Diane Plumley
  July 9, 2011, 01:40
  My father didn't read. Ok, he read the newspaper and model railroading magazines. But fiction? No. The exceptions were located at a shopping spot called the…
- No. 95 Serial Killer Days--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  July 7, 2011, 01:44
  No. 95 Serial Killer Days David Prill 1996--St. Martin's Press--- Available Forget competing for Miss America, the real prize is to become Scream…
- A Day at 'The Evil Empire' otherwise known as B&N by: Diane Plumley
  July 5, 2011, 21:24
  A former boss used to call Barnes and Noble, The Evil Empire, and meant it. I remember B&N before it became B&N, when it was a fantastic outlet for…
- Condition, Shelving, Identifying, and Evaluating First Editions by: Diane Plumley
  July 2, 2011, 00:22
  Coming from a smaller venue where the books were mostly paperbacks and the space limited, to being seated behind a huge desk in a beautifully appointed room…
- No. 96--Murder a la Richelieu--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 30, 2011, 15:08
  No. 96--Murder a la Richelieu--Anita Blackmon--1937--Doubleday Crime Club--OOP I can see most of you shaking your heads and wondering, where the heck I found…
- The Indescribable Thrill Of Selling A Book by: Diane Plumley
  June 27, 2011, 15:34
  I was thinking about recent criticism I received from an individual about my negative view of some booksellers I worked for and with. And although it's all…
- No. 97 Panama---Eric Zenecy--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time! by: Diane Plumley
  June 23, 2011, 13:51
  No. 97. Panama---Eric Zenecy---1995--Farrar, Straus and Giroux-in print When first published, this literary thriller was given rave reviews, and so, I…
- Stocking Graphic Novels in Your Bookshop by: Matthew Singleton
  June 20, 2011, 09:35
  This is the first in a multi-part post through which I hope to introduce the reader’s of this blog to the idea of carrying graphic novels in their…
- Rex Stout and Me (sort of) by: Diane Plumley
  June 17, 2011, 14:34
  Sometimes serendipity enters a book collectors life. When I worked for A&E mysteries.com as their bookclub moderator, I wrote articles and interviewed…
- No. 98--The Desert Moon Mystery--Kay Cleaver Strahan by: Diane Plumley
  June 15, 2011, 13:24
  98. The Desert Moon Mystery-Kay Cleaver Strahan-1928-Doubleday Crime Club--used (several inexpensive copies available) You may have noticed, after three…
- Taking It With You, or Booked to Death by: Diane Plumley
  June 13, 2011, 08:41
  My husband and I took a nice afternoon outing to Laurel Hill Cemetery, in Philadelphia PA. Picnicing and taking photos are a past time of ours. Yes, really. We…
- I Think It Had A Red Cover by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 11:39
  As a bookseller at various stores, I can honestly say with, LOL, humility, that I was extremely customer oriented. Too much for one owner who found customers…
- No. 100--The Innocent Mrs. Duff--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 8, 2011, 16:10
  I started eons ago to put together my opinion of the 100 best crime fiction/mysteries of all time. First it was a list, then I decided I needed some cover…
- Working With Sociopaths by: Diane Plumley
  June 6, 2011, 22:34
  And not as a therapist or prison guard. What is it about book selling that brings out some of the most bizarre people around? Within all the stores I've…
- The Trolls Of Lorry's Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  June 2, 2011, 16:42
  I've mentioned the two diminutive people, whose son owned Lorry's and Pace University bookstore, but never explained their particular presence and role…
- Desecration, or Appropriate Sanitizing? by: Diane Plumley
  May 27, 2011, 13:48
  I checked out Banned Books Week's facebook page, and found a link to this question-should literary classics be sanitized? In this time of political correctness…
- eBooks Are Big, but Printed Books Are Still Bigger by: Matthew Singleton
  May 23, 2011, 09:49
  It’s not all doom and gloom for bookstores despite the news I woke up to Friday morning. I was awoken by CBC’s morning radio show host interviewing one of…
- Book Cover Design: Adobe to Austen by: Jessica Hayes
  May 19, 2011, 08:01
  I always judge a book by it’s cover, how can I not? Despite the notorious adage, almost everybody does and publishers know it. The process of conceptualizin…
- There's a Dead Man Lounging in the Park, and Other Curious Tales From Lorry's Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  May 13, 2011, 11:57
  Lorry's Book Company occupied an old building where tabloid newspapers once produced copy for the masses. Apparently, it's also a well known piece of architectu…
- I Finally Got The Plumley Inheritance! by: Diane Plumley
  May 6, 2011, 19:51
  If you're thinking a relative of mine died and left me a fortune, sadly, no. But almost as valuable, an edition of a book I've been searching for over 15 years…
- The Edgar Awards-What Are They-Who Won Last Night? by: Diane Plumley
  April 29, 2011, 18:07
  First I'll list the main winners, as many just want to cut to the chase, as it were. Best Novel--Steve Hamilton--The Lock Artist Best First Novel--Bruce De…
- The Mystery League: Great Crime Fiction or Only Super Deco Dust Jackets? by: Diane Plumley
  April 20, 2011, 17:52
  All Carved Up: Performing Autopsies on the Great Bodies of Crime Fiction When I first decided to write an article about this short-lived publishing house I…
- Jack Kerouac Quotes Books and Bio with some thoughts by Corso by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 12, 2011, 23:25
  In the 1950's Jack Kerouac coined the phrase "Beat Generation" - for the group he co-founded with poet Alan Ginsberg and others. The "Beats" held a philosophy…
- The Mysterious Workings of an Independent Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  April 8, 2011, 16:40
  What of some of the jobs that booksellers have to do...
- The First Amendment by: Diane Plumley
  April 1, 2011, 20:03
  Freedom of speech. This phrase is bandied about by politicians, on the left or right; singers; bloggers; TV talking heads; everyone is using the first…
- What to do with things OTHER than books? by: Nora O'Neill
  March 26, 2011, 19:16
  If you handle used books, you often end up with people coming with piles of books from an estate. A relative has died and they're left to try and clear out…
- I Can't Believe I've Lost My Book! by: Diane Plumley
  March 22, 2011, 17:24
  I remember each and every book I ever misplaced, left behind , just plain lost. There haven't been that many of them, because losing a book when in the…
- Three Notes About eBooks by: Matthew Singleton
  March 14, 2011, 23:07
  In recent days I have been made aware of three developments in the eBooks industry. One is a philosophical development, two are commercial. Two, in my…
- Why Collect? Or What The Heck is Hypermodern? by: Diane Plumley
  March 2, 2011, 21:29
  Why collect books? Why indeed. I asked myself the same question in the bathtub, snapping the binding of the latest Sue Grafton. I love to read but why bother…
- How my Bookshop Plans to Survive e-Books by: Amber Short
  February 23, 2011, 20:23
  ... or see a 45 year old woman in a tea shop in my small town reading The Grapes of Wrath on her kindle while eating a chocolate chip cookie. Part of me wants…
- Hiring Staff for the Bookshop by: Amber Short
  February 10, 2011, 10:52
  Hiring is that time of incredible potential; gazing into the unknown sea of resumes and plucking out the chosen few who might just take your bookstore to a…
- The Best Books Of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  February 6, 2011, 22:39
  I asked myself, what does that mean? The best books of all time? Best fiction? Best nonfiction? Both? From what time frame--the beginning of time--do cave…
- Heaven is a Sublime Used Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  February 5, 2011, 23:51
  I visited one of my favorite spots today. And in the future will be interviewing the owners and writing up a profile of this wonderful bookshop, but for now,…
- Booksellers Owe Their Customers The Postman’s Rings by: Diane Plumley
  February 4, 2011, 16:26
  Ever wonder what the The Postman Always Rings Twice means? It has nothing to do with character or plot within the classic crime novel. James Cain worked out…
- I Married a Dead Man–The Book I Sold Zillions Of by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 21:59
  I would start: Picture This! Yes, that emphatically, with exclamation point stressed, palms out, as if to stop traffic. I did. More than once. Some poor…
- Introducing Myself, Happy to Host by: Diane Plumley
  January 30, 2011, 23:01
  Hello! I'm pleased your founder, Bruce Hollingdrake, asked me to join him and The Bookshop Blog and to host such a fine source for those who love and or…
- How to Write an Autobiography by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 17, 2011, 17:09
  There is perhaps no better way to record your life for posterity than through an autobiography. This celebrated form allows writers a great deal of flexibility…
- We are Looking for Book People that enjoy writing.. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 13, 2011, 14:15
  The Bookshop Blog is looking for bookshop owners, book hobbyists, collectors or those going through the initial stages of creating a bookselling business to…
- Small Press Authors: Book Signings by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 6, 2011, 10:01
  How does the owner of local bookstore, the small press author or self-published author, and the book collector thrive together in this new industry?
- Dear "customer"- you're fired! by: Nora O'Neill
  December 28, 2010, 16:00
  They may be giving you money, but some customers demand so much of your time that they may actually cost you more than they bring in! some may be so awful that…
- Insuring Your Rare Book Collection by: Carrie Bailey
  December 27, 2010, 22:42
  There comes a time when the worst thing imaginable happens to a rare book collector and a book is lost for all time. Their house burns, floods, or the dog eats…
- Bookshop Basics by: Brian Green
  December 10, 2010, 13:08
  Want an easy job? Then, don't open a book shop.
- Improve Cash Flow: Sell Books at a Market or Antique Fair by: Kylie Jakobsen
  December 9, 2010, 22:51
  Retrorocket is primarily an online business selling second-hand books and collectables. The business plan contained the idea of a market stall to improve…
- The Fundamentals of Operating a Successful Used Book Store by: Ed Dugan
  December 5, 2010, 15:53
  In spite of the advent of electronic publishing, the Kindle for instance, the death of books printed on paper has been vastly exaggerated. For myself, I…
- Getting Started Selling on Amazon by: Stephanie Samek
  November 23, 2010, 11:01
  By Stephanie Samek If you dream about having an income-producing bookstore without the massive overhead of a bricks- and-mortar business, then online selling…
- Take the next step: Buy Books at Auctions by: Caro Hedge
  November 16, 2010, 23:03
  More about auctions Apparently there are auctions and then there are Colorado prairie auctions. On TV, I’ve seen pictures of auctions in England and other…
- The Guernsey Literary Summary by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 15, 2010, 23:46
  When you start reading a book it's not always easy to tell if it's going to be a bad book but when you're reading a terrific book it's often evident right at…
- Horror: Beyond King & Koontz by: Nora O'Neill
  November 2, 2010, 17:41
  Horror is dominated by two big Ks: Stephen King and Dean Koontz. When someone asks for horror, they're probably going to get handed one of those two…
- We are looking to fill a couple of writing spots by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 31, 2010, 09:19
  We do this a couple times a year, put out a call for you to join us in helping booksellers, collectors, future book sellers and anyone else that enjoys this…
- Convention warrior- selling at fairs, conventions, & festivals by: Nora O'Neill
  October 23, 2010, 16:34
  Tips on how to set up a booth or display at a fair or festival.
- A New Zealand Odyssey, Bookshop Style by: Therese Holland
  October 18, 2010, 09:45
  Where to find the best second hand books in New Zealand..
- In the Month Before We Opened our Bookshop by: Caro Hedge
  October 8, 2010, 09:44
  Remember the historical society cases it took so much combined effort to remove, which I myself prefer to not remember at all, ever ever ever? They had…
- Our Bookshop Event: Where’s President Carter? by: Megan Shea
  October 6, 2010, 11:23
  When we booked our event with former President Jimmy Carter, we began a half-joking ritual of knocking on wood whenever we mentioned our preparations. As the…
- Slatwall shelving is a great option for your window display by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 2, 2010, 00:42
  Having a store is going to mean that you want to do your best to bring money to it. If you have a retail store it is going to mean that you will have a lot of…
- All Quiet on the Western Front Online Book by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 30, 2010, 19:11
  All Quiet on the Western Front is quite simply a masterpiece. Written by Erich Maria Remarkque is removes the glory and romanticism that once accompanied war.…
- Reading Online Books for Free by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 28, 2010, 10:17
  A list of places where you can get a huge selection of free books to read on your PC or Kindle.
- Objects found inside books by: Nora O'Neill
  September 24, 2010, 14:55
  Booksellers are used to finding weird things tucked into books, but it's hard to top finding a gun...
- Value Added - The Beguiling knows how, does your Bookshop? by: Matthew Singleton
  September 22, 2010, 10:34
  In this day and age of the big-box bookstore, eBooks, and sites like Amazon it’s hard for the normal brick-and-mortar bookstore to compete. In terms of…
- Book Sellers, Do You Trade Fairly? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  September 20, 2010, 09:24
  Buyers and sellers have a complicated relationship, we sell and they buy which sounds simple but in Australia the buyer is protected by the Trade Practices Act…
- Second Hand Bookshops Melbourne by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 17, 2010, 09:55
  I learned from experience that when you visit a city for the first time it is not always easy to find the bookshops that may be of interest. I was in Paris a…
- “R” is for Reason: the 5 Practical Reasons to Collect Books by: Carrie Bailey
  September 14, 2010, 16:54
  What bibliophile doesn’t love owning their own personal libraries in their living room, den, office, and their bedrooms, in their car, and on top of their…
- Some ideas for cheap shelving by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 10, 2010, 21:25
  If your bookstore starts to become a little 'overcrowded' you may need to consider some storage options. I've visited a few bookshops that had two rows of…
- How to Make a Book out of Paper by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 9, 2010, 16:34
  Well, this site has often touched on topics other than just bookselling. So why not making a book out of a piece of paper. The art of Origami is simply paper…
- Opening a UK Bookstore Part 3 by: Laura Jenkinson
  September 8, 2010, 07:25
  Opening a UK Bookstore Part 3 (Jenks' Story: Part 1 & Part 2) Doom and Gloom I didn’t write a blog last week. I couldn’t quite bring myself to admit…
- Archive Boxes: Who Needs Them? by: Carrie Bailey
  August 31, 2010, 14:08
  While a book may not be fragile when it is first printed, it quickly and imperceptibly begins to decompose. Over time it's materials disintegrate.
- Don’t Mess Up Your Online Book Selling Business by: Adam Bertram
  August 27, 2010, 12:06
  Clean Up Your Inventory Act! Do you know that managing your inventory when you sell books online can be a very complex thing to do? You can’t just leave…
- Identifying Collectable Harry Potter Books the Easy Way by: Carrie Bailey
  August 26, 2010, 11:23
  Look inside the upper inside cover of books one through four, if you see a printed sale price, then you probably have a valuable collector’s item. Why?…
- Starting a UK Bookstore Part 2 by: Laura Jenkinson
  August 19, 2010, 22:41
  Laura Jenkinson (Jenks) first shared her idea in her introductory post: Bookselling, it’s in the bone What ‘type’ of bookseller are you? While in the…
- Used Books Canada A Book Hunt by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 16, 2010, 12:25
  How to find the best books at the best prices.
- Bookselling, it’s in the bone by: Laura Jenkinson
  August 12, 2010, 23:24
  I don’t think I’ll ever feel such a mixture of inordinate glee and absolute terror as that thought gave me. Opening a bookshop, the very phrase, filled me…
- On the Hunt - Estate Sales and Yard Sales by: Brian Webster
  July 28, 2010, 11:16
  In the beginning, when we first started in the Internet Book business, we already had quite a few volumes to sell, but it became obvious that we neither had…
- Ebooks, Digital Preservation and a Nice First Edition by: Matthew Singleton
  July 27, 2010, 07:10
  Frequently when I mention to someone my intentions to open a bookstore I will get an askance look and “why would you do that?” When I explain my various…
- Acid Free Archive Boxes - Bookshop Storage Tips by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 23, 2010, 11:59
  Archive Boxes - sometimes referred to as Archival Boxes or Bankers Boxes - are places to store important documents and other items. These boxes are used by…
- Generating a Crowd for an In-Store Event by: Pamela Grath
  July 22, 2010, 06:36
  “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…
- Book Collecting With Twitter by: Carrie Bailey
  July 21, 2010, 07:10
  Twitter may prove indispensable for collecting new first edition signed books these days. An aspiring author can sacrifice hours hunched over their keyboard…
- A Bone of Contention with Mr. Clive James by: Therese Holland
  July 19, 2010, 07:11
  I have a bone to pick with a Mr Clive James. Could someone give Mr James a hoy and let him know he needs to get back out there and promote his books. I have a…
- Create some momentum with a well planned event by: Megan Shea
  July 16, 2010, 07:10
  I've spent the last three years at Joseph-Beth Booksellers coveting "indie bookstore moments." You know them -- the first time a local Dungeons & Dragons…
- Library Books: Patronized But Still Collectable by: Carrie Bailey
  July 12, 2010, 06:53
  A few book buyers avoid former library books on principle alone. Without a doubt, circulation costs a manuscript a degree of aesthetic integrity, the same as…
- A Review of Covet by J. R. Ward by: Michelle Watkins
  July 9, 2010, 07:06
  I have been told many times that J.R. Ward is a genius. I finally decided to see for myself. I was not disappointed. Covet (Fallen Angels, Book 1) is a work of…
- I Want to Own A Bookstore by: Matthew Singleton
  July 7, 2010, 06:20
  I want to own a bookstore. Put more accurately: I want to own a bookstore and so does my girlfriend. She’s currently in grad school so I have two years…
- Pride Mates, an excellent gateway into the paranormal genre by: Michelle Watkins
  July 5, 2010, 07:03
  All in all, I would say this a terrific "gateway" novel, as I like to call them. A way for someone unfamiliar, or perhaps uncomfortable, with the paranormal…
- A Unique, Interesting and Friendly Independent Bookshop Can Thrive by: Brian Green
  July 2, 2010, 07:15
  In Canada it’s extremely challenging to run a sustainable independent bookstore. Now, this is, in part, due to the fact that a certain Canadian book…
- To Cull or not To Cull your Bookshop’s Inventory by: Therese Holland
  July 1, 2010, 06:34
  I have problems with inventory management. I need to improve my inventory management skills. If I keep saying it maybe a miracle will happen. I keep on saying…
- Small Shipping Boxes, ask your pharmacist by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 26, 2010, 21:14
  Looking for great prices on top quality small shipping boxes...
- Are the Days of the Real Book Numbered? by: Brian Webster
  June 24, 2010, 09:08
  CAN THIS BE THE END? BY Brian W. Webster I can feel the tremor of fear that runs through the book world with the advent of computered books and, to be…
- What should you ask when buying a Book Store from a distance? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 20, 2010, 16:43
  Editor: Rebecca is considering making a great leap. Can you help her with questions that you think are pertinent to buying a bookstore (especially from a…
- An Empty Library by: Brian Webster
  June 15, 2010, 13:18
  What do you do when you are given a Library that has no books? And suppose this library was surrounded by miles and miles of nothing but rice paddies? And…
- We Got Handed a Dream In the Discount Card Aisle by: Caro Hedge
  June 7, 2010, 09:46
  Susan and I, Caro, are going to share writing about our bookstore experiences. I am going to start, Susan will add some entries later. I’m Caro and I’m…
- An interview with author Jaishree Misra by: Nandini Muralidharan
  May 31, 2010, 12:07
  by Nandini Muralidharan Indian writing in English has won a lot of critical acclaim in the literary world, and Indian authors have really made it big with…
- Bestsellers on the used book market by: Nora O'Neill
  May 29, 2010, 18:44
  The bestsellers on the used market aren’t necessarily the best sellers you see on the New York Times list or on Amazon’s hot list. Often they bear no…
- Anticipating Demand, What Books Will Sell Tomorrow? by: Adam Bertram
  May 26, 2010, 21:53
  It's a little known fact that you don't always have to be Nostradamus to be able to anticipate demand when selling used books. There are several recurring…
- Signed books: is this real? by: Nora O'Neill
  May 25, 2010, 13:38
  Wow, this book has been signed by the author! It must be worth a lot! Not so fast, is that a real signature? A real signature can vastly increase the…
- An Interview with Sachin Bansal, ex of Amazon India and now CEO of FlipKart.com by: Nandini Muralidharan
  May 24, 2010, 15:52
  Flipkart.com – Read India Read ! While E-commerce in India has a long way to go before it can catch up with some of the western countries, it is surely…
- My Life - Saved by Books Once, Surrounded by Books Always by: Brian Webster
  May 17, 2010, 00:14
  LIFE WITH BOOKS BY Brian W. Wesbster I have been lucky with books all of my life. Once they saved my life. During World War 2 I was living in London, but…
- Book Experience - from the inside out by: Brian Webster
  May 9, 2010, 21:28
  My first professional experience with books was learning the hard slog of making them. I was what they called a “Printer's Devil”, a job that meant a lot…
- The secret to education: reading for pleasure by: Nora O'Neill
  May 3, 2010, 08:51
  Time recently published an article on incentive programs to help raise test scores in the US. The entire idea was the controversial. PAY kids for learning?�…
- Not All Booksellers Are Congenial by: Pamela Grath
  April 28, 2010, 22:18
  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…
- Desperately Seeking Synopsis by: Amanda Dixon
  April 25, 2010, 23:11
  It has just occurred to me as I’m typing up my listings (still waiting, waiting, waiting for the website to be finalised) that I seem to spend most of my…
- Booksellers and Public Transportation by: Brian Webster
  April 15, 2010, 23:36
  I changed trains for the express to London and ordered a coffee and took out whatever I had for the day. Perhaps it was a Novel or perhaps another type of…
- Setting a Price on Bulk Book Purchases by: Suzie Eisfelder
  April 12, 2010, 00:08
  I wrote about buying books in bulk sometime ago and had a comment on it. I'm not used to getting comments on articles so I don't come back and check in order…
- New life for old books by: Nora O'Neill
  March 30, 2010, 18:25
  Amazing what can be done with an old book, these magical works of art are something else...
- Getting feet in the door- the value of good directions by: Nora O'Neill
  March 20, 2010, 18:39
  You have an address, so everybody should know where you are, right? Not so fast. Even with a GPS it's not always easy to figure out where exactly you…
- Where do you get your Book News ? by: Megan Shea
  March 17, 2010, 22:05
  A customer approached me this weekend with a laundry list of books. One title was On The Brink by Henry M. Paulson, Jr. -- we were sold out and the books were…
- The Process of Pricing a Book to Sell Online by: Suzie Eisfelder
  March 9, 2010, 21:54
  Buying books to sell online is a very exciting process. I seriously enjoy the buying of books and can wax lyrical for days about the joys of going op shopping…
- Collecting Rare Books: From Wealth to Weirdness by: Louis Gereaux
  March 3, 2010, 19:48
  Written by: Louis Gereaux Collectors in other fields usually search out hard-to-find items: rareness is valued in and of itself. Rare books are no exception. …
- When do I hire staff for my bookshop? by: Louis Gereaux
  February 28, 2010, 23:16
  When you hire an employee, it means that you take a step back and a step up to bookstore manager. You are doing less of what you love – that of dealing with…
- The Big Book Cull by: Amanda Dixon
  February 24, 2010, 21:10
  While I am having my new website redesigned I thought now might be time to have a clear out. Get rid of the books that have been sitting there for, well some…
- Established bookshop owners: Are You Getting Bored Yet? by: Shane Gottwals
  February 21, 2010, 21:19
  "Do any of you feel like exploding from your chair when you're at work?" Maybe some of you enjoy the experience so much that you never tire of it. I wouldn't…
- Bookshop For Sale by Owner, Woodstock NY by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 17, 2010, 22:10
  Dear Fellow Independent Booksellers: After 32 years in business, The Golden Notebook, located in Woodstock, New York, is looking for a new owner. This step…
- Getting Boots Into Your Bookshop by: Suzie Eisfelder
  February 14, 2010, 20:21
  Online shops and physical bookshops share some challenges and one is called traffic, getting people to actually come in the door. Physical shops do this by…
- Any problem areas in your bookshop? by: Jo Canham
  February 11, 2010, 23:30
  Back on Board & Discussing Problem Areas Well, yes, I've been very quiet of late, and I do apologise. I haven't even had time to look at The Bookshop…
- When does bulk buying for your bookshop get out of hand? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  February 9, 2010, 22:01
  The listing was for 2,000+ books and I won it for some ridiculously small amount, totally stunned at that as I kept on reducing my top price before I actually…
- Tread lightly.....this is Holy Ground by: William Hammond
  February 3, 2010, 19:30
  Over the years, has I have gotten older; I continue to prayerfully read his stories. I never tire of the poetics in the small gestures and details or the lofty…
- Young Man on Train Reading Simone Weil by: William Hammond
  January 27, 2010, 20:14
  The book, a paperback edition of Simone Weil’s The Need for Roots, was cradled by the young man in the palms of his hands. He sat with dignity, his formal…
- The wonderful, wacky world of fanfic by: Nora O'Neill
  January 16, 2010, 18:19
  Fan fiction isn't just an internet phenomenon. It's been around since before the printing press. Hard copies of early twentieth century (or earlier) examples…
- Op Shops, Thrift Books and the thrill of the book hunt by: Suzie Eisfelder
  January 13, 2010, 23:17
  Op Shops. I'll be writing more about op shops in future blog posts so I feel I should explain more about them now. If you're in Australia you won't need to…
- How much book knowledge should booksellers possess? by: Shane Gottwals
  January 2, 2010, 18:29
  Ever feel like you just don't belong in the book business? Ever think that you don't know half of what you should in order to be a proper bookseller?
- Bookstores: Do your customers play the piano and feed the fish? by: Jo Canham
  December 28, 2009, 09:09
  "Do people really sit down and play chess at that table?" I was asked just this morning - referring to a table where I have a chess set permanently set up.…
- More experiences selling books online by: Suzie Eisfelder
  December 23, 2009, 10:30
  When you have kids with health challenges and you also have health challenges it's sometimes advisable to find yourself a job at home. It just makes it so…
- Are you always planning ahead? by: Megan Shea
  December 15, 2009, 20:56
  I spent a recent lunch break attempting to clean off my desk while replying to email, listening to voicemail, placing a book order, addressing an employee…
- Selling Books From an Isolated City by: Amanda Dixon
  December 6, 2009, 19:26
  This is the first post by our newest contributor Amanda Dixon of A Novel Book I live in Perth, Western Australia. It is known as one of the most isolated…
- Finding the Right Help for your Book Store by: Jo Canham
  December 3, 2009, 00:09
  Finding the Right Help When you've held for a lifetime the dream of your own little bookshop, it's more than likely that the dream didn't include the Sunday…
- Q & A with Jasper Fforde by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 23, 2009, 11:55
  From our friends at Viking Books, Mr. Fforde on his latest book Shades of Grey which will be coming out on December 29, 2009 Q. What is National Color? A.…
- Respect Your Space, even when it isn't Yours. by: Shane Gottwals
  November 17, 2009, 08:50
  It's amazing how little some store owners seem to own the space they lease. It's a common problem in America, isn't it? We don't value anything unless we…
- Books in plain brown wrappers by: Nora O'Neill
  November 7, 2009, 18:23
  Once upon a time, if you wanted a "certain kind of book" you had to go to a certain kind of shop or order from a catalog and wait for a package in a plain…
- Children in Bookstores - Oh my.... by: Shane Gottwals
  November 2, 2009, 10:37
  No One Cares This chapter is sort of a side-note to everything that is being discussed in this book. Of course, with a good selection, fair pricing, and a…
- A Journey to Opening a Bookstore by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  October 25, 2009, 21:30
  After years of dreaming and almost two years of planning, Jessica Stockton Bagnulo and Rebecca Fitting finally opened Greenlight Bookstore in the Fort Greene…
- Story Time at Blarney Books, Port Fairy by: Jo Canham
  October 20, 2009, 07:28
  Well, I've gone & done it. After four and a half years of kid-wrangling, something in me has decided it's time now to offer Story Time to the children of the…
- A Bookshop on St. Catherine Street by: William Hammond
  October 12, 2009, 20:00
  Every weekday morning, as I walk my two children to kindergarten, we pass a bookshop. The bookshop is a small independent establishment that sells new, mainly…
- How To Take Advantage of Used Book Sales by: Adam Bertram
  October 7, 2009, 22:46
  If you own a brick and mortar store or sell books online and want to run a successful business you have to continually acquire new inventory. Hopefully,…
- The Perfect Pair by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  September 29, 2009, 21:51
  ...Yet, sitting down with War and Peace or Madam Bovary can feel intimidating. Not everyone has the option of a book club or a literature class. One…
- Great Books and Banned Books (yes it still happens!) by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  September 23, 2009, 21:36
  Walking through Latitude 33, a bookstore in Laguna Beach, CA, I noticed all of my favorite display tables--NYT bestsellers, Indie Next choices, staff…
- Making your Bookstore Inviting by: Pamela Grath
  September 20, 2009, 21:42
  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…
- 10 to tide you over after Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" by: Nora O'Neill
  September 18, 2009, 16:10
  Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" has finally arrived. Yeah! Oh wait, you know what this means... used bookstore patrons will start asking for this this…
- A re-cap of the Biblio-Art Exhibition by: Jo Canham
  September 14, 2009, 06:28
  Ah, it's been a busy weekend at Blarney Books & Art! The Port Fairy Ex Libris Book Fair was on, and we hosted the official welcome for authors, artists,…
- The bookshop was like a vessel that carried me down literature’s great road... by: William Hammond
  September 10, 2009, 12:16
  ...back to my youth when I began to realise that reading was not just something you did to gain knowledge, it was a profound devotional act, a reaching to the…
- Full Time Job/Part Time Book Business by: Adam Bertram
  September 3, 2009, 20:48
  Throughout the few months that I have been running my blog at sellyourbooksonline.com, I've run into countless people just like me that are running a part time…
- Biblio-Art Awards in Port Fairy, Australia by: Jo Canham
  August 30, 2009, 19:35
  It's Awards time at Blarney Books, art awards that is.
- Bookstore Tourism by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  August 26, 2009, 20:43
  I’m a practicing bookstore tourist. Wherever I travel I look for a bookstore to visit and talk to an employee about what she recommends or what is selling…
- Is a book scouting service actually worth it? by: Adam Bertram
  August 16, 2009, 22:12
  The purpose of a book scouting service is to let the bookseller look up prices on the fly from Amazon..
- Event Hosting - Bookshop Style by: Jo Canham
  August 12, 2009, 20:22
  The story of how a used bookstore ran a successful event featuring other small businesses and a lot of new customers.
- Making It Memorable with an Impromptu Salon by: Pamela Grath
  August 9, 2009, 14:43
  In my bookstore, philosophy is often the focus of an impromptu salon...
- Advertising in the Used Book World by: Shane Gottwals
  July 30, 2009, 22:01
  Advertising in the Used Book World Shane Gottwals Gottwals Books www.gottwalsbooks.com A recent article I wrote really got me to thinking about…
- What Services Can Make Your Bookstore Unique? by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  July 27, 2009, 22:25
  As a writer for a blog that reviews independent bookstores, I’ve visited quite a few and taken note of some of the unusual services that the stores offer…
- Visiting an Italian Bookshop by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 17, 2009, 08:05
  A Guest Post by Kim Allen-Niesen, co-founder of Bookstore People For information on becoming a contributor click here.. Having spent the last two weeks in…
- Summer Reading Lists 2009- It Could be Worse! by: Nora O'Neill
  July 3, 2009, 21:32
  Summer, time to kick back, relax, read some total junk while lying around the pool... Or at least that's what most adults get to enjoy. For high school…
- Can you Franchise the Used Book Business? by: Shane Gottwals
  June 29, 2009, 11:53
  I didn't think about franchising until a friend of mine brought up the concept. Think about it. If you have a trade system, an acquisitions system, an…
- Conversation with Linda Olsson by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 16, 2009, 21:28
  The more you know about a book, the easier it is to hand sell it. At the invitation of Literary Affairs , I was able to attend a breakfast interview with Linda…
- The Value of Good Communication for Online Booksellers by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  June 9, 2009, 22:28
  Selling strictly online means that we forfeit direct face to face interaction with customers and vice versa. We are not able to 'read' one another. Impressions…
- Travel with the Magic Tree House Series without Leaving Home by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 30, 2009, 20:34
  A post by contributor Kim Allen-Niesen, co-founder of Bookstore People For information on becoming a contributor click here.. The Magic Treehouse Many…
- "But it's a good book!".... in awful condition by: Nora O'Neill
  May 23, 2009, 13:24
  Professional book dealers buyers see lots of books in bad condition, but this book covered in mushrooms may be one of worst ever spotted.
- Blood Sucking Genius by: Tom Nealon
  May 12, 2009, 21:34
  twilight, anne rice and gothic romances..they all keep selling like hotcakes. Vampire romance is alive and well
- Why encouraging literacy should be part of your business plan by: Nora O'Neill
  May 9, 2009, 14:47
  Focusing on increasing literacy should be part of every bookstore's long term business plan. You may see no benefit this month or year, but if you plan to be…
- The 1970s, in cover art by: Nora O'Neill
  May 1, 2009, 15:13
  The 1970s, the decade of terror! If science didn't kill you, sex would. Take a tour tour through the "me decade" with a representative book cover from each…
- Little Blue Books and Emanuel Haldeman-Julius by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 26, 2009, 20:25
  Haldeman-Julius.org is a website devoted to gather and sharing information on Emanuel Haldeman's work. His Pocket Series books are great collectibles.
- Dan Brown's book Lost Symbol due out Sept. 15th by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 21, 2009, 07:34
  When is Dan Brown's book coming out? Looks like Brown's book, The Lost Symbol will finally be released this fall. Da Vinci Code author has had a long wait....le…
- How do you handle Book Returns? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 9, 2009, 22:02
  Book Sellers will all deal with this at some point, what do you do about book returns?
- After Twilight: Even more vampire fiction for fang fans by: Nora O'Neill
  March 20, 2009, 17:32
  Suggested vampire fiction books to read after reading Stephanie Meyers Twilight series
- What working in a bookstore has taught me (so far) by: Larissa Swayze
  February 28, 2009, 22:15
  My return to school (to study literature, of course) has forced me to make some tough decisions. The offer to live rent free in a cozy little house in a cozy…
- The Second Renaissance – bigger, better, faster! by: Bob Lewis
  February 15, 2009, 00:58
  When books become available and affordable, the value of reading and writing became apparent. Ideas could be spread rapidly. When people could read they could…
- CPSIA- book banning in the guise of safety by: Nora O'Neill
  February 14, 2009, 15:54
  Book banning takes on an ugly new face due to CPSIA.
- Tweet! Tweet! Let a little bird tell people about your bookstore by: Nora O'Neill
  January 31, 2009, 17:17
  Twitter is the bastard child of blogging, social networking, news feeds, and online forums. Stick web 2.0 in a food processor and chop it into 140 character…
- Back after a much needed break. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 12, 2008, 20:24
  After a long layoff I'm back. I had deliberated a while on whether I wanted to keep this blog going or not. The main reason both for the deliberation and my…
- The First in our Series of Bookstore Profiles by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 16, 2008, 09:00
  Looking for a great selection of children's books? Take a look at these.
- What Gets Left Behind - Moving a Bookstore for Fun and Profit by: Tom Nealon
  May 20, 2008, 13:48
  Can you think of a more challenging move than 25 000 books and all the associated content of a bookstore?
- We have a winner! by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 2, 2007, 16:10
  Meg Shea of Joseph-Beth Booksellers has one our little contest. .00 worth of books will be on their way to her. She goes by the name PaperbackBandit. Thanks…
- Last day for the free book contest. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 30, 2007, 15:31
  We will be launching our new bookseller's forum tomorrow. Booksellers helping Booksellers will be the main thrust of it with generous doses of humour and…
Category: Auction News/Info (4)
- Take the next step: Buy Books at Auctions by: Caro Hedge
  November 16, 2010, 23:03
  More about auctions Apparently there are auctions and then there are Colorado prairie auctions. On TV, I’ve seen pictures of auctions in England and other…
- Look to Auctions for your Book Inventory by: Suzie Eisfelder
  April 4, 2010, 16:27
  The topic of finding stock is a never ending one. You'll find many articles about this topic on this blog and on other blogs worldwide. Each country/region…
- It's not the Venom, it's the Bite by: Tom Nealon
  October 12, 2007, 00:40
  Here is a terrific view into a Boston area auction from Tom of Pazzo Books. *************************** October 9th Auction notes - It's not the Venom, it's…
- If only my allowance were a tad bigger - Hemingway Auction by: Tom Nealon
  September 15, 2007, 02:00
  recent Hemingway Auction
Category: Bits & Pieces (79)
- Higgelty Pigglety Pop! Maurice Sendak Follows Jennie to the Castle Yonder by: Jas Faulkner
  May 8, 2012, 13:55
  by Jas Faulkner Admitted or not, sometimes trapped deep beneath layers of intellectual noise is the part of us that wants to don a wolf suit and run…
- Don’t Fear the Keeper by: Jas Faulkner
  May 5, 2012, 20:25
  The instinct to collect books has always been strong for many of us. To those who understand, the knee-high to be read pile is a sign of devotion to the…
- Twenty Chances To Make New Readers by: Jas Faulkner
  April 29, 2012, 11:49
  by Jas Faulkner Many of the stories that came in following this year's World Book Night were inspirational. People chose to go to shelters, public…
- Hi-diddle-dee-dee! A Literary Life For Me by: Jas Faulkner
  April 19, 2012, 13:19
  by Jas Faulkner Carr: Artists are members of a privileged class. Art is absurdly overrated by artists, which is understandable, but what is strange is that…
- Try before you buy, the smell of books, hilarity ensues by: Matthew Singleton
  April 11, 2012, 08:49
  A few interesting book-related links and errata I’ve found in recent days. Some of them are related to each other, others are just awesome, and some are both…
- Thomas Kinkade's Mephistophelian Bargain by: Jas Faulkner
  April 9, 2012, 16:48
  by Jas Faulkner When the news came out that an inebriated Thomas Kinkade had urinated on a Winnie the Pooh statue that was standing in a corner of his suite…
- The Magic of Books by: Jas Faulkner
  April 3, 2012, 08:39
  by Jas Faulkner To experience a William Joyce book is the enter a place where things tend to fall together in a fashion that is both charmingly out of…
- Bye Bye Britannica! by: Jas Faulkner
  March 21, 2012, 07:24
  Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T... and two Ns. >sigh< Yes, I am dyslexic. Really. Last week’s announcement…
- Viva los Librotraficantes! by: Jas Faulkner
  March 18, 2012, 11:26
  by Jas Faulkner author's note: Many thanks to everyone who pointed out the number of times I misspelled "Tucson" and apologies for misidentifying John…
- The Malice Domestic Writers Awards by: Diane Plumley
  February 21, 2012, 16:24
  The Malice Domestic awards are called Agathas, after the prolific icon, Agatha Christie. They are bestowed to fans' favorite authors each year at a conference…
- Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--List--No. 80 Through No. 89 by: Diane Plumley
  November 28, 2011, 18:12
  No. 80 Pictures of Perfection--Reginald Hill, 1994–Delacorte Press-- in print To read a synopsis and review go here: http://bookshopblog.com/2011/10/29/no-…
- List Of Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--No. 100 Through No.90 by: Diane Plumley
  November 21, 2011, 18:20
  No. 100 The Innocent Mrs. Duff --Elizabeth Sanxay Holding--1946 Invincible Press (Australia)--used (the book I read is pictured here is a Dell Map Back…
- Books about Books--Better Known as Biblios--Part 1 by: Diane Plumley
  October 25, 2011, 21:56
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Bibilos Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- Hypermodern and the Selling of a New Author by: Diane Plumley
  October 18, 2011, 21:12
  One advantage of managing an independent bookstore, you meet many writers. Some established like Sara Paretsky, some real old timers like Dick Francis, some…
- Booksellers: "A Very Special Class Of Condescending Nerd" by: Diane Plumley
  August 17, 2011, 23:14
  "Book stores employ a very special class of condescending nerd... "If bookstores fall, America will be inundated with a wandering�…
- What Google thinks of books by: Nora O'Neill
  July 31, 2011, 14:09
  Google will "helpfully" try to autocomplete searches for you. Sometimes these suggestions are actually useful. Sometimes they're hilarious. Sometimes…
- Whodunit? Philly Style by: Diane Plumley
  July 27, 2011, 00:10
  The very first mystery bookstore I entered was Whodunit? in Philadelphia PA. I was a teen with my mom, and deliberately looked up and found this particular…
- Condition, Shelving, Identifying, and Evaluating First Editions by: Diane Plumley
  July 2, 2011, 00:22
  Coming from a smaller venue where the books were mostly paperbacks and the space limited, to being seated behind a huge desk in a beautifully appointed room…
- Book Cover Design: Adobe to Austen by: Jessica Hayes
  May 19, 2011, 08:01
  I always judge a book by it’s cover, how can I not? Despite the notorious adage, almost everybody does and publishers know it. The process of conceptualizin…
- Lets Use Modern Classics! by: Jessica Hayes
  May 6, 2011, 18:31
  There are some books which are always on school book lists and most customers will have on ‘to-be-read’ lists. Those books which, even the biggest…
- Does Trash Culture Have a Place in Indie Bookstores? by: Jessica Hayes
  May 6, 2011, 18:06
  Book ordering is critically important in how customers view a store, stock is (if not the most important) one of the single reasons a customer will purchase in…
- The Mysterious Workings of an Independent Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  April 8, 2011, 16:40
  What of some of the jobs that booksellers have to do...
- What to do with things OTHER than books? by: Nora O'Neill
  March 26, 2011, 19:16
  If you handle used books, you often end up with people coming with piles of books from an estate. A relative has died and they're left to try and clear out…
- Ghostwriting-And I Don't Mean Letters from Casper by: Diane Plumley
  March 21, 2011, 20:37
  There is a underground subset of authors who take on the job of writing for someone else, with no credit to show for it. They get paid for the privilege but…
- My Introduction to Book Returns, Or, 'Oh Crap, You Just Destroyed Dianetics!' by: Diane Plumley
  March 4, 2011, 22:10
  When we last left our hero bookseller, she was learning the book biz from her pal, Lou Stein, while trying to avoid the owner's troll parents, gun totting…
- Booksellers Owe Their Customers The Postman’s Rings by: Diane Plumley
  February 4, 2011, 16:26
  Ever wonder what the The Postman Always Rings Twice means? It has nothing to do with character or plot within the classic crime novel. James Cain worked out…
- The Last of the Bookmen by: Diane Plumley
  February 3, 2011, 01:30
  The Lorry Bookstore saga continues. . . After a sufficient amount of time spent on the cash register, I was aching to get onto the chewing gum laden floor and…
- I Married a Dead Man–The Book I Sold Zillions Of by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 21:59
  I would start: Picture This! Yes, that emphatically, with exclamation point stressed, palms out, as if to stop traffic. I did. More than once. Some poor…
- The Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore’s Upcoming Author Signings and Events by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 15:17
  "Mysterious Galaxy is a genre store specializing in science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and horror.' I like to inform readers, other booksellers etc, of…
- Who Believes Robbing an Independent Bookstore is Profitable? by: Diane Plumley
  January 28, 2011, 22:13
  By Diane Plumley One would think no one. Apparently, however, two men didn't get the memo-- bookstores do not make money--because back in the early 1980s…
- Local Bookstores Know Your Books (and Their Books) by: Matthew Singleton
  January 16, 2011, 07:15
  I'm going to paraphrase Spider Robinson. A long time ago I read something he wrote. I forget where it was written and I forgot when it was written, but it…
- The strange literary pedigree of the LOLcat by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2010, 13:37
  Memes are a relatively new idea that describes a very familiar concept. Memes are like cultural genes. They transmit cultural information and ideas…
- Heather Reisman, Indigo and the demise of the Canadian small book store. by: Brian Green
  December 28, 2010, 12:20
  How Canada's largest book retailer has been slowly wiping out the independent bookshop.
- Google eBooks: A Game-Changer? by: Matthew Singleton
  December 7, 2010, 09:29
  It seems almost too good to be true. Earlier today I found out about Google's new ebook service, Google eBooks, which will apparently be available in the US…
- Mascots, Helpers and Décor. by: Caro Hedge
  November 29, 2010, 15:58
  We would love to have a bookstore cat. We think bookstore cats are enchanting. We even have a few candidates at home, and one of those is a sweetie who…
- Bookshop Layout and the Importance of Display by: Matthew Singleton
  November 19, 2010, 09:15
  The way that a bookstore presents itself plays a role in determining how well it does. While I do agree that there are important ways in which a bookstore…
- Your Bookshop - Choosing Where to Begin by: Matthew Singleton
  October 4, 2010, 11:17
  Do you want to sell new books or used books? Do you want to stick to a specific type of book or have a general bookstore? Do you want to sell books online or…
- Selling Rare Books by: Carrie Bailey
  September 27, 2010, 16:08
  A used or rare book, like any other collectible, is worth only what someone else is willing to pay for it. Value is a funny thing. How much you can charge for…
- What's Your Favorite Bookshop Website? by: Shane Gottwals
  September 24, 2010, 13:42
  Shane Gottwals www.gottwalsbooks.com A Tour of Bookstore Websites I spent two days last week looking at 87 different bookstore websites. After doing all that,…
- Identifying Collectable Harry Potter Books the Easy Way by: Carrie Bailey
  August 26, 2010, 11:23
  Look inside the upper inside cover of books one through four, if you see a printed sale price, then you probably have a valuable collector’s item. Why?…
- 2000 year old technological marvel still in use today by: Nora O'Neill
  July 31, 2010, 15:23
  You could make a drinking game out of headlines proclaiming the death of books. But the book itself was just a change from previous writing and record…
- Comics, eBooks and Apps – How does a Brick and Mortar Fit in a Modern World? by: Matthew Singleton
  July 29, 2010, 10:01
  There has been a dramatic shift in the publishing industry in the past couple of months. This is one that might not be seen as important by many of the…
- Monthly Book Themes at your Bookstore by: Magda Elsehrawi
  July 23, 2010, 07:06
  Someone will walk into your bookshop today. The first thing they’re going to go for is the whatever you push to the foreground – namely, your new titles…
- The Ethics of Book Selling by: Suzie Eisfelder
  July 5, 2010, 06:10
  I've been part of a discussion about the ethics of online selling recently. We've been following the antics of one seller on an online auction site and have…
- To Cull or not To Cull your Bookshop’s Inventory by: Therese Holland
  July 1, 2010, 06:34
  I have problems with inventory management. I need to improve my inventory management skills. If I keep saying it maybe a miracle will happen. I keep on saying…
- My Life - Saved by Books Once, Surrounded by Books Always by: Brian Webster
  May 17, 2010, 00:14
  LIFE WITH BOOKS BY Brian W. Wesbster I have been lucky with books all of my life. Once they saved my life. During World War 2 I was living in London, but…
- Book Experience - from the inside out by: Brian Webster
  May 9, 2010, 21:28
  My first professional experience with books was learning the hard slog of making them. I was what they called a “Printer's Devil”, a job that meant a lot…
- The secret to education: reading for pleasure by: Nora O'Neill
  May 3, 2010, 08:51
  Time recently published an article on incentive programs to help raise test scores in the US. The entire idea was the controversial. PAY kids for learning?�…
- Desperately Seeking Synopsis by: Amanda Dixon
  April 25, 2010, 23:11
  It has just occurred to me as I’m typing up my listings (still waiting, waiting, waiting for the website to be finalised) that I seem to spend most of my…
- Booksellers and Public Transportation by: Brian Webster
  April 15, 2010, 23:36
  I changed trains for the express to London and ordered a coffee and took out whatever I had for the day. Perhaps it was a Novel or perhaps another type of…
- New life for old books by: Nora O'Neill
  March 30, 2010, 18:25
  Amazing what can be done with an old book, these magical works of art are something else...
- Will the iPad and the iBook Store Change the Face of Publishing? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 20, 2010, 22:37
  Do you sense a change coming in the publishing world? At the end of January 2010, Steve Jobs announced the highly anticipated Apple iPad, along with a number…
- Tread lightly.....this is Holy Ground by: William Hammond
  February 3, 2010, 19:30
  Over the years, has I have gotten older; I continue to prayerfully read his stories. I never tire of the poetics in the small gestures and details or the lofty…
- The wonderful, wacky world of fanfic by: Nora O'Neill
  January 16, 2010, 18:19
  Fan fiction isn't just an internet phenomenon. It's been around since before the printing press. Hard copies of early twentieth century (or earlier) examples…
- Op Shops, Thrift Books and the thrill of the book hunt by: Suzie Eisfelder
  January 13, 2010, 23:17
  Op Shops. I'll be writing more about op shops in future blog posts so I feel I should explain more about them now. If you're in Australia you won't need to…
- The books of the future will be made of sugar, wheat, and weed! by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2009, 18:35
  Dead trees are so last century. Books of the future will be made of sugar, wheat, or even elephant dung!
- Bookstores: Do your customers play the piano and feed the fish? by: Jo Canham
  December 28, 2009, 09:09
  "Do people really sit down and play chess at that table?" I was asked just this morning - referring to a table where I have a chess set permanently set up.…
- Considering a website for your bookstore business? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 6, 2009, 19:11
  Without a doubt, having a good website would help you reach more potential customers for your bookstore business. Whether your business is new, small and just…
- Story Time at Blarney Books, Port Fairy by: Jo Canham
  October 20, 2009, 07:28
  Well, I've gone & done it. After four and a half years of kid-wrangling, something in me has decided it's time now to offer Story Time to the children of the…
- A Bookshop on St. Catherine Street by: William Hammond
  October 12, 2009, 20:00
  Every weekday morning, as I walk my two children to kindergarten, we pass a bookshop. The bookshop is a small independent establishment that sells new, mainly…
- The bookshop was like a vessel that carried me down literature’s great road... by: William Hammond
  September 10, 2009, 12:16
  ...back to my youth when I began to realise that reading was not just something you did to gain knowledge, it was a profound devotional act, a reaching to the…
- Bookstore Tourism by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  August 26, 2009, 20:43
  I’m a practicing bookstore tourist. Wherever I travel I look for a bookstore to visit and talk to an employee about what she recommends or what is selling…
- Quick tip: Supporting literacy every day by: Nora O'Neill
  June 26, 2009, 12:59
  Encouraging literacy should be part of your long term business plan for your bookstore, as I argued in an earlier post. You create your future market by…
- Gottwals Books featured on local Fox news. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 16, 2009, 17:26
  I just wanted to share a quick link to a Fox news piece on one of our contributors, Gottwals Books. Not only is it nice to see one of our writers get some free…
- Blood Sucking Genius by: Tom Nealon
  May 12, 2009, 21:34
  twilight, anne rice and gothic romances..they all keep selling like hotcakes. Vampire romance is alive and well
- why i have a book store by: jpollard
  May 8, 2009, 13:32
  I sit in my shop after a book sale looking over the treasures that I found. Some ARE worth a few bucks, some aren't. Sometimes I buy with my head (I DO have a…
- eBooks, Kindle and the Sweet Smell of Electronic Ink by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 5, 2009, 20:57
  When I tell people I write a blog about independent bookstores, the discussion quickly turns to e-books. Aren’t they the death knell for bookstores? Aren’t…
- The 1970s, in cover art by: Nora O'Neill
  May 1, 2009, 15:13
  The 1970s, the decade of terror! If science didn't kill you, sex would. Take a tour tour through the "me decade" with a representative book cover from each…
- Cats vs Dogs- who rules the bookstore world? by: Nora O'Neill
  April 24, 2009, 14:07
  The cliche is that every bookstore has a cat, but it's actually fairly rare to encounter pets at bookstores anymore. Chains definitely don't have them, so…
- After Twilight: Even more vampire fiction for fang fans by: Nora O'Neill
  March 20, 2009, 17:32
  Suggested vampire fiction books to read after reading Stephanie Meyers Twilight series
- The Second Renaissance – bigger, better, faster! by: Bob Lewis
  February 15, 2009, 00:58
  When books become available and affordable, the value of reading and writing became apparent. Ideas could be spread rapidly. When people could read they could…
- A Startling Discovery for Success - It's Called Work. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 11, 2009, 20:50
  This is a guest post by a great friend of the Bookshop Blog - Paul Young. Paul runs Prying1 Books please take a moment a pay a visit to his site. One thing…
- I'm new here and you don't know me by: jpollard
  January 10, 2009, 13:24
  What is a book worth? What is the value of a book? Maybe in this instance it might be best to ask - how am I defining value. Worth to an individual ?…
- A Cautionary(?) Tale: Or, There are no Morals in Book Selling by: Tom Nealon
  March 2, 2008, 16:45
  beware of buying in bulk on eBay
- Following the dream of Opening a Bookstore by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  February 13, 2008, 20:02
  Follow the dream of a women who wants to open her own bookshop. Will she do it? How hard is it? Follow the story...
- Book Mailers or B-Flute, How to Package Books for Shipping by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 3, 2008, 21:10
  The safest, cheapest way to pack your books. Come take a look. Many photos about packing books.
- Origami that could make your head explode. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 16, 2007, 03:48
  great video of an origami creation. A small book is crafted from a single piece of paper.
- Why did I decide to become a bookseller? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 7, 2007, 03:40
  I get asked this pretty regularly and I wish a had a good answer. Something like, “I was always surrounded by books in the house and my mother was a…
- Want to join a blog on the fine art of bookselling? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 17, 2007, 21:33
  Here's what we want to offer. A permanent spot on our front page under a list of a few 'Contributing Writers' with a link to your own blog or website. Also…
Category: Book Dealer List (3)
- Ultimate Free Advertising Idea for Used Book Shops by: Bob Lewis
  February 28, 2009, 23:33
  We all know that we need to advertise, and we all know that it’s very difficult to know how and where to advertise. It tends to be expensive, and so often it…
- Science Fiction Bookstores Getting Tougher to Find by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 1, 2008, 22:13
  Looking for a dealer that really knows his stuff. If you love a certain kind of book you may want to consider shopping with a specialist in that genre. You can…
- We are building a list of Book Dealers, organized by Specialty by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 25, 2007, 18:01
  We are building a list of book dealers organized by specialty with links to their inventory or contact info if none is available online. If you'd like to be…
Category: Book Fairs (7)
- Word on the Street is IKEA controls the Publishing Industry by: Matthew Singleton
  October 3, 2011, 08:10
  IKEA controls the printing industry, apparently. Or at least, that’s the impression I got from the articles that were flying around a couple of weeks ago…
- Egyptian Book Fair Cancelled by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 19:21
  The turbulence in Egypt has forced the cancelation of a major bookfair that last year saw 1.8 million visitors...
- Consider Pull Up Banners for Flea Markets & Book Fairs by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 5, 2011, 20:20
  Pull up banners are a new and easy way to have one of the most effective marketing tools at your disposal. Pull up banners are portable display stands that can…
- Improve Cash Flow: Sell Books at a Market or Antique Fair by: Kylie Jakobsen
  December 9, 2010, 22:51
  Retrorocket is primarily an online business selling second-hand books and collectables. The business plan contained the idea of a market stall to improve…
- Convention warrior- selling at fairs, conventions, & festivals by: Nora O'Neill
  October 23, 2010, 16:34
  Tips on how to set up a booth or display at a fair or festival.
- How To Take Advantage of Used Book Sales by: Adam Bertram
  October 7, 2009, 22:46
  If you own a brick and mortar store or sell books online and want to run a successful business you have to continually acquire new inventory. Hopefully,…
- Report from a Beantown Book & Antiques Fair by: Tom Nealon
  April 29, 2008, 09:30
  An insiders view of an antique book fair, should booksellers feel optimistic?
Category: Books & Mags (191)
- Don’t Fear the Keeper by: Jas Faulkner
  May 5, 2012, 20:25
  The instinct to collect books has always been strong for many of us. To those who understand, the knee-high to be read pile is a sign of devotion to the…
- Bye Bye Britannica! by: Jas Faulkner
  March 21, 2012, 07:24
  Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T... and two Ns. >sigh< Yes, I am dyslexic. Really. Last week’s announcement…
- Separating the Writer From His Work by: Diane Plumley
  February 25, 2012, 17:38
  I was searching for info about an Alice in Wonderland in french, illustrated by an artist Morin, when another link popped up about a novel called Alice I…
- What books to stock your bookshop with and what books to avoid by: Leonid Kouvelis
  December 20, 2011, 15:35
  It seems easy enough: find a vacant shop, fill it with bookshelves, fill those shelves with books and start selling books. You’re in business! You’re now a…
- Biblios--Rare Manuscripts and Letters by: Diane Plumley
  December 9, 2011, 01:52
  I didn't realize that biblios had such a broad range. While researching, I found rare manuscripts and letters, and even scraps of writing on paper were…
- Biblios--Part 2 by: Diane Plumley
  October 27, 2011, 01:41
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- I Never Read a Book Twice! by: Diane Plumley
  October 21, 2011, 16:22
  Do you? Life is too damn short! I need to move on to the next book, then the next, and on and on. To go back and reread something is almost against my…
- LOL by: Diane Plumley
  October 18, 2011, 20:12
  I was just at ABE books looking for a particular old children's book, and happened across this subject. I haven't posted any of these for a long time, so I…
- Storing & displaying books to keep them in best condition by: Nora O'Neill
  August 27, 2011, 15:10
  Storage and display are the bane of the bookseller's and book collector's existence. The more valuable the book and the better the condition it is to start…
- No. 93--Liars and Tyrants and People Who Turn Blue--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  July 22, 2011, 00:41
  93. Liars and Tyrants and People Who Turn Blue--Barbara Paul--1980-00p Imagine you could tell if one someone was lying? And I'm not talking about body…
- Bringing the Printed Word to Life by: Matthew Singleton
  July 21, 2011, 11:44
  Quite often I’ve written about civic engagement being a big part of what a brick-and-mortar bookstore can do to build a customer base. By being…
- Literature's Afterlife by: Diane Plumley
  July 18, 2011, 14:57
  I was aware of a couple of novels published after the authors' death, but was surprised at the number of rather famous titles that fell into this category. I'm…
- Seeing Double by: Diane Plumley
  July 12, 2011, 13:04
  An unlikely theme in books seems to be more prevalent than I realized. The use of twins in literature has been around forever, and many more recent titles…
- Scarlett is 75! by: Diane Plumley
  June 23, 2011, 04:41
  "I won't think about it now, I'll think about it at Tara, after all, tomorrow is another day!" Famous words from Scarlett O'Hara at the end of the movie, Gone…
- Stocking Graphic Novels in Your Bookshop by: Matthew Singleton
  June 20, 2011, 09:35
  This is the first in a multi-part post through which I hope to introduce the reader’s of this blog to the idea of carrying graphic novels in their…
- Elaine Viets Discusses the Tourist Problem in Florida--Via Her Novel, Of Course by: Diane Plumley
  June 13, 2011, 13:30
  One of my favorite traditional authors is Elaine Viets who writes two different series, one set in St. Louis, the other in Florida. Her Helen Hawthorne Florida…
- The Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--The List! by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 14:05
  THE BEST 100 MYSTERY BOOKS OF ALL TIME--THE LIST!! Each chosen book will have it's own page and as each title is added, the list here will grow. Check back…
- eBooks Are Big, but Printed Books Are Still Bigger by: Matthew Singleton
  May 23, 2011, 09:49
  It’s not all doom and gloom for bookstores despite the news I woke up to Friday morning. I was awoken by CBC’s morning radio show host interviewing one of…
- Book Cover Design: Adobe to Austen by: Jessica Hayes
  May 19, 2011, 08:01
  I always judge a book by it’s cover, how can I not? Despite the notorious adage, almost everybody does and publishers know it. The process of conceptualizin…
- Lets Use Modern Classics! by: Jessica Hayes
  May 6, 2011, 18:31
  There are some books which are always on school book lists and most customers will have on ‘to-be-read’ lists. Those books which, even the biggest…
- Does Trash Culture Have a Place in Indie Bookstores? by: Jessica Hayes
  May 6, 2011, 18:06
  Book ordering is critically important in how customers view a store, stock is (if not the most important) one of the single reasons a customer will purchase in…
- Masquerade--A Treasure of a Book by: Diane Plumley
  April 21, 2011, 18:03
  I had a copy of this book, however I never tried to figure out the clues and find the treasure--I was more interested in the artwork, and sadly, I've…
- Jack Kerouac Quotes Books and Bio with some thoughts by Corso by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 12, 2011, 23:25
  In the 1950's Jack Kerouac coined the phrase "Beat Generation" - for the group he co-founded with poet Alan Ginsberg and others. The "Beats" held a philosophy…
- Should a Bookshop Entertain the Idea of Self Publishing Books? by: Matthew Singleton
  April 4, 2011, 13:41
  - Self Publishing, Print-on-Demand and How Bookstores Fit In Earlier today I finished an amazing book. The Best Laid Plans, by Terry Fallis, is a Canadian…
- I Can't Believe I've Lost My Book! by: Diane Plumley
  March 22, 2011, 17:24
  I remember each and every book I ever misplaced, left behind , just plain lost. There haven't been that many of them, because losing a book when in the…
- The Weirdest Book Of All Time? by: Diane Plumley
  March 22, 2011, 16:47
  I'll let you decide. http://www.abebooks.com/books/RareBooks/serafini-fantasy-art-weird/Codex-Seraphinianus.shtml
- Ghostwriting-And I Don't Mean Letters from Casper by: Diane Plumley
  March 21, 2011, 20:37
  There is a underground subset of authors who take on the job of writing for someone else, with no credit to show for it. They get paid for the privilege but…
- Addicted to Books, Can't Shake My Reading Habit by: Diane Plumley
  March 12, 2011, 23:39
  I started thinking about how I decide what I'll read next, and those down times when I don't read at all, and those frenetic times when I finish the last page…
- Stephen King Books Chronological Order by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 10, 2011, 17:32
  We recently made up a nice list of James Patterson books so that fans wouldn't miss one (as there are so many). We've been getting a lot of visitors…
- A Devil of a Read! by: Diane Plumley
  March 9, 2011, 00:09
  Whether you believe in a red man with horns and pitchfork, or a evil creature in the form of a snake, or just plain bad karma, this list of demonic books are…
- List of Harry Potter Movies In Order by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 5, 2011, 12:43
  Here is the bare bones List of Harry Potter Movies in Order - with links to IMDB, the Internet Movie Database so that you can read all of the details...
- Small press publications... without the printing press! by: Nora O'Neill
  February 26, 2011, 19:03
  The vast majority of 20th century books and pamphlets will be printed via offset press or as letterpress. What's the difference? Offset transfer the ink to…
- Printed Books Are Too Important to Die by: Matthew Singleton
  February 24, 2011, 04:02
  A few months ago while reading through some random magazine (so I once again cannot find this article and what I am talking about comes from memory) I came…
- Comfort Reads by: Diane Plumley
  February 10, 2011, 21:46
  Have you ever had a particularly crappy day and needed something to read that would be familiar, give a cozy feeling, a sense of comfort to you? If sick, in…
- The Best Books Of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  February 6, 2011, 22:39
  I asked myself, what does that mean? The best books of all time? Best fiction? Best nonfiction? Both? From what time frame--the beginning of time--do cave…
- Love Hurts by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 14:44
  AbeBooks.com,a tremendous source for out of print and difficult to find titles, has provided a group of 25 when-love-goes-wrong titles, past and present.…
- New York best seller list 2009 by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 18, 2010, 14:57
  2009
- Google eBooks: A Game-Changer? by: Matthew Singleton
  December 7, 2010, 09:29
  It seems almost too good to be true. Earlier today I found out about Google's new ebook service, Google eBooks, which will apparently be available in the US…
- Four of the Top Autobiographies by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 24, 2010, 12:48
  A rundown of four of the top autobiographies ever written...
- Search Engines for Rare Books: Discovering an Antique Books Value by: Carrie Bailey
  November 4, 2010, 08:58
  This is Part 2 of a look at some book search engines. // Part 1: The rare book search engine test While there is no absolute method to determine an…
- Horror: Beyond King & Koontz by: Nora O'Neill
  November 2, 2010, 17:41
  Horror is dominated by two big Ks: Stephen King and Dean Koontz. When someone asks for horror, they're probably going to get handed one of those two…
- James Patterson Books Chronological Order by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 1, 2010, 20:49
  James Patterson has written a Lot of books, some good, some ehh and some that are truly remarkable. He's also written a few with co-authors like Andrew Gross.…
- The Hemingway Rare Book Buyer Test by: Carrie Bailey
  October 31, 2010, 15:00
  A standardized test to see which book selling service has the better search mechanisms
- Selling Rare Books by: Carrie Bailey
  September 27, 2010, 16:08
  A used or rare book, like any other collectible, is worth only what someone else is willing to pay for it. Value is a funny thing. How much you can charge for…
- Reviving old Books by: Brian Webster
  August 30, 2010, 16:51
  Brian W. Webster bwwebster@gmail.com I recently came into possession of a book - “Fathers and Sons” by Turgenev in 1867 – in not very good condition. I…
- 2000 year old technological marvel still in use today by: Nora O'Neill
  July 31, 2010, 15:23
  You could make a drinking game out of headlines proclaiming the death of books. But the book itself was just a change from previous writing and record…
- Monthly Book Themes at your Bookstore by: Magda Elsehrawi
  July 23, 2010, 07:06
  Someone will walk into your bookshop today. The first thing they’re going to go for is the whatever you push to the foreground – namely, your new titles…
- Good Books to Read for Young Adults by: Kathy Burnette
  July 10, 2010, 07:00
  The natives are starting to get restless. Most students have been out of school for awhile; some for 2 weeks and some for over a month! They've hung out…
- Common Misconceptions About Rare Books by: Carrie Bailey
  July 7, 2010, 06:30
  I live within driving distance of the world’s largest new and used bookstore, Powell’s City of Books. Located in downtown Portland, Oregon, the store…
- Dirty Books by: Brian Webster
  July 6, 2010, 06:40
  Just recently I was offered a batch of books at a good price but – take all or no deal. So we took them all, about 200. Obviously or first step was to sort…
- Are the Days of the Real Book Numbered? by: Brian Webster
  June 24, 2010, 09:08
  CAN THIS BE THE END? BY Brian W. Webster I can feel the tremor of fear that runs through the book world with the advent of computered books and, to be…
- The Blockbuster Bestseller Monolith by: Therese Holland
  June 21, 2010, 11:56
  I read an article a while back that had some statistics to show that the best way to sell a new book was to have previously sold a book. What this basically…
- An interview with author Jaishree Misra by: Nandini Muralidharan
  May 31, 2010, 12:07
  by Nandini Muralidharan Indian writing in English has won a lot of critical acclaim in the literary world, and Indian authors have really made it big with…
- Anticipating Demand, What Books Will Sell Tomorrow? by: Adam Bertram
  May 26, 2010, 21:53
  It's a little known fact that you don't always have to be Nostradamus to be able to anticipate demand when selling used books. There are several recurring…
- What do you do to help books age gracefully? by: Brian Webster
  April 27, 2010, 14:45
  Quite often, when entering newly purchased books (used) you come across minor faults that you may gloss over until they get sold. By then, of course, you have…
- Bookshop Blog's Interview with Sam Moffie, novelist by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 21, 2010, 09:50
  April 2010 Interview with Sam Moffie, author of The Book of Eli...I am working on my fifth book—“To Kill the Duke.” It’s about a communist plot to…
- Leather Bound Classics by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 14, 2010, 14:04
  Leather Bound Classics If you have ever been to a book-lover’s home you knew it immediately. Between the sweet musty smell of old paper to the obvious care…
- Leather Bound Books, building a magnificent library by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 6, 2010, 21:17
  Leather Bound For many generations now a personal library has been a sure mark of intellect, a curious mind and that of a person of character. The generation…
- New life for old books by: Nora O'Neill
  March 30, 2010, 18:25
  Amazing what can be done with an old book, these magical works of art are something else...
- Collecting Rare Books: From Wealth to Weirdness by: Louis Gereaux
  March 3, 2010, 19:48
  Written by: Louis Gereaux Collectors in other fields usually search out hard-to-find items: rareness is valued in and of itself. Rare books are no exception. …
- Handling offensive titles without causing offense by: Nora O'Neill
  February 27, 2010, 19:39
  Handling historical material that contains racist material is difficult but worth doing. To forget the bad parts of history increases the odds of repeating…
- Must-have books in your bookshop by: HeeJin Lee
  February 23, 2010, 22:19
  Must-haves in Your Stock (II) Part I of Must-haves in Your Stock By HeeJin Lee It’s great to hear from those of you who have also been thinking about your…
- When does bulk buying for your bookshop get out of hand? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  February 9, 2010, 22:01
  The listing was for 2,000+ books and I won it for some ridiculously small amount, totally stunned at that as I kept on reducing my top price before I actually…
- Bookstore Speak: Words of the Trade by: Louis Gereaux
  February 7, 2010, 21:15
  All booksellers of used books will have at one time or another come across the word dog-eared. What does that word mean anyway, and where did it come from?…
- Is your book stock a reflection of yourself? by: HeeJin Lee
  February 5, 2010, 06:20
  Must-haves in Your Stock (I) By HeeJin Lee As an aspiring bookshop owner, I’ve been spending my free time fantasizing of the books I’d like to have in…
- Tread lightly.....this is Holy Ground by: William Hammond
  February 3, 2010, 19:30
  Over the years, has I have gotten older; I continue to prayerfully read his stories. I never tire of the poetics in the small gestures and details or the lofty…
- The books of the future will be made of sugar, wheat, and weed! by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2009, 18:35
  Dead trees are so last century. Books of the future will be made of sugar, wheat, or even elephant dung!
- Translations and Bookstores by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  November 29, 2009, 14:33
  After spending the last few months consciously trying to read translated books, I found the newest anthology by Center for the Art of Translation, Wherever…
- Why you won’t find Disney books in my store. by: Bob Lewis
  November 26, 2009, 11:31
  Long ago when my children were young, I was reading them the story of Pinocchio in a Walt Disney book. I started telling them about the Italian who had written…
- Q & A with Jasper Fforde by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 23, 2009, 11:55
  From our friends at Viking Books, Mr. Fforde on his latest book Shades of Grey which will be coming out on December 29, 2009 Q. What is National Color? A.…
- Books in plain brown wrappers by: Nora O'Neill
  November 7, 2009, 18:23
  Once upon a time, if you wanted a "certain kind of book" you had to go to a certain kind of shop or order from a catalog and wait for a package in a plain…
- A Bookshop on St. Catherine Street by: William Hammond
  October 12, 2009, 20:00
  Every weekday morning, as I walk my two children to kindergarten, we pass a bookshop. The bookshop is a small independent establishment that sells new, mainly…
- The Perfect Pair by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  September 29, 2009, 21:51
  ...Yet, sitting down with War and Peace or Madam Bovary can feel intimidating. Not everyone has the option of a book club or a literature class. One…
- .00 for a Bag of Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 28, 2009, 10:49
  This was just sent in by longtime reader Paul Young. If you happen to be in the Plainville, Mass area you can get yourself a bagful of books for .00. http:…
- Great Books and Banned Books (yes it still happens!) by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  September 23, 2009, 21:36
  Walking through Latitude 33, a bookstore in Laguna Beach, CA, I noticed all of my favorite display tables--NYT bestsellers, Indie Next choices, staff…
- Archipelago Books and reading Great Translated Books by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  August 2, 2009, 22:31
  Last fall, Horace Engdahl, permanent secretary to the Swedish Academy that picks the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, created quite a stir when…
- Conversation with Linda Olsson by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 16, 2009, 21:28
  The more you know about a book, the easier it is to hand sell it. At the invitation of Literary Affairs , I was able to attend a breakfast interview with Linda…
- Travel with the Magic Tree House Series without Leaving Home by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 30, 2009, 20:34
  A post by contributor Kim Allen-Niesen, co-founder of Bookstore People For information on becoming a contributor click here.. The Magic Treehouse Many…
- Blood Sucking Genius by: Tom Nealon
  May 12, 2009, 21:34
  twilight, anne rice and gothic romances..they all keep selling like hotcakes. Vampire romance is alive and well
- Dan Brown's book Lost Symbol due out Sept. 15th by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 21, 2009, 07:34
  When is Dan Brown's book coming out? Looks like Brown's book, The Lost Symbol will finally be released this fall. Da Vinci Code author has had a long wait....le…
- Book burning on Feb. 10th 2009 due to CPSIA by: Nora O'Neill
  January 8, 2009, 13:02
  The government thinks books are a danger to children and mandates destruction of millions of kids' books starting February 10th, 2009. It sounds like the plot…
- Books for the Boy That Does Not Read - Part 2 by: Nora O'Neill
  August 21, 2008, 18:55
  If you have a child that is not really into reading here are some suggestions that may fire his appetite.
- Books for the Boy that Does Not Read by: Nora O'Neill
  July 26, 2008, 14:52
  What books can you get for a boy that doesn\'t like to read all that much.
- Featured Books for Sale by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 18, 2008, 11:33
  We have just added a small feature on our sidebar, featured books for sale. We are offering a link here to a special book that you think our readers may be…
- Podcast of Some Choice Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 10, 2008, 13:58
  Podcasts by Books on the Nightstand are a new feature being offered by The Bookshop Blog.
- Books by Dan Brown by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 3, 2008, 19:23
  Looking for some information regarding print runs of Dan Brown\'s Book.
- Take a look at Computer Books Online by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 30, 2008, 10:36
  great prices on new computer books
- Shall I compare thee...In Praise of Ex-library books by: Tom Nealon
  April 11, 2008, 09:20
  Anybody can love a shiny new book with no ugly marks or paraphernalia. Can you love an ex-library book as much?
- Special Books & Childhood Memories by: Dana Richardson
  April 3, 2008, 15:08
  Adults often seek books from their past, looking to bring back fond memories.
- The Golden Age of the Illustrated Book by: Dana Richardson
  March 19, 2008, 09:35
  The most liberal identification of the time frame for the Golden Age of the Illustrated Book is from 1865 till the beginning of World War II. And while not all…
- Do you collect (or stock) Little Golden Books? by: Dana Richardson
  February 29, 2008, 17:41
  What are some of the sought after LGB Little Golden Book authors and illustrators
- Have You Seen Some of the Newer Children's Books? by: Nora O'Neill
  February 21, 2008, 18:16
  Pop-up Books, fuzzy books ...
- Bookseller's Gazette Issue #2 by: William Smith
  January 29, 2008, 22:17
  Thanks for the tips I've received so far, but I still need more eyes. Please send your tips/links here (change "(at)" to @). Match the format below if…
- The Bookseller's Gazette Issue #1 by: William Smith
  January 14, 2008, 21:59
  As books get mentioned in the news they become sought after quickly. Here is an ongoing guide to what books have been talked about.
- Feed your Magazine Habit. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 9, 2007, 16:12
  Another post from William Smith of Hang Fire Books ********************************************** I'm a magazine addict. I have a perpetual 2-3 foot pile of…
- Notes for your Scouting Book - Childrens Lit by: Dana Richardson
  August 29, 2007, 01:42
  We’ve been lucky enough with our book sources that we as a rule do not carry library discard books. Even so, there are certain children’s book titles that…
- Read the ad pages in vintage books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 9, 2007, 22:42
  Many older books, particularly from 1890-1930, include several pages of advertising at the rear. These ads are usually for other titles available from the…
- Where can I get more information on fine books and first editions? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 21, 2007, 03:34
  We will try and bring you a steady stream of resources related to books and book selling. Some of the things we'll mention may seem obvious to the seasoned…
- Category: Book Collecting (55)
  - The Most Expensive Books by: Diane Plumley
    May 7, 2012, 13:45
    I receive e-mails from ABE.com, from time to time, regarding various fun book subjects, but one I never bothered clicking on is their monthly roundup of…
  - Don’t Fear the Keeper by: Jas Faulkner
    May 5, 2012, 20:25
    The instinct to collect books has always been strong for many of us. To those who understand, the knee-high to be read pile is a sign of devotion to the…
  - Photoplay Books--Almost as Expensive as Making a Movie! by: Diane Plumley
    April 17, 2012, 19:35
    Who can afford to collect photoplays these days? I checked out a link that ABE sent me. It has a super page full of gorgeous dust jacketed books representin…
  - Bye Bye Britannica! by: Jas Faulkner
    March 21, 2012, 07:24
    Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T... and two Ns. >sigh< Yes, I am dyslexic. Really. Last week’s announcement…
  - Booked To Sleep by: Diane Plumley
    March 19, 2012, 22:35
    I know I've said no one can have too many books. And I mean that, if you have enough space in your hemisphere. If, like me, that space has now run out, and the…
  - Are Some Booksellers Out of Register? by: Diane Plumley
    March 12, 2012, 19:19
    It happened again. I found a title with divine illustrations that I could afford, and ordered it from ABE or another seller on the bookfinder website. I…
  - Do Free Online Illustrated Books Impact Sales? by: Diane Plumley
    March 7, 2012, 02:22
    I collect images. Physical ones, and virtual ones. I have stacks of illustrated children's books, crime fiction dust jacketed books, Deco magazines and books,…
  - On The Right Track - Railway Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
    January 28, 2012, 16:12
    My dad loved model railroading. The HO models--not the big antique things that are so valuable today, such as Lionel etc. He built his own layout in the…
  - Did this come with a dust jacket? and does it matter? by: Nora O'Neill
    November 29, 2011, 16:44
    Most, but not all, hardcovers come with a jacket of some sort. If its missing, it can greatly effect the value of the book. But not all books come with…
  - Biblios--Part 5 by: Diane Plumley
    November 22, 2011, 21:06
    Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Bibilos Focusing on Bookselling/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
  - The Best Book Covers by: Diane Plumley
    November 18, 2011, 15:59
    I've already stated that the best book covers DO persuade me and make a difference in whether or not I'll purchase a title. What I didn't relate is that dust…
  - Biblios--Part 3 by: Diane Plumley
    November 3, 2011, 15:08
    Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Biblios…
  - My Lifelong Love Of Mother Goose by: Diane Plumley
    September 28, 2011, 23:54
    Sometimes subjects and ideas for articles are slim, and I struggle to come up with something meaningful, challenging, and pithy. Well, this is not a pithy…
  - No. 87 The Will and Last Testament of Constance Cobble--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    September 2, 2011, 23:54
    No. 87 The Last Will and Testament of Constance Cobble--Stanton Forbes--1980--Doubleday Crime Club A mystery within a mystery makes this a standout among…
  - When Is It OK To Remove Illustration Plates From Books? by: Diane Plumley
    September 1, 2011, 18:10
    If it were up to me, probably never. No, that's not true, I've taken some Anne Anderson Mother Goose illustrations and framed them. The book was missing half…
  - Book Mania or I'll Eat Some Other Day by: Diane Plumley
    August 15, 2011, 16:00
    What have you done, and what would you do, short of commit a crime, to attain a certain book you can't live without. I mean, you really don't think that life…
  - Little Did We Know! by: Diane Plumley
    August 1, 2011, 00:05
    What is it about this obscure writing duo called the Little sisters that made so many customers in the mystery book store where I worked willing to pay fairly…
  - No. 92--Hide in the Dark, An All Hallow's Eve Mystery--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    July 29, 2011, 00:43
    No. 92 Hide in the Dark--Frances Noyes Hart--1929--Doubleday Doran--OOP--but inexpensive copies are abundantly available Ah, a book after my own heart!…
  - Rediscovering A Childhood Favorite by: Diane Plumley
    July 19, 2011, 22:26
    My mother is the culprit behind my love of mysteries. Her Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and various other juvenile mysteries were handed down to me, and I read…
  - Rare Book Descriptions, The Title Page by: Carrie Bailey
    July 4, 2011, 22:33
    The bibliographic description is a method of cataloging rare books that helps librarians, archivists and collectors distinguish between different texts. In a…
  - Condition, Shelving, Identifying, and Evaluating First Editions by: Diane Plumley
    July 2, 2011, 00:22
    Coming from a smaller venue where the books were mostly paperbacks and the space limited, to being seated behind a huge desk in a beautifully appointed room…
  - No. 97 Panama---Eric Zenecy--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time! by: Diane Plumley
    June 23, 2011, 13:51
    No. 97. Panama---Eric Zenecy---1995--Farrar, Straus and Giroux-in print When first published, this literary thriller was given rave reviews, and so, I…
  - An Ace of a Book by: Diane Plumley
    June 23, 2011, 03:08
    An interesting subject I know zilch about--playing cards. I don't understand poker, bridge, whatever other games are played with those interesting things full…
  - Rex Stout and Me (sort of) by: Diane Plumley
    June 17, 2011, 14:34
    Sometimes serendipity enters a book collectors life. When I worked for A&E mysteries.com as their bookclub moderator, I wrote articles and interviewed…
  - No Root Canal for Author Zane Grey by: Diane Plumley
    June 16, 2011, 02:05
    A dentist? Zane Grey gave up dentistry to become the most famous western pulp fiction author? I guess he just couldn't sink his teeth into the profession.…
  - The Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--The List! by: Diane Plumley
    June 10, 2011, 14:05
    THE BEST 100 MYSTERY BOOKS OF ALL TIME--THE LIST!! Each chosen book will have it's own page and as each title is added, the list here will grow. Check back…
  - No. 100--The Innocent Mrs. Duff--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    June 8, 2011, 16:10
    I started eons ago to put together my opinion of the 100 best crime fiction/mysteries of all time. First it was a list, then I decided I needed some cover…
  - The Ship That Sailed To Mars by: Diane Plumley
    June 3, 2011, 01:55
    When my best friend's mother passed away, Bob wanted to give me a thousand dollars from her estate to do with as I pleased. I was gobsmacked. I loved his…
  - Touchy Feely Books by: Diane Plumley
    May 20, 2011, 12:38
    No, I don't mean self help titles or sob stories, but how a book feels in your hands while reading it. ABE books again came up with an interesting topic,…
  - Edible Children's Books by: Diane Plumley
    May 19, 2011, 08:54
    A tasty little look at children's books with food as the theme. bon appetit! http://www.abebooks.com/books/childrens-kids-fruit-stories/james-giant-peach.shtml…
  - I Finally Got The Plumley Inheritance! by: Diane Plumley
    May 6, 2011, 19:51
    If you're thinking a relative of mine died and left me a fortune, sadly, no. But almost as valuable, an edition of a book I've been searching for over 15 years…
  - A Very Small Tip for Booksellers and Owners by: Diane Plumley
    April 27, 2011, 14:17
    Which--you all probably already know! But if you are like me when I first started, this book dilemma was perplexing and I'd no solution. If you have a…
  - The Mystery League: Great Crime Fiction or Only Super Deco Dust Jackets? by: Diane Plumley
    April 20, 2011, 17:52
    All Carved Up: Performing Autopsies on the Great Bodies of Crime Fiction When I first decided to write an article about this short-lived publishing house I…
  - A Scary Encounter With Stephen King by: Diane Plumley
    April 1, 2011, 08:52
    I don't read Stephen King. Not because I don't think he's an excellent writer. He is. Too too good of a writer. I am one of those people who loves fictional…
  - Collecting Pugilist Books by: Diane Plumley
    March 27, 2011, 22:14
    Another fascinating look at the variety of title within one particular genre. I am not a fan of boxing, I don't get it. But, I do understand collecting. http:/…
  - Pulp Vixens by: Diane Plumley
    March 17, 2011, 00:51
    Politically correct or not, I love the artwork on old paperbacks, magazine covers, and dust jackets depicting barely clad babes. I go as far as to collect…
  - Stephen King Books Chronological Order by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
    March 10, 2011, 17:32
    We recently made up a nice list of James Patterson books so that fans wouldn't miss one (as there are so many). We've been getting a lot of visitors…
  - Can a Person Have Too Many Books? by: Diane Plumley
    March 3, 2011, 23:41
    Yes. Yes. And yes. Did I mention I think someone can have too many books? Why the question now? Why the question period? I'm always hearing from friends how…
  - Why Collect? Or What The Heck is Hypermodern? by: Diane Plumley
    March 2, 2011, 21:29
    Why collect books? Why indeed. I asked myself the same question in the bathtub, snapping the binding of the latest Sue Grafton. I love to read but why bother…
  - Author Signatures, The Saga Continues by: Diane Plumley
    March 1, 2011, 19:20
    To inscribe, or not to inscribe, that is the question. Whether tis' n0bler to splatter your name indecipherably across the page, or to write a heartfelt little…
  - What Are Some of the Best Stephen King Books? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
    February 27, 2011, 14:13
    Stephen King is perhaps one of the greatest writers of the horror genre. His unique writing style captivates audiences and this has resulted in a solid…
  - Nothing Up My Sleeve by: Diane Plumley
    February 23, 2011, 10:40
    I've always been fascinated by magicians and how they do their tricks. I honestly, don't want to know the mechanics, the fun is wondering how that rabbit…
  - Facsimile Dust Jackets--Good Idea for Used Bookshops? by: Diane Plumley
    February 4, 2011, 00:37
    There are thousands of old books out there minus their original dust jackets. Some are first editions, some are not. There are a few talented people…
  - Rare Book Collections by Category by: Carrie Bailey
    January 10, 2011, 11:57
    The majority of rare book collectors do not purchase any random rare book considered valuable, but collect within one or more specific category. Most rare book…
  - Insuring Your Rare Book Collection by: Carrie Bailey
    December 27, 2010, 22:42
    There comes a time when the worst thing imaginable happens to a rare book collector and a book is lost for all time. Their house burns, floods, or the dog eats…
  - Search Engines for Rare Books: Discovering an Antique Books Value by: Carrie Bailey
    November 4, 2010, 08:58
    This is Part 2 of a look at some book search engines. // Part 1: The rare book search engine test While there is no absolute method to determine an…
  - Selling Rare Books by: Carrie Bailey
    September 27, 2010, 16:08
    A used or rare book, like any other collectible, is worth only what someone else is willing to pay for it. Value is a funny thing. How much you can charge for…
  - “R” is for Reason: the 5 Practical Reasons to Collect Books by: Carrie Bailey
    September 14, 2010, 16:54
    What bibliophile doesn’t love owning their own personal libraries in their living room, den, office, and their bedrooms, in their car, and on top of their…
  - Archive Boxes: Who Needs Them? by: Carrie Bailey
    August 31, 2010, 14:08
    While a book may not be fragile when it is first printed, it quickly and imperceptibly begins to decompose. Over time it's materials disintegrate.
  - Identifying Collectable Harry Potter Books the Easy Way by: Carrie Bailey
    August 26, 2010, 11:23
    Look inside the upper inside cover of books one through four, if you see a printed sale price, then you probably have a valuable collector’s item. Why?…
  - Comics, eBooks and Apps – How does a Brick and Mortar Fit in a Modern World? by: Matthew Singleton
    July 29, 2010, 10:01
    There has been a dramatic shift in the publishing industry in the past couple of months. This is one that might not be seen as important by many of the…
  - Ebooks, Digital Preservation and a Nice First Edition by: Matthew Singleton
    July 27, 2010, 07:10
    Frequently when I mention to someone my intentions to open a bookstore I will get an askance look and “why would you do that?” When I explain my various…
  - Book Collecting With Twitter by: Carrie Bailey
    July 21, 2010, 07:10
    Twitter may prove indispensable for collecting new first edition signed books these days. An aspiring author can sacrifice hours hunched over their keyboard…
  - Library Books: Patronized But Still Collectable by: Carrie Bailey
    July 12, 2010, 06:53
    A few book buyers avoid former library books on principle alone. Without a doubt, circulation costs a manuscript a degree of aesthetic integrity, the same as…
  - Common Misconceptions About Rare Books by: Carrie Bailey
    July 7, 2010, 06:30
    I live within driving distance of the world’s largest new and used bookstore, Powell’s City of Books. Located in downtown Portland, Oregon, the store…
- Category: Book Reviews (53)
  What books should you be recommending to your customers? We’ll try and help.
  - Murder For a Wanton by: Diane Plumley
    April 26, 2012, 23:21
    Occasionally I enjoy sharing with others those odd offbeat oldies crime novels that have been forgotten my most, but treasured by few. This one is perfect for…
  - The Church of Dead Girls by: Diane Plumley
    April 24, 2012, 19:58
    Right off the bat, I need to tell you that there is a spoiler alert on this article. I will not be holding any thing back when I discuss this harrowing read by…
  - Road Trip to Murder by: Diane Plumley
    February 17, 2012, 09:57
    A road trip mystery book, what could be better for someone as I, who travels every year to various and sundry locations, just to take pictures of huge muffler…
  - Are Online Reviews of Books By Customers Fair? by: Diane Plumley
    February 15, 2012, 17:43
    I was starting to research an article about Valentine Day mysteries, and began with looking up a title by Dorothy Cannell. I've sold the lovely Ms. Cannell's…
  - Mystery Writers Awards--The Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award by: Diane Plumley
    January 30, 2012, 23:31
    2012 Left Coast Crime, a convention for fans and writers of crime fiction will meet March 29--April 1st in Sacramento, CA for Mining For Murder. As I…
  - On The Right Track - Railway Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
    January 28, 2012, 16:12
    My dad loved model railroading. The HO models--not the big antique things that are so valuable today, such as Lionel etc. He built his own layout in the…
  - Dead Is The Door-Nail by: Diane Plumley
    January 4, 2012, 01:22
    I've always heard this expression as: Dead as a door-nail. A rather odd expression to begin with. So I checked on its origins. Apparently no one is absolutely…
  - Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--List--No. 80 Through No. 89 by: Diane Plumley
    November 28, 2011, 18:12
    No. 80 Pictures of Perfection--Reginald Hill, 1994–Delacorte Press-- in print To read a synopsis and review go here: http://bookshopblog.com/2011/10/29/no-…
  - No 76 Fright Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    November 28, 2011, 17:20
    No 77. Fright George Hopley 1950 Rinehart--edition available now--Hard Case Crime-in print It's no secret that I love Cornell Woolrich. There are…
  - List Of Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--No. 100 Through No.90 by: Diane Plumley
    November 21, 2011, 18:20
    No. 100 The Innocent Mrs. Duff --Elizabeth Sanxay Holding--1946 Invincible Press (Australia)--used (the book I read is pictured here is a Dell Map Back…
  - No. 78 They Buried a Man Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    November 14, 2011, 17:05
    No. 78 They Buried a Man Mildred Davis 1953 --Simon and Schuster Inc.,--used Mildred Davis is the author I 'discovered' recently. Somehow I passed her…
  - No. 79 Stone Quarry Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    November 5, 2011, 00:06
    No. 79 Stone Quarry S. J. Rozan 1999-St. Martin's Press-in print "It can be a treacherous road, State Route 30, especially rain slick in the twilight…
  - Biblios--Part 3 by: Diane Plumley
    November 3, 2011, 15:08
    Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Biblios…
  - No Tricks! Halloween Crime and Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
    October 30, 2011, 19:37
    For a person who had a Halloween themed wedding reception complete with a huge haunted house wedding cake, intricately carved Jack O'Lanterns as centerpieces,…
  - No. 81 The Black Paw Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    October 23, 2011, 23:29
    No. 81 The Black Thumb Constance and Gwenyth Little--1941 Doubleday Crime Club The sisters Little make this list not once, but twice. Why, because their…
  - No. 82 The Devil Loves Me Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    October 13, 2011, 21:57
    No. 82 The Devil Loves Me Margaret Millar--1942--Doubleday Crime Club "Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of witnesses.…
  - No. 82 Last Seen Wearing--Best Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    October 8, 2011, 22:36
    No. 82 Last Seen Wearing Hillary Waugh--1952--Doubleday Crime Club-used This book is on practically every best mystery list I've seen. So, naturally, I…
  - No. 83 The Almost Moon--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    October 1, 2011, 02:15
    No. 83 The Almost Moon-Alice Sebold-2007-Little Brown One may have assumed that if I were to choose something from this author to be on my best list, it…
  - No. 84 Mr. Smith's Hat---Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    September 25, 2011, 01:10
    84. Mr. Smith's Hat--Helen Reilly-1940-Doubleday Crime Club--used I kept struggling with which title of Helen Reilly's I wanted on the list, then if I…
  - No. 85 Haunt of the Nightingale--Best 100 Mysteries Of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    September 19, 2011, 16:18
    No. 85 Haunt of the Nightingale--John R Riggs--1988--Dembner Books--used Ok, before you start thinking, ‘oh no, another obscure title from a small…
  - No. 86 The January Corpse--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    September 10, 2011, 01:07
    No. 86 The January Corpse - Neil Albert - 1991-Walker Publishing-used paperback When I started doing the 100 mysteries, I thought I had an airtight…
  - No. 87 The Will and Last Testament of Constance Cobble--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    September 2, 2011, 23:54
    No. 87 The Last Will and Testament of Constance Cobble--Stanton Forbes--1980--Doubleday Crime Club A mystery within a mystery makes this a standout among…
  - No. 88-- Meet the Tiger--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    August 27, 2011, 11:14
    No. 88 Meet the Tiger--Leslie Charteris-1928-Ward Lock--used I was first introduced to the character of The Saint, or Simon Templar as he was usually known,…
  - No. 90--Billy Dead--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    August 12, 2011, 20:55
    No. 90 Billy Dead--Lisa Reardon--Viking Publishers-1998--in print Not an ordinary crime novel. The story is shocking, hard, and to some, I'm sure,…
  - No. 91--Murder Between The Covers--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    August 5, 2011, 00:43
    No. 91 Murder Between the Covers--Elaine Viets--Original paperback--in print Oh what a perfect book for independent booksellers to revel in. The action takes…
  - No. 92--Hide in the Dark, An All Hallow's Eve Mystery--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    July 29, 2011, 00:43
    No. 92 Hide in the Dark--Frances Noyes Hart--1929--Doubleday Doran--OOP--but inexpensive copies are abundantly available Ah, a book after my own heart!…
  - Discovering The Thirteenth Tale by: Diane Plumley
    July 25, 2011, 00:05
    After finding the ABE article about books exploring the theme of twins, I became intrigued, and realized I had one of the titles in my TBR pile. It had been…
  - No. 93--Liars and Tyrants and People Who Turn Blue--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    July 22, 2011, 00:41
    93. Liars and Tyrants and People Who Turn Blue--Barbara Paul--1980-00p Imagine you could tell if one someone was lying? And I'm not talking about body…
  - Rediscovering A Childhood Favorite by: Diane Plumley
    July 19, 2011, 22:26
    My mother is the culprit behind my love of mysteries. Her Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and various other juvenile mysteries were handed down to me, and I read…
  - No. 94--Roll Over and Play Dead--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    July 12, 2011, 17:17
    94. Roll Over and Play Dead--Joan Hess--1991--St. Martin's Press--Available If you've not encountered the worlds of Joan Hess, you have many unique hilarious…
  - No. 96--Murder a la Richelieu--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    June 30, 2011, 15:08
    No. 96--Murder a la Richelieu--Anita Blackmon--1937--Doubleday Crime Club--OOP I can see most of you shaking your heads and wondering, where the heck I found…
  - No. 97 Panama---Eric Zenecy--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time! by: Diane Plumley
    June 23, 2011, 13:51
    No. 97. Panama---Eric Zenecy---1995--Farrar, Straus and Giroux-in print When first published, this literary thriller was given rave reviews, and so, I…
  - A Review of The E-Myth Revisited by: Suzie Eisfelder
    June 16, 2011, 09:55
    The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It - Michael E. Gerber This book is the most recommended business book. If…
  - No. 98--The Desert Moon Mystery--Kay Cleaver Strahan by: Diane Plumley
    June 15, 2011, 13:24
    98. The Desert Moon Mystery-Kay Cleaver Strahan-1928-Doubleday Crime Club--used (several inexpensive copies available) You may have noticed, after three…
  - No. 100--The Innocent Mrs. Duff--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
    June 8, 2011, 16:10
    I started eons ago to put together my opinion of the 100 best crime fiction/mysteries of all time. First it was a list, then I decided I needed some cover…
  - Murder In Retrospect: Review of Murder With Your Malted by: Diane Plumley
    April 19, 2011, 21:06
    Murder in Retrospect--Reviews of classic crime fiction Murder With Your Malted--Jerome Barry, Doubleday, 1941 Now for something entirely different,…
  - Thanking My Lucky Stars I Was a Baby Boomer Student by: Diane Plumley
    February 7, 2011, 15:12
    When I read something like the following article I found on Banned Books Week , I realize how darn lucky I was growing up in a world that hadn't yet discovered …
  - DEJA VIEW– Murder Gives a Lovely Light by: Diane Plumley
    February 4, 2011, 13:48
    Deja View A new section on the blog--Reviews of old titles, many from the Golden Age Of Crime Fiction.To find a copy of this or any other of the Deja…
  - Book Review: West of Here by Jonathan Evison by: Diane Plumley
    February 1, 2011, 16:41
    The blog *shelf awareness*--http://shelf-awareness.com/-- linked to an interesting review by Seth Marko on the Indie book pic for February, West of Here. Well,…
  - Recommended Books for Young Adults by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
    November 13, 2010, 09:26
    YA Fiction by Ben Langdon YA stands for Young Adult and is often seen as the category of book which sits between childrens' fiction and adult fiction. This…
  - Lincoln Child's "Terminal Freeze" by: Nora O'Neill
    September 1, 2010, 07:30
    The backcover splat basically sells Terminal Freeze as scientists in an abandoned sonar research lab in the arctic are eaten by frozen sabretooth tiger.…
  - Book Review: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by: Matthew Singleton
    August 30, 2010, 08:25
    Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour is out. The 6th and final book of a series that has been published one volume per year since 2004 is out. The story is…
  - Book Review: Me, Myself & Why by Mary Janice Davidson by: Michelle Watkins
    August 28, 2010, 08:01
    This is a crime novel. I don’t ordinarily go in for that type of book, but being that it was by one of my favorite authors, and also that I happened to have…
  - Book Review: House of Reckoning by John Saul by: Michelle Watkins
    August 17, 2010, 22:50
    I love John Saul. I have been a fan since I was about eight years old and my sister and I snuck a copy of Suffer the Children from a friend’s house. I…
  - Book Review: Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine by: Michelle Watkins
    August 5, 2010, 10:11
    Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine is an urban fantasy series featuring Cin Craven as the heroine. Although this is only the second novel it is technically part five…
  - Book Review: The Host by Stephanie Meyer by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
    August 2, 2010, 09:02
    This is a book you are not going to find one single vampire in. For some people, that is a good thing; for others, maybe not. The Host is a science fiction…
  - Book Review: Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost by: Michelle Watkins
    July 30, 2010, 15:37
    I have long been a Jeaniene Frost follower. I have read everything she has ever written. Jeaniene is known for her Night Huntress series, but this book comes…
  - A Review of The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan by: Michelle Watkins
    July 22, 2010, 16:24
    Normally I don't read young adult novels, but when Sarah Rees Brennan sent me an autographed copy of her novel, The Demon's Lexicon (The Demon's Lexicon…
  - Review – Chains of Ice by Christina Dodd by: Michelle Watkins
    July 18, 2010, 18:24
    Chains of Ice is the newest installment to her Chosen Ones series. The first two books; Storm of Visions and Storm of Shadows brought us into the world of the…
  - Brandon Sanderson - A YA Writer To Watch by: Kathy Burnette
    July 15, 2010, 07:17
    Are you looking to augment your sales by bringing in a younger crowd? Try highlighting a different young adult author each month. If possible, find one with…
  - Author Profile: Mary Janice Davidson by: Michelle Watkins
    July 14, 2010, 07:15
    Ordinarily I would be reviewing a single title, but New York Times best selling author, Mary Janice Davidson, is a writer of so many incredible books I felt…
  - A Review of Covet by J. R. Ward by: Michelle Watkins
    July 9, 2010, 07:06
    I have been told many times that J.R. Ward is a genius. I finally decided to see for myself. I was not disappointed. Covet (Fallen Angels, Book 1) is a work of…
  - Pride Mates, an excellent gateway into the paranormal genre by: Michelle Watkins
    July 5, 2010, 07:03
    All in all, I would say this a terrific "gateway" novel, as I like to call them. A way for someone unfamiliar, or perhaps uncomfortable, with the paranormal…
Category: Bookstore Profiles (66)
Is your shop profiled here? Send us a blurb or two and some photos or a video, we’d love to give you some free exposure.
- Declaration of Independents: Parnassus Books by: Jas Faulkner
  March 9, 2012, 19:48
  by Jas Faulkner Tucked away in a strip mall at an upscale shopping area in West Nashville, Parnassus Books looks like a throwback to an earlier era. It is a…
- The Old Book Shop by: Diane Plumley
  January 23, 2012, 20:39
  Sometimes the urge comes on me, and I desperately need to be among old volumes. The scent of fine aged paper, unopened boxes of new acquisitions, rows of…
- Bookstore Profile: Elsevier Health Bookstore - Australia by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 22, 2011, 15:33
  In a time when people must sacrifice much to afford a medical, dental, allied health, or veterinary education, there are still ways to save money and practice…
- Banking on Their New Coffee Shop by: Diane Plumley
  August 11, 2011, 21:07
  Washington NC is a sleepy town of 10,112, unless someone died or was born since we visited. It was deserted when we arrived, but it was 100 degrees in the…
- A Life With Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 29, 2011, 16:22
  a guest post by Peter Shaw of Aberdeen Books and Crafts All my life I have been besotted by, enchanted by, enthralled by books. As a small child, I well rememb…
- Whodunit? Philly Style by: Diane Plumley
  July 27, 2011, 00:10
  The very first mystery bookstore I entered was Whodunit? in Philadelphia PA. I was a teen with my mom, and deliberately looked up and found this particular…
- The Bookshop Lease Now Firmly In Hand by: Janet Geddis
  July 26, 2011, 20:57
  My name is Janet Geddis, and I am proud to be an independent bookseller. I started my journey over three years ago and, despite some unbelievable downs and…
- Borders Announces Total Liquidation by: Joe Waynick
  July 23, 2011, 14:10
  By Joe Waynick I never expected this. I thought Borders would emerge from bankruptcy a stronger company after shedding most of its debts and excess…
- Wonderful Online/Brick and Mortar Antique Bookshops by: Diane Plumley
  April 25, 2011, 18:36
  I say bookshops, because although they have a website stating Stella and Rose's Books, Stella is at one location, and Rose another. Both…
- How my Bookshop Plans to Survive e-Books by: Amber Short
  February 23, 2011, 20:23
  ... or see a 45 year old woman in a tea shop in my small town reading The Grapes of Wrath on her kindle while eating a chocolate chip cookie. Part of me wants…
- Niche Bookshops In Manhattan Inspiration for Indie Stores by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2011, 15:05
  A super article highlights some fantastic bookstores in NYC. I frequented quite a few while living there, especially the superlative, Partners &…
- Heaven is a Sublime Used Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  February 5, 2011, 23:51
  I visited one of my favorite spots today. And in the future will be interviewing the owners and writing up a profile of this wonderful bookshop, but for now,…
- Twilight and other books I won't sell by: Brian Green
  January 15, 2011, 08:46
  Not every book deserves shelf space.
- The El Ateneo Bookstore in Buenos Aires by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 15, 2011, 07:05
  El Ateneo bookstore is one of the most breathtaking buildings in all of South America; the fact that it is now a huge bookstore is just a bonus. The long,…
- Heather Reisman, Indigo and the demise of the Canadian small book store. by: Brian Green
  December 28, 2010, 12:20
  How Canada's largest book retailer has been slowly wiping out the independent bookshop.
- We Finally Open the Book Store! Hoorah! by: Caro Hedge
  December 22, 2010, 10:59
  By Caro Hedge Three months after we had assumed we would be open, we were still working on the store, having spent three weeks on the verge of “almost…
- Have you ever left an auction with a little Bonus? by: Caro Hedge
  December 16, 2010, 10:37
  by Caro Hedge Our signs are up, our signs are up! T. says the train was supposed to be on the other side of the words, but what the heck, what a pain to get…
- Mascots, Helpers and Décor. by: Caro Hedge
  November 29, 2010, 15:58
  We would love to have a bookstore cat. We think bookstore cats are enchanting. We even have a few candidates at home, and one of those is a sweetie who…
- Visiting the US on a Bookhunt by: Therese Holland
  October 14, 2010, 09:29
  In my one of earliest blogs I mentioned that I visited the US on a semi annual basis to buy books. This started out in 2007 and I ended up in the Quad Cities…
- B & M or Online, sometimes the choice is made for us. by: Kylie Jakobsen
  October 11, 2010, 21:19
  Retrorocket go! I started a small business in Perth, Western Australia in March 2010. A love of books and retro collectables inspired my decision and…
- Second Hand Books UK by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 10, 2010, 11:15
  Any list of British authors will reveal some of the greatest names in literature, their influence extending well beyond the English-speaking world and crossing…
- In the Month Before We Opened our Bookshop by: Caro Hedge
  October 8, 2010, 09:44
  Remember the historical society cases it took so much combined effort to remove, which I myself prefer to not remember at all, ever ever ever? They had…
- Our Bookshop Event: Where’s President Carter? by: Megan Shea
  October 6, 2010, 11:23
  When we booked our event with former President Jimmy Carter, we began a half-joking ritual of knocking on wood whenever we mentioned our preparations. As the…
- We Move Onward! Projects With the Toolbox by: Caro Hedge
  September 23, 2010, 11:18
  * This is an ongoing piece chronicling Sue & Caro's bookshop creation. Click here for earlier installments. First, I must preface this by saying that I…
- Value Added - The Beguiling knows how, does your Bookshop? by: Matthew Singleton
  September 22, 2010, 10:34
  In this day and age of the big-box bookstore, eBooks, and sites like Amazon it’s hard for the normal brick-and-mortar bookstore to compete. In terms of…
- Can I have some bait with my Kerouac? by: Therese Holland
  September 15, 2010, 17:23
  The 1st of September heralded the start of my new three year lease. I have been at my current location for four years and am giving this location three years…
- Opening a UK Bookstore Part 3 by: Laura Jenkinson
  September 8, 2010, 07:25
  Opening a UK Bookstore Part 3 (Jenks' Story: Part 1 & Part 2) Doom and Gloom I didn’t write a blog last week. I couldn’t quite bring myself to admit…
- Get to know a Book Seller: Mackerel Sky Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 7, 2010, 09:16
  Carol Goldstein from Mackerel Sky Books Just recently I became a member of NAIBA, the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association. They are a regional…
- First One Thing, and Then Another. It’s Always Something. by: Caro Hedge
  September 3, 2010, 10:57
  You can’t have a name like Back Stairs Books when you have a store with no steps. So we decided a new name was indicated, and this time it would be a name…
- A Week in the Life of a Multiple Location Bookshop Owner by: Shane Gottwals
  August 30, 2010, 10:28
  Shane Gottwals www.gottwalsbooks.com Gottwals Books, as of this coming Friday, is a 4-store operation. This would be adventuresome enough if all the stores…
- Art shows in the bookshop by: Jo Canham
  August 27, 2010, 07:35
  What we've been up to at Blarney Books... Well, we do seem to be becoming a rather busy little bookshop these days, and some of it isn't even about books!…
- A Chaotically Quirky Book Shop by: Therese Holland
  August 25, 2010, 19:14
  Directly around where I have my computer and cash register the books in the window are stacked head high to give me a little privacy from the people who liked…
- Starting a UK Bookstore Part 2 by: Laura Jenkinson
  August 19, 2010, 22:41
  Laura Jenkinson (Jenks) first shared her idea in her introductory post: Bookselling, it’s in the bone What ‘type’ of bookseller are you? While in the…
- Will they get a better bookshop location? by: Caro Hedge
  August 16, 2010, 22:33
  Part Seven, Cue Ominous Music (see bottom for links to the other parts) There came a day when T. came to us and broke the sad news that the job of renovating…
- My Bookshop, The Reader, was an inspiration by: Subeer Verma
  July 3, 2010, 20:21
  The Reader - Or was it “such stuff as dreams are made on”? It was a chilly Gurgaon winter morning of the grey yellow variety when moist air clings to the…
- A Name, Some General Background, and We Go Back to School by: Caro Hedge
  June 25, 2010, 07:35
  This is a multi-part series describing Caro and Susan's adventure in opening a bookshop. Part 1: We Got Handed a Dream In the Discount Card Aisle Part 2:…
- The Auction by: Caro Hedge
  June 9, 2010, 15:18
  This is Part II of Susan and Caro's adventure. Part 1 can be found here.. Knowing we had at least six months and possibly a year or even two before the space…
- We Got Handed a Dream In the Discount Card Aisle by: Caro Hedge
  June 7, 2010, 09:46
  Susan and I, Caro, are going to share writing about our bookstore experiences. I am going to start, Susan will add some entries later. I’m Caro and I’m…
- An Interview with Sachin Bansal, ex of Amazon India and now CEO of FlipKart.com by: Nandini Muralidharan
  May 24, 2010, 15:52
  Flipkart.com – Read India Read ! While E-commerce in India has a long way to go before it can catch up with some of the western countries, it is surely…
- Business Plans, Bootstrapping and a Very Lucky Rental Location by: Pamela Grath
  May 20, 2010, 09:39
  A reader of the Bookshop Blog e-mailed to ask if I would be willing to share my “business plan and wondering if Dog Ears Books had made money its first year.…
- Shipping A Container Full of Books Back to Australia by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 7, 2010, 09:50
  Good Day, From time to time we like to post profiles of used bookshops. If you ever find yourself in the area please pop in on these great little places, we…
- Bookshops in Mumbai by: Nandini Muralidharan
  May 4, 2010, 11:49
  Have you ever entered a bookstore and felt swept away by the atmosphere? Rows and rows of books lined in mahogany book cases or simply stacked to the ceiling…
- A Bookstore Profile, Dicho's in Plano Texas by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 7, 2010, 16:14
  If you happen to be near Plano Texas pop over to Dicho's and tell them you saw them on The Bookshop Blog! **************** Our store is unique as we not…
- Are you always planning ahead? by: Megan Shea
  December 15, 2009, 20:56
  I spent a recent lunch break attempting to clean off my desk while replying to email, listening to voicemail, placing a book order, addressing an employee…
- 3 Years, 3 Stores by: Shane Gottwals
  December 10, 2009, 12:52
  Well, Gottwals Books has been open almost 3 years. We started with almost zero knowledge of opening a book store. We had roughly 7500 titles in stock, and…
- Considering a Facelift at Blarney Books, Port Fairy by: Jo Canham
  November 16, 2009, 08:36
  We have been asking ourselves this question for the last five years, but I think we are reaching the decision that we probably should. The front of our…
- A Journey to Opening a Bookstore by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  October 25, 2009, 21:30
  After years of dreaming and almost two years of planning, Jessica Stockton Bagnulo and Rebecca Fitting finally opened Greenlight Bookstore in the Fort Greene…
- An Uncertain Future in the Used Book Business by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 14, 2009, 21:49
  An update on Christina Ambrosia's bookstore Odyssey Ambrosia's Books and More Bad Summer at the Bookstore This summer, though my first as a bookstore owner,…
- Taking the Plunge Starting a Bookstore by: Adam Bertram
  August 4, 2009, 21:47
  Adam Bertram - I've been employed in one facet of technology or another now for about 12 years and really thought that it was where I wanted to go. However,…
- It's Always Easier the Second Time Around: Reflections from a 2nd Used Bookstore by: Shane Gottwals
  July 23, 2009, 07:23
  There is no book or article that can map out your success, but there are plenty of highways toward failure. I know I have a long way to go, but you're in a…
- How We Came to Be: Part 2 Blarney Books, Port Fairy by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 9, 2009, 10:00
  a guest post by Jo Canham of Blarney Books For information on becoming a contributor click here.. How We Came to Be: Part 2 Part 1 can be found here... So…
- The Small Town Bookstore Path by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 25, 2009, 19:53
  A guest post by P. J. Grath, Dog Ears Books, Northport, Michigan For information on becoming a contributor click here.. Christopher Milne (son of A. A. Milne)…
- How We Came to Be: Part 1 Blarney Books, Port Fairy by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 22, 2009, 19:00
  a guest post by Jo Canham of Blarney Books When my partner and I still lived in Melbourne, I had a habit of browsing internet real estate, and usually looked…
- The Peaks and Valleys of Opening a Used Bookstore by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 4, 2009, 12:43
  A guest Post by Chris Ambrosia of Ambrosia Books - a follow up to her last post A Bookstore in Sanborn, New York I wrote the previous post on an up note. …
- A Bookstore in Sanborn, New York - give them a visit by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 19, 2009, 12:14
  I signed the lease and spent any and all of my extra cash from my paying job to buy library red paint and material for my counters and bookshelves. I needed to…
- Gottwals Books featured on local Fox news. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 16, 2009, 17:26
  I just wanted to share a quick link to a Fox news piece on one of our contributors, Gottwals Books. Not only is it nice to see one of our writers get some free…
- Between Friends, the Joy of a Bookselling Mentor by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 29, 2009, 22:37
  I loved finding an out of print or hard to fine title, even one with a dedication in a flowery script would have me buzzing. As a bookseller, I had no…
- Little Blue Books and Emanuel Haldeman-Julius by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 26, 2009, 20:25
  Haldeman-Julius.org is a website devoted to gather and sharing information on Emanuel Haldeman's work. His Pocket Series books are great collectibles.
- Cats vs Dogs- who rules the bookstore world? by: Nora O'Neill
  April 24, 2009, 14:07
  The cliche is that every bookstore has a cat, but it's actually fairly rare to encounter pets at bookstores anymore. Chains definitely don't have them, so…
- When is it a Good Time to Expand Your Bookstore? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 28, 2009, 19:33
  We have another new contributor here at The Bookshop blog. I'm pleased to welcome Shane Gottwalls to our group of writers. Here is his first introductory…
- Want to Open a Bookshop That is Sure to Fail? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 2, 2009, 00:22
  There are plenty of success stories out there and I can confidently tell you that making a used bookshop work is not impossible, even during tougher times.…
- Having a Sale? Let me know... by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 5, 2008, 23:53
  Just a quick note to let you all know that I've put a little space aside on the right sidebar of The Bookshop Blog as a spot to announce any upcoming sales or…
- Prying 1 Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 26, 2008, 14:28
  A great little online bookshop.
- A Recipe For Starting A Used Bookstore by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 20, 2008, 15:41
  There aren't nearly enough good used bookstores. If you live near Blue Plate books please go give them some love.
- A Cautionary(?) Tale: Or, There are no Morals in Book Selling by: Tom Nealon
  March 2, 2008, 16:45
  beware of buying in bulk on eBay
- Best Booksellers moves for 2007 by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 5, 2008, 00:58
  Our booksellers have made additions, joined associations, set up new stores and more over the past year. Drop by and learn a bit from them.
Category: Brick and Mortar Thoughts (190)
Some tips from the Pros on how to operate a successful bookshop.
- Lou, the Underground Bookseller, Resurfaces by: Diane Plumley
  March 28, 2012, 17:51
  After Lou left Lorry's Book Company, one of many times--this one sticking, he disappeared from the book world, and mine, for years. I'd no idea where he…
- Blurbing Another Author's Work by: Diane Plumley
  March 25, 2012, 12:18
  I had a recent conversation with a few writers about the common practice of writing a nice bunch of things about another person's book. You've seen blurbs--on…
- Bookstore Organization by: Matthew Singleton
  March 22, 2012, 21:05
  Organization is key. Maybe this is the librarian in me talking, but if a bookstore is to operate properly it needs to be organized. If the store isn’t,…
- What Argument About Literature, Would Drive You To Violence? by: Diane Plumley
  March 19, 2012, 06:59
  A link from author Laura Lippman had me intrigued, so I clicked, and had a great gut laugh. Two men got into an argument 'over literature'. The teeny article…
- Do Free Online Illustrated Books Impact Sales? by: Diane Plumley
  March 7, 2012, 02:22
  I collect images. Physical ones, and virtual ones. I have stacks of illustrated children's books, crime fiction dust jacketed books, Deco magazines and books,…
- The next big thing... or the end of civilization? by: Nora O'Neill
  March 4, 2012, 23:59
  Rare book dealers have a certain image in pop culture. They are generally a bit eccentric, standoffish, erudite, and curmudgeonly. Librarians have a…
- Selling Furniture? A Nice Bookshop Option by: Diane Plumley
  February 23, 2012, 20:23
  We all realize the straits independent bookshops are in. Print books can only finance the store so far. Many stores have opted to offer toys, gift items, some…
- Oh, How I Agree! Mostly. by: Diane Plumley
  February 6, 2012, 21:49
  My friend and superlative bookseller/bookshop owner, Maryelizabeth Hart, owner of The Mysterious Galaxy--with two locations now!--posted a link to this article…
- Out of the Loop--It's No Mystery Why by: Diane Plumley
  February 3, 2012, 19:43
  I remember calling up an author to set her up for a signing. Nothing unusual about that. However, the signing was in relationship to her having been nominated…
- Good For Them! But Is It a Sound Business Move? by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2012, 13:25
  Publisher's Weekly covered the announcement by Barnes and Noble, that they will not carry anything published by Amazon in their brick and mortar stores. The…
- Uplifting News About Independent Bookstores by: Diane Plumley
  January 31, 2012, 02:18
  I was off looking for a different article, when my path crossed this rather nice upbeat article on the state of indies. Take a gander and hopefully it will…
- Don’t Invite a Brush-Off! by: Pamela Grath
  January 24, 2012, 16:34
  Don’t Invite a Brush-Off! “Do you have that new book by So-and-So?” In my shop, the answer to that question will usually be no unless So-and-So is an…
- The Old Book Shop by: Diane Plumley
  January 23, 2012, 20:39
  Sometimes the urge comes on me, and I desperately need to be among old volumes. The scent of fine aged paper, unopened boxes of new acquisitions, rows of…
- Financially Rewarding? by: Diane Plumley
  January 20, 2012, 08:46
  Let's face it, working in a bookshop is not going to gain boffo sums of money for the employee. If lucky, and you are the manager, you do bring home a wage…
- How to attract customers to your bookshop by: Leonid Kouvelis
  January 3, 2012, 09:32
  Success or failure in business comes down to meeting your expenses and hopefully generating enough profit to build a comfortable lifestyle and all this comes…
- 4 questions to ask when ordering textbooks for customers by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2011, 15:24
  If there's one type of book I will hold a party for when it goes totally to ebook format, it will be the textbook. They change so frequently and are so…
- How to detect customers that will waste your time or will be valued. by: Leonid Kouvelis
  December 31, 2011, 10:21
  Time is precious in a bookshop and unless you have a plethora of sales assistants working for you, then you need to carefully ration your time. Some…
- What books to stock your bookshop with and what books to avoid by: Leonid Kouvelis
  December 20, 2011, 15:35
  It seems easy enough: find a vacant shop, fill it with bookshelves, fill those shelves with books and start selling books. You’re in business! You’re now a…
- Amazon, or aka, Scum of the Universe by: Diane Plumley
  December 10, 2011, 22:29
  You know, I honestly used to enjoy buying certain books from this giant non taxing paying Walmart in the ethernet sky. That was before slave labor was…
- Book Burning, or the Lack There Of by: Diane Plumley
  December 5, 2011, 19:15
  Rereading articles about last September's London riots, I became bemused over the point many newspapers and blogs made about the lack of looting and book…
- Neck Deep in PODs (Publish on Demand) by: Diane Plumley
  November 30, 2011, 17:51
  An interesting article once again explores the impact of print on demand books. A offbeat attitude is displayed by the author of the article, Clive Thompson.…
- Did this come with a dust jacket? and does it matter? by: Nora O'Neill
  November 29, 2011, 16:44
  Most, but not all, hardcovers come with a jacket of some sort. If its missing, it can greatly effect the value of the book. But not all books come with…
- Do it yourself bookshelves by: Nora O'Neill
  November 29, 2011, 12:24
  Do it yourself bookshelves: some practical, some novel.
- What Compels Someone to Own a Bookstore? by: Diane Plumley
  November 11, 2011, 20:58
  Heavens knows it's not to make a fortune. If a bookstore stays in business for longer than the time it took to type this article, they're doing well. If one…
- All Hallow's Read by: Matthew Singleton
  October 27, 2011, 12:11
  Community involvement by brick-and-mortar bookstores is something that I’m always pushing for, so I figured I might as well actually offer a concrete example…
- The Customer is Always Right? by: Diane Plumley
  October 10, 2011, 19:25
  I don't believe this adage holds true in this day and time. More and more retailers are responding to obnoxious customers with being obnoxious in return.…
- Do Reprints Lower The Sale of First Editions? by: Diane Plumley
  September 16, 2011, 00:56
  I have no idea! And that's why I am writing this article, because I've had a long discussion on another site about vintage illustration being copied, and one…
- What Makes a 'Good' Bookseller by: Diane Plumley
  September 8, 2011, 21:03
  This question has been around for a long time, and naturally I have my firm opinions about what qualities and tasks booksellers should focus on. I've had a…
- Storing & displaying books to keep them in best condition by: Nora O'Neill
  August 27, 2011, 15:10
  Storage and display are the bane of the bookseller's and book collector's existence. The more valuable the book and the better the condition it is to start…
- Working With Sociopaths--Part Two---Suspicions! by: Diane Plumley
  August 23, 2011, 22:59
  First, a disclaimer for those who are easily convinced that if some co-workers are nuts, that means I'm claiming all co-workers or bosses are nuts. Not so.…
- Booksellers: "A Very Special Class Of Condescending Nerd" by: Diane Plumley
  August 17, 2011, 23:14
  "Book stores employ a very special class of condescending nerd... "If bookstores fall, America will be inundated with a wandering�…
- Banking on Their New Coffee Shop by: Diane Plumley
  August 11, 2011, 21:07
  Washington NC is a sleepy town of 10,112, unless someone died or was born since we visited. It was deserted when we arrived, but it was 100 degrees in the…
- How do I determine the proper purchase price of a used bookstore? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 10, 2011, 08:46
  A question submitted by one of our readers, Dick Baines. He would love some help from our community in finding out the proper valuation of a used bookshop. Any…
- No Vacation From Books For Me by: Diane Plumley
  July 18, 2011, 22:15
  I need books. All the time. I've always stated that if I become homeless the shopping cart I push will be full of discarded novels. So when I go away on…
- Book Theft by: Diane Plumley
  July 10, 2011, 22:08
  I've already related my armed robbery story, but in that case, no books were taken, only money. I say only, because in some cases, the books are more valuable…
- The Indescribable Thrill Of Selling A Book by: Diane Plumley
  June 27, 2011, 15:34
  I was thinking about recent criticism I received from an individual about my negative view of some booksellers I worked for and with. And although it's all…
- Stocking Graphic Novels in Your Bookshop by: Matthew Singleton
  June 20, 2011, 09:35
  This is the first in a multi-part post through which I hope to introduce the reader’s of this blog to the idea of carrying graphic novels in their…
- Talk About A Targeted Audience--Booksellers, Please Weigh In by: Diane Plumley
  June 16, 2011, 01:27
  "My new favorite number: 17 -- That's where Sentenced to Death will hit on the NYTimes Bestsellers list for mass market paperbacks. And to make it just a…
- I Think It Had A Red Cover by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 11:39
  As a bookseller at various stores, I can honestly say with, LOL, humility, that I was extremely customer oriented. Too much for one owner who found customers…
- Working With Sociopaths by: Diane Plumley
  June 6, 2011, 22:34
  And not as a therapist or prison guard. What is it about book selling that brings out some of the most bizarre people around? Within all the stores I've…
- The Trolls Of Lorry's Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  June 2, 2011, 16:42
  I've mentioned the two diminutive people, whose son owned Lorry's and Pace University bookstore, but never explained their particular presence and role…
- There's a Dead Man Lounging in the Park, and Other Curious Tales From Lorry's Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  May 13, 2011, 11:57
  Lorry's Book Company occupied an old building where tabloid newspapers once produced copy for the masses. Apparently, it's also a well known piece of architectu…
- Lets Use Modern Classics! by: Jessica Hayes
  May 6, 2011, 18:31
  There are some books which are always on school book lists and most customers will have on ‘to-be-read’ lists. Those books which, even the biggest…
- The wall of books by: Nora O'Neill
  May 5, 2011, 17:31
  Work photos of building a retaining wall our of damaged paperback books.
- Can We Turn a Bookstore Downsize into an Upgrade? by: Jessica Hayes
  April 28, 2011, 08:03
  In Brisbane, Australia, there is a 52-year-old independent, family-owned store named the American Bookstore. Despite that this store has seen over half-a-cent…
- The Mysterious Workings of an Independent Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  April 8, 2011, 16:40
  What of some of the jobs that booksellers have to do...
- How One Bookseller Stays in Business After 20 Years by: Diane Plumley
  April 5, 2011, 15:17
  Mystery Scene Magazine, a great source for all things crime fiction, and more, recently interviewed Augie Aleksy owner of Centuries and Sleuths. A…
- What to do with things OTHER than books? by: Nora O'Neill
  March 26, 2011, 19:16
  If you handle used books, you often end up with people coming with piles of books from an estate. A relative has died and they're left to try and clear out…
- Censorship-Here, There, and Everywhere by: Diane Plumley
  March 24, 2011, 18:25
  I've never heard of someone demanding a bookseller remove an "offensive" book from their store before. I don't think as a bookseller, I've ever encountered it.…
- My Introduction to Book Returns, Or, 'Oh Crap, You Just Destroyed Dianetics!' by: Diane Plumley
  March 4, 2011, 22:10
  When we last left our hero bookseller, she was learning the book biz from her pal, Lou Stein, while trying to avoid the owner's troll parents, gun totting…
- Why Collect? Or What The Heck is Hypermodern? by: Diane Plumley
  March 2, 2011, 21:29
  Why collect books? Why indeed. I asked myself the same question in the bathtub, snapping the binding of the latest Sue Grafton. I love to read but why bother…
- Author Signatures, The Saga Continues by: Diane Plumley
  March 1, 2011, 19:20
  To inscribe, or not to inscribe, that is the question. Whether tis' n0bler to splatter your name indecipherably across the page, or to write a heartfelt little…
- Surprise Findings in A Survey Of Mystery Customers by: Diane Plumley
  March 1, 2011, 04:47
  Sisters in Crime, a group dedicated to women writers of crime fiction, took a survey of those who purchase books. One librarian and author found some interestin…
- Drop-Ins: Informal Bookshop Author Signings by: Diane Plumley
  February 28, 2011, 20:02
  It wasn't until I started at the second mystery bookshop, that I learned how important a signed book is. The first store I worked in, Foul Play, although…
- An Essential Component of a Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  February 8, 2011, 17:34
  Liking your customers. OK, if not entirely in love, then at least tolerating their reading habits and purchases, and doing it while seeming to like the…
- Booksellers Owe Their Customers The Postman’s Rings by: Diane Plumley
  February 4, 2011, 16:26
  Ever wonder what the The Postman Always Rings Twice means? It has nothing to do with character or plot within the classic crime novel. James Cain worked out…
- Fabtastic! Sisters In Crime Rally Members: Buy From Independent Bookstores! by: Diane Plumley
  February 2, 2011, 17:27
  Sisters In Crime: "Our Mission: To promote the professional development and advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry." The…
- Nothing Stupid About This Article by: Diane Plumley
  February 2, 2011, 16:23
  http://prairiemary.blogspot.com/2011/01/education-for-dummies_31.html An excellent assessment of not only the "Dummies" books out there, but of our entire…
- Does your community bookstore truly reflect your community? by: Nora O'Neill
  January 29, 2011, 18:14
  The faces on the books you pick to display can either welcome the community into your shop or they can send the subtle message that only a certain type of…
- BISAC - In which we organize the bookshop sections by: Matthew Singleton
  January 26, 2011, 07:10
  I am a nerd for classification schemes and standards. I'm a librarian and I have catalogued books, CDs, movies, even board games, using a variety of different…
- Picking which books to downsize by: Nora O'Neill
  January 19, 2011, 18:10
  If you're in the used book business you shelves pretty quickly end up groaning under the sheer number of volumes you have available. But sometimes the sheer…
- Kindle or Kobo EReader: Good for small shops, bad for the big boys. by: Brian Green
  January 7, 2011, 16:42
  The small bookshop can -- nay, will -- thrive again.
- Small Press Authors: Book Signings by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 6, 2011, 10:01
  How does the owner of local bookstore, the small press author or self-published author, and the book collector thrive together in this new industry?
- 3 Keys to Opening a Successful Bookshop by: Carol Goldstein
  January 4, 2011, 13:36
  Being a newcomer to the the life of a bookshop owner, this blog has and continues to offer me so much in ideas and advice. It is most appreciated, indeed. As a…
- Sidewalk Sweeper: Just one more hat to wear for the bookshop owner by: Caro Hedge
  December 30, 2010, 14:06
  I’m Starting to Think, ‘Leaf Me Alone!’ At some point the city fathers and mothers okayed the planting of trees up and down the length of Main Street…
- Considering a community bookshop by: Brian Green
  December 20, 2010, 11:36
  Should a used bookshop rent out shelf space, or is it best to stick with buying your own books?
- Bookshop Basics by: Brian Green
  December 10, 2010, 13:08
  Want an easy job? Then, don't open a book shop.
- Retailers need public awareness - and support by: Therese Holland
  December 2, 2010, 09:01
  Charging a browsing fee? Setting the tax and duty de minimus too high for private importations has been extremely detrimental to Australian retailers. This…
- Bookshop branding: Your store is not your own. by: Brian Green
  November 25, 2010, 11:03
  As an indie book store owner, it's vitaly important that your shop tells a story that people want to hear --and tell -- over and over again. You need to…
- Safe holiday decorations for the bookstore by: Nora O'Neill
  November 24, 2010, 13:53
  Maybe it's your first year decorating your brick and mortar, or this year it's finally YOUR turn to handle the decorating, or with the slow economy, you want…
- Bookshop Layout and the Importance of Display by: Matthew Singleton
  November 19, 2010, 09:15
  The way that a bookstore presents itself plays a role in determining how well it does. While I do agree that there are important ways in which a bookstore…
- Business first and books second. by: Brian Green
  November 14, 2010, 22:57
  .Just because you read books, doesn't mean you should sell them.
- Recommended Books for Young Adults by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  November 13, 2010, 09:26
  YA Fiction by Ben Langdon YA stands for Young Adult and is often seen as the category of book which sits between childrens' fiction and adult fiction. This…
- Bend without breaking. by: Brian Green
  November 12, 2010, 11:01
  Why rule with an iron fist, when an open hand serves much better?
- "If it's not on the shelf...." by: Brian Green
  November 9, 2010, 18:48
  "Don't ask me -- I just work here." Or, "Know thine inventory."
- Bookshops: Scoping Out the Competition by: Caro Hedge
  November 8, 2010, 15:30
  In our town, there are a few places to get books. Wal-Mart and Safeway have a section of new books. The dollar stores sometimes have a few. The rummage…
- Something is rotten in the book shop by: Brian Green
  November 4, 2010, 23:19
  Offending a book lover's ol factory can be costly.
- Does a used bookstore location matter? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 29, 2010, 10:00
  a guest post by Ed Dugan from I Need to Cook (if you love food, and who doesn't, check out his site - pretty sweet.) All of us have read about that…
- Getting things done: Pareto’s Principle by: Kylie Jakobsen
  October 26, 2010, 21:30
  I have a great interest in decluttering and first encountered this principle in a book on home organisation and later in an excellent 1970s management book…
- Book Sellers: Don't Fear the eBook by: Matthew Singleton
  October 21, 2010, 10:06
  I went to the New York Comic Convention this past weekend. In between wandering the show floor, meeting authors, artists, and book store owners who had booths…
- In the Month Before We Opened our Bookshop by: Caro Hedge
  October 8, 2010, 09:44
  Remember the historical society cases it took so much combined effort to remove, which I myself prefer to not remember at all, ever ever ever? They had…
- Your Bookshop - Choosing Where to Begin by: Matthew Singleton
  October 4, 2010, 11:17
  Do you want to sell new books or used books? Do you want to stick to a specific type of book or have a general bookstore? Do you want to sell books online or…
- These books are not for you- the color coded shelves by: Nora O'Neill
  September 30, 2010, 19:35
  Anyone with a bookstore knows that half the time, people don't read the signs anyway. You could have foot tall leters and they could be looking straight at the…
- Objects found inside books by: Nora O'Neill
  September 24, 2010, 14:55
  Booksellers are used to finding weird things tucked into books, but it's hard to top finding a gun...
- Value Added - The Beguiling knows how, does your Bookshop? by: Matthew Singleton
  September 22, 2010, 10:34
  In this day and age of the big-box bookstore, eBooks, and sites like Amazon it’s hard for the normal brick-and-mortar bookstore to compete. In terms of…
- What Makes a Bookshop Visually Stand Out? by: Shane Gottwals
  September 13, 2010, 06:14
  Shane Gottwals www.gottwalsbooks.com As I've written many times before, Gottwals Books has experienced change after change after change. We opened our…
- The Collegiate Nature of Bricks and Mortar Bookselling by: Therese Holland
  September 8, 2010, 11:32
  One of the things I like about being in the bricks and mortar trade is the support the dwindling population of local second hand booksellers offer each other…
- A Week in the Life of a Multiple Location Bookshop Owner by: Shane Gottwals
  August 30, 2010, 10:28
  Shane Gottwals www.gottwalsbooks.com Gottwals Books, as of this coming Friday, is a 4-store operation. This would be adventuresome enough if all the stores…
- Being part of the local community by: Therese Holland
  August 21, 2010, 10:03
  Another blogger mentioned the bookshop being part of the community and I think that is an important part of why it is worth offering a book exchange service,…
- Will they get a better bookshop location? by: Caro Hedge
  August 16, 2010, 22:33
  Part Seven, Cue Ominous Music (see bottom for links to the other parts) There came a day when T. came to us and broke the sad news that the job of renovating…
- Have you experienced shoplifting in your bookshop? by: Therese Holland
  August 9, 2010, 09:46
  What do you do with shoplifters? The first day I opened a young woman with a toddler asked to use the toilet for the little one. I acquiesced and as soon as…
- Just when you think you are alone... by: Therese Holland
  August 3, 2010, 13:33
  Sometimes when I am in the shop diligently listing books on the internet (or not) I am startled to see a customer at the end of the row when I was quite sure…
- The Importance of Research: Know What Your Customers Want by: Magda Elsehrawi
  July 30, 2010, 10:05
  Where is your bookstore located? Is it in the heart of the city or in a distant suburb? Are there lots of kids in your area, maybe schools? Universities in…
- Comics, eBooks and Apps – How does a Brick and Mortar Fit in a Modern World? by: Matthew Singleton
  July 29, 2010, 10:01
  There has been a dramatic shift in the publishing industry in the past couple of months. This is one that might not be seen as important by many of the…
- Monthly Book Themes at your Bookstore by: Magda Elsehrawi
  July 23, 2010, 07:06
  Someone will walk into your bookshop today. The first thing they’re going to go for is the whatever you push to the foreground – namely, your new titles…
- Generating a Crowd for an In-Store Event by: Pamela Grath
  July 22, 2010, 06:36
  “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…
- Mr Book it is the End of the Line for you by: Therese Holland
  July 21, 2010, 12:03
  I, like many other secondhand book shop owning hopefuls, came here by the hobby turning to business route. One of the handicaps of this background is that your…
- Special Summer-Reading Package: Promotions for your Bookstore by: Magda Elsehrawi
  July 20, 2010, 07:05
  Summer’s coming! Well actually, it’s already here. And what a perfect opportunity this is to promote your bookstore with a special summer-reading package…
- Create some momentum with a well planned event by: Megan Shea
  July 16, 2010, 07:10
  I've spent the last three years at Joseph-Beth Booksellers coveting "indie bookstore moments." You know them -- the first time a local Dungeons & Dragons…
- Roll Up Awnings for your Bookshop by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 9, 2010, 21:07
  It's a big decision or rather - a big expense, should you buy an awning?
- Do you sell Gift Certificates in your Bookshop? by: Amber Short
  July 9, 2010, 07:15
  Our bookstores house thousands of options for gifts, but not everyone is confident in choosing a title for a loved one. This is where the almighty Gift…
- A Unique, Interesting and Friendly Independent Bookshop Can Thrive by: Brian Green
  July 2, 2010, 07:15
  In Canada it’s extremely challenging to run a sustainable independent bookstore. Now, this is, in part, due to the fact that a certain Canadian book…
- The Blockbuster Bestseller Monolith by: Therese Holland
  June 21, 2010, 11:56
  I read an article a while back that had some statistics to show that the best way to sell a new book was to have previously sold a book. What this basically…
- What should you ask when buying a Book Store from a distance? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 20, 2010, 16:43
  Editor: Rebecca is considering making a great leap. Can you help her with questions that you think are pertinent to buying a bookstore (especially from a…
- Hot reads in a cool shop: cutting cooling costs by: Nora O'Neill
  June 19, 2010, 16:05
  Any bookshop owner with a small shop knows how quickly a comfortable shop can suddenly get swelteringly hot on a busy summer day. Just add extra people!…
- Your New Best Friend, Maybe by: Therese Holland
  June 13, 2010, 22:25
  The Best Friend She comes in every other day, happy, bright and chirpy; eager to engage in conversation about her favourite books, authors and all things…
- The Frustrations of Having to Explain Yourself to 'Unaware' Bookstore Patrons by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 2, 2010, 11:41
  Another guest post by Therese Holland As a Bricks and Mortar book store owner I find one of the most difficult things to manage is unsolicited offers to…
- Bestsellers on the used book market by: Nora O'Neill
  May 29, 2010, 18:44
  The bestsellers on the used market aren’t necessarily the best sellers you see on the New York Times list or on Amazon’s hot list. Often they bear no…
- Archival Storage Boxes - A Bookseller's Trusted Ally by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 21, 2010, 20:51
  One of the things separating modern man from his mammoth-hunting, cave-dwelling ancestors is paperwork. Advancing glaciers and saber-tooth tigers kept early…
- Bookstore Owners, Are Church Sales Your Enemy or Your Partner? by: Pamela Grath
  May 12, 2010, 23:15
  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…
- Training a Book to be a Salesman by: Judy Riggs
  May 11, 2010, 22:38
  I read an article on the blog recently about adding a synopsis of the book to the online listings to help with sales. It got me to thinking about the art of…
- Using Slatwall Displays by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 1, 2010, 14:56
  In a professional environment such as a retail establishment, slatwall panels are often employed to keep products organized. A well kept retail store has a…
- Getting feet in the door- the value of good directions by: Nora O'Neill
  March 20, 2010, 18:39
  You have an address, so everybody should know where you are, right? Not so fast. Even with a GPS it's not always easy to figure out where exactly you…
- The Brain Boggling Benefits of Bookshop Blogging by: Jo Canham
  March 12, 2010, 20:26
  I thought I should share with you what’s recently occurred in my shop as a direct and in-direct result of blogging with this site. It’s all good, and…
- When do I hire staff for my bookshop? by: Louis Gereaux
  February 28, 2010, 23:16
  When you hire an employee, it means that you take a step back and a step up to bookstore manager. You are doing less of what you love – that of dealing with…
- Old books and old buildings make for "interesting" remodeling projects by: Nora O'Neill
  February 24, 2010, 18:53
  A remodeling project at a bookstore goes awry when the owner discovers a boarded over door in the wall. It sounds like the set up for a horror novel, but this…
- Must-have books in your bookshop by: HeeJin Lee
  February 23, 2010, 22:19
  Must-haves in Your Stock (II) Part I of Must-haves in Your Stock By HeeJin Lee It’s great to hear from those of you who have also been thinking about your…
- Established bookshop owners: Are You Getting Bored Yet? by: Shane Gottwals
  February 21, 2010, 21:19
  "Do any of you feel like exploding from your chair when you're at work?" Maybe some of you enjoy the experience so much that you never tire of it. I wouldn't…
- Slatwall a nice solution for displaying beautiful oversized books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 13, 2010, 22:42
  Versatile, colorful, inexpensive - come check out slatwall system shelving
- Bookstore Speak: Words of the Trade by: Louis Gereaux
  February 7, 2010, 21:15
  All booksellers of used books will have at one time or another come across the word dog-eared. What does that word mean anyway, and where did it come from?…
- What worked and what didn't in the bookshop, 2009 edition by: Megan Shea
  January 8, 2010, 10:54
  Thanks to a snowstorm and a fairly quiet day at the store, I was able to sneak into my office to begin sorting out the holiday piles. As I crunched…
- How much book knowledge should booksellers possess? by: Shane Gottwals
  January 2, 2010, 18:29
  Ever feel like you just don't belong in the book business? Ever think that you don't know half of what you should in order to be a proper bookseller?
- Bookstores: Do your customers play the piano and feed the fish? by: Jo Canham
  December 28, 2009, 09:09
  "Do people really sit down and play chess at that table?" I was asked just this morning - referring to a table where I have a chess set permanently set up.…
- The Time to be Merry by: Jo Canham
  December 16, 2009, 09:21
  Well, with less than two weeks to go to the Happy Day, I'm wondering how everyone else fares over the silly season. For our shop, I find every year that we…
- The NYT bestsellers aren't my bestsellers by: Nora O'Neill
  December 12, 2009, 16:55
  The bestsellers on the used market aren't necessarily the best sellers you see on the New York Times list or on Amazon's hot list. Often they bear no…
- Finding the Right Help for your Book Store by: Jo Canham
  December 3, 2009, 00:09
  Finding the Right Help When you've held for a lifetime the dream of your own little bookshop, it's more than likely that the dream didn't include the Sunday…
- Respect Your Space, even when it isn't Yours. by: Shane Gottwals
  November 17, 2009, 08:50
  It's amazing how little some store owners seem to own the space they lease. It's a common problem in America, isn't it? We don't value anything unless we…
- Considering a Facelift at Blarney Books, Port Fairy by: Jo Canham
  November 16, 2009, 08:36
  We have been asking ourselves this question for the last five years, but I think we are reaching the decision that we probably should. The front of our…
- Working with Book Clubs by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  November 9, 2009, 21:51
  Book clubs are a great constant source of clientele for a bookstore. I chatted with Julie Robinson of Literary Affairs about hints for how bookstores can…
- Children in Bookstores - Oh my.... by: Shane Gottwals
  November 2, 2009, 10:37
  No One Cares This chapter is sort of a side-note to everything that is being discussed in this book. Of course, with a good selection, fair pricing, and a…
- 10 things to ask when you've already bought the store by: Nora O'Neill
  October 31, 2009, 14:58
  So you've just bought yourself a bookstore. Congratulations. You asked all the big questions before buying, rent, utilities, cash flow, inventory, etc. but…
- Story Time at Blarney Books, Port Fairy by: Jo Canham
  October 20, 2009, 07:28
  Well, I've gone & done it. After four and a half years of kid-wrangling, something in me has decided it's time now to offer Story Time to the children of the…
- When another book store moves to town it's good news! by: Nora O'Neill
  October 6, 2009, 13:16
  When another bookstore sets up shop down the street, it may not be the end of the world. Make the right adjustments and having another bookstore next door may…
- Making your Bookstore Inviting by: Pamela Grath
  September 20, 2009, 21:42
  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…
- My hardbacks hit me in the face... by: Shane Gottwals
  September 15, 2009, 21:34
  The title of this article comes from a lady who is actually in my store right now. Like many people, she complained from the get-go about hardback books. She…
- A re-cap of the Biblio-Art Exhibition by: Jo Canham
  September 14, 2009, 06:28
  Ah, it's been a busy weekend at Blarney Books & Art! The Port Fairy Ex Libris Book Fair was on, and we hosted the official welcome for authors, artists,…
- Slow Day at the Bookstore by: Shane Gottwals
  September 7, 2009, 20:45
  Slow Day at the Bookstore Shane Gottwals Gottwals Books www.gottwalsbooks.com Slow days stink. There's no two ways about it. They stink. Slow days put me…
- Low cost advertising to nab pedestrians by: Nora O'Neill
  August 29, 2009, 16:32
  Advertising doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. A lot of in-store book sales come from walk in traffic. Even if you're in a high traffic area…
- Up, down, & sideways- shelving your books by: Nora O'Neill
  August 22, 2009, 15:30
  Before you buy your bookcases for your new bookstore, take some time to figure out what display method will be the easiest for you to maintain and show your…
- Creating Demand in your Bookstore by: Pamela Grath
  August 19, 2009, 22:31
  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…
- Event Hosting - Bookshop Style by: Jo Canham
  August 12, 2009, 20:22
  The story of how a used bookstore ran a successful event featuring other small businesses and a lot of new customers.
- A Small Town Book Signing by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 9, 2009, 15:02
  A guest post by: Christina Ambrosia Ambrosia's Books and More www.ambrosiasbooks.com Ambrosia’s Books and More had its first author signing! I’m still…
- Making It Memorable with an Impromptu Salon by: Pamela Grath
  August 9, 2009, 14:43
  In my bookstore, philosophy is often the focus of an impromptu salon...
- Advertising in the Used Book World by: Shane Gottwals
  July 30, 2009, 22:01
  Advertising in the Used Book World Shane Gottwals Gottwals Books www.gottwalsbooks.com A recent article I wrote really got me to thinking about…
- What Services Can Make Your Bookstore Unique? by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  July 27, 2009, 22:25
  As a writer for a blog that reviews independent bookstores, I’ve visited quite a few and taken note of some of the unusual services that the stores offer…
- Closing Time at the Book Store by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 26, 2009, 22:47
  a guest post by Jo Canham of Blarney Books For information on becoming a contributor click here.. *************** It’s been a quiet afternoon with the…
- It's Always Easier the Second Time Around: Reflections from a 2nd Used Bookstore by: Shane Gottwals
  July 23, 2009, 07:23
  There is no book or article that can map out your success, but there are plenty of highways toward failure. I know I have a long way to go, but you're in a…
- Blogathon to Support Literacy by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 20, 2009, 22:33
  Blogathon for Literacy 2009 - July 25th Our friends at Open Books are pulling out all the stops with their blog. In an effort to support Literacy they are…
- Used Bookstore Software - Basil by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 19, 2009, 15:29
  We are thrilled to have a new sponsor here at Bookshop Blog, Basil Software. A great built specially for your needs. I invited the owner of Basil to share with…
- You don't have to be mad to work here, but it helps! by: Nora O'Neill
  July 14, 2009, 14:21
  Independent book stores are home to both eccentric owners and customers. Some stores are a just a bit weirder than others...
- Does Your Bookshop Have a Firm Pricing Policy? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 2, 2009, 22:06
  A guest post by P. J. Grath, Dog Ears Books, Northport, Michigan For information on becoming a contributor click here.. “To Hold or Not to Hold? That Is the…
- Can you Franchise the Used Book Business? by: Shane Gottwals
  June 29, 2009, 11:53
  I didn't think about franchising until a friend of mine brought up the concept. Think about it. If you have a trade system, an acquisitions system, an…
- Quick tip: Supporting literacy every day by: Nora O'Neill
  June 26, 2009, 12:59
  Encouraging literacy should be part of your long term business plan for your bookstore, as I argued in an earlier post. You create your future market by…
- The Small Town Bookstore Path by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 25, 2009, 19:53
  A guest post by P. J. Grath, Dog Ears Books, Northport, Michigan For information on becoming a contributor click here.. Christopher Milne (son of A. A. Milne)…
- Sidelines - What Does Your Bookshop Carry? by: Shane Gottwals
  May 26, 2009, 21:03
  Sidelines Shane Gottwals Gottwals Books www.gottwalsbooks.com What are those "extra" items you keep in stock? My wife and I have recently begun to carry…
- "But it's a good book!".... in awful condition by: Nora O'Neill
  May 23, 2009, 13:24
  Professional book dealers buyers see lots of books in bad condition, but this book covered in mushrooms may be one of worst ever spotted.
- Why encouraging literacy should be part of your business plan by: Nora O'Neill
  May 9, 2009, 14:47
  Focusing on increasing literacy should be part of every bookstore's long term business plan. You may see no benefit this month or year, but if you plan to be…
- Opening Hours of a Great Bookstore - Is Less More ? by: Shane Gottwals
  May 7, 2009, 21:14
  Should the indie booksellers stay open late and arrive early? Interestingly enough, the "Wal-Mart Effect" has an antonym. All are accepted into Wal-Mart's…
- Between Friends, the Joy of a Bookselling Mentor by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 29, 2009, 22:37
  I loved finding an out of print or hard to fine title, even one with a dedication in a flowery script would have me buzzing. As a bookseller, I had no…
- Cats vs Dogs- who rules the bookstore world? by: Nora O'Neill
  April 24, 2009, 14:07
  The cliche is that every bookstore has a cat, but it's actually fairly rare to encounter pets at bookstores anymore. Chains definitely don't have them, so…
- The Best Time to Open a Business? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 20, 2009, 12:12
  Another nugget of insight from one of Canada's premier used bookstores Fair's Fair of Calgary, Thanks George . Please take a moment to visit Fair's Fair. Goo…
- Shane needs help with used bookstore book.. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 17, 2009, 09:04
  Shane Gottwals Gottwals Books www.gottwalsbooks.com Bookseller needs help with bookselling book! I am in the process of writing a book all about the…
- Ultimate Free Advertising Idea for Used Book Shops by: Bob Lewis
  February 28, 2009, 23:33
  We all know that we need to advertise, and we all know that it’s very difficult to know how and where to advertise. It tends to be expensive, and so often it…
- What working in a bookstore has taught me (so far) by: Larissa Swayze
  February 28, 2009, 22:15
  My return to school (to study literature, of course) has forced me to make some tough decisions. The offer to live rent free in a cozy little house in a cozy…
- Should you add a Coffee Shop? by: Shane Gottwals
  February 17, 2009, 22:48
  I have no idea how many comments I’ve fielded about how synonymous a used bookshop and a coffee hangout are. It’s just the perfect, most fitting…
- The Second Renaissance – bigger, better, faster! by: Bob Lewis
  February 15, 2009, 00:58
  When books become available and affordable, the value of reading and writing became apparent. Ideas could be spread rapidly. When people could read they could…
- CPSIA- book banning in the guise of safety by: Nora O'Neill
  February 14, 2009, 15:54
  Book banning takes on an ugly new face due to CPSIA.
- Have you read all these books? by: Bob Lewis
  February 6, 2009, 08:54
  Have you read all these books? I have several answers, including: – “I’m working on it.” or “Yup. Twice.” Another one: “Do you read much?” Me:…
- When is it a Good Time to Expand Your Bookstore? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 28, 2009, 19:33
  We have another new contributor here at The Bookshop blog. I'm pleased to welcome Shane Gottwalls to our group of writers. Here is his first introductory…
- Open A Used Bookstore – Lessons Learned by: Michelle
  January 13, 2009, 21:36
  Are you thinking of how to open a book store? Here are a few good lessons from somebody who has. Check out this article and many others on how to open a book…
- Pazzo Books - A Moving Story by: Tom Nealon
  June 13, 2008, 14:06
  Follow the story of Pazzo Books\' move across Boston.
- Bookstore Shelving by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 26, 2008, 23:25
  Cheap shelving can still look great. How have we managed to make cheap shelving look great in our shop?
- Hints from Heloise and Abelard about Bookstore Windows by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  May 8, 2008, 19:29
  Everyone's dream job, sipping tea and discussing fine literature. Owning a used bookshop - heaven.
- Signage tips for your Bookstore by: Nora O'Neill
  May 6, 2008, 15:04
  The importance of proper signage for your bookstore
- Some thoughts on organizing your Children's Section by: Dana Richardson
  April 25, 2008, 07:58
  Some thoughts for bookstore owners on organizing their Children\'s Section.
- Have you Created your Pastafarianism section yet? by: Nora O'Neill
  March 27, 2008, 09:05
  As Judaism and Catholicism have their own sections, this storekeeper thought the Pastafarians should have their section as well. Pastafarians have noted…
- Best Booksellers moves for 2007 by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 5, 2008, 00:58
  Our booksellers have made additions, joined associations, set up new stores and more over the past year. Drop by and learn a bit from them.
- Do your books need a vacation? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 19, 2007, 16:55
  Part 2 of a 3 part series by Rainy Day Paperback Exchange giving us some ideas on how to move under-performing inventory.
- Do your Buyers find what they want? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 16, 2007, 21:45
  Do you move your sections around, putting books where customers will find them.
- Become a Sellable Hunter Not Just a Book Hunter. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 12, 2007, 04:06
  I've had crap days turn into splendid days just by noticing the smiles of strangers. - BH There was a forum topic on MySpace just asking to write one…
- Have You Planogrammed Lately? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 6, 2007, 21:20
  Another terrific article from one of our regular contributers. Take a moment to say Hi to Nora at Rainy Day Paperbacks. If you'd like to contribute a posting…
- Growing Your Used Book Business by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 20, 2007, 21:05
  Are you selling used books online or in a shop. This is just one of many great articles on selling used books.
- I've been robbed and feel ... by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 5, 2007, 14:38
  Would this make you angry or sad for the guy? He's obviously made some poor decisions in life. We had a rather odd event happen last week that I'm guessing…
- Fenwick Street Used Books and Music by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 6, 2007, 15:08
  Joe Orlando runs a great service for owners of Brick and Mortar store. Many of you are already subscribers, for those who own a shop and aren't you may want…
- It's never too late to follow a dream by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 27, 2007, 23:51
  Our review of the eBay search tool we promised will be coming this weekend, sorry for the delay. A fantastic story about following a dream came to us via the…
- Killing a section, you're next sports - better shape up. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 12, 2007, 01:01
  Part I by Bruce Hollingdrake, your host at Bookshop Blog Have you scrapped a complete section recently? I fear that I've been a bit stuck in my ways. I…
- Becoming a Procrastination Center by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 5, 2007, 19:47
  One thing that independent booksellers should learn from the chain stores is that a customer wants a comfortable place to kill time almost as much as they…
- Will altering the colour of your shop increase its bottom line? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 30, 2007, 21:15
  Do yo strategically choose your businesses colours
- Universal truths – Isn’t it possible they apply to the book business! by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 24, 2007, 20:15
  We have a new contributing writer to introduce. George from Calgary (I'll get his last name soon and see if he can share a short bio with us). Please take a…
- If you are a Canadian bookseller and still using the Post Office you're crazy. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 2, 2007, 02:41
  Shipping rates through Canada Post are ludicrous. If you are a recognized bookseller you are eligible for fairly substantial savings through the Canadian…
Category: Bullet Tips (4)
- Quick tip: Supporting literacy every day by: Nora O'Neill
  June 26, 2009, 12:59
  Encouraging literacy should be part of your long term business plan for your bookstore, as I argued in an earlier post. You create your future market by…
- Bullet Tip --> Wikipedia by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 5, 2007, 17:58
  How many times while listing older books do you come across authors that keep all your inner bells silent? One thing I've begun doing is whenever I came across…
- Bullet Tip --> Firefox by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 25, 2007, 15:40
  Keeping identical browser bookmarks at home and at work. One way to help keep organized is by having the exact same bookmarks at work and at home. With the…
- Bullet Tip --> eBay by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 24, 2007, 17:20
  I often browse books on eBay just to see what's selling. Unfortunately for the sellers there's often lots that doesn't sell. In order to get a nice view of the…
Category: Dastardly Deeds (101)
Performing Autopsies on Great Bodies of Crime Fiction.
- A Pulp Vixen Tale by: Diane Plumley
  May 1, 2012, 17:46
  Have you ever noticed the titles of pulp fiction novels? They're lurid and usually descriptive of a woman, what she does, how she acts, her evil ways, lol,…
- Agatha Award Winners Announced by: Diane Plumley
  April 29, 2012, 17:27
  The annual conference that ran Friday through early Sunday, named the winners of the coveted teapot, The Agatha. The Malice Domestic Conference is always held…
- A Past Interview With 2012 Edgar Winner Mo Hayder by: Diane Plumley
  April 27, 2012, 08:38
  When I wrote my own newsletter back in the dark ages, I interviewed many life time writers, established authors, newer published people, and what I liked…
- The Edgar Allan Poe Award Mystery Awards Winners Announced by: Diane Plumley
  April 26, 2012, 23:36
  The marvelous Janet Rudolph was at the Mystery Writers Of America banquet this evening--and was wonderfully fast to put out to the public the winners of this…
- Murder For a Wanton by: Diane Plumley
  April 26, 2012, 23:21
  Occasionally I enjoy sharing with others those odd offbeat oldies crime novels that have been forgotten my most, but treasured by few. This one is perfect for…
- The Church of Dead Girls by: Diane Plumley
  April 24, 2012, 19:58
  Right off the bat, I need to tell you that there is a spoiler alert on this article. I will not be holding any thing back when I discuss this harrowing read by…
- Everyone Wants to Write by: Diane Plumley
  April 24, 2012, 11:14
  Or so I believe. At least as far as crime fiction is concerned. It seems as though you can’t swing a dead body at a fan convention without hitting at least a…
- Introducing Authors by: Diane Plumley
  April 14, 2012, 13:26
  One of the amazing incidents I encountered when a bookseller for a major mystery store in Manhattan, was introducing one author to another and watching their…
- An Awkward Situation by: Diane Plumley
  March 17, 2012, 20:39
  The last time I attended the festivities surrounding the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, given out yearly for the best in crime fiction, I was working for A&E…
- The Malice Domestic Writers Awards by: Diane Plumley
  February 21, 2012, 16:24
  The Malice Domestic awards are called Agathas, after the prolific icon, Agatha Christie. They are bestowed to fans' favorite authors each year at a conference…
- Road Trip to Murder by: Diane Plumley
  February 17, 2012, 09:57
  A road trip mystery book, what could be better for someone as I, who travels every year to various and sundry locations, just to take pictures of huge muffler…
- A Mystery--How Accounting Can Be Murder by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2012, 10:20
  I can't think of a subject less likely to be thrilling than accounting. I don't understand accounting, I don't understand people who like accounting, and I…
- Reading Indulgent Treats by: Diane Plumley
  February 11, 2012, 16:28
  Every once in awhile, I crave a mushy sweet treat in book form. I won't binge on romance novels, but I will choose a scrumptious looking title out of a box of…
- Out of the Loop--It's No Mystery Why by: Diane Plumley
  February 3, 2012, 19:43
  I remember calling up an author to set her up for a signing. Nothing unusual about that. However, the signing was in relationship to her having been nominated…
- Mystery Writers Awards--The Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award by: Diane Plumley
  January 30, 2012, 23:31
  2012 Left Coast Crime, a convention for fans and writers of crime fiction will meet March 29--April 1st in Sacramento, CA for Mining For Murder. As I…
- Mystery Writers Awards--Left Coast Crime--The Lefty by: Diane Plumley
  January 30, 2012, 20:34
  Left Coast Crime is an annual mystery convention sponsored by mystery fans, for mystery fans. It is held during the first quarter of the calendar year in…
- Mystery Writers Awards--The Dilys Award by: Diane Plumley
  January 29, 2012, 03:28
  Recently, the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association voted on which books they most enjoyed selling. This award, among other mystery writers awards, truly…
- On The Right Track - Railway Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
  January 28, 2012, 16:12
  My dad loved model railroading. The HO models--not the big antique things that are so valuable today, such as Lionel etc. He built his own layout in the…
- Terrifically Sad News by: Diane Plumley
  January 13, 2012, 20:03
  One of the most erudite, funny, brilliant writers in today's world of empty sentiments and repetitive story lines, Reginald Hill, has passed away. For those…
- Inscribed Books--Which Stay? Which Go? by: Diane Plumley
  January 11, 2012, 21:45
  I'm in the midst of a dilemma. Something most books collectors get into sooner or later. Space. It's not infinite. As much as I want to pretend I can house…
- Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? by: Diane Plumley
  January 5, 2012, 02:10
  A man inside his car at a gas station is shot point blank by a motorcyclist wearing a opaque helmet who then speeds off. After some detective work, they…
- Dead Is The Door-Nail by: Diane Plumley
  January 4, 2012, 01:22
  I've always heard this expression as: Dead as a door-nail. A rather odd expression to begin with. So I checked on its origins. Apparently no one is absolutely…
- Mystery Writers Awards by: Diane Plumley
  December 22, 2011, 01:46
  Whoa! There are far more awards for writers of crime fiction than I realized. I thought I knew them all, even a rather low key one called the Hammett Prize.…
- Biblios--Rare Manuscripts and Letters by: Diane Plumley
  December 9, 2011, 01:52
  I didn't realize that biblios had such a broad range. While researching, I found rare manuscripts and letters, and even scraps of writing on paper were…
- Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--List--No. 80 Through No. 89 by: Diane Plumley
  November 28, 2011, 18:12
  No. 80 Pictures of Perfection--Reginald Hill, 1994–Delacorte Press-- in print To read a synopsis and review go here: http://bookshopblog.com/2011/10/29/no-…
- No 76 Fright Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 28, 2011, 17:20
  No 77. Fright George Hopley 1950 Rinehart--edition available now--Hard Case Crime-in print It's no secret that I love Cornell Woolrich. There are…
- There Really Are a Bunch of Mysteries Featuring Thanksgiving! by: Diane Plumley
  November 24, 2011, 16:00
  Who would have thought it? Not me. Thanksgiving in my life is something I've always wanted to avoid. Stress, relatives, stress, too much food, and stress were…
- Biblios--Part 5 by: Diane Plumley
  November 22, 2011, 21:06
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Bibilos Focusing on Bookselling/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- List Of Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--No. 100 Through No.90 by: Diane Plumley
  November 21, 2011, 18:20
  No. 100 The Innocent Mrs. Duff --Elizabeth Sanxay Holding--1946 Invincible Press (Australia)--used (the book I read is pictured here is a Dell Map Back…
- The Best Book Covers by: Diane Plumley
  November 18, 2011, 15:59
  I've already stated that the best book covers DO persuade me and make a difference in whether or not I'll purchase a title. What I didn't relate is that dust…
- Biblios--The Continuing Saga--No. 4 by: Diane Plumley
  November 15, 2011, 19:37
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- No. 78 They Buried a Man Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 14, 2011, 17:05
  No. 78 They Buried a Man Mildred Davis 1953 --Simon and Schuster Inc.,--used Mildred Davis is the author I 'discovered' recently. Somehow I passed her…
- No. 79 Stone Quarry Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 5, 2011, 00:06
  No. 79 Stone Quarry S. J. Rozan 1999-St. Martin's Press-in print "It can be a treacherous road, State Route 30, especially rain slick in the twilight…
- Biblios--Part 3 by: Diane Plumley
  November 3, 2011, 15:08
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Biblios…
- No Tricks! Halloween Crime and Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
  October 30, 2011, 19:37
  For a person who had a Halloween themed wedding reception complete with a huge haunted house wedding cake, intricately carved Jack O'Lanterns as centerpieces,…
- No. 80 Pictures Of Perfection Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 29, 2011, 00:17
  No. 80 Pictures of Perfection Reginald Hill--1994--Delacorte Press I came to Reginald Hill's Peter Pascoe and Andy Dalziel Yorkshire detective novels…
- Biblios--Part 2 by: Diane Plumley
  October 27, 2011, 01:41
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Biblios Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- Books about Books--Better Known as Biblios--Part 1 by: Diane Plumley
  October 25, 2011, 21:56
  Biblios = Books about Books Part 1: Books about Books–Better Known as Biblios Part 2 Bibilos Focusing on Booksellers/Collectors Part 3 Bibilos…
- No. 81 The Black Paw Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 23, 2011, 23:29
  No. 81 The Black Thumb Constance and Gwenyth Little--1941 Doubleday Crime Club The sisters Little make this list not once, but twice. Why, because their…
- No. 82 The Devil Loves Me Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 13, 2011, 21:57
  No. 82 The Devil Loves Me Margaret Millar--1942--Doubleday Crime Club "Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of witnesses.…
- No. 82 Last Seen Wearing--Best Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 8, 2011, 22:36
  No. 82 Last Seen Wearing Hillary Waugh--1952--Doubleday Crime Club-used This book is on practically every best mystery list I've seen. So, naturally, I…
- No. 83 The Almost Moon--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 1, 2011, 02:15
  No. 83 The Almost Moon-Alice Sebold-2007-Little Brown One may have assumed that if I were to choose something from this author to be on my best list, it…
- No. 84 Mr. Smith's Hat---Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 25, 2011, 01:10
  84. Mr. Smith's Hat--Helen Reilly-1940-Doubleday Crime Club--used I kept struggling with which title of Helen Reilly's I wanted on the list, then if I…
- Remembering Three Giants of Crime Fiction by: Diane Plumley
  September 22, 2011, 15:05
  From time to time I reflect on the number of famous, not so famous, and fantastic writers I've been privileged to meet over the years. Some I met when they…
- No. 85 Haunt of the Nightingale--Best 100 Mysteries Of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 19, 2011, 16:18
  No. 85 Haunt of the Nightingale--John R Riggs--1988--Dembner Books--used Ok, before you start thinking, ‘oh no, another obscure title from a small…
- No. 86 The January Corpse--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 10, 2011, 01:07
  No. 86 The January Corpse - Neil Albert - 1991-Walker Publishing-used paperback When I started doing the 100 mysteries, I thought I had an airtight…
- Surprise in Finding a New Old Author by: Diane Plumley
  September 6, 2011, 21:48
  By now I believed I'd pretty much acquainted myself with all of the important Golden Age mystery authors, or at least up until the 50s. Even if never read, I…
- The Bookseller and Mystery Community Mourns the Loss of Enid Schantz by: Diane Plumley
  September 6, 2011, 20:56
  Recently, a friend and iconic member of the independent bookshop community, Enid Schantz, lost her battle with cancer. Enid with her husband Tom, were one of…
- No. 87 The Will and Last Testament of Constance Cobble--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 2, 2011, 23:54
  No. 87 The Last Will and Testament of Constance Cobble--Stanton Forbes--1980--Doubleday Crime Club A mystery within a mystery makes this a standout among…
- Now SHERLOCK HOLMES Has Been Targeted--The Same Old Song--School Book Censorship, by: Diane Plumley
  August 30, 2011, 15:53
  This is getting ridiculous. A Study In Scarlet has been removed from a Virginia 6th grade curriculum--why? Because some of the passages are florid descriptions…
- No. 88-- Meet the Tiger--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 27, 2011, 11:14
  No. 88 Meet the Tiger--Leslie Charteris-1928-Ward Lock--used I was first introduced to the character of The Saint, or Simon Templar as he was usually known,…
- No. 89--Big Trouble--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 20, 2011, 23:28
  No. 89 Big Trouble--Dave Barry--Putnam--1999--in print There's a famous saying "dying is easy, comedy is hard," and it couldn't be more true in the…
- Book Mania or I'll Eat Some Other Day by: Diane Plumley
  August 15, 2011, 16:00
  What have you done, and what would you do, short of commit a crime, to attain a certain book you can't live without. I mean, you really don't think that life…
- No. 90--Billy Dead--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 12, 2011, 20:55
  No. 90 Billy Dead--Lisa Reardon--Viking Publishers-1998--in print Not an ordinary crime novel. The story is shocking, hard, and to some, I'm sure,…
- No. 91--Murder Between The Covers--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 5, 2011, 00:43
  No. 91 Murder Between the Covers--Elaine Viets--Original paperback--in print Oh what a perfect book for independent booksellers to revel in. The action takes…
- Little Did We Know! by: Diane Plumley
  August 1, 2011, 00:05
  What is it about this obscure writing duo called the Little sisters that made so many customers in the mystery book store where I worked willing to pay fairly…
- No. 92--Hide in the Dark, An All Hallow's Eve Mystery--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  July 29, 2011, 00:43
  No. 92 Hide in the Dark--Frances Noyes Hart--1929--Doubleday Doran--OOP--but inexpensive copies are abundantly available Ah, a book after my own heart!…
- Whodunit? Philly Style by: Diane Plumley
  July 27, 2011, 00:10
  The very first mystery bookstore I entered was Whodunit? in Philadelphia PA. I was a teen with my mom, and deliberately looked up and found this particular…
- No. 93--Liars and Tyrants and People Who Turn Blue--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  July 22, 2011, 00:41
  93. Liars and Tyrants and People Who Turn Blue--Barbara Paul--1980-00p Imagine you could tell if one someone was lying? And I'm not talking about body…
- Rediscovering A Childhood Favorite by: Diane Plumley
  July 19, 2011, 22:26
  My mother is the culprit behind my love of mysteries. Her Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and various other juvenile mysteries were handed down to me, and I read…
- No. 94--Roll Over and Play Dead--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  July 12, 2011, 17:17
  94. Roll Over and Play Dead--Joan Hess--1991--St. Martin's Press--Available If you've not encountered the worlds of Joan Hess, you have many unique hilarious…
- Book Theft by: Diane Plumley
  July 10, 2011, 22:08
  I've already related my armed robbery story, but in that case, no books were taken, only money. I say only, because in some cases, the books are more valuable…
- Mickey Spillane by: Diane Plumley
  July 9, 2011, 01:40
  My father didn't read. Ok, he read the newspaper and model railroading magazines. But fiction? No. The exceptions were located at a shopping spot called the…
- No. 95 Serial Killer Days--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  July 7, 2011, 01:44
  No. 95 Serial Killer Days David Prill 1996--St. Martin's Press--- Available Forget competing for Miss America, the real prize is to become Scream…
- No. 96--Murder a la Richelieu--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 30, 2011, 15:08
  No. 96--Murder a la Richelieu--Anita Blackmon--1937--Doubleday Crime Club--OOP I can see most of you shaking your heads and wondering, where the heck I found…
- No. 97 Panama---Eric Zenecy--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time! by: Diane Plumley
  June 23, 2011, 13:51
  No. 97. Panama---Eric Zenecy---1995--Farrar, Straus and Giroux-in print When first published, this literary thriller was given rave reviews, and so, I…
- Macavity Awards Nominees Announced! by: Diane Plumley
  June 23, 2011, 10:36
  Mystery Fanfare, a fantastic blog by long time crime fiction expert Janet Rudolph announced the nominees yesterday. The award will be presented at the annual…
- New Hardboiled Suspense Novel From Jan Burke by: Diane Plumley
  June 22, 2011, 19:26
  Jan Burke, one of the rare women who have succeeded in the usually male world of hardboiled suspense novels, has a new title out--a sequel to her Edgar Award…
- The 2011 Wolfe Award Nominees Are Announced by: Diane Plumley
  June 17, 2011, 14:55
  Each year the premier fan club for Rex Stout and his mystery series starring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, The Wolfe Pack, have a banquet honoring those who…
- Rex Stout and Me (sort of) by: Diane Plumley
  June 17, 2011, 14:34
  Sometimes serendipity enters a book collectors life. When I worked for A&E mysteries.com as their bookclub moderator, I wrote articles and interviewed…
- Talk About A Targeted Audience--Booksellers, Please Weigh In by: Diane Plumley
  June 16, 2011, 01:27
  "My new favorite number: 17 -- That's where Sentenced to Death will hit on the NYTimes Bestsellers list for mass market paperbacks. And to make it just a…
- No. 98--The Desert Moon Mystery--Kay Cleaver Strahan by: Diane Plumley
  June 15, 2011, 13:24
  98. The Desert Moon Mystery-Kay Cleaver Strahan-1928-Doubleday Crime Club--used (several inexpensive copies available) You may have noticed, after three…
- Elaine Viets Discusses the Tourist Problem in Florida--Via Her Novel, Of Course by: Diane Plumley
  June 13, 2011, 13:30
  One of my favorite traditional authors is Elaine Viets who writes two different series, one set in St. Louis, the other in Florida. Her Helen Hawthorne Florida…
- Number 99--The Secret Beyond the Door--Rufus King--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 15:54
  99. The Secret Beyond the Door-(original title: Museum Piece No.13)--Rufus King-1946--Doubleday Crime Club--OOP I chose to use the title under…
- The Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--The List! by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 14:05
  THE BEST 100 MYSTERY BOOKS OF ALL TIME--THE LIST!! Each chosen book will have it's own page and as each title is added, the list here will grow. Check back…
- Mystery Loves Company Booksellers To Host Author Donna Andrews by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 00:21
  From the Mystery Loves Company Booksellers Facebook Page: "It is official Donna Andrews will sign "The Real Macaw" on Saturday June 23 in Oxford at…
- No. 100--The Innocent Mrs. Duff--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 8, 2011, 16:10
  I started eons ago to put together my opinion of the 100 best crime fiction/mysteries of all time. First it was a list, then I decided I needed some cover…
- Lilian Jackson Braun, Author of The Cat Who Etc., novels dies at 97 by: Diane Plumley
  June 7, 2011, 09:29
  If you're not familiar with this author, she wrote what seemed like a billion books involving a couple of cats that help solve crimes. Honestly, I didn't…
- Independent Mystery Booksellers Association (IMBA)--This Month's Killer Books by: Diane Plumley
  June 2, 2011, 13:00
  As a former indie bookseller, this association's monthly lists helped me find new authors to recommend and confirmed some of my own choices. As the website…
- I Finally Got The Plumley Inheritance! by: Diane Plumley
  May 6, 2011, 19:51
  If you're thinking a relative of mine died and left me a fortune, sadly, no. But almost as valuable, an edition of a book I've been searching for over 15 years…
- An Afternoon With Baroness P. D. James by: Diane Plumley
  May 4, 2011, 21:41
  My job of making sure authors signed books, no matter who they were or when they could come in, extended to one Sunday when the store I was working at usually…
- Dinner With Edgar by: Diane Plumley
  April 30, 2011, 22:58
  For those of you who have not experienced the thrill of an Edgar A. Poe banquet and awards ceremony, don't think Oscars. But, don't think Elks Club meeting or…
- The Edgar Awards-What Are They-Who Won Last Night? by: Diane Plumley
  April 29, 2011, 18:07
  First I'll list the main winners, as many just want to cut to the chase, as it were. Best Novel--Steve Hamilton--The Lock Artist Best First Novel--Bruce De…
- The Mystery League: Great Crime Fiction or Only Super Deco Dust Jackets? by: Diane Plumley
  April 20, 2011, 17:52
  All Carved Up: Performing Autopsies on the Great Bodies of Crime Fiction When I first decided to write an article about this short-lived publishing house I…
- Murder In Retrospect: Review of Murder With Your Malted by: Diane Plumley
  April 19, 2011, 21:06
  Murder in Retrospect--Reviews of classic crime fiction Murder With Your Malted--Jerome Barry, Doubleday, 1941 Now for something entirely different,…
- The Mysterious Workings of an Independent Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  April 8, 2011, 16:40
  What of some of the jobs that booksellers have to do...
- How One Bookseller Stays in Business After 20 Years by: Diane Plumley
  April 5, 2011, 15:17
  Mystery Scene Magazine, a great source for all things crime fiction, and more, recently interviewed Augie Aleksy owner of Centuries and Sleuths. A…
- Virtual Murder by: Diane Plumley
  April 1, 2011, 14:46
  If you are in the virtual world, you can join a book club! Mystery Loves Company, physically in Oxford MD, has a online discussion each month. From…
- A Scary Encounter With Stephen King by: Diane Plumley
  April 1, 2011, 08:52
  I don't read Stephen King. Not because I don't think he's an excellent writer. He is. Too too good of a writer. I am one of those people who loves fictional…
- And The Lefty And Dilys Winners Are . . . by: Diane Plumley
  March 27, 2011, 22:34
  Attendees at the 2011 Left Coast Conference in Santa Fe voted for the following winners. The Lefty Award for the Best Humorous Mystery Novel: The Pot Thief…
- Lefty Nominees by: Diane Plumley
  March 24, 2011, 04:38
  Tomorrow evening the annual Lefty awards will be announced. Left Coast Crime's annual convention is running currently, and people interested in attenting…
- Pulp Vixens by: Diane Plumley
  March 17, 2011, 00:51
  Politically correct or not, I love the artwork on old paperbacks, magazine covers, and dust jackets depicting barely clad babes. I go as far as to collect…
- Advice To Aspiring Authors by: Diane Plumley
  March 9, 2011, 20:33
  Popular soft boiled mystery author, Nancy Martin, has some wise words to impart to those who are interested in the world of writing, and being published. I was…
- Surprise Findings in A Survey Of Mystery Customers by: Diane Plumley
  March 1, 2011, 04:47
  Sisters in Crime, a group dedicated to women writers of crime fiction, took a survey of those who purchase books. One librarian and author found some interestin…
- A Real Character of a Writer by: Diane Plumley
  February 20, 2011, 22:32
  One of the gravy parts of my tenure managing mystery bookshops, was meeting and greeting authors. Established, brand new, legends, ego maniacs, and future…
- New Expanded Article-Malice Domestic Agatha Award Nominees Announced!! by: Diane Plumley
  February 18, 2011, 14:32
  The Agatha Awards are different than The Edgars, in that they are voted on by readers and writers--anyone who attends the Malice Domestic convention each year.…
- Unbelievable Find! Unpublished Dashiell Hammett Short Stories Unearthed in Texas. by: Diane Plumley
  February 8, 2011, 13:43
  For those of us in the mystery community, this is like a gift from noir heaven! Hammett, famous for Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles and a slew of short…
- DEJA VIEW– Murder Gives a Lovely Light by: Diane Plumley
  February 4, 2011, 13:48
  Deja View A new section on the blog--Reviews of old titles, many from the Golden Age Of Crime Fiction.To find a copy of this or any other of the Deja…
- I Married a Dead Man–The Book I Sold Zillions Of by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 21:59
  I would start: Picture This! Yes, that emphatically, with exclamation point stressed, palms out, as if to stop traffic. I did. More than once. Some poor…
- Malice Domestic–Make Your Reservations: April 29 – May 1, 2011 at the Hyatt, Bethesda, MD by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 20:07
  "Established in 1989, Malice Domestic® is an annual "fun fan" convention in metropolitan Washington, D.C., saluting the traditional mystery—books best…
- A Snippet of Book News--Nominee's for the Dilys Awards by: Diane Plumley
  January 31, 2011, 15:19
  Recently, the Independent Mystery Bookseller's Association, or IMBA, announced the nominees for their annual award. The Dilys is named after Dilys Winn, the…
- Category: Author Interviews (1)
  - A Past Interview With 2012 Edgar Winner Mo Hayder by: Diane Plumley
    April 27, 2012, 08:38
    When I wrote my own newsletter back in the dark ages, I interviewed many life time writers, established authors, newer published people, and what I liked…
Category: eBooks (25)
- Everyone Wants to Write by: Diane Plumley
  April 24, 2012, 11:14
  Or so I believe. At least as far as crime fiction is concerned. It seems as though you can’t swing a dead body at a fan convention without hitting at least a…
- Thanks A Lot, Justice Administration by: Diane Plumley
  April 11, 2012, 13:34
  Thank you so much for protecting us from Apple's attempts to monopolize the e-book industry. Sure, they set e-book prices and colluded with publishers to do…
- Try before you buy, the smell of books, hilarity ensues by: Matthew Singleton
  April 11, 2012, 08:49
  A few interesting book-related links and errata I’ve found in recent days. Some of them are related to each other, others are just awesome, and some are both…
- Too Many Books, Not Enough Readers by: Diane Plumley
  April 6, 2012, 16:18
  Or at least, 50 million Americans aren't readers. Of books, in any form. In a phone survey funded by The Gates Mega Couple, Bill and Melinda, 21% read an…
- Self Pubbed Author Slams Publishers as Unnecessary by: Diane Plumley
  February 10, 2012, 18:57
  J. A. Konrath, whom I've heard of, only through facebook constantly recommending I friend him because so many of my friends are his friends, responded to an…
- Good For Them! But Is It a Sound Business Move? by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2012, 13:25
  Publisher's Weekly covered the announcement by Barnes and Noble, that they will not carry anything published by Amazon in their brick and mortar stores. The…
- The Format Wars have begun by: Matthew Singleton
  December 9, 2011, 08:33
  The Format Wars have begun! To arms! To arms! Choose your weapon, grab your hardcovers for close-in combat, your paperbacks for ranged attacks. Get…
- Why aren't out of print books just made into e-books? by: Nora O'Neill
  September 30, 2011, 13:29
  This seems a simple enough question. For new books, publishers clearly just use the files they already have on their computer to create a download in the…
- Like You and Me, an eBook Can Also Have a Sudden Demise by: Matthew Singleton
  August 23, 2011, 09:15
  Borders has closed. This is a shame and a travesty. In an era when there is more being published and more of the population is literate than ever before,…
- The Kindle will be dead in four years by: Nora O'Neill
  July 30, 2011, 13:37
  Having served its purpose in making the transition between pritned books and ebooks, Amazon will likely stop production of the Kindle within the next four…
- No Vacation From Books For Me by: Diane Plumley
  July 18, 2011, 22:15
  I need books. All the time. I've always stated that if I become homeless the shopping cart I push will be full of discarded novels. So when I go away on…
- An Interview With Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin About Katrina and His New Book by: Diane Plumley
  July 13, 2011, 16:21
  Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has graciously answered some questions regarding his experience during the Katrina hurricane catastrophe and the self…
- How ebooks will make the printed book even BETTER by: Nora O'Neill
  June 29, 2011, 16:09
  Everywhere you look you see increasingly paniced headlines that ebooks are killing printed books. In some areas they are... in some other they're bringing…
- eBooks Are Big, but Printed Books Are Still Bigger by: Matthew Singleton
  May 23, 2011, 09:49
  It’s not all doom and gloom for bookstores despite the news I woke up to Friday morning. I was awoken by CBC’s morning radio show host interviewing one of…
- Three Notes About eBooks by: Matthew Singleton
  March 14, 2011, 23:07
  In recent days I have been made aware of three developments in the eBooks industry. One is a philosophical development, two are commercial. Two, in my…
- Celebrated Author Margaret Atwood's Take on e-books by: Diane Plumley
  February 23, 2011, 18:21
  Margaret Atwood, author of such books as Lady Oracle, and The Blind Assassin gives her opinion regarding new technology vs. 'real' books. What I found…
- New Expanded Article-Malice Domestic Agatha Award Nominees Announced!! by: Diane Plumley
  February 18, 2011, 14:32
  The Agatha Awards are different than The Edgars, in that they are voted on by readers and writers--anyone who attends the Malice Domestic convention each year.…
- The Imminent Murder of The Book by: Diane Plumley
  February 14, 2011, 20:30
  Books as we have known them since Gutenberg printed the first bible; paper, glue, boards, cover artwork, all the physical attributes will soon disappear the…
- Who Needs Numbered Pages? by: Diane Plumley
  February 10, 2011, 20:15
  I do for one. And apparently enough people complained about kindle's inability to count--pages, so they are doing something about it. Hip Hip Hooray! Rather…
- Funny and Pointed Response to Library of Congress About E-books by: Diane Plumley
  February 9, 2011, 14:14
  The quote is from the head librarian at the Library of Congress, so you'd think he'd be a bit smarter than his statement. The statement was found on: http://…
- Last Post of Notes on Digital Book World–S. J. Rozan by: Diane Plumley
  February 5, 2011, 22:11
  Part 3 of 3 about the future of digital books. http://sisters-in-crime-sinc.blogspot.com/
- Notes from the Digital Book World–Part 2-S. J. Rozan by: Diane Plumley
  February 4, 2011, 21:20
  The next part of a three piece article from novelist S. J. Rozan. Part one is already up here on bookshopblog. Her observations are well worth the read. …
- Superb Look at Digital Book World Conference by: Diane Plumley
  February 3, 2011, 13:47
  Acclaimed award winning author, S. J. Rozan has written a summation of the issues discussed at the second conference held about the rapid takeover of the…
- Electronic Readers Compared by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 1, 2010, 15:33
  Carrying books and newspapers around is both tedious and a hassle, especially if you are an avid reader. Electronic Readers have long solved this problem, but…
- The Book Thief or “A Man’s Gotta Have a Code” by: Therese Holland
  October 25, 2010, 09:30
  It is easy to draw parallels between the experiences of the music publishing industry and the book publishing industry and assume that everyone will be reading…
Category: Elsewhere on the Net... (25)
Some links to our fellow bookstore owners blog posts, web sites and any book related newsworthy items.
- Thomas Kinkade's Mephistophelian Bargain by: Jas Faulkner
  April 9, 2012, 16:48
  by Jas Faulkner When the news came out that an inebriated Thomas Kinkade had urinated on a Winnie the Pooh statue that was standing in a corner of his suite…
- The Magic of Books by: Jas Faulkner
  April 3, 2012, 08:39
  by Jas Faulkner To experience a William Joyce book is the enter a place where things tend to fall together in a fashion that is both charmingly out of…
- Bye Bye Britannica! by: Jas Faulkner
  March 21, 2012, 07:24
  Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T... and two Ns. >sigh< Yes, I am dyslexic. Really. Last week’s announcement…
- Viva los Librotraficantes! by: Jas Faulkner
  March 18, 2012, 11:26
  by Jas Faulkner author's note: Many thanks to everyone who pointed out the number of times I misspelled "Tucson" and apologies for misidentifying John…
- A Few Notable Links by: Diane Plumley
  March 15, 2012, 21:03
  In my rummaging through the attic of the internet, I unearthed a couple of unusual, interesting, and in one case, bizarre stories. Sadly another major…
- Do it yourself bookshelves by: Nora O'Neill
  November 29, 2011, 12:24
  Do it yourself bookshelves: some practical, some novel.
- Another Piece of Quick Info--Bloggers Vote For Best Books by: Diane Plumley
  February 10, 2011, 20:22
  I am obviously out of touch--because I don't understand what the first category is, nor the last. Speculative fiction? Feel free to explain, anyone. Again from…
- So You Want to be a Novelist by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 24, 2010, 09:04
  We received a nice email from Corinne Reidy yesterday letting us now about a list of resources for the aspiring novelists out there. 25 Blogs Every Aspiring…
- Vote for your Top Ten Penguin Classics by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 21, 2010, 09:13
  I received an e-mail from Elaine Broeder at Penguin telling me about their new list of Classics as voted on by You. I thought it was a fun idea and would like…
- Blogathon to Support Literacy by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 20, 2009, 22:33
  Blogathon for Literacy 2009 - July 25th Our friends at Open Books are pulling out all the stops with their blog. In an effort to support Literacy they are…
- A little tour around the world of Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 8, 2009, 21:42
  I haven't done a little Link Luv post in a while. Here are a few websites that I've enjoyed. As always, if you have some of your own suggestions please add…
- Scam Warning… by: Bob Lewis
  January 29, 2009, 22:11
  With so many transactions happening on the internet, it has become increasingly important to pay attention when buying, to track your purchases, and to…
- Another Great Blog - Style is the Game by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 21, 2008, 22:24
  The Abbeville Manual of Style has just published a nice post on great book titles. While this is a nice post I'm realy just using it as an excuse to tell you…
- Free Writer's Software - today only by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 18, 2008, 12:52
  Here's one from a regular reader, Paul Young. Although this product is only available today the site is worth keeping an eye on. ************** Download of the…
- Lolita and Nabakov Livin' Large by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 12, 2008, 11:02
  A nice little piece on Nabakov and Lolita brought to you by Bookride.
- Another Great Site for Book Lovers by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 23, 2008, 22:10
  A nice blog that we just discovered. Please head over for a visit.
- A Few Other Bookish Sites for You by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 13, 2008, 13:22
  Of course we're not the only folks writing about books and bookselling. Here are a few other tidbits for you. Have a great weekend! When You Are Engulfed in…
- Blogger Unleashed (for serious bloggers only) by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 9, 2008, 20:25
  Check out Vic Franqui\'s site - Blogger Unleashed.
- A Couple of Nibbles from my Net Expedition.. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 22, 2008, 19:32
  A few articles on where to go to get an education on Rare Books, a bad eBay experience and some things learned from selling books..
- Book Wise, Rings of Saturn and Lee Child by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 10, 2008, 19:18
  Here are some interesting tidbits found around the web. Hope you like.. Looks like Harlequin is getting into the eBook game with an new imprint called…
- A Few Good Links by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 18, 2008, 18:00
  Tom from Pazzo Books always has some interesting things up on his blog. Todays post is about food - Blanc Manger to be more specific. I guess book sellers need…
- Get the Dirt on some Great Books. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 14, 2007, 22:06
  Some of our favorite book blogs - today we feature Bookride.
- Increase blog traffic - book wonders - a very cool boy by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 14, 2007, 22:35
  A quick roundup... For bloggers: Blogrush has stepped things up. They have added many new categories including..books! If you are looking for ways to generate…
- Book Blog roundup by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 24, 2007, 00:22
  Here are a few of the interesting book related posts on some of the finer blogs out there. We'll start with a new book from the always interesting BibliOdyssey…
- Links – rare books, lots of books and where to find books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 25, 2007, 20:22
  Here are three links for your enjoyment. The first one I just came across this morning and thought the content was fabulous. It is simply a rare book guide…
Category: Inventory Management (35)
- Using SKUs to streamline packing and shipping by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2011, 23:51
  If you use any type of inventory software, it probably asks you for a SKU or stock-keeping unit for each item. SKUs are different than the UPC or the ISBN as…
- How To Profit With FBA by: Joe Waynick
  December 22, 2011, 07:46
  By Joe Waynick In my previous articles, “Have You Heard Of FBA?” I suggested that as a local retail store owner, you could significantly enhance your…
- What books to stock your bookshop with and what books to avoid by: Leonid Kouvelis
  December 20, 2011, 15:35
  It seems easy enough: find a vacant shop, fill it with bookshelves, fill those shelves with books and start selling books. You’re in business! You’re now a…
- Storing & displaying books to keep them in best condition by: Nora O'Neill
  August 27, 2011, 15:10
  Storage and display are the bane of the bookseller's and book collector's existence. The more valuable the book and the better the condition it is to start…
- Stocking Graphic Novels in Your Bookshop by: Matthew Singleton
  June 20, 2011, 09:35
  This is the first in a multi-part post through which I hope to introduce the reader’s of this blog to the idea of carrying graphic novels in their…
- How To Increase Bookstore Sales By Selling Online by: Joe Waynick
  June 20, 2011, 07:45
  By Joe Waynick In today’s economy, independent bookstores are finding it tough to turn a profit. Itseems hardly a day goes by without an announcement about…
- The wall of books by: Nora O'Neill
  May 5, 2011, 17:31
  Work photos of building a retaining wall our of damaged paperback books.
- The Mysterious Workings of an Independent Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  April 8, 2011, 16:40
  What of some of the jobs that booksellers have to do...
- Picking which books to downsize by: Nora O'Neill
  January 19, 2011, 18:10
  If you're in the used book business you shelves pretty quickly end up groaning under the sheer number of volumes you have available. But sometimes the sheer…
- Choosing From An Overwhelming Abundance of Books by: Pamela Grath
  December 13, 2010, 23:34
  “I have been invited to so many conferences on “The Death of the Book” that I suspect it is very much alive,” wrote Harvard Librarian Robert Darnton in…
- "If it's not on the shelf...." by: Brian Green
  November 9, 2010, 18:48
  "Don't ask me -- I just work here." Or, "Know thine inventory."
- Visiting the US on a Bookhunt by: Therese Holland
  October 14, 2010, 09:29
  In my one of earliest blogs I mentioned that I visited the US on a semi annual basis to buy books. This started out in 2007 and I ended up in the Quad Cities…
- Don’t Mess Up Your Online Book Selling Business by: Adam Bertram
  August 27, 2010, 12:06
  Clean Up Your Inventory Act! Do you know that managing your inventory when you sell books online can be a very complex thing to do? You can’t just leave…
- On the Hunt - Estate Sales and Yard Sales by: Brian Webster
  July 28, 2010, 11:16
  In the beginning, when we first started in the Internet Book business, we already had quite a few volumes to sell, but it became obvious that we neither had…
- To Cull or not To Cull your Bookshop’s Inventory by: Therese Holland
  July 1, 2010, 06:34
  I have problems with inventory management. I need to improve my inventory management skills. If I keep saying it maybe a miracle will happen. I keep on saying…
- Should All of my Books be in a Database? by: Judy Riggs
  April 15, 2010, 10:24
  Database ALL of it?? Not a day goes by that I don’t hear the question, “do you have any way to look up what books you have in stock?” And as I look out…
- Setting a Price on Bulk Book Purchases by: Suzie Eisfelder
  April 12, 2010, 00:08
  I wrote about buying books in bulk sometime ago and had a comment on it. I'm not used to getting comments on articles so I don't come back and check in order…
- Look to Auctions for your Book Inventory by: Suzie Eisfelder
  April 4, 2010, 16:27
  The topic of finding stock is a never ending one. You'll find many articles about this topic on this blog and on other blogs worldwide. Each country/region…
- The Big Book Cull by: Amanda Dixon
  February 24, 2010, 21:10
  While I am having my new website redesigned I thought now might be time to have a clear out. Get rid of the books that have been sitting there for, well some…
- Improving Inventory Turnover in Your Bookshop by: Louis Gereaux
  February 16, 2010, 23:13
  The Benchmark of Bookstore Sales Performance By Louis Gereaux Many of us who have become bookstore owners have a passion for books. To live the dream as…
- Any problem areas in your bookshop? by: Jo Canham
  February 11, 2010, 23:30
  Back on Board & Discussing Problem Areas Well, yes, I've been very quiet of late, and I do apologise. I haven't even had time to look at The Bookshop…
- Is a book scouting service actually worth it? by: Adam Bertram
  August 16, 2009, 22:12
  The purpose of a book scouting service is to let the bookseller look up prices on the fly from Amazon..
- Ultimate Free Advertising Idea for Used Book Shops by: Bob Lewis
  February 28, 2009, 23:33
  We all know that we need to advertise, and we all know that it’s very difficult to know how and where to advertise. It tends to be expensive, and so often it…
- Bullet Tip --> Thrift Shops by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 13, 2008, 16:50
  have you thought of visiting a thrift store to buy re-sellable books the day after a big sale?
- Absolutely Nobody Wants This Book by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 28, 2007, 01:29
  A pile of great ideas on what to do with your old books. Crafts/Art or donations.
- The fine art of Book Pricing. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 22, 2007, 02:18
  What do you do when you can't find a book listed at any of the online bookselling sites? How do you determine a price?
- Do your books need a vacation? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 19, 2007, 16:55
  Part 2 of a 3 part series by Rainy Day Paperback Exchange giving us some ideas on how to move under-performing inventory.
- Do your Buyers find what they want? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 16, 2007, 21:45
  Do you move your sections around, putting books where customers will find them.
- Is eBay One of Your Suppliers? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 25, 2007, 02:41
  Are you a buyer or a seller on eBay? I'm guessing that since your visiting a blog on book selling you may be a seller. I've been selling for a while on eBay…
- How many worthless books in your inventory? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 19, 2007, 14:45
  A new post by contributor William Smith of Hang Fire Books The Unkindest Cut In preparation for an upcoming move, I’ve spent the last couple of weeks…
- Don't get hung up on your buying mistakes - sell and move on. by: Tom Nealon
  August 20, 2007, 19:31
  Posted by Tom Nealon of Pazzo Books Dana's great story about the Baum that got away reminded me of mistakes in book selling. I traded stocks for a few years,…
- A review of The Art of Books inventory management system by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 16, 2007, 17:00
  Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with The Art of Books, I am a paying customer of theirs. The Art of Books (AOB) is an online bookseller's inventory…
- A word on Specialization for Book Sellers by: Tom Nealon
  August 13, 2007, 19:32
  Tom Nealon of Pazzo Books brings us his first post on specialization and how you might want to get your feet wet after first opening a shop. Some good thoughts…
- Supplementing your stock with some remainders. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 24, 2007, 16:21
  Do you add a few remaindered books to your inventory? Remaindered books are simply publisher's overstock or book returns. They are often purchased by third…
- Controlling a mixed Online and In-Store book inventory by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 13, 2007, 23:39
  We often read the question, “I keep my online books mixed together with my in-store only inventory and often misplace books”. It can be frustrating selling…
Category: Marketing Ideas (49)
Marketing tips to help you get the word out and customers in. Come join in the conversation.
- Public Relations After an Event by: Pamela Grath
  March 26, 2012, 10:00
  We all think about invitations and press releases and publicity before a bookstore event, but what about afterward? Politicians call it “taking care of…
- Selling Furniture? A Nice Bookshop Option by: Diane Plumley
  February 23, 2012, 20:23
  We all realize the straits independent bookshops are in. Print books can only finance the store so far. Many stores have opted to offer toys, gift items, some…
- How to attract customers to your bookshop by: Leonid Kouvelis
  January 3, 2012, 09:32
  Success or failure in business comes down to meeting your expenses and hopefully generating enough profit to build a comfortable lifestyle and all this comes…
- All Hallow's Read by: Matthew Singleton
  October 27, 2011, 12:11
  Community involvement by brick-and-mortar bookstores is something that I’m always pushing for, so I figured I might as well actually offer a concrete example…
- Lets Use Modern Classics! by: Jessica Hayes
  May 6, 2011, 18:31
  There are some books which are always on school book lists and most customers will have on ‘to-be-read’ lists. Those books which, even the biggest…
- Can We Turn a Bookstore Downsize into an Upgrade? by: Jessica Hayes
  April 28, 2011, 08:03
  In Brisbane, Australia, there is a 52-year-old independent, family-owned store named the American Bookstore. Despite that this store has seen over half-a-cent…
- How One Bookseller Stays in Business After 20 Years by: Diane Plumley
  April 5, 2011, 15:17
  Mystery Scene Magazine, a great source for all things crime fiction, and more, recently interviewed Augie Aleksy owner of Centuries and Sleuths. A…
- Is It Advertising, Or Is It a Donation? by: Pamela Grath
  March 9, 2011, 23:39
  Booksellers, you know what I’m talking about. The high school yearbook committee, women’s club, civic theatre, etc. are eager to beat down the bookstore…
- A Need for Neon! by: Amber Short
  March 6, 2011, 20:11
  I have long wanted to have a neon sign created for my bookstore. I envisioned a “moving sign” that would have glowing pages flipping in jerky stop…
- An Essential Component of a Bookshop by: Diane Plumley
  February 8, 2011, 17:34
  Liking your customers. OK, if not entirely in love, then at least tolerating their reading habits and purchases, and doing it while seeming to like the…
- Facsimile Dust Jackets--Good Idea for Used Bookshops? by: Diane Plumley
  February 4, 2011, 00:37
  There are thousands of old books out there minus their original dust jackets. Some are first editions, some are not. There are a few talented people…
- Are you 'Out There' - Do You Throw Your Boomerang? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  February 1, 2011, 10:01
  One of the biggest problems of working by yourself from home is always being your own impetus. I've really been struggling with this and you might have…
- Does your community bookstore truly reflect your community? by: Nora O'Neill
  January 29, 2011, 18:14
  The faces on the books you pick to display can either welcome the community into your shop or they can send the subtle message that only a certain type of…
- Kindle or Kobo EReader: Good for small shops, bad for the big boys. by: Brian Green
  January 7, 2011, 16:42
  The small bookshop can -- nay, will -- thrive again.
- Consider Pull Up Banners for Flea Markets & Book Fairs by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 5, 2011, 20:20
  Pull up banners are a new and easy way to have one of the most effective marketing tools at your disposal. Pull up banners are portable display stands that can…
- Recommended Books for Young Adults by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  November 13, 2010, 09:26
  YA Fiction by Ben Langdon YA stands for Young Adult and is often seen as the category of book which sits between childrens' fiction and adult fiction. This…
- Generating a Crowd for an In-Store Event by: Pamela Grath
  July 22, 2010, 06:36
  “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…
- Special Summer-Reading Package: Promotions for your Bookstore by: Magda Elsehrawi
  July 20, 2010, 07:05
  Summer’s coming! Well actually, it’s already here. And what a perfect opportunity this is to promote your bookstore with a special summer-reading package…
- Create some momentum with a well planned event by: Megan Shea
  July 16, 2010, 07:10
  I've spent the last three years at Joseph-Beth Booksellers coveting "indie bookstore moments." You know them -- the first time a local Dungeons & Dragons…
- Book Shop Advertising: What the Pros Do by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 10, 2010, 22:55
  Of course there are two facets to book shop advertising, Online and real or Brick and Mortar advertising. For this article we'll focus on what a real, physical…
- Do you sell Gift Certificates in your Bookshop? by: Amber Short
  July 9, 2010, 07:15
  Our bookstores house thousands of options for gifts, but not everyone is confident in choosing a title for a loved one. This is where the almighty Gift…
- In Which We Have a Haunted Bookstore by: Caro Hedge
  June 30, 2010, 09:57
  This is Part 4 of Caro and Susan's foray into the land of bookselling. Here are the earlier segments: Part 1, We Got Handed a Dream In the Discount Card…
- Have a specialized genre - get out to those people by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 8, 2009, 13:22
  Lynda O'Connor of O'Connor Communications in Lake Forest, IL will be giving tips on book marketing to anyone who has written a book or who will be writing…
- The Perfect Pair by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  September 29, 2009, 21:51
  ...Yet, sitting down with War and Peace or Madam Bovary can feel intimidating. Not everyone has the option of a book club or a literature class. One…
- A re-cap of the Biblio-Art Exhibition by: Jo Canham
  September 14, 2009, 06:28
  Ah, it's been a busy weekend at Blarney Books & Art! The Port Fairy Ex Libris Book Fair was on, and we hosted the official welcome for authors, artists,…
- Biblio-Art Awards in Port Fairy, Australia by: Jo Canham
  August 30, 2009, 19:35
  It's Awards time at Blarney Books, art awards that is.
- Low cost advertising to nab pedestrians by: Nora O'Neill
  August 29, 2009, 16:32
  Advertising doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. A lot of in-store book sales come from walk in traffic. Even if you're in a high traffic area…
- Event Hosting - Bookshop Style by: Jo Canham
  August 12, 2009, 20:22
  The story of how a used bookstore ran a successful event featuring other small businesses and a lot of new customers.
- Advertising in the Used Book World by: Shane Gottwals
  July 30, 2009, 22:01
  Advertising in the Used Book World Shane Gottwals Gottwals Books www.gottwalsbooks.com A recent article I wrote really got me to thinking about…
- Branding your bookshop: How to commission artwork by: Nora O'Neill
  March 3, 2009, 17:51
  How to commission artwork so you can create a memorable brand.
- Ultimate Free Advertising Idea for Used Book Shops by: Bob Lewis
  February 28, 2009, 23:33
  We all know that we need to advertise, and we all know that it’s very difficult to know how and where to advertise. It tends to be expensive, and so often it…
- Tweet! Tweet! Let a little bird tell people about your bookstore by: Nora O'Neill
  January 31, 2009, 17:17
  Twitter is the bastard child of blogging, social networking, news feeds, and online forums. Stick web 2.0 in a food processor and chop it into 140 character…
- Group Advertising by: Bob Lewis
  January 26, 2009, 23:28
  We have a magazine here in southern Ontario called ‘Daytripping’. I imagine there are similar publications elsewhere. It’s published every 2 months and…
- What's your credit policy? Let us Know. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 8, 2008, 21:23
  Hi All! January 1st is a big day for us as we are changing how we do business. In the past we would give a book credit for books that could be used on more…
- Guinness Record Update by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 21, 2008, 12:18
  An update on the attempt to break a Guinness Record for selling Romance Pocketbooks
- Effectively Using Google Adwords by: Nora O'Neill
  April 8, 2008, 14:10
  Some more advanced techniques for using Google Adwords
- Using the Keyword tool in Google AdWords by: Nora O'Neill
  March 10, 2008, 15:14
  a brief explanation on how you can find great keywords for your google adwords advertising campaign
- Some tips for ad image design by: Nora O'Neill
  March 7, 2008, 15:13
  Timing is everything If you’ve looked at advertising through banner ads, the thought of using an animated ad has probably crossed your mind. Or maybe…
- Find out what Keywords are Working then Beef Them Up by: Nora O'Neill
  February 8, 2008, 01:42
  Do you know which keywords are working for you? Find our which are the best performers then try to work harder with them.
- Online Classified Sites are for Finding Buyers. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 23, 2008, 03:17
  There are a lot of buyers leaving want lists on these sites, get to know how they work.
- Marketing your Bookshop with Google Adwords by: Nora O'Neill
  January 12, 2008, 01:59
  A few ins and outs for using Adwords to get more visitors to your bookshop.
- Do you see each customer as a marketing opportunity? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 28, 2007, 15:25
  How to market your bookshop. All about getting more customers.
- Building your client base at Fan conventions. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 6, 2007, 21:00
  Here is a terrific article by Nora at Rainy Day Paperback Exchange all about attending book/hobby conventions. If yo have any experience with attending as a…
- The Latest in Blog Marketing - Blog Rush by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 22, 2007, 18:04
  You'll notice a new widget off on the left. It's called Blog Rush and was just launched this week. For those of you that run a blog you may want to consider…
- Acquiring new customers – the personal approach by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 7, 2007, 19:26
  If you already have a steady flow of traffic through your doors this post won't apply. For the rest of us here's something to consider. Are you more likely to…
- Staying in touch with your customers via a spiffy newsletter. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 26, 2007, 21:12
  Do you have a mailing list? Do you use it effectively? Some sellers use only their email application to send out a short announcement here and there while…
- Have you stumbled upon any good marketing ideas lately? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 18, 2007, 17:20
  We'll start by asking you if you've found any great ideas that have helped bring more traffic to your blog? Feel free to share. Here's one for you. Have you…
- Showing off a domain called www.isntthisacoolsoundingdomain.com by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 17, 2007, 20:37
  Are you starting a new website or blog? As most of the terrific one word domians have already been bought up more and more people are buying multiple word…
- Give away your books on Facebook by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 15, 2007, 19:49
  Here's a tip for getting a little exposure in your community. I hope your store is listed on Facebook, it's a great place to get some free exposure. We'll be…
Category: Miscellaneous (98)
- How On Earth Do Writers Write by: Diane Plumley
  May 11, 2012, 12:51
  I mean, how do they find the time, the solitude, the quiet? Do they have little cells hidden behind walls only accessible by pulling the candlestick on the…
- When The Need To Read Dissipates by: Diane Plumley
  May 10, 2012, 22:17
  The gradual or sudden lack of desire to pick up a book and read occurs frequently to me. There’s no discernible reason for it. One day I’m finishing an…
- Higgelty Pigglety Pop! Maurice Sendak Follows Jennie to the Castle Yonder by: Jas Faulkner
  May 8, 2012, 13:55
  by Jas Faulkner Admitted or not, sometimes trapped deep beneath layers of intellectual noise is the part of us that wants to don a wolf suit and run…
- Don’t Fear the Keeper by: Jas Faulkner
  May 5, 2012, 20:25
  The instinct to collect books has always been strong for many of us. To those who understand, the knee-high to be read pile is a sign of devotion to the…
- A Pulp Vixen Tale by: Diane Plumley
  May 1, 2012, 17:46
  Have you ever noticed the titles of pulp fiction novels? They're lurid and usually descriptive of a woman, what she does, how she acts, her evil ways, lol,…
- Twenty Chances To Make New Readers by: Jas Faulkner
  April 29, 2012, 11:49
  by Jas Faulkner Many of the stories that came in following this year's World Book Night were inspirational. People chose to go to shelters, public…
- Not The Nicest Authors by: Diane Plumley
  April 26, 2012, 20:56
  I stumbled upon this, and felt I should share. A couple of the writers written about in the article we've pointed to before--the others are news to me. Have…
- Everyone Wants to Write by: Diane Plumley
  April 24, 2012, 11:14
  Or so I believe. At least as far as crime fiction is concerned. It seems as though you can’t swing a dead body at a fan convention without hitting at least a…
- Hi-diddle-dee-dee! A Literary Life For Me by: Jas Faulkner
  April 19, 2012, 13:19
  by Jas Faulkner Carr: Artists are members of a privileged class. Art is absurdly overrated by artists, which is understandable, but what is strange is that…
- A Rose By Any Other Name? by: Diane Plumley
  April 18, 2012, 20:41
  My mother was confused when I referred to the bathroom as the loo. When I explained it was the British equivalent of toilet, or bathroom, she mused…
- Introducing Authors by: Diane Plumley
  April 14, 2012, 13:26
  One of the amazing incidents I encountered when a bookseller for a major mystery store in Manhattan, was introducing one author to another and watching their…
- Thomas Kinkade's Mephistophelian Bargain by: Jas Faulkner
  April 9, 2012, 16:48
  by Jas Faulkner When the news came out that an inebriated Thomas Kinkade had urinated on a Winnie the Pooh statue that was standing in a corner of his suite…
- Good Books by: Diane Plumley
  April 9, 2012, 07:02
  "The late, great Charlotte Armstrong once found herself at a party, and she met a woman who asked what she did. Charlotte replied, "I'm a novelist." "What do…
- The Magic of Books by: Jas Faulkner
  April 3, 2012, 08:39
  by Jas Faulkner To experience a William Joyce book is the enter a place where things tend to fall together in a fashion that is both charmingly out of…
- Does the Personality of an Author, Influence Your Selling, Buying Habits? by: Diane Plumley
  March 21, 2012, 16:13
  For some odd reason I'm posing questions lately. This one popped into my head as I ran my finger down a to be read pile, to chose something, because my…
- Booked To Sleep by: Diane Plumley
  March 19, 2012, 22:35
  I know I've said no one can have too many books. And I mean that, if you have enough space in your hemisphere. If, like me, that space has now run out, and the…
- What Argument About Literature, Would Drive You To Violence? by: Diane Plumley
  March 19, 2012, 06:59
  A link from author Laura Lippman had me intrigued, so I clicked, and had a great gut laugh. Two men got into an argument 'over literature'. The teeny article…
- An Awkward Situation by: Diane Plumley
  March 17, 2012, 20:39
  The last time I attended the festivities surrounding the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, given out yearly for the best in crime fiction, I was working for A&E…
- A Few Notable Links by: Diane Plumley
  March 15, 2012, 21:03
  In my rummaging through the attic of the internet, I unearthed a couple of unusual, interesting, and in one case, bizarre stories. Sadly another major…
- A Wee Yellow Library by: Diane Plumley
  March 11, 2012, 23:07
  I've never gone through the doors of Riverton's butter hued public library. I don't consider visiting neighboring towns' libraries, I assume they serve the…
- When Did Children's Books Become Political Fodder? by: Diane Plumley
  March 6, 2012, 10:27
  I am not taking a political point of view here, just asking the question of just how and when books written by the likes of Dr. Seuss become political…
- The next big thing... or the end of civilization? by: Nora O'Neill
  March 4, 2012, 23:59
  Rare book dealers have a certain image in pop culture. They are generally a bit eccentric, standoffish, erudite, and curmudgeonly. Librarians have a…
- Phone Booth Libraries by: Diane Plumley
  February 29, 2012, 19:29
  At first, the concept of shelves of books as teeny libraries in New York City phone booths seemed laughable. I mean, we're talking about NYC, where men…
- Literary trash to enduring classic by: Nora O'Neill
  February 29, 2012, 16:39
  It's hard to predict what books will be considered "classics" decades after their publication. Books hailed as literary masterpieces by critics often…
- Oscar Winning Short--Fantastic Flying Books--Limited Time Online!!! by: Diane Plumley
  February 28, 2012, 13:45
  I didn't realize when I watched the Oscars the other night, that the winner of the award for Short Animation was from the hand of the fantastic children's…
- WHERE'S MY PACKAGE!?! by: Nora O'Neill
  January 31, 2012, 23:14
  Nothing sends customers into a tizzy faster than a missing package. Once it leaves your hands, there's only so much you can do to find one of these waylaid…
- International shipping: how long will it REALLY take to get there? by: Nora O'Neill
  January 23, 2012, 16:13
  The shipping estimate on the USPS website is lovely, but its not actually guaranteed for most shipping classes. For First Class mail, estimating when it will…
- Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? by: Diane Plumley
  January 5, 2012, 02:10
  A man inside his car at a gas station is shot point blank by a motorcyclist wearing a opaque helmet who then speeds off. After some detective work, they…
- 4 questions to ask when ordering textbooks for customers by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2011, 15:24
  If there's one type of book I will hold a party for when it goes totally to ebook format, it will be the textbook. They change so frequently and are so…
- Happiest of Holidays! by: Diane Plumley
  December 23, 2011, 19:54
  Not about book-selling, not about censorship, not about amazon or B&N, not about collecting, not about anything except a wish that everyone have a great…
- Pee-You!! by: Diane Plumley
  November 10, 2011, 19:01
  I stumbled upon this while wandering around the internet, and I was appalled at the meaning of these 10 words. Ick, ick, ick! But fascinating! 10 Nastiest…
- Where Do The Books You've Read Go? by: Diane Plumley
  October 12, 2011, 01:03
  I'm asking, because I need new creative places to take them! I have long ago left behind the notion that I could keep all the books I'd read. As a teenager, it…
- Hurricane Damaged Libraries Need Help For Their Childrens Section by: Diane Plumley
  September 2, 2011, 14:35
  On one of my weird road trips I had the privilege of visiting the little town of Wells in the NY Adirondack mountains. So it's disturbing to find out how much…
- Rare books as an investment by: Nora O'Neill
  August 30, 2011, 19:22
  Every time the stock market starts acting like a a yoyo on a rollercoaster we notice an uptick in rare book sales in a specific price range: ones that have a…
- What Google thinks of books by: Nora O'Neill
  July 31, 2011, 14:09
  Google will "helpfully" try to autocomplete searches for you. Sometimes these suggestions are actually useful. Sometimes they're hilarious. Sometimes…
- Death In Sepia by: Diane Plumley
  July 16, 2011, 09:16
  WARNING: A couple of the photos within the article are not suitable for children or anyone who may be sensitive to images of death. One of the comments under…
- Can You Make Money Selling Books Online? (Part 2) by: Joe Waynick
  July 1, 2011, 22:06
  Part 1 of Joe's Article appears here... By Joe Waynick In first part of this two part series, I told you there were two important concepts for you to…
- Where have all The Great Books gone? by: Nora O'Neill
  July 1, 2011, 00:04
  It's the time of the year where students have to pick up the required summer reading for high school. While these lists are filled with good books, they are…
- Bookshop Accounting, we love to hate it by: Suzie Eisfelder
  May 26, 2011, 09:17
  The one part of my business I hate the most is accounting, marshalling those invoices, expenses and whipping them into order, bringing them into line and…
- Book Cover Design: Adobe to Austen by: Jessica Hayes
  May 19, 2011, 08:01
  I always judge a book by it’s cover, how can I not? Despite the notorious adage, almost everybody does and publishers know it. The process of conceptualizin…
- Does Trash Culture Have a Place in Indie Bookstores? by: Jessica Hayes
  May 6, 2011, 18:06
  Book ordering is critically important in how customers view a store, stock is (if not the most important) one of the single reasons a customer will purchase in…
- The wall of books by: Nora O'Neill
  May 5, 2011, 17:31
  Work photos of building a retaining wall our of damaged paperback books.
- A second act for old books by: Nora O'Neill
  April 8, 2011, 14:35
  People like to think that even the trashy romance from the 1960s that's falling out of the binding and has first 6 pages are missing will still go to "good…
- An Illuminating Way To Self Publish by: Diane Plumley
  March 1, 2011, 05:28
  Just when you believe self publishing has reached its limit, along comes a bizarro format, streetlamps. Yes, only in New York City, and in particular the…
- Small press publications... without the printing press! by: Nora O'Neill
  February 26, 2011, 19:03
  The vast majority of 20th century books and pamphlets will be printed via offset press or as letterpress. What's the difference? Offset transfer the ink to…
- A Real Character of a Writer by: Diane Plumley
  February 20, 2011, 22:32
  One of the gravy parts of my tenure managing mystery bookshops, was meeting and greeting authors. Established, brand new, legends, ego maniacs, and future…
- Out of Jeopardy--E-Book All Ready To Go by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2011, 15:19
  Well, at least publishers intend to print a hardcover later on. My question, is there really a need to have either? What info could possibly be imparted about…
- Wonderfully Humorous Look At The Writer's Dilemma-What Are You Working On? by: Diane Plumley
  February 4, 2011, 11:39
  From the National Post by Andrew Pyper.http://arts.nationalpost.com/2011/02/03/andrew-pyper-what-are-you-working-on/Have you ever asked your favorite author…
- Why I Hate the Film You've Got Mail by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 01:33
  No, not because it's a re-re-make of a 1930s James Stewart film, The Shop Around the Corner, or because it's a remake of a later film with Judy Garland which…
- Who Believes Robbing an Independent Bookstore is Profitable? by: Diane Plumley
  January 28, 2011, 22:13
  By Diane Plumley One would think no one. Apparently, however, two men didn't get the memo-- bookstores do not make money--because back in the early 1980s…
- We are Looking for Book People that enjoy writing.. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 13, 2011, 14:15
  The Bookshop Blog is looking for bookshop owners, book hobbyists, collectors or those going through the initial stages of creating a bookselling business to…
- The strange literary pedigree of the LOLcat by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2010, 13:37
  Memes are a relatively new idea that describes a very familiar concept. Memes are like cultural genes. They transmit cultural information and ideas…
- Dear "customer"- you're fired! by: Nora O'Neill
  December 28, 2010, 16:00
  They may be giving you money, but some customers demand so much of your time that they may actually cost you more than they bring in! some may be so awful that…
- Stieg Larsson Obituary by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 8, 2010, 15:04
  Stieg Larsson Obituary (August 1954 - November 2004) Stieg Larsson was a Swedish born novelist and journalist born in Skelleftehamn near Skelleftea. His…
- Mascots, Helpers and Décor. by: Caro Hedge
  November 29, 2010, 15:58
  We would love to have a bookstore cat. We think bookstore cats are enchanting. We even have a few candidates at home, and one of those is a sweetie who…
- Safe holiday decorations for the bookstore by: Nora O'Neill
  November 24, 2010, 13:53
  Maybe it's your first year decorating your brick and mortar, or this year it's finally YOUR turn to handle the decorating, or with the slow economy, you want…
- Convention warrior- selling at fairs, conventions, & festivals by: Nora O'Neill
  October 23, 2010, 16:34
  Tips on how to set up a booth or display at a fair or festival.
- A New Zealand Odyssey, Bookshop Style by: Therese Holland
  October 18, 2010, 09:45
  Where to find the best second hand books in New Zealand..
- A Bit of Haunted Déjà Vu by: Caro Hedge
  September 25, 2010, 23:46
  Retail Trades is a group which meets once a month down at the art center. It is the intention of the group to attract shoppers to downtown Lamar and to…
- Objects found inside books by: Nora O'Neill
  September 24, 2010, 14:55
  Booksellers are used to finding weird things tucked into books, but it's hard to top finding a gun...
- Mental meanderings of a bookshop owner by: Carol Goldstein
  September 22, 2010, 07:00
  Stuff that crossed my mind on the way in to the shop this morning: Music: Should the music in the bookshop be for my benefit or would it be better to try and…
- 2000 year old technological marvel still in use today by: Nora O'Neill
  July 31, 2010, 15:23
  You could make a drinking game out of headlines proclaiming the death of books. But the book itself was just a change from previous writing and record…
- Your basic hobby-gets-out-of-hand-tale. by: Caro Hedge
  July 13, 2010, 07:05
  This is Part 5 of Caro and Susan's foray into the land of bookselling. Here are the earlier segments: Part 1, We Got Handed a Dream In the Discount Card…
- Listing a Book's Title and Author - Variations by: Paul Young
  July 8, 2010, 06:20
  I recently went through Bookfinder.com seeking what prices other booksellers are asking for a book I have on hand. I typed in the last name only of the author…
- Some like it damp: creepy crawly critters by: Nora O'Neill
  June 30, 2010, 16:13
  There four creepy crawly critters like to live where its damp. If you can positively ID these four critters, you'll have good odds of identifying books that…
- Consider strand woven bamboo flooring for your bookstore by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 20, 2010, 21:28
  I have to tell you how we decided which space to rent when we were in the planning stages of our bookshop (for those who don't know we owned and operated Zeeba…
- An Antique Bookcase is a Beautiful Addition to Any Library or Office by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 15, 2010, 10:28
  Whether you are looking for something to store your reference materials in an office with mostly classic furniture or want to store your collection of texts…
- How to package a book for shipping by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 10, 2010, 15:47
  Books are shipped to many places across the globe. Have you ever wondered how they are packed to keep them tamper-proof until they reach the destinations, what…
- Time Wasters and Tyre Kickers by: Amanda Dixon
  June 4, 2010, 10:10
  I sold my first book on my website (A Novel Book) a few weeks ago. Yeah me!!! But I it took 5 very long days before the deal was finally done. It was a strange…
- Signed books: is this real? by: Nora O'Neill
  May 25, 2010, 13:38
  Wow, this book has been signed by the author! It must be worth a lot! Not so fast, is that a real signature? A real signature can vastly increase the…
- A White Bookcase, flexible and functional by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 2, 2010, 13:52
  Why do I need a white bookcase? Even with the age of the computer and internet and the constant threat that books will soon be obsolete, the sale of books is…
- Build a Personal Library by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 28, 2010, 23:34
  Do you want to build a personal library, don't wait - start today. If you are anything like me, you are in love with your library! Filling your library with a…
- New life for old books by: Nora O'Neill
  March 30, 2010, 18:25
  Amazing what can be done with an old book, these magical works of art are something else...
- Book Stickers: Remove ‘em or Leave ‘em? by: Louis Gereaux
  March 14, 2010, 21:48
  A couple of great products for removing tough book stickers.
- Handling offensive titles without causing offense by: Nora O'Neill
  February 27, 2010, 19:39
  Handling historical material that contains racist material is difficult but worth doing. To forget the bad parts of history increases the odds of repeating…
- The NYT bestsellers aren't my bestsellers by: Nora O'Neill
  December 12, 2009, 16:55
  The bestsellers on the used market aren't necessarily the best sellers you see on the New York Times list or on Amazon's hot list. Often they bear no…
- Considering a website for your bookstore business? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 6, 2009, 19:11
  Without a doubt, having a good website would help you reach more potential customers for your bookstore business. Whether your business is new, small and just…
- Love the computer, hate the power bill by: Nora O'Neill
  December 5, 2009, 17:40
  It's the rare bookseller now a days that doesn't use a computer for at least part of their operation. There's still a few die hards that won't touch them,…
- The Roll Top Desk - An American Classic by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 25, 2009, 15:36
  All you need to know about a Roll Top Desk, what to look for in a top notch desk and where to pick up the best ones.
- New lives for old books by: Nora O'Neill
  July 30, 2009, 13:31
  Stunning pictures of art made from old, damaged books.
- You don't have to be mad to work here, but it helps! by: Nora O'Neill
  July 14, 2009, 14:21
  Independent book stores are home to both eccentric owners and customers. Some stores are a just a bit weirder than others...
- Why encouraging literacy should be part of your business plan by: Nora O'Neill
  May 9, 2009, 14:47
  Focusing on increasing literacy should be part of every bookstore's long term business plan. You may see no benefit this month or year, but if you plan to be…
- The 1970s, in cover art by: Nora O'Neill
  May 1, 2009, 15:13
  The 1970s, the decade of terror! If science didn't kill you, sex would. Take a tour tour through the "me decade" with a representative book cover from each…
- Branding your bookshop: How to commission artwork by: Nora O'Neill
  March 3, 2009, 17:51
  How to commission artwork so you can create a memorable brand.
- Ultimate Free Advertising Idea for Used Book Shops by: Bob Lewis
  February 28, 2009, 23:33
  We all know that we need to advertise, and we all know that it’s very difficult to know how and where to advertise. It tends to be expensive, and so often it…
- Overheard at Zeeba Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 23, 2008, 19:30
  Had to share this. We just had a customer phone up to order a book, a pleasant older lady. While getting her credit card info I asked for the expiry date. With…
- The Book as Art, amazing what an artist can do. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 14, 2008, 17:41
  The Book as Art form. Wonderful images of splendid works of art using books as the base material.
- Bullet Tip --> Thrift Shops by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 13, 2008, 16:50
  have you thought of visiting a thrift store to buy re-sellable books the day after a big sale?
- Would you like to write for The Bookshop Blog? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 9, 2008, 19:09
  We are currently searching for a few booksellers that enjoy writing about their trade. Come join a busy blog, have your ideas published on an industry leading…
- A personal note to ring in the new year. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 1, 2008, 05:34
  It's been quite a year for my wife and me. By far the biggest day was March 17th when our first child was born. His name is Kasm and as any proud father would,…
- Want a .00 book for free? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 25, 2007, 19:15
  Simply sign up to join our soon-to-be-launched forum On December 1st The Bookshop Blog will be launching its very own forum. Booksellers helping Booksellers…
- A quick thank you by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 24, 2007, 14:33
  I'd like to thank Benjamin L. Clark, Curator of Education at the Oklahoma Museum of History, for sharing with us some links to edition information websites.…
- Introducing Tom Nealon, joining us from Pazzo Books by: Tom Nealon
  August 12, 2007, 19:32
  Massachusetts book dealers, Roslindale book store
- Welcoming Dana Richardson to the blog. by: Dana Richardson
  August 11, 2007, 13:35
  Many thanks to Dana Richardson of Windy Hill books. She will bring a wealth of knowledge in the area of children's books to our blog. Here's a short bio. A…
- Two Contributing Writers have joined the Bookshop Blog by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 9, 2007, 18:37
  I'd like to welcome William Smith of Hangfire Books, Brooklyn, NY and Tom Nealon of Pazzo Books, Roslindale, Massachusetts. We very much look forward to…
- What are the hottest sites for online book selling? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 20, 2007, 21:05
  As an online seller you should be selling anywhere and everywhere that a buyer might be browsing. There are many buyers that frequent eBay daily that have…
- Phone Numbers for Abe.com and eBay by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 13, 2007, 16:18
  Need a phone number for Abe.com or eBay, Alibris, Amazon? - we have them all here.
- Free bookseller's resources at the Bookshop Blog by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 12, 2007, 23:17
  Welcome to the Bookshop Blog. Our purpose is simply to help you be a better bookseller. We hope to become the place you refer to when in need of book selling…
Category: Monthly Best (7)
A quick recap of the best articles, submissions and videos that were posted here on The Bookshop Blog.
- The Bookshop Blog’s Best of July 2010 by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 1, 2010, 15:01
  Well we put out a call for new writers and boy what a response we got! We posted more articles in July than any other month in our 3+ years of sharing terrific…
- The Bookshop Blog's Best of June 2010 by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 3, 2010, 20:17
  Before I get into some of our memorable posts from June I'd like to thank Paul Young of Prying1 Books for a comment he made earlier today. He was reminding…
- An Empty Library by: Brian Webster
  June 15, 2010, 13:18
  What do you do when you are given a Library that has no books? And suppose this library was surrounded by miles and miles of nothing but rice paddies? And…
- Best of June 2009 by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 12, 2009, 19:07
  We like to spotlight some of our favorite posts of the past month. Here were some from June. A conversation with Linda Olsson by Kim Allen-Niesen Jo Canham…
- Best of May at The Bookshop Blog by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 4, 2009, 20:45
  A recap of some of our articles geared towards booksellers, both online and brick and mortar from one of the leading Bookshop Blogs.
- The Best Time to Open a Business? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 20, 2009, 12:12
  Another nugget of insight from one of Canada's premier used bookstores Fair's Fair of Calgary, Thanks George . Please take a moment to visit Fair's Fair. Goo…
- Best of August posts on the Bookshop Blog by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 1, 2007, 17:25
  On the first of every month we will present some of the best posts of the previous month. One of our criteria will be comments so feel free to add your voice,…
Category: News & Opinions (217)
Our writers have been around books for a long time and are never shy to share their opinions…
- Higgelty Pigglety Pop! Maurice Sendak Follows Jennie to the Castle Yonder by: Jas Faulkner
  May 8, 2012, 13:55
  by Jas Faulkner Admitted or not, sometimes trapped deep beneath layers of intellectual noise is the part of us that wants to don a wolf suit and run…
- Banned Science Fiction and Fantasy Books by: Diane Plumley
  May 2, 2012, 22:50
  In light of the recent banning (again) of Slaughterhouse Five, a book site, Worlds Without Ends, decided to list any and all Sci Fi books known to have been…
- Agatha Award Winners Announced by: Diane Plumley
  April 29, 2012, 17:27
  The annual conference that ran Friday through early Sunday, named the winners of the coveted teapot, The Agatha. The Malice Domestic Conference is always held…
- Twenty Chances To Make New Readers by: Jas Faulkner
  April 29, 2012, 11:49
  by Jas Faulkner Many of the stories that came in following this year's World Book Night were inspirational. People chose to go to shelters, public…
- A Past Interview With 2012 Edgar Winner Mo Hayder by: Diane Plumley
  April 27, 2012, 08:38
  When I wrote my own newsletter back in the dark ages, I interviewed many life time writers, established authors, newer published people, and what I liked…
- The Edgar Allan Poe Award Mystery Awards Winners Announced by: Diane Plumley
  April 26, 2012, 23:36
  The marvelous Janet Rudolph was at the Mystery Writers Of America banquet this evening--and was wonderfully fast to put out to the public the winners of this…
- Thanks A Lot, Justice Administration by: Diane Plumley
  April 11, 2012, 13:34
  Thank you so much for protecting us from Apple's attempts to monopolize the e-book industry. Sure, they set e-book prices and colluded with publishers to do…
- Thomas Kinkade's Mephistophelian Bargain by: Jas Faulkner
  April 9, 2012, 16:48
  by Jas Faulkner When the news came out that an inebriated Thomas Kinkade had urinated on a Winnie the Pooh statue that was standing in a corner of his suite…
- Good Books by: Diane Plumley
  April 9, 2012, 07:02
  "The late, great Charlotte Armstrong once found herself at a party, and she met a woman who asked what she did. Charlotte replied, "I'm a novelist." "What do…
- A Real Kurt Vonnegut by: Diane Plumley
  April 3, 2012, 01:49
  I am a teeny bit embarrassed to admit, I've not read Vonnegut. Although certainly aware of his work. I've never had the inclination to pick his titles.…
- Blurbing Another Author's Work by: Diane Plumley
  March 25, 2012, 12:18
  I had a recent conversation with a few writers about the common practice of writing a nice bunch of things about another person's book. You've seen blurbs--on…
- Does the Personality of an Author, Influence Your Selling, Buying Habits? by: Diane Plumley
  March 21, 2012, 16:13
  For some odd reason I'm posing questions lately. This one popped into my head as I ran my finger down a to be read pile, to chose something, because my…
- Bye Bye Britannica! by: Jas Faulkner
  March 21, 2012, 07:24
  Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T...Britannica has one T... and two Ns. >sigh< Yes, I am dyslexic. Really. Last week’s announcement…
- Viva los Librotraficantes! by: Jas Faulkner
  March 18, 2012, 11:26
  by Jas Faulkner author's note: Many thanks to everyone who pointed out the number of times I misspelled "Tucson" and apologies for misidentifying John…
- When Did Children's Books Become Political Fodder? by: Diane Plumley
  March 6, 2012, 10:27
  I am not taking a political point of view here, just asking the question of just how and when books written by the likes of Dr. Seuss become political…
- Memoir or Fiction? by: Diane Plumley
  March 3, 2012, 23:23
  I finished a mesmerizing story of a horrific but in some ways magical childhood, and started musing over it. The story and its particulars stayed with me all…
- Phone Booth Libraries by: Diane Plumley
  February 29, 2012, 19:29
  At first, the concept of shelves of books as teeny libraries in New York City phone booths seemed laughable. I mean, we're talking about NYC, where men…
- Oscar Winning Short--Fantastic Flying Books--Limited Time Online!!! by: Diane Plumley
  February 28, 2012, 13:45
  I didn't realize when I watched the Oscars the other night, that the winner of the award for Short Animation was from the hand of the fantastic children's…
- Separating the Writer From His Work by: Diane Plumley
  February 25, 2012, 17:38
  I was searching for info about an Alice in Wonderland in french, illustrated by an artist Morin, when another link popped up about a novel called Alice I…
- The Malice Domestic Writers Awards by: Diane Plumley
  February 21, 2012, 16:24
  The Malice Domestic awards are called Agathas, after the prolific icon, Agatha Christie. They are bestowed to fans' favorite authors each year at a conference…
- Are Online Reviews of Books By Customers Fair? by: Diane Plumley
  February 15, 2012, 17:43
  I was starting to research an article about Valentine Day mysteries, and began with looking up a title by Dorothy Cannell. I've sold the lovely Ms. Cannell's…
- Self Pubbed Author Slams Publishers as Unnecessary by: Diane Plumley
  February 10, 2012, 18:57
  J. A. Konrath, whom I've heard of, only through facebook constantly recommending I friend him because so many of my friends are his friends, responded to an…
- Oh, How I Agree! Mostly. by: Diane Plumley
  February 6, 2012, 21:49
  My friend and superlative bookseller/bookshop owner, Maryelizabeth Hart, owner of The Mysterious Galaxy--with two locations now!--posted a link to this article…
- Good For Them! But Is It a Sound Business Move? by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2012, 13:25
  Publisher's Weekly covered the announcement by Barnes and Noble, that they will not carry anything published by Amazon in their brick and mortar stores. The…
- Uplifting News About Independent Bookstores by: Diane Plumley
  January 31, 2012, 02:18
  I was off looking for a different article, when my path crossed this rather nice upbeat article on the state of indies. Take a gander and hopefully it will…
- Mystery Writers Awards--The Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award by: Diane Plumley
  January 30, 2012, 23:31
  2012 Left Coast Crime, a convention for fans and writers of crime fiction will meet March 29--April 1st in Sacramento, CA for Mining For Murder. As I…
- Mystery Writers Awards--The Dilys Award by: Diane Plumley
  January 29, 2012, 03:28
  Recently, the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association voted on which books they most enjoyed selling. This award, among other mystery writers awards, truly…
- How technology can help your bookstore grow by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 20, 2012, 10:37
  a guest post by Jacob Thompson A lot of news organizations love to run stories complaining about how technology and the internet have contributed to the…
- Financially Rewarding? by: Diane Plumley
  January 20, 2012, 08:46
  Let's face it, working in a bookshop is not going to gain boffo sums of money for the employee. If lucky, and you are the manager, you do bring home a wage…
- Terrifically Sad News by: Diane Plumley
  January 13, 2012, 20:03
  One of the most erudite, funny, brilliant writers in today's world of empty sentiments and repetitive story lines, Reginald Hill, has passed away. For those…
- New Printing Techniques For Book Manufacturers by: Diane Plumley
  January 12, 2012, 13:14
  An article passed to me by my husband who works with print production, outlines some new processes book manufacturers are using to help keep up with publish on…
- Scary Days for Toronto Bookstores by: Matthew Singleton
  January 10, 2012, 09:43
  Every time I tell people I want to open a bookstore I get weird looks that can be roughly translated as “have you really thought this through?” Then they…
- Parental Interference Allowed To Run Amuck by: Diane Plumley
  January 5, 2012, 17:45
  I don't know what else to call this unbelievable turn in the issue of censorship and disruption of public school curriculum. I only know that a state I…
- Christopher Hitchens, Writer, Dies by: Diane Plumley
  December 18, 2011, 19:23
  I have a bunch of articles on the burner, but when I heard of Hitchens' death, and read some obits, I thought I'd comment. I've not read any of his books. I've…
- Fantastic New York Times Editorial on amazon Trickery by: Diane Plumley
  December 13, 2011, 20:11
  Richard Russo interviewed several best selling authors about the recent amazon trickery, and the results were comforting, at least. The authors, including,…
- Amazon, or aka, Scum of the Universe by: Diane Plumley
  December 10, 2011, 22:29
  You know, I honestly used to enjoy buying certain books from this giant non taxing paying Walmart in the ethernet sky. That was before slave labor was…
- The Format Wars have begun by: Matthew Singleton
  December 9, 2011, 08:33
  The Format Wars have begun! To arms! To arms! Choose your weapon, grab your hardcovers for close-in combat, your paperbacks for ranged attacks. Get…
- Internet Sales Tax Legislation Gains Steam by: Joe Waynick
  December 6, 2011, 14:43
  New legislation to impose state sales tax collection requirements on Internet retailers such as Amazon.com is in the works according to Republican Senator…
- Is Canada A Better Protector Of Intellectual Freedom? by: Diane Plumley
  December 3, 2011, 20:45
  I ran across an article about challenges the Canadian libraries and school libraries faced for the year 2010. Despite lagging a year behind in their statistics,…
- 30 Years of Banned Books Week Posters by: Diane Plumley
  December 1, 2011, 14:09
  I thought I'd throw this little snippet up because the wonderful posters about banning books are all gathered onto one page, and it's amazing what books were…
- Neck Deep in PODs (Publish on Demand) by: Diane Plumley
  November 30, 2011, 17:51
  An interesting article once again explores the impact of print on demand books. A offbeat attitude is displayed by the author of the article, Clive Thompson.…
- Political Correctness in Literature Appears to Be Universal by: Diane Plumley
  November 10, 2011, 20:22
  No, not another censorship article, but close! Once again, wandering around the net with no clear destination, Pippi Longstocking popped up. Not because she is…
- Word on the Street is IKEA controls the Publishing Industry by: Matthew Singleton
  October 3, 2011, 08:10
  IKEA controls the printing industry, apparently. Or at least, that’s the impression I got from the articles that were flying around a couple of weeks ago…
- Jeff Bezos and Amazon--The New Robber Barons? by: Diane Plumley
  October 2, 2011, 22:32
  Have we as a working nation learned nothing from the past? Are we all so self involved, that when a news story reports a company is mistreating workers,…
- Should Internet Sellers Be Forced To Collect State Sales Taxes? by: Joe Waynick
  September 28, 2011, 11:56
  By Joe Waynick Internet retail giant Amazon.com and the state of California have been locked in legal combat the past few months because state lawmakers want…
- Judging A Book By Its Cover by: Diane Plumley
  September 26, 2011, 20:35
  How do you decide what book to purchase? Does your selection process change if in a small independent bookshop, or a large supermarket store, or online with…
- Why I Am Thrilled to Be An 'East Coast Elitist' by: Diane Plumley
  September 20, 2011, 21:37
  You've heard that term before, right? Any time someone says anything contrary to the established beliefs of small vocal radical conservative groups, and they…
- Literary Writers Conference in New York City Nov. 3-4 by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 15, 2011, 11:16
  Attention Writers: The Council of Literary Magazines and Presses would like to invite you to LWC}NYC, an important Literary Writers Conference in New York City…
- Banned Books Week--Coming Soon To You by: Diane Plumley
  September 14, 2011, 00:09
  If you've been around my articles for any amount of time you may have noticed my links to the organization called Banned Books Week. There is an actual week of…
- The Bookseller and Mystery Community Mourns the Loss of Enid Schantz by: Diane Plumley
  September 6, 2011, 20:56
  Recently, a friend and iconic member of the independent bookshop community, Enid Schantz, lost her battle with cancer. Enid with her husband Tom, were one of…
- Hurricane Damaged Libraries Need Help For Their Childrens Section by: Diane Plumley
  September 2, 2011, 14:35
  On one of my weird road trips I had the privilege of visiting the little town of Wells in the NY Adirondack mountains. So it's disturbing to find out how much…
- Now SHERLOCK HOLMES Has Been Targeted--The Same Old Song--School Book Censorship, by: Diane Plumley
  August 30, 2011, 15:53
  This is getting ridiculous. A Study In Scarlet has been removed from a Virginia 6th grade curriculum--why? Because some of the passages are florid descriptions…
- Like You and Me, an eBook Can Also Have a Sudden Demise by: Matthew Singleton
  August 23, 2011, 09:15
  Borders has closed. This is a shame and a travesty. In an era when there is more being published and more of the population is literate than ever before,…
- How To Partner With Book Dealers by: Joe Waynick
  August 18, 2011, 08:44
  By Joe Waynick It should be obvious that book dealers and used book store owners are natural allies. Then why is it so difficult for these two groups to see…
- Booksellers: "A Very Special Class Of Condescending Nerd" by: Diane Plumley
  August 17, 2011, 23:14
  "Book stores employ a very special class of condescending nerd... "If bookstores fall, America will be inundated with a wandering�…
- Nice to Meet You, We’re The Artless Dodges Press by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 12, 2011, 10:19
  - from The Artless Dodges Press You know the joke: six writers, one designer, and a couple of their supportive friends walk into a bar in Cleveland. They each…
- 2011 Sellers Conference for Online Entrepreneurs (SCOE) Is A Hit by: Joe Waynick
  July 29, 2011, 11:16
  By Joe Waynick For the past three years I’ve attend the annual SCOE conference held every July in Seattle, WA for online entrepreneurs. And every year it…
- Borders Announces Total Liquidation by: Joe Waynick
  July 23, 2011, 14:10
  By Joe Waynick I never expected this. I thought Borders would emerge from bankruptcy a stronger company after shedding most of its debts and excess…
- Bringing the Printed Word to Life by: Matthew Singleton
  July 21, 2011, 11:44
  Quite often I’ve written about civic engagement being a big part of what a brick-and-mortar bookstore can do to build a customer base. By being…
- An Interview With Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin About Katrina and His New Book by: Diane Plumley
  July 13, 2011, 16:21
  Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has graciously answered some questions regarding his experience during the Katrina hurricane catastrophe and the self…
- James Patterson--Young Adult Novelist? by: Diane Plumley
  July 8, 2011, 13:55
  Recently, an article highlighting prolific writer and fantastic sales person, James Patterson, brought to the forefront his foray into YA lit. I somehow missed…
- Where have all The Great Books gone? by: Nora O'Neill
  July 1, 2011, 00:04
  It's the time of the year where students have to pick up the required summer reading for high school. While these lists are filled with good books, they are…
- How ebooks will make the printed book even BETTER by: Nora O'Neill
  June 29, 2011, 16:09
  Everywhere you look you see increasingly paniced headlines that ebooks are killing printed books. In some areas they are... in some other they're bringing…
- Macavity Awards Nominees Announced! by: Diane Plumley
  June 23, 2011, 10:36
  Mystery Fanfare, a fantastic blog by long time crime fiction expert Janet Rudolph announced the nominees yesterday. The award will be presented at the annual…
- New Hardboiled Suspense Novel From Jan Burke by: Diane Plumley
  June 22, 2011, 19:26
  Jan Burke, one of the rare women who have succeeded in the usually male world of hardboiled suspense novels, has a new title out--a sequel to her Edgar Award…
- A Familiar Story--Sherman Alexie's Book Banned Again! by: Diane Plumley
  June 21, 2011, 16:28
  I have to say, that reporting on these banned books stories is discouraging. Especially when I thought this particular problem was put to bed, as it were. But…
- The 2011 Wolfe Award Nominees Are Announced by: Diane Plumley
  June 17, 2011, 14:55
  Each year the premier fan club for Rex Stout and his mystery series starring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, The Wolfe Pack, have a banquet honoring those who…
- Jane Austen is Spinning in Her Grave by: Diane Plumley
  June 15, 2011, 10:32
  I don't even know where to begin, the subject is so ridiculous, and yet brain boiling at the same time. Mr. Naipaul believes he is a better writer than Jane…
- Sherman Alexie's Brilliant Moving Response to Wall Street Journal Article by: Diane Plumley
  June 14, 2011, 15:58
  I give respect to The Wall Street Journal, this time, because they allowed a couple of counter voices to the smug privileged nonsense Ms. Gurdon wrote…
- Author Terry Pratchett Ponders Assisted Suicide by: Diane Plumley
  June 14, 2011, 10:30
  From Quill and Quire, this article caught my eye--I was slightly shocked by the headline, and even more so by the information I'd not known before, that there…
- Number 99--The Secret Beyond the Door--Rufus King--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 15:54
  99. The Secret Beyond the Door-(original title: Museum Piece No.13)--Rufus King-1946--Doubleday Crime Club--OOP I chose to use the title under…
- The Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--The List! by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 14:05
  THE BEST 100 MYSTERY BOOKS OF ALL TIME--THE LIST!! Each chosen book will have it's own page and as each title is added, the list here will grow. Check back…
- Mystery Loves Company Booksellers To Host Author Donna Andrews by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 00:21
  From the Mystery Loves Company Booksellers Facebook Page: "It is official Donna Andrews will sign "The Real Macaw" on Saturday June 23 in Oxford at…
- Another Point of View On 'Dark" Young Adult Literature, From the Wall Street Journal by: Diane Plumley
  June 9, 2011, 12:44
  http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/05/should-book-covers-shield-young-adult-readers-from-the-world/ Apparently there was so much outcry over the negative…
- "Too Dark" For Young Adults? by: Diane Plumley
  June 7, 2011, 10:17
  I don't read young adult literature, and don't have any young adults around at the moment who do. So, I'm not in a position to say whether all the books out…
- Lilian Jackson Braun, Author of The Cat Who Etc., novels dies at 97 by: Diane Plumley
  June 7, 2011, 09:29
  If you're not familiar with this author, she wrote what seemed like a billion books involving a couple of cats that help solve crimes. Honestly, I didn't…
- The End For Curious George by: Diane Plumley
  June 7, 2011, 08:14
  Shelf Awareness has a link to this sad story of 2 more fine independent bookstore closings--this time in Harvard Square, MA. Curious George bookshop opened in…
- An Incomprehensible Book Made Even Worse by: Diane Plumley
  June 4, 2011, 22:29
  I know I'm probably in the minority, but Ulysses is like one long long long run on sentence to me. What was James Joyce on, anyway, while writing this? I also…
- The Griffin Poetry Award Winner by: Diane Plumley
  June 2, 2011, 18:12
  From Quill and Quire http://www.quillandquire.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/01/dionne-brand-gets-the-griffin/ Just a quick question--does anyone read poetry…
- Yet Again! Another Hysterical Parent Terrified Of 5th Grade Sex Education Book by: Diane Plumley
  June 2, 2011, 13:22
  I'm sorry, but if you haven't had any discussion with your child about the basics of reproduction by the age of 10, it's you that have the problem, not a…
- Independent Mystery Booksellers Association (IMBA)--This Month's Killer Books by: Diane Plumley
  June 2, 2011, 13:00
  As a former indie bookseller, this association's monthly lists helped me find new authors to recommend and confirmed some of my own choices. As the website…
- eBooks Are Big, but Printed Books Are Still Bigger by: Matthew Singleton
  May 23, 2011, 09:49
  It’s not all doom and gloom for bookstores despite the news I woke up to Friday morning. I was awoken by CBC’s morning radio show host interviewing one of…
- Libraries Imitate Bookstores, Bookstores Imitate Libraries by: Matthew Singleton
  May 9, 2011, 21:22
  The Internet, the ebook, modern society in general, is changing the publishing industry in fundamental ways. I’m a librarian by training. Just as…
- Does Trash Culture Have a Place in Indie Bookstores? by: Jessica Hayes
  May 6, 2011, 18:06
  Book ordering is critically important in how customers view a store, stock is (if not the most important) one of the single reasons a customer will purchase in…
- Dinner With Edgar by: Diane Plumley
  April 30, 2011, 22:58
  For those of you who have not experienced the thrill of an Edgar A. Poe banquet and awards ceremony, don't think Oscars. But, don't think Elks Club meeting or…
- Burning Books by: Diane Plumley
  April 27, 2011, 15:21
  Burning, destroying books for any reason is inexcusable. Burning them because of 'religious beliefs' is incomprehensible. Recently, in Colorado City Arizona,…
- Should a Bookshop Entertain the Idea of Self Publishing Books? by: Matthew Singleton
  April 4, 2011, 13:41
  - Self Publishing, Print-on-Demand and How Bookstores Fit In Earlier today I finished an amazing book. The Best Laid Plans, by Terry Fallis, is a Canadian…
- And The Lefty And Dilys Winners Are . . . by: Diane Plumley
  March 27, 2011, 22:34
  Attendees at the 2011 Left Coast Conference in Santa Fe voted for the following winners. The Lefty Award for the Best Humorous Mystery Novel: The Pot Thief…
- Censorship-Here, There, and Everywhere by: Diane Plumley
  March 24, 2011, 18:25
  I've never heard of someone demanding a bookseller remove an "offensive" book from their store before. I don't think as a bookseller, I've ever encountered it.…
- Lefty Nominees by: Diane Plumley
  March 24, 2011, 04:38
  Tomorrow evening the annual Lefty awards will be announced. Left Coast Crime's annual convention is running currently, and people interested in attenting…
- Three Notes About eBooks by: Matthew Singleton
  March 14, 2011, 23:07
  In recent days I have been made aware of three developments in the eBooks industry. One is a philosophical development, two are commercial. Two, in my…
- Advice To Aspiring Authors by: Diane Plumley
  March 9, 2011, 20:33
  Popular soft boiled mystery author, Nancy Martin, has some wise words to impart to those who are interested in the world of writing, and being published. I was…
- Question for--Booksellers, Librarians, Teachers: What are 'Age Appropriate' Books? by: Diane Plumley
  March 6, 2011, 04:43
  In my discussion about the banning of Water for Elephants for high school age kids by a school district in NH, the question of age appropriateness came up,…
- Can a Person Have Too Many Books? by: Diane Plumley
  March 3, 2011, 23:41
  Yes. Yes. And yes. Did I mention I think someone can have too many books? Why the question now? Why the question period? I'm always hearing from friends how…
- I Am SO Sick of Parents Dictating What Is Read in High School by: Diane Plumley
  February 24, 2011, 05:39
  Yet again!! Parents must interfere with school curriculum! Banned Books reports all instances of challenged titles throughout the world--thank goodness some…
- Printed Books Are Too Important to Die by: Matthew Singleton
  February 24, 2011, 04:02
  A few months ago while reading through some random magazine (so I once again cannot find this article and what I am talking about comes from memory) I came…
- How my Bookshop Plans to Survive e-Books by: Amber Short
  February 23, 2011, 20:23
  ... or see a 45 year old woman in a tea shop in my small town reading The Grapes of Wrath on her kindle while eating a chocolate chip cookie. Part of me wants…
- Celebrated Author Margaret Atwood's Take on e-books by: Diane Plumley
  February 23, 2011, 18:21
  Margaret Atwood, author of such books as Lady Oracle, and The Blind Assassin gives her opinion regarding new technology vs. 'real' books. What I found…
- CBC First Ever Book Awards For Canadian Authors by: Diane Plumley
  February 23, 2011, 15:43
  I'm sorry, but they need to rethink the title of the award: Golden Beaver. This is a certificate given to the winner of a "Bookie". The categories are also…
- Quick Info For The Clark Mother and Daughter Fans by: Diane Plumley
  February 22, 2011, 17:32
  Murder by the Book BREAKING NEWS! It's official: Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark will be doing an evening event at MBTB on Monday, May 2, at 6:30…
- New Expanded Article-Malice Domestic Agatha Award Nominees Announced!! by: Diane Plumley
  February 18, 2011, 14:32
  The Agatha Awards are different than The Edgars, in that they are voted on by readers and writers--anyone who attends the Malice Domestic convention each year.…
- Edgar Allan Poe Home in Baltimore MD In Trouble by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2011, 17:20
  Mystery Scene Magazine has published an article by Oline Cogdill about the uncertain fate of one of the United States most important author's home being forced…
- Hopefully Martin Amis is a Better Writer than Speaker by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2011, 15:37
  Because if the quotes we hear from him are any indication, as a public figure who speaks, he's registering between insensitive nitwit, and downright nasty…
- Out of Jeopardy--E-Book All Ready To Go by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2011, 15:19
  Well, at least publishers intend to print a hardcover later on. My question, is there really a need to have either? What info could possibly be imparted about…
- The Imminent Murder of The Book by: Diane Plumley
  February 14, 2011, 20:30
  Books as we have known them since Gutenberg printed the first bible; paper, glue, boards, cover artwork, all the physical attributes will soon disappear the…
- This Just In: Borders To Declare Bankruptcy This Week by: Diane Plumley
  February 14, 2011, 17:51
  Another chain falls. What this means to the independent bookshop and customer, I'm not sure. Read the news here: http://shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=13…
- Famous Librarian Nancy Pearl's Funny and True Rules About Reading by: Diane Plumley
  February 14, 2011, 13:22
  Nancy Pearl, the librarian with an action figure to her name, has revised her '50 page' rule. First, if for some reason you've never heard of the book maven,…
- Sad News-Brian Jacques, Author of Redwall Series Passes Away by: Diane Plumley
  February 10, 2011, 20:36
  I used to see his titles on the shelves all the time, and whenever I saw an illustration of what looked to me like a ferret--I would get excited. Of course,…
- One Writer's Thoughts on e-books, and Bad News from Powell's Bookstore by: Diane Plumley
  February 9, 2011, 15:16
  On the same page located on shelfawareness.com, a wonderful quote by an author sums up my feelings, and probably many other booklovers, to a tee. Right below…
- Unbelievable Find! Unpublished Dashiell Hammett Short Stories Unearthed in Texas. by: Diane Plumley
  February 8, 2011, 13:43
  For those of us in the mystery community, this is like a gift from noir heaven! Hammett, famous for Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles and a slew of short…
- Thanking My Lucky Stars I Was a Baby Boomer Student by: Diane Plumley
  February 7, 2011, 15:12
  When I read something like the following article I found on Banned Books Week , I realize how darn lucky I was growing up in a world that hadn't yet discovered …
- Extremely Important Info for Canadian Booksellers by: Diane Plumley
  February 7, 2011, 11:55
  On Qull and Quire an open letter by the CEO of Macmillan publishers regarding the bankruptcy of their Canadian distributer was posted. Booksellers should…
- Important Article about Digital Books by: Diane Plumley
  February 2, 2011, 13:36
  I found this at Quill and Quire and felt bookstore owners and others here should be kept up to date on the trends involving, in my opinion, soulless objects…
- Malice Domestic–Make Your Reservations: April 29 – May 1, 2011 at the Hyatt, Bethesda, MD by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 20:07
  "Established in 1989, Malice Domestic® is an annual "fun fan" convention in metropolitan Washington, D.C., saluting the traditional mystery—books best…
- The Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore’s Upcoming Author Signings and Events by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 15:17
  "Mysterious Galaxy is a genre store specializing in science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and horror.' I like to inform readers, other booksellers etc, of…
- Why I Hate the Film You've Got Mail by: Diane Plumley
  February 1, 2011, 01:33
  No, not because it's a re-re-make of a 1930s James Stewart film, The Shop Around the Corner, or because it's a remake of a later film with Judy Garland which…
- Should One Person Decide A Schoolbook Should Be Banned? by: Diane Plumley
  January 31, 2011, 17:36
  One woman's quest to ban a book in a Middle York, PA elementary school library continues on, even though district officials and educators deemed it acceptable…
- A Snippet of Book News--Nominee's for the Dilys Awards by: Diane Plumley
  January 31, 2011, 15:19
  Recently, the Independent Mystery Bookseller's Association, or IMBA, announced the nominees for their annual award. The Dilys is named after Dilys Winn, the…
- Does your community bookstore truly reflect your community? by: Nora O'Neill
  January 29, 2011, 18:14
  The faces on the books you pick to display can either welcome the community into your shop or they can send the subtle message that only a certain type of…
- Local Bookstores Know Your Books (and Their Books) by: Matthew Singleton
  January 16, 2011, 07:15
  I'm going to paraphrase Spider Robinson. A long time ago I read something he wrote. I forget where it was written and I forgot when it was written, but it…
- Heather Reisman, Indigo and the demise of the Canadian small book store. by: Brian Green
  December 28, 2010, 12:20
  How Canada's largest book retailer has been slowly wiping out the independent bookshop.
- Google eBooks: A Game-Changer? by: Matthew Singleton
  December 7, 2010, 09:29
  It seems almost too good to be true. Earlier today I found out about Google's new ebook service, Google eBooks, which will apparently be available in the US…
- Retailers need public awareness - and support by: Therese Holland
  December 2, 2010, 09:01
  Charging a browsing fee? Setting the tax and duty de minimus too high for private importations has been extremely detrimental to Australian retailers. This…
- 0 Cash Prize – could you use an extra hundred dollars ? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 17, 2010, 14:50
  Could you use an extra hundred dollars? The Bookshop Blog just launched a new Discussion Community called Readers & Dealers. These types of forums often…
- The Viability of Traditional Book Retailing by: Therese Holland
  November 11, 2010, 22:25
  Under Pressure or Retail is Tough Post railway reconstruction and our passing trade is still way down, the Aldi site is still a closed petrol station…
- Something is rotten in the book shop by: Brian Green
  November 4, 2010, 23:19
  Offending a book lover's ol factory can be costly.
- The Book Thief or “A Man’s Gotta Have a Code” by: Therese Holland
  October 25, 2010, 09:30
  It is easy to draw parallels between the experiences of the music publishing industry and the book publishing industry and assume that everyone will be reading…
- Book Sellers: Don't Fear the eBook by: Matthew Singleton
  October 21, 2010, 10:06
  I went to the New York Comic Convention this past weekend. In between wandering the show floor, meeting authors, artists, and book store owners who had booths…
- A New Zealand Odyssey, Bookshop Style by: Therese Holland
  October 18, 2010, 09:45
  Where to find the best second hand books in New Zealand..
- Our Bookshop Event: Where’s President Carter? by: Megan Shea
  October 6, 2010, 11:23
  When we booked our event with former President Jimmy Carter, we began a half-joking ritual of knocking on wood whenever we mentioned our preparations. As the…
- What's Your Favorite Bookshop Website? by: Shane Gottwals
  September 24, 2010, 13:42
  Shane Gottwals www.gottwalsbooks.com A Tour of Bookstore Websites I spent two days last week looking at 87 different bookstore websites. After doing all that,…
- Cut and Paste 101 or Feedback Fumble by: Therese Holland
  September 21, 2010, 09:10
  Online selling using listing services comes with a couple of necessary evils one of which is feedback. I quickly developed a phobia for feedback during my…
- Book Sellers, Do You Trade Fairly? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  September 20, 2010, 09:24
  Buyers and sellers have a complicated relationship, we sell and they buy which sounds simple but in Australia the buyer is protected by the Trade Practices Act…
- Living with COPD and a Little Book Promotion by: Brian Webster
  September 9, 2010, 16:18
  The books are our normal problem, correcting the many errors we made when first we started selling them. We loved and collected books but by golly, we didn't…
- Just another day for an Aussie book dealer by: Therese Holland
  September 2, 2010, 14:01
  Yesterday I made my most accidental sale of all time. Someone had emailed me earlier in the week asking for bank details so they could pay for a book, the eBay…
- Open a Used Bookstore! by: Shane Gottwals
  August 23, 2010, 07:17
  Shane Gottwals www.gottwalsbooks.com Want to open a bookstore? Don't want it to fail? I'll assume both of these are affirmatives since you have come to The…
- Ebooks, Digital Preservation and a Nice First Edition by: Matthew Singleton
  July 27, 2010, 07:10
  Frequently when I mention to someone my intentions to open a bookstore I will get an askance look and “why would you do that?” When I explain my various…
- How Our Town Started, Lamar Colorado by: Caro Hedge
  July 26, 2010, 13:59
  Once upon a time, in 1886, there were a lot of people who wanted the American Dream. In other words, they wanted to make big pots of money, and/or own a nice…
- Bookshop Tips by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 21, 2010, 11:47
  Finding bookshop tips or suggestions on how to run your business more effectively can be like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Even within this site it…
- A Bone of Contention with Mr. Clive James by: Therese Holland
  July 19, 2010, 07:11
  I have a bone to pick with a Mr Clive James. Could someone give Mr James a hoy and let him know he needs to get back out there and promote his books. I have a…
- The Glamorous Life of a Used Book Dealer by: Therese Holland
  July 12, 2010, 07:53
  The Internet is My Ball and Chain Sometimes, just for a fleeting moment I hanker for the good old nine to five. Why? Because when you sell on line your work…
- Are second hand book shops a dying breed in Australia? by: Therese Holland
  July 6, 2010, 06:54
  As readers are probably aware books are comparatively more expensive in Australia then say in the US or Canada. So from a buyers perspective the prospect of…
- The Ethics of Book Selling by: Suzie Eisfelder
  July 5, 2010, 06:10
  I've been part of a discussion about the ethics of online selling recently. We've been following the antics of one seller on an online auction site and have…
- Sell Used Books Online: A Free Resource by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 1, 2010, 07:42
  Are you considering learning all you can on how to sell used books online? If you have, you've made one of the first great decisions. You've decided to look…
- Are the Days of the Real Book Numbered? by: Brian Webster
  June 24, 2010, 09:08
  CAN THIS BE THE END? BY Brian W. Webster I can feel the tremor of fear that runs through the book world with the advent of computered books and, to be…
- How can a book seller stand out from the crowd? by: Paul Young
  April 29, 2010, 19:12
  A Terrific Reply from Paul Young of PRYING1books.com In another posting on Bookshop Blog (Desperately Seeking Synopsis) the question was asked about putting…
- Build a Personal Library by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 28, 2010, 23:34
  Do you want to build a personal library, don't wait - start today. If you are anything like me, you are in love with your library! Filling your library with a…
- Not All Booksellers Are Congenial by: Pamela Grath
  April 28, 2010, 22:18
  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…
- How Do You Shelve Your Books When Patrons Are Not An Issue? by: Amanda Dixon
  April 13, 2010, 23:14
  I was having a look through some old Bookshop Blogs and found this one bookstore-shelving and it got me to thinking about the storage system I use at…
- Selling Books around the World by: Louis Gereaux
  March 24, 2010, 00:14
  Written By Louis Gereaux With the advent of the web, many bookstores whether online or not have sold books internationally, or have considered selling to…
- Where do you get your Book News ? by: Megan Shea
  March 17, 2010, 22:05
  A customer approached me this weekend with a laundry list of books. One title was On The Brink by Henry M. Paulson, Jr. -- we were sold out and the books were…
- Established bookshop owners: Are You Getting Bored Yet? by: Shane Gottwals
  February 21, 2010, 21:19
  "Do any of you feel like exploding from your chair when you're at work?" Maybe some of you enjoy the experience so much that you never tire of it. I wouldn't…
- Bookshop For Sale by Owner, Woodstock NY by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 17, 2010, 22:10
  Dear Fellow Independent Booksellers: After 32 years in business, The Golden Notebook, located in Woodstock, New York, is looking for a new owner. This step…
- Tread lightly.....this is Holy Ground by: William Hammond
  February 3, 2010, 19:30
  Over the years, has I have gotten older; I continue to prayerfully read his stories. I never tire of the poetics in the small gestures and details or the lofty…
- Young Man on Train Reading Simone Weil by: William Hammond
  January 27, 2010, 20:14
  The book, a paperback edition of Simone Weil’s The Need for Roots, was cradled by the young man in the palms of his hands. He sat with dignity, his formal…
- Roll up your sleeves and get to work bookshop owners by: Amanda Dixon
  January 20, 2010, 22:41
  Having recently returned from our annual Christmas camping trip, I decided the time has come to make my plans for this year. To start treating this hobby as a…
- Being Competitive From Afar... by: Amanda Dixon
  December 26, 2009, 08:41
  As you may have seen in my previous post, I live in Perth Western Australia. A very far away place to be. The internet has provided a more even playing field…
- Why you won’t find Disney books in my store. by: Bob Lewis
  November 26, 2009, 11:31
  Long ago when my children were young, I was reading them the story of Pinocchio in a Walt Disney book. I started telling them about the Italian who had written…
- The Second Renaissance – bigger, better, faster! by: Bob Lewis
  February 15, 2009, 00:58
  When books become available and affordable, the value of reading and writing became apparent. Ideas could be spread rapidly. When people could read they could…
- Have you read all these books? by: Bob Lewis
  February 6, 2009, 08:54
  Have you read all these books? I have several answers, including: – “I’m working on it.” or “Yup. Twice.” Another one: “Do you read much?” Me:…
- Open A Used Bookstore – Lessons Learned by: Michelle
  January 13, 2009, 21:36
  Are you thinking of how to open a book store? Here are a few good lessons from somebody who has. Check out this article and many others on how to open a book…
- Want to Open a Bookshop That is Sure to Fail? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 2, 2009, 00:22
  There are plenty of success stories out there and I can confidently tell you that making a used bookshop work is not impossible, even during tougher times.…
- Blog ReBOOT - A New Bookshop Blog Coming Soon by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 30, 2008, 09:46
  A ReBoot of The Bookshop Blog. The ReBoot will consist of a brand new look, daily news and hopefully continued support from the bookselling community. You…
- Downturns can lead to inspiration and positive change by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 28, 2008, 21:52
  Looking for some insight into ideas that can help fellow owners during this tough time.
- Bookstore Profiles - We Want to Hear About You by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 3, 2008, 18:34
  We thought it would be fun to get to know some of the other stories out there. Who are the operators of other bookstores and what can they teach us.
- An Open Letter To Graduating English Majors by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  June 28, 2008, 13:02
  Career choices can be difficult for English Majors. Perhaps a career in Antiquarian bookselling may be appealing.
- Do you enjoy writing about Books or Bookselling? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 18, 2008, 08:02
  Care to join a blog specializing in how to sell books. We also accept stories on book collecting and book reviews.
- You Think Moving Your home is a Pain, Try This. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 13, 2008, 14:35
  The owners of Acres of Books are being forced to relocate. That means moving thousands upon thousands of books, a huge undertaking.
- Report from a Beantown Book & Antiques Fair by: Tom Nealon
  April 29, 2008, 09:30
  An insiders view of an antique book fair, should booksellers feel optimistic?
- Excuse me; do you have this in Cantonese? by: Larissa Swayze
  April 23, 2008, 08:14
  For most, the first step towards owning a bookshop is working in one. Here is Larissa\'s story. Let\'s follow her as she moves towards the next goal.
- Guinness Record Update by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 21, 2008, 12:18
  An update on the attempt to break a Guinness Record for selling Romance Pocketbooks
- Are You An Optimistic Book Seller? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 17, 2008, 08:21
  A nice piece asking the question to book people. Seems most book dealer lean towards pessimism yet optimism is a requirement for success.
- Chapter 2. The Epiphany (dreaming of a bookstore series) by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  April 15, 2008, 12:33
  Our ongoing series following Jessica and her wish to become an owner of her own bookshop.
- Abe raising rates again.. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 3, 2008, 20:06
  Abe just announced that they will be taking a slice of all shipping charges for themselves to the tune of 8%. Looks like most dealers will raise their rates by…
- Is the world ready for The Book Spider? by: Tom Nealon
  March 23, 2008, 20:31
  Some thoughts on how to control a book store inventory. Clicks and Bricks bookstore ideas.
- Some Final Thoughts from Sir Arthur C. Clarke - 1917-2008 by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 20, 2008, 08:58
  Arthur Clarke paases away March 2008, his last interview from Sri Lanka
- Yes, I know what a Dust Jacket is… by: Larissa Swayze
  March 16, 2008, 13:58
  Considering a quest to become an owner of a bookstore.
- Going for an actual Guinness Record! by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 14, 2008, 09:02
  Trying to get into the Guiness Book by selling the most romance books.
- Can Independent Book Dealers Benefit From 'Print on Demand'? by: Elizabeth Grant-Gibson
  March 12, 2008, 19:50
  an interesting overview on how POD and used or independant dealers can co-exist. Book dealers ad Publishers.
- Gary Gygax, Dungeons and Dragons co-creator passes away by: Nora O'Neill
  March 5, 2008, 08:43
  Gygax (along with Dave Arneson) was the creator of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game which is the quintessential nerd hobby
- Neil Gaiman's Free Book by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 2, 2008, 10:15
  A link to the free book by Neil Gaiman, enjoy
- The Bookseller’s Gazette Issue #3 by: William Smith
  February 25, 2008, 20:01
  We have an ongoing Gazette of some great books recently mentioned in the news thus increasing the awareness (and potential sales inquiries)
- Internet Commerce: Building a Bridge to the 20th Century by: Tom Nealon
  February 19, 2008, 18:41
  Innovation has been limited (have a look at any of the book sites via the Internet Archive's Way Back Machine which archives sections of the internet)- the…
- Dana Richardson – Bookseller? by: Dana Richardson
  February 15, 2008, 19:01
  I officially made my transition from fanatic book reader to bookselling fanatic in 1993 when I was in my late thirties. I’ve always been a slow learner and…
- Following the dream of Opening a Bookstore by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  February 13, 2008, 20:02
  Follow the dream of a women who wants to open her own bookshop. Will she do it? How hard is it? Follow the story...
- Report from the Pulpwood Queen's Girlfriend Weekend by: Elizabeth Grant-Gibson
  February 11, 2008, 21:28
  by Elisabeth Grant-Gibson - A couple of weeks ago, I made the pilgrimage to Jefferson, Texas, for the annual Girlfriend Weekend that Kathy Patrick and her…
- If you shrivel at the sight of competition, maybe bookselling isn't for you. by: Scott Davis
  February 5, 2008, 21:57
  A first post by a new writer here at The Bookshop Blog. Scott Davis runs an Amazon Store as well as an eBay Store. Check out his sites.. **********************…
- A Conversation with Philip Pullman by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 30, 2008, 21:04
  A conversation with author Philip Pullman (courtesy charlierose.com)
- The Next Dan Brown Book is Coming....soon...maybe by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 27, 2008, 22:16
  When will Dan Brown\'s new book on the Freemason\'s come out? Will it still be called The Solomon Key?
- Can Used Bookstores do Well in a Down Economy? by: Tom Nealon
  January 24, 2008, 18:49
  Some thoughts on what booshops can do during a down economy from Tom Nealon at Pazzo Books
- Such is the nature of life... by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 29, 2007, 21:36
  A list of authors that have died in 2007.
- These books will make money on eBay. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 18, 2007, 08:40
  The top 10 US out of print books, all sure money makers.
- A New Book Coming from Philip Pullman by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 17, 2007, 18:58
  A new book by Philip Pullman, creator of The Golden Compass, is due out in the spring of 2008.
- Keys to a Prosperous Book Store by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 3, 2007, 18:58
  Business moves for both an Online and brick and mortar bookshop
- More thoughts on the Kindle.. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 22, 2007, 18:00
  Here are some thoughts on Amazon's Kindle eBook reader from Tony Leblanc of Cover to Cover Books. ****************** I'm not sure if the purchase of a…
- Amazon and the eBook Reader by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 18, 2007, 15:47
  Looks like Amazon is set for an attempt to conquer the eBook market with a new reader called the Kindle. CNet tells us that they plan a big launch on Monday…
- What was your best business move? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 17, 2007, 16:09
  I have a question for you seasoned sellers, those that have a thriving shop (or maybe two). Have any of you made one single change, after having been open a…
- How do you present yourself? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 10, 2007, 15:41
  Another post from William Smith at Hang Fire Books William has a terrific blog himself, definitely one worth bookmarking! ************* When I attend sales…
- A word or two about Tom Folio by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 8, 2007, 00:57
  One of the comments left in response to our posting of Guy Weller's talk about bookseller's empowerment was by Chris Hartmann. Chris mentioned that Tom Folio…
- We online booksellers need to empower ourselves. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 25, 2007, 21:58
  Overheard at ABE.com another insightful comment from OZ's Guy Weller. ********************* We online booksellers need to empower ourselves. The larger…
- By Booksellers, for Booksellers by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 14, 2007, 18:10
  ** disclosure: Proud to say that I am one of the Directors of the WBM. If you have any questions concerning it you can post it in the comments area or email me…
- PMA moves against Online Galley Sales by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 8, 2007, 20:01
  Another installment from William Smith of Hang Fire Books *********** Independent Book Publishers Association (PMA) moves against Online Galley Sales. The…
- Robert Jordan passed away yesterday... by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 18, 2007, 15:59
  The death of Robert Jordan has saddened his many fans..
- If only my allowance were a tad bigger - Hemingway Auction by: Tom Nealon
  September 15, 2007, 02:00
  recent Hemingway Auction
- Becoming a Procrastination Center by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 5, 2007, 19:47
  One thing that independent booksellers should learn from the chain stores is that a customer wants a comfortable place to kill time almost as much as they…
- Ethics? Forget it, give me the cash! by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 3, 2007, 03:04
  It seems Barnes and Noble have reversed an earlier decision and will go ahead with the sale of O.J. Simpson's book 'If I did it'. It seems that pre-orders have…
- Don't get hung up on your buying mistakes - sell and move on. by: Tom Nealon
  August 20, 2007, 19:31
  Posted by Tom Nealon of Pazzo Books Dana's great story about the Baum that got away reminded me of mistakes in book selling. I traded stocks for a few years,…
- The one that got away.. by: Dana Richardson
  August 19, 2007, 16:26
  Another great post by contributing writer Dana Richardson of Windy Hill Books. We are still looking for two more contributors, if interested please contact me…
- Stephen King vandalises a bookshop in OZ - not quite. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 17, 2007, 11:55
  Stephen King Vandalizes shop in australia by writing his name in some books. Of course they were his books thus giving the owner a boost to his inventory
- Does being a cold-hearted businessman have a place in bookselling? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 15, 2007, 00:14
  Today, we had a little girl in our shop (about 8 or 9 years old) who said she had some books she wanted to sell and would I be interested. I looked at them…
- If you want to be considered a professional, act like one. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 12, 2007, 04:28
  One of the nice things about having contributors to the blog is that I also get a few extra sets of eyeballs surfing for great content. Tom Nealon of Pazzo…
- Why did I decide to become a bookseller? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 7, 2007, 03:40
  I get asked this pretty regularly and I wish a had a good answer. Something like, “I was always surrounded by books in the house and my mother was a…
- Can we think our way to a better world? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 31, 2007, 05:05
  Do you know what a meme is? As I write this the word itself is underlined in red. My PC doesn't know what a meme is. Late last year I read a book by Richard…
- Book Collector murdered, no leads by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 29, 2007, 05:10
  Just came across this while surfing. We'll try and keep you up to date. This is from PhiloBiblos, a great book blog. Rolland Lee Comstock, 70, a Missouri…
- Publisher's embargoes are only about $$$ right Harry? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 24, 2007, 03:12
  It's cool how blogs enable good content to spread viraly. I don't often read the L.A.Times and probably wouldn't have seen this article if it weren't for a…
- Do you support your local independant shop? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 21, 2007, 19:37
  I came across this post from Larry Portzline over at THE BOOKSTORE TOURISM BLOG. I thought the sentiment was so well expressed and I couldn't agree more…
- Is the heyday of online bookselling well in the past or is this just the beginning? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 19, 2007, 16:46
  We have a guest today giving us his take on the future of online sales. Guy Weller, of the World Book Market This is in response to the statement - 'the…
Category: Online Marketing (10)
- What's Your Favorite Bookshop Website? by: Shane Gottwals
  September 24, 2010, 13:42
  Shane Gottwals www.gottwalsbooks.com A Tour of Bookstore Websites I spent two days last week looking at 87 different bookstore websites. After doing all that,…
- A Novel Book is now Online, marketing tips appreciated! by: Amanda Dixon
  May 18, 2010, 15:38
  Well, finally after many stops & starts, A Novel Book is back up and running. I am much happier this time around – and the site is so much more user…
- Getting Boots Into Your Bookshop by: Suzie Eisfelder
  February 14, 2010, 20:21
  Online shops and physical bookshops share some challenges and one is called traffic, getting people to actually come in the door. Physical shops do this by…
- Considering a website for your bookstore business? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 6, 2009, 19:11
  Without a doubt, having a good website would help you reach more potential customers for your bookstore business. Whether your business is new, small and just…
- Branding your bookshop: How to commission artwork by: Nora O'Neill
  March 3, 2009, 17:51
  How to commission artwork so you can create a memorable brand.
- Ultimate Free Advertising Idea for Used Book Shops by: Bob Lewis
  February 28, 2009, 23:33
  We all know that we need to advertise, and we all know that it’s very difficult to know how and where to advertise. It tends to be expensive, and so often it…
- Tweet! Tweet! Let a little bird tell people about your bookstore by: Nora O'Neill
  January 31, 2009, 17:17
  Twitter is the bastard child of blogging, social networking, news feeds, and online forums. Stick web 2.0 in a food processor and chop it into 140 character…
- Precise Targeting for your Google Ads by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 23, 2008, 19:43
  A series for Booksellers on how to properly use a Google AdWords Campaign to market your used bookstore.
- Do you take advantage of free advertising? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 22, 2007, 17:58
  Free classified sites as well as social networking site are becoming more and more popular, actually they are the most popular thing going on the web today.…
- Give away your books on Facebook by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 15, 2007, 19:49
  Here's a tip for getting a little exposure in your community. I hope your store is listed on Facebook, it's a great place to get some free exposure. We'll be…
Category: Opening a Bookstore (32)
Some stories & shared knowledge on How to Open a Bookstore. Learn all the ins and outs of getting your bookstore open.
- Opening a Bookstore Tip #2 by: Janet Geddis
  September 19, 2011, 21:54
  In one of my first Bookshop Blog posts, I shared some of the most useful tips I’ve compiled over the last four years or so (yes, it has taken me that long to…
- Opening a Bookstore Tip # 1 by: Janet Geddis
  September 13, 2011, 14:19
  In my last post, I shared some of the most useful tips I’ve compiled over the last four years or so (yes, it has taken me that long to open a physical…
- How do I determine the proper purchase price of a used bookstore? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 10, 2011, 08:46
  A question submitted by one of our readers, Dick Baines. He would love some help from our community in finding out the proper valuation of a used bookshop. Any…
- Tips on Opening a Bookstore by: Janet Geddis
  August 2, 2011, 23:40
  by Janet Geddis of Avid Bookshop If there’s one thing I’ve learned about being a startup bookstore owner, it’s that all the time estimates you think are…
- Can We Turn a Bookstore Downsize into an Upgrade? by: Jessica Hayes
  April 28, 2011, 08:03
  In Brisbane, Australia, there is a 52-year-old independent, family-owned store named the American Bookstore. Despite that this store has seen over half-a-cent…
- A Need for Neon! by: Amber Short
  March 6, 2011, 20:11
  I have long wanted to have a neon sign created for my bookstore. I envisioned a “moving sign” that would have glowing pages flipping in jerky stop…
- Goo Gone - The Art of Removing Labels from Books by: Amber Short
  February 23, 2011, 17:28
  A useful article on tools and techniques to remove labels from book covers.
- 3 Keys to Opening a Successful Bookshop by: Carol Goldstein
  January 4, 2011, 13:36
  Being a newcomer to the the life of a bookshop owner, this blog has and continues to offer me so much in ideas and advice. It is most appreciated, indeed. As a…
- Opening a Bookstore? Here's a Sample Promotion Plan by: Magda Elsehrawi
  December 31, 2010, 10:12
  I’ve seen it happen all too often to owners of new bookstores – you have an idea, you try your hardest to get it up and running, and your euphoria at…
- Considering a community bookshop by: Brian Green
  December 20, 2010, 11:36
  Should a used bookshop rent out shelf space, or is it best to stick with buying your own books?
- The Fundamentals of Operating a Successful Used Book Store by: Ed Dugan
  December 5, 2010, 15:53
  In spite of the advent of electronic publishing, the Kindle for instance, the death of books printed on paper has been vastly exaggerated. For myself, I…
- Business first and books second. by: Brian Green
  November 14, 2010, 22:57
  .Just because you read books, doesn't mean you should sell them.
- Recommended Books for Young Adults by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  November 13, 2010, 09:26
  YA Fiction by Ben Langdon YA stands for Young Adult and is often seen as the category of book which sits between childrens' fiction and adult fiction. This…
- Bookshops: Scoping Out the Competition by: Caro Hedge
  November 8, 2010, 15:30
  In our town, there are a few places to get books. Wal-Mart and Safeway have a section of new books. The dollar stores sometimes have a few. The rummage…
- Your Bookshop - Choosing Where to Begin by: Matthew Singleton
  October 4, 2010, 11:17
  Do you want to sell new books or used books? Do you want to stick to a specific type of book or have a general bookstore? Do you want to sell books online or…
- Opening a UK Bookstore Part 3 by: Laura Jenkinson
  September 8, 2010, 07:25
  Opening a UK Bookstore Part 3 (Jenks' Story: Part 1 & Part 2) Doom and Gloom I didn’t write a blog last week. I couldn’t quite bring myself to admit…
- Open a Used Bookstore! by: Shane Gottwals
  August 23, 2010, 07:17
  Shane Gottwals www.gottwalsbooks.com Want to open a bookstore? Don't want it to fail? I'll assume both of these are affirmatives since you have come to The…
- Bookselling, it’s in the bone by: Laura Jenkinson
  August 12, 2010, 23:24
  I don’t think I’ll ever feel such a mixture of inordinate glee and absolute terror as that thought gave me. Opening a bookshop, the very phrase, filled me…
- A Soon to be Brick & Mortar owner by: Sam Fisher
  July 13, 2010, 06:58
  Five years ago I decided I wanted to own a used bookstore. Four years ago, I decided it should be both online and "brick and mortar." Three and a half…
- I Want to Own A Bookstore by: Matthew Singleton
  July 7, 2010, 06:20
  I want to own a bookstore. Put more accurately: I want to own a bookstore and so does my girlfriend. She’s currently in grad school so I have two years…
- My Bookshop, The Reader, was an inspiration by: Subeer Verma
  July 3, 2010, 20:21
  The Reader - Or was it “such stuff as dreams are made on”? It was a chilly Gurgaon winter morning of the grey yellow variety when moist air clings to the…
- Where in Australia can I find stock for my new bookshop? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 2, 2010, 11:20
  I live in a regional mining town in Queensland Australia with a population of 90,000 and over the last few months a friend of mine have decided that we are…
- A Name, Some General Background, and We Go Back to School by: Caro Hedge
  June 25, 2010, 07:35
  This is a multi-part series describing Caro and Susan's adventure in opening a bookshop. Part 1: We Got Handed a Dream In the Discount Card Aisle Part 2:…
- We Got Handed a Dream In the Discount Card Aisle by: Caro Hedge
  June 7, 2010, 09:46
  Susan and I, Caro, are going to share writing about our bookstore experiences. I am going to start, Susan will add some entries later. I’m Caro and I’m…
- The NYT bestsellers aren't my bestsellers by: Nora O'Neill
  December 12, 2009, 16:55
  The bestsellers on the used market aren't necessarily the best sellers you see on the New York Times list or on Amazon's hot list. Often they bear no…
- 10 things to ask when you've already bought the store by: Nora O'Neill
  October 31, 2009, 14:58
  So you've just bought yourself a bookstore. Congratulations. You asked all the big questions before buying, rent, utilities, cash flow, inventory, etc. but…
- Up, down, & sideways- shelving your books by: Nora O'Neill
  August 22, 2009, 15:30
  Before you buy your bookcases for your new bookstore, take some time to figure out what display method will be the easiest for you to maintain and show your…
- Between Friends, the Joy of a Bookselling Mentor by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 29, 2009, 22:37
  I loved finding an out of print or hard to fine title, even one with a dedication in a flowery script would have me buzzing. As a bookseller, I had no…
- The Best Time to Open a Business? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 20, 2009, 12:12
  Another nugget of insight from one of Canada's premier used bookstores Fair's Fair of Calgary, Thanks George . Please take a moment to visit Fair's Fair. Goo…
- Shane needs help with used bookstore book.. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 17, 2009, 09:04
  Shane Gottwals Gottwals Books www.gottwalsbooks.com Bookseller needs help with bookselling book! I am in the process of writing a book all about the…
- A short bio or a long introduction... by: Bob Lewis
  January 18, 2009, 22:31
  We have a new bookseller aboard. Bob Lewis comes to us from Ontario, Canada and will be adding his views and experiences to our site, thanks for sharing your…
- Open A Used Bookstore – Lessons Learned by: Michelle
  January 13, 2009, 21:36
  Are you thinking of how to open a book store? Here are a few good lessons from somebody who has. Check out this article and many others on how to open a book…
Category: Other Book Dealers (11)
- Are Some Booksellers Out of Register? by: Diane Plumley
  March 12, 2012, 19:19
  It happened again. I found a title with divine illustrations that I could afford, and ordered it from ABE or another seller on the bookfinder website. I…
- A Passionate Bookseller--On The Sidewalks Of Manhattan by: Diane Plumley
  October 5, 2011, 14:34
  Sidewalk booksellers were a common sight in New York City when I lived there. And I frequently bought from them. At first I was surprised they were allowed to…
- Refreshing, Odd, Bizarre, Weird, and Wonderfully Offbeat Books by: Diane Plumley
  February 17, 2011, 16:57
  One of the cool things about AbeBooks.com, is the theme e-mails they send to customers, like myself. I use bookfinder.com, which in turn sends me to various…
- Amazon to Purchase Abe Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 1, 2008, 08:53
  The Canadian online retailers has just announced that they are in the process of being eaten by the mighty Amazon.
- Prying 1 Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 26, 2008, 14:28
  A great little online bookshop.
- What was your best business move? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 17, 2007, 16:09
  I have a question for you seasoned sellers, those that have a thriving shop (or maybe two). Have any of you made one single change, after having been open a…
- Fenwick Street Used Books and Music by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 6, 2007, 15:08
  Joe Orlando runs a great service for owners of Brick and Mortar store. Many of you are already subscribers, for those who own a shop and aren't you may want…
- It's never too late to follow a dream by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 27, 2007, 23:51
  Our review of the eBay search tool we promised will be coming this weekend, sorry for the delay. A fantastic story about following a dream came to us via the…
- What's lying just below the surface of a book dealer.. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 16, 2007, 16:55
  Scratch a bookseller and find: an escaped civil servant, an armchair environmentalist, and a 50 year old entering her third childhood. Dana Richardson –…
- Does being a cold-hearted businessman have a place in bookselling? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 15, 2007, 00:14
  Today, we had a little girl in our shop (about 8 or 9 years old) who said she had some books she wanted to sell and would I be interested. I looked at them…
- An example of what a really sharp bookseller's website should look like. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 2, 2007, 21:49
  Not a long post, just wanted to show anyone who may be thinking of starting an online bookshop what a great site looks like. You have probably seen Chrisland…
Category: Reader Inquiries (12)
Have a question? Send me an email with it and I’ll post it here for other dealers to help with.
- How do I determine the proper purchase price of a used bookstore? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 10, 2011, 08:46
  A question submitted by one of our readers, Dick Baines. He would love some help from our community in finding out the proper valuation of a used bookshop. Any…
- A new consignment bookshop for Antiquarian and Rare collectors in San Francisco by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 16, 2010, 08:57
  Here's a question from one of our readers out in San Francisco, Roland Salvato. If you have any advice for him please leave a comment below. Thanks. I am…
- Where in Australia can I find stock for my new bookshop? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 2, 2010, 11:20
  I live in a regional mining town in Queensland Australia with a population of 90,000 and over the last few months a friend of mine have decided that we are…
- Where Can I Buy Shelf Talkers? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 29, 2010, 07:12
  Hi, I just read Judy Riggs article Training a Book to be a Salesman, and I would like to ask if someone could refer me to a company that makes shelf talker…
- Main Street or Cheap Street for your new bookshop? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 25, 2010, 22:35
  From time to time we get questions from our readers. Here's a good one that comes up from time to time. We'd love to hear from some of you, especially sellers…
- A Reader asks "Where do I find bulk books in the UK"? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 2, 2010, 23:13
  Hi I would first like to say thank you for an interesting and informative site, with a good dash of humour. It's one of the more interesting websites I've…
- What to do with the Little Blue Books by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 19, 2009, 08:03
  Here is a question from on of our readers, Alan Shrewsbury. If anybody can help him out I'd appreciate it, he may have quite the valuable stash. I can pass…
- How to Choose Bookstore Shelving by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 9, 2009, 20:17
  We had a question sent in by one of our newer readers concerning the decision making process when it comes to Bookstore Shelving. She's writing from Ireland…
- A Question on 1886 Longfellow's Hyperion by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 12, 2009, 20:58
  from one of our readers, Lisa Hutton: About 30 years ago I picked up a copy of Longfellow's "Hyperion" at a library sale. Lately I've been trying to…
- Helping a student understand book distribution by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 12, 2009, 21:21
  Here's a question from Katie. If anybody would like to give here a hand with her school project just give me a shout via the form below and I'll send along her…
- Bookselling in India - Where to Start? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 3, 2009, 10:28
  A Question from Rahul: Hello, I am from India and have planned on opening a bookstore in my locality. But I am not aware of the working in the industry. Its…
- Have you seen this book? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  September 26, 2007, 02:33
  Here's a quick question from one of our readers. Sidney Woolf wrote The Twins from Ceylon in the early 1900s. Sells for around 0. She wrote a follow up:…
Category: Recommended Reading (65)
Some good books both to help you operate more effectively and some just to enjoy, always with bookselling in mind.
- A Past Interview With 2012 Edgar Winner Mo Hayder by: Diane Plumley
  April 27, 2012, 08:38
  When I wrote my own newsletter back in the dark ages, I interviewed many life time writers, established authors, newer published people, and what I liked…
- Murder For a Wanton by: Diane Plumley
  April 26, 2012, 23:21
  Occasionally I enjoy sharing with others those odd offbeat oldies crime novels that have been forgotten my most, but treasured by few. This one is perfect for…
- The Church of Dead Girls by: Diane Plumley
  April 24, 2012, 19:58
  Right off the bat, I need to tell you that there is a spoiler alert on this article. I will not be holding any thing back when I discuss this harrowing read by…
- Mystery Readers Too Dumb To Read Oprah Picks? by: Diane Plumley
  March 7, 2012, 21:24
  I paused at Quill and Quire, to read a link to an article about another piece of writing--a paper by an academic on the impact of Oprah Winfrey's famous book…
- Memoir or Fiction? by: Diane Plumley
  March 3, 2012, 23:23
  I finished a mesmerizing story of a horrific but in some ways magical childhood, and started musing over it. The story and its particulars stayed with me all…
- Road Trip to Murder by: Diane Plumley
  February 17, 2012, 09:57
  A road trip mystery book, what could be better for someone as I, who travels every year to various and sundry locations, just to take pictures of huge muffler…
- A Mystery--How Accounting Can Be Murder by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2012, 10:20
  I can't think of a subject less likely to be thrilling than accounting. I don't understand accounting, I don't understand people who like accounting, and I…
- Are Online Reviews of Books By Customers Fair? by: Diane Plumley
  February 15, 2012, 17:43
  I was starting to research an article about Valentine Day mysteries, and began with looking up a title by Dorothy Cannell. I've sold the lovely Ms. Cannell's…
- Reading Indulgent Treats by: Diane Plumley
  February 11, 2012, 16:28
  Every once in awhile, I crave a mushy sweet treat in book form. I won't binge on romance novels, but I will choose a scrumptious looking title out of a box of…
- Mystery Writers Awards--Left Coast Crime--The Lefty by: Diane Plumley
  January 30, 2012, 20:34
  Left Coast Crime is an annual mystery convention sponsored by mystery fans, for mystery fans. It is held during the first quarter of the calendar year in…
- On The Right Track - Railway Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
  January 28, 2012, 16:12
  My dad loved model railroading. The HO models--not the big antique things that are so valuable today, such as Lionel etc. He built his own layout in the…
- Dead Is The Door-Nail by: Diane Plumley
  January 4, 2012, 01:22
  I've always heard this expression as: Dead as a door-nail. A rather odd expression to begin with. So I checked on its origins. Apparently no one is absolutely…
- Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--List--No. 80 Through No. 89 by: Diane Plumley
  November 28, 2011, 18:12
  No. 80 Pictures of Perfection--Reginald Hill, 1994–Delacorte Press-- in print To read a synopsis and review go here: http://bookshopblog.com/2011/10/29/no-…
- No 76 Fright Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 28, 2011, 17:20
  No 77. Fright George Hopley 1950 Rinehart--edition available now--Hard Case Crime-in print It's no secret that I love Cornell Woolrich. There are…
- List Of Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--No. 100 Through No.90 by: Diane Plumley
  November 21, 2011, 18:20
  No. 100 The Innocent Mrs. Duff --Elizabeth Sanxay Holding--1946 Invincible Press (Australia)--used (the book I read is pictured here is a Dell Map Back…
- No. 78 They Buried a Man Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 14, 2011, 17:05
  No. 78 They Buried a Man Mildred Davis 1953 --Simon and Schuster Inc.,--used Mildred Davis is the author I 'discovered' recently. Somehow I passed her…
- No. 79 Stone Quarry Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  November 5, 2011, 00:06
  No. 79 Stone Quarry S. J. Rozan 1999-St. Martin's Press-in print "It can be a treacherous road, State Route 30, especially rain slick in the twilight…
- No Tricks! Halloween Crime and Mystery Books by: Diane Plumley
  October 30, 2011, 19:37
  For a person who had a Halloween themed wedding reception complete with a huge haunted house wedding cake, intricately carved Jack O'Lanterns as centerpieces,…
- No. 80 Pictures Of Perfection Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 29, 2011, 00:17
  No. 80 Pictures of Perfection Reginald Hill--1994--Delacorte Press I came to Reginald Hill's Peter Pascoe and Andy Dalziel Yorkshire detective novels…
- No. 81 The Black Paw Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 23, 2011, 23:29
  No. 81 The Black Thumb Constance and Gwenyth Little--1941 Doubleday Crime Club The sisters Little make this list not once, but twice. Why, because their…
- No. 82 The Devil Loves Me Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 13, 2011, 21:57
  No. 82 The Devil Loves Me Margaret Millar--1942--Doubleday Crime Club "Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of witnesses.…
- No. 82 Last Seen Wearing--Best Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 8, 2011, 22:36
  No. 82 Last Seen Wearing Hillary Waugh--1952--Doubleday Crime Club-used This book is on practically every best mystery list I've seen. So, naturally, I…
- No. 83 The Almost Moon--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  October 1, 2011, 02:15
  No. 83 The Almost Moon-Alice Sebold-2007-Little Brown One may have assumed that if I were to choose something from this author to be on my best list, it…
- No. 84 Mr. Smith's Hat---Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 25, 2011, 01:10
  84. Mr. Smith's Hat--Helen Reilly-1940-Doubleday Crime Club--used I kept struggling with which title of Helen Reilly's I wanted on the list, then if I…
- No. 85 Haunt of the Nightingale--Best 100 Mysteries Of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 19, 2011, 16:18
  No. 85 Haunt of the Nightingale--John R Riggs--1988--Dembner Books--used Ok, before you start thinking, ‘oh no, another obscure title from a small…
- No. 86 The January Corpse--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 10, 2011, 01:07
  No. 86 The January Corpse - Neil Albert - 1991-Walker Publishing-used paperback When I started doing the 100 mysteries, I thought I had an airtight…
- No. 87 The Will and Last Testament of Constance Cobble--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  September 2, 2011, 23:54
  No. 87 The Last Will and Testament of Constance Cobble--Stanton Forbes--1980--Doubleday Crime Club A mystery within a mystery makes this a standout among…
- No. 88-- Meet the Tiger--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 27, 2011, 11:14
  No. 88 Meet the Tiger--Leslie Charteris-1928-Ward Lock--used I was first introduced to the character of The Saint, or Simon Templar as he was usually known,…
- No. 89--Big Trouble--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  August 20, 2011, 23:28
  No. 89 Big Trouble--Dave Barry--Putnam--1999--in print There's a famous saying "dying is easy, comedy is hard," and it couldn't be more true in the…
- Not Your Mother's Travel Books by: Diane Plumley
  August 8, 2011, 17:41
  Want to check out a house in the shape of a shoe? Or a duck? How about a building shaped like a cup of snowball ice? Maybe you prefer a cemetery safari--poki…
- Little Did We Know! by: Diane Plumley
  August 1, 2011, 00:05
  What is it about this obscure writing duo called the Little sisters that made so many customers in the mystery book store where I worked willing to pay fairly…
- No. 92--Hide in the Dark, An All Hallow's Eve Mystery--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  July 29, 2011, 00:43
  No. 92 Hide in the Dark--Frances Noyes Hart--1929--Doubleday Doran--OOP--but inexpensive copies are abundantly available Ah, a book after my own heart!…
- No. 94--Roll Over and Play Dead--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  July 12, 2011, 17:17
  94. Roll Over and Play Dead--Joan Hess--1991--St. Martin's Press--Available If you've not encountered the worlds of Joan Hess, you have many unique hilarious…
- No. 96--Murder a la Richelieu--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 30, 2011, 15:08
  No. 96--Murder a la Richelieu--Anita Blackmon--1937--Doubleday Crime Club--OOP I can see most of you shaking your heads and wondering, where the heck I found…
- No. 97 Panama---Eric Zenecy--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time! by: Diane Plumley
  June 23, 2011, 13:51
  No. 97. Panama---Eric Zenecy---1995--Farrar, Straus and Giroux-in print When first published, this literary thriller was given rave reviews, and so, I…
- An Ace of a Book by: Diane Plumley
  June 23, 2011, 03:08
  An interesting subject I know zilch about--playing cards. I don't understand poker, bridge, whatever other games are played with those interesting things full…
- New Hardboiled Suspense Novel From Jan Burke by: Diane Plumley
  June 22, 2011, 19:26
  Jan Burke, one of the rare women who have succeeded in the usually male world of hardboiled suspense novels, has a new title out--a sequel to her Edgar Award…
- The 2011 Wolfe Award Nominees Are Announced by: Diane Plumley
  June 17, 2011, 14:55
  Each year the premier fan club for Rex Stout and his mystery series starring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, The Wolfe Pack, have a banquet honoring those who…
- No. 98--The Desert Moon Mystery--Kay Cleaver Strahan by: Diane Plumley
  June 15, 2011, 13:24
  98. The Desert Moon Mystery-Kay Cleaver Strahan-1928-Doubleday Crime Club--used (several inexpensive copies available) You may have noticed, after three…
- Elaine Viets Discusses the Tourist Problem in Florida--Via Her Novel, Of Course by: Diane Plumley
  June 13, 2011, 13:30
  One of my favorite traditional authors is Elaine Viets who writes two different series, one set in St. Louis, the other in Florida. Her Helen Hawthorne Florida…
- Number 99--The Secret Beyond the Door--Rufus King--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 15:54
  99. The Secret Beyond the Door-(original title: Museum Piece No.13)--Rufus King-1946--Doubleday Crime Club--OOP I chose to use the title under…
- The Best 100 Mysteries of All Time--The List! by: Diane Plumley
  June 10, 2011, 14:05
  THE BEST 100 MYSTERY BOOKS OF ALL TIME--THE LIST!! Each chosen book will have it's own page and as each title is added, the list here will grow. Check back…
- No. 100--The Innocent Mrs. Duff--Best 100 Mysteries of All Time by: Diane Plumley
  June 8, 2011, 16:10
  I started eons ago to put together my opinion of the 100 best crime fiction/mysteries of all time. First it was a list, then I decided I needed some cover…
- Forget About 11 Year Olds, I Want to Read These Books! by: Diane Plumley
  June 6, 2011, 10:10
  Wow--a list of 50 books 11 year olds should read by ABE is fantastic, and embarrassingly I've only read a handful on the list--naturally Alice in Wonderland is…
- Crazy Literature--or Literally Crazy? by: Diane Plumley
  June 2, 2011, 19:40
  I found this ABE theme unusual and interesting. I never gave much thought to how mental illness is depicted in print. I've read books that have various forms…
- Independent Mystery Booksellers Association (IMBA)--This Month's Killer Books by: Diane Plumley
  June 2, 2011, 13:00
  As a former indie bookseller, this association's monthly lists helped me find new authors to recommend and confirmed some of my own choices. As the website…
- Touchy Feely Books by: Diane Plumley
  May 20, 2011, 12:38
  No, I don't mean self help titles or sob stories, but how a book feels in your hands while reading it. ABE books again came up with an interesting topic,…
- Edible Children's Books by: Diane Plumley
  May 19, 2011, 08:54
  A tasty little look at children's books with food as the theme. bon appetit! http://www.abebooks.com/books/childrens-kids-fruit-stories/james-giant-peach.shtml…
- Virtual Murder by: Diane Plumley
  April 1, 2011, 14:46
  If you are in the virtual world, you can join a book club! Mystery Loves Company, physically in Oxford MD, has a online discussion each month. From…
- Liquid Creative Writing by: Diane Plumley
  March 31, 2011, 23:13
  Is it possible that alcohol helps the creative juices flow? Another fab ABE article asks this question and gives a nice look at those writers who for better or…
- Addicted to Books, Can't Shake My Reading Habit by: Diane Plumley
  March 12, 2011, 23:39
  I started thinking about how I decide what I'll read next, and those down times when I don't read at all, and those frenetic times when I finish the last page…
- A Devil of a Read! by: Diane Plumley
  March 9, 2011, 00:09
  Whether you believe in a red man with horns and pitchfork, or a evil creature in the form of a snake, or just plain bad karma, this list of demonic books are…
- Question for--Booksellers, Librarians, Teachers: What are 'Age Appropriate' Books? by: Diane Plumley
  March 6, 2011, 04:43
  In my discussion about the banning of Water for Elephants for high school age kids by a school district in NH, the question of age appropriateness came up,…
- New Expanded Article-Malice Domestic Agatha Award Nominees Announced!! by: Diane Plumley
  February 18, 2011, 14:32
  The Agatha Awards are different than The Edgars, in that they are voted on by readers and writers--anyone who attends the Malice Domestic convention each year.…
- Refreshing, Odd, Bizarre, Weird, and Wonderfully Offbeat Books by: Diane Plumley
  February 17, 2011, 16:57
  One of the cool things about AbeBooks.com, is the theme e-mails they send to customers, like myself. I use bookfinder.com, which in turn sends me to various…
- Famous Librarian Nancy Pearl's Funny and True Rules About Reading by: Diane Plumley
  February 14, 2011, 13:22
  Nancy Pearl, the librarian with an action figure to her name, has revised her '50 page' rule. First, if for some reason you've never heard of the book maven,…
- Recommended Books for Young Adults by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  November 13, 2010, 09:26
  YA Fiction by Ben Langdon YA stands for Young Adult and is often seen as the category of book which sits between childrens' fiction and adult fiction. This…
- Bookshop Blog's Interview with Sam Moffie, novelist by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 21, 2010, 09:50
  April 2010 Interview with Sam Moffie, author of The Book of Eli...I am working on my fifth book—“To Kill the Duke.” It’s about a communist plot to…
- Is your book stock a reflection of yourself? by: HeeJin Lee
  February 5, 2010, 06:20
  Must-haves in Your Stock (I) By HeeJin Lee As an aspiring bookshop owner, I’ve been spending my free time fantasizing of the books I’d like to have in…
- Archipelago Books and reading Great Translated Books by: Kim Allen-Niesen
  August 2, 2009, 22:31
  Last fall, Horace Engdahl, permanent secretary to the Swedish Academy that picks the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, created quite a stir when…
- Summer Reading Lists 2009- It Could be Worse! by: Nora O'Neill
  July 3, 2009, 21:32
  Summer, time to kick back, relax, read some total junk while lying around the pool... Or at least that's what most adults get to enjoy. For high school…
- Conversation with Linda Olsson by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 16, 2009, 21:28
  The more you know about a book, the easier it is to hand sell it. At the invitation of Literary Affairs , I was able to attend a breakfast interview with Linda…
- Cabin Fever Cured with Armchair Travel by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  February 28, 2008, 01:14
  A few book recommendations for a cold winter night. Escapism at its best.
- Seeing Shelley Plain by R. Wilson by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 15, 2008, 16:54
  One of my favorite type of books to read are memoirs of other dealers and books by folks that just love being surrounded by them (the books and the dealers).…
- How Efficient is your Business? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 6, 2008, 16:35
  A quick recommendation of a great little book on how to improve your small business.
Category: Scouting Book (10)
- Detecting water damage in less than a second by: Nora O'Neill
  September 30, 2011, 23:57
  Once a book gets wet, it's likely to develop mold. Even if its now apparently dry, some damage has already been done and you generally want to avoid them all…
- Choosing From An Overwhelming Abundance of Books by: Pamela Grath
  December 13, 2010, 23:34
  “I have been invited to so many conferences on “The Death of the Book” that I suspect it is very much alive,” wrote Harvard Librarian Robert Darnton in…
- Some like it damp: creepy crawly critters by: Nora O'Neill
  June 30, 2010, 16:13
  There four creepy crawly critters like to live where its damp. If you can positively ID these four critters, you'll have good odds of identifying books that…
- Signed books: is this real? by: Nora O'Neill
  May 25, 2010, 13:38
  Wow, this book has been signed by the author! It must be worth a lot! Not so fast, is that a real signature? A real signature can vastly increase the…
- When eyes are not enough- scouting with multiple senses by: Nora O'Neill
  April 27, 2010, 17:59
  Everybody looks at books when scouting, but the smell, feel, sound and even the taste of a book may tell you much more about a book than reading the title ever…
- The wonderful, wacky world of fanfic by: Nora O'Neill
  January 16, 2010, 18:19
  Fan fiction isn't just an internet phenomenon. It's been around since before the printing press. Hard copies of early twentieth century (or earlier) examples…
- "But it's a good book!".... in awful condition by: Nora O'Neill
  May 23, 2009, 13:24
  Professional book dealers buyers see lots of books in bad condition, but this book covered in mushrooms may be one of worst ever spotted.
- After Twilight: Even more vampire fiction for fang fans by: Nora O'Neill
  March 20, 2009, 17:32
  Suggested vampire fiction books to read after reading Stephanie Meyers Twilight series
- Notes for your Scouting Book - Childrens Lit by: Dana Richardson
  August 29, 2007, 01:42
  We’ve been lucky enough with our book sources that we as a rule do not carry library discard books. Even so, there are certain children’s book titles that…
- Scouting Book Tip – Knitting Books by Starmore by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 21, 2007, 16:56
  We will be doing a piece on Scouting Books and why you should carry one shortly. Here are a few auction results from this weekend that warrant mention in your…
Category: Selling Books Online (44)
Are you an Online book seller, get tons of free bookselling information here…
- Are Some Booksellers Out of Register? by: Diane Plumley
  March 12, 2012, 19:19
  It happened again. I found a title with divine illustrations that I could afford, and ordered it from ABE or another seller on the bookfinder website. I…
- WHERE'S MY PACKAGE!?! by: Nora O'Neill
  January 31, 2012, 23:14
  Nothing sends customers into a tizzy faster than a missing package. Once it leaves your hands, there's only so much you can do to find one of these waylaid…
- International shipping: how long will it REALLY take to get there? by: Nora O'Neill
  January 23, 2012, 16:13
  The shipping estimate on the USPS website is lovely, but its not actually guaranteed for most shipping classes. For First Class mail, estimating when it will…
- How To Profit With FBA by: Joe Waynick
  December 22, 2011, 07:46
  By Joe Waynick In my previous articles, “Have You Heard Of FBA?” I suggested that as a local retail store owner, you could significantly enhance your…
- Have You Heard About FBA? by: Joe Waynick
  December 12, 2011, 22:17
  FBA stands for “Fulfillment By Amazon.” It’s an order fulfillment service offered by Amazon.com that allows 3rd party sellers to procure inventory…
- Internet Sales Tax Legislation Gains Steam by: Joe Waynick
  December 6, 2011, 14:43
  New legislation to impose state sales tax collection requirements on Internet retailers such as Amazon.com is in the works according to Republican Senator…
- Did this come with a dust jacket? and does it matter? by: Nora O'Neill
  November 29, 2011, 16:44
  Most, but not all, hardcovers come with a jacket of some sort. If its missing, it can greatly effect the value of the book. But not all books come with…
- Should Internet Sellers Be Forced To Collect State Sales Taxes? by: Joe Waynick
  September 28, 2011, 11:56
  By Joe Waynick Internet retail giant Amazon.com and the state of California have been locked in legal combat the past few months because state lawmakers want…
- 2011 Sellers Conference for Online Entrepreneurs (SCOE) Is A Hit by: Joe Waynick
  July 29, 2011, 11:16
  By Joe Waynick For the past three years I’ve attend the annual SCOE conference held every July in Seattle, WA for online entrepreneurs. And every year it…
- Can You Make Money Selling Books Online? (Part 2) by: Joe Waynick
  July 1, 2011, 22:06
  Part 1 of Joe's Article appears here... By Joe Waynick In first part of this two part series, I told you there were two important concepts for you to…
- Can you make money selling books online? (Part 1) by: Joe Waynick
  June 23, 2011, 23:21
  by Joe Waynick There are a lot of misconceptions about the profitability of selling books on the Internet. First, it has be understood that selling…
- How To Increase Bookstore Sales By Selling Online by: Joe Waynick
  June 20, 2011, 07:45
  By Joe Waynick In today’s economy, independent bookstores are finding it tough to turn a profit. Itseems hardly a day goes by without an announcement about…
- Refreshing, Odd, Bizarre, Weird, and Wonderfully Offbeat Books by: Diane Plumley
  February 17, 2011, 16:57
  One of the cool things about AbeBooks.com, is the theme e-mails they send to customers, like myself. I use bookfinder.com, which in turn sends me to various…
- Are you 'Out There' - Do You Throw Your Boomerang? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  February 1, 2011, 10:01
  One of the biggest problems of working by yourself from home is always being your own impetus. I've really been struggling with this and you might have…
- Google eBooks: A Game-Changer? by: Matthew Singleton
  December 7, 2010, 09:29
  It seems almost too good to be true. Earlier today I found out about Google's new ebook service, Google eBooks, which will apparently be available in the US…
- Getting Started Selling on Amazon by: Stephanie Samek
  November 23, 2010, 11:01
  By Stephanie Samek If you dream about having an income-producing bookstore without the massive overhead of a bricks- and-mortar business, then online selling…
- Pricing Books for your Amazon Bookshop, our entry level learning series by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 13, 2010, 23:20
  Amazon is one of the biggest bookselling venues out there, which makes them a tough competitor to go up against. On the other hand, it also means joining…
- B & M or Online, sometimes the choice is made for us. by: Kylie Jakobsen
  October 11, 2010, 21:19
  Retrorocket go! I started a small business in Perth, Western Australia in March 2010. A love of books and retro collectables inspired my decision and…
- Selling Rare Books by: Carrie Bailey
  September 27, 2010, 16:08
  A used or rare book, like any other collectible, is worth only what someone else is willing to pay for it. Value is a funny thing. How much you can charge for…
- Cut and Paste 101 or Feedback Fumble by: Therese Holland
  September 21, 2010, 09:10
  Online selling using listing services comes with a couple of necessary evils one of which is feedback. I quickly developed a phobia for feedback during my…
- Selling Books on the Internet by: William Smith
  September 5, 2010, 12:38
  Selling books on the internet is an amazingly easy way to build your very own small business with little money and little risk. // First let me get one…
- Don’t Mess Up Your Online Book Selling Business by: Adam Bertram
  August 27, 2010, 12:06
  Clean Up Your Inventory Act! Do you know that managing your inventory when you sell books online can be a very complex thing to do? You can’t just leave…
- What Image are you Projecting? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  July 26, 2010, 09:40
  This article is going to focus more on what all online businesses can do to look more professional. It came to mind when looking at an article on The…
- Listing a Book's Title and Author - Variations by: Paul Young
  July 8, 2010, 06:20
  I recently went through Bookfinder.com seeking what prices other booksellers are asking for a book I have on hand. I typed in the last name only of the author…
- The Ethics of Book Selling by: Suzie Eisfelder
  July 5, 2010, 06:10
  I've been part of a discussion about the ethics of online selling recently. We've been following the antics of one seller on an online auction site and have…
- The Book Seller Dilettante by: Therese Holland
  June 18, 2010, 14:16
  In a previous comment I mentioned that the minimum wage here in Australia was approximately per hour add in benefits such as holiday pay sick pay superannua…
- Will the Kindle and iPad be the Downfall of Online Bookselling? by: Adam Bertram
  June 17, 2010, 10:24
  Is Kindle Going to Kill Us? It's been a year since Amazon first reported earnings in which book sales were flat, but Kindles were in such demand that stocks…
- A Business Plan as well as Your Goals should Breathe and Evolve by: Suzie Eisfelder
  June 16, 2010, 11:40
  Selling online is a fairly solitary occupation, this is something I've spoken about before. Last time I spoke about making friends but this time I'm talking…
- An Interview with Sachin Bansal, ex of Amazon India and now CEO of FlipKart.com by: Nandini Muralidharan
  May 24, 2010, 15:52
  Flipkart.com – Read India Read ! While E-commerce in India has a long way to go before it can catch up with some of the western countries, it is surely…
- Cardboard Boxes Packaging by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 3, 2010, 22:06
  Cardboard Boxes Packaging, there are two main situations when considering using ready made boxes, like the ones you pick up at the supermarket, or custom…
- Custom Packaging for your online books sales by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 1, 2010, 11:29
  Are you beginning to setup your online bookstore and wondering what the best method is for packaging books?
- Shipping with Bubble Mailers by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 5, 2010, 09:49
  Should you choose bubble mailers and where to get them at a good price...
- Selling Books around the World by: Louis Gereaux
  March 24, 2010, 00:14
  Written By Louis Gereaux With the advent of the web, many bookstores whether online or not have sold books internationally, or have considered selling to…
- The Process of Pricing a Book to Sell Online by: Suzie Eisfelder
  March 9, 2010, 21:54
  Buying books to sell online is a very exciting process. I seriously enjoy the buying of books and can wax lyrical for days about the joys of going op shopping…
- VPS Hosting For Your Business by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 11, 2010, 23:42
  There are many advantages that a VPS hosting offers compared to other types of hosting. If you’re looking for a better feature than a shared hosting could…
- Bookstore Speak: Words of the Trade by: Louis Gereaux
  February 7, 2010, 21:15
  All booksellers of used books will have at one time or another come across the word dog-eared. What does that word mean anyway, and where did it come from?…
- The Harsh Reality of Amazon by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 4, 2010, 07:15
  After reading the entry on how to open a bookshop that is sure to fail, for which I really appreciate the candor of Bruce Hollingdrake, I wanted to add this…
- Selling online can be a solitary occupation but you can still make friends by: Suzie Eisfelder
  February 2, 2010, 23:55
  Selling online One of the challenges of selling online is the lack of people contact. It's something I really notice. One of the things I do to combat this…
- Corrugated Mailing Boxes by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 10, 2010, 23:23
  Corrugated boxes, perfect for shipping everything from books to bananas. Take a look here for more information...
- Being Competitive From Afar... by: Amanda Dixon
  December 26, 2009, 08:41
  As you may have seen in my previous post, I live in Perth Western Australia. A very far away place to be. The internet has provided a more even playing field…
- More experiences selling books online by: Suzie Eisfelder
  December 23, 2009, 10:30
  When you have kids with health challenges and you also have health challenges it's sometimes advisable to find yourself a job at home. It just makes it so…
- Selling Books From an Isolated City by: Amanda Dixon
  December 6, 2009, 19:26
  This is the first post by our newest contributor Amanda Dixon of A Novel Book I live in Perth, Western Australia. It is known as one of the most isolated…
- Opinions Wanted: Do YOU look at feedback ratings? by: Adam Bertram
  November 21, 2009, 11:47
  I've been thinking of the topic of feedback lately and how it affects sales for online booksellers. I've been selling books online for about 2 years now and…
- Taking the Plunge Starting a Bookstore by: Adam Bertram
  August 4, 2009, 21:47
  Adam Bertram - I've been employed in one facet of technology or another now for about 12 years and really thought that it was where I wanted to go. However,…
Category: Time Saver (8)
- Using SKUs to streamline packing and shipping by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2011, 23:51
  If you use any type of inventory software, it probably asks you for a SKU or stock-keeping unit for each item. SKUs are different than the UPC or the ISBN as…
- Detecting water damage in less than a second by: Nora O'Neill
  September 30, 2011, 23:57
  Once a book gets wet, it's likely to develop mold. Even if its now apparently dry, some damage has already been done and you generally want to avoid them all…
- Goo Gone - The Art of Removing Labels from Books by: Amber Short
  February 23, 2011, 17:28
  A useful article on tools and techniques to remove labels from book covers.
- "If it's not on the shelf...." by: Brian Green
  November 9, 2010, 18:48
  "Don't ask me -- I just work here." Or, "Know thine inventory."
- When eyes are not enough- scouting with multiple senses by: Nora O'Neill
  April 27, 2010, 17:59
  Everybody looks at books when scouting, but the smell, feel, sound and even the taste of a book may tell you much more about a book than reading the title ever…
- How To Take Advantage of Used Book Sales by: Adam Bertram
  October 7, 2009, 22:46
  If you own a brick and mortar store or sell books online and want to run a successful business you have to continually acquire new inventory. Hopefully,…
- A review of The Art of Books inventory management system by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 16, 2007, 17:00
  Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with The Art of Books, I am a paying customer of theirs. The Art of Books (AOB) is an online bookseller's inventory…
- Would you like to add some more time to your day? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 17, 2007, 16:31
  As anyone who has described his first few hundred books knows the chore of creating a nice listing comes down to a few book specific notes followed by a…
Category: Tools (27)
- Bookshop Accounting, we love to hate it by: Suzie Eisfelder
  May 26, 2011, 09:17
  The one part of my business I hate the most is accounting, marshalling those invoices, expenses and whipping them into order, bringing them into line and…
- Goo Gone - The Art of Removing Labels from Books by: Amber Short
  February 23, 2011, 17:28
  A useful article on tools and techniques to remove labels from book covers.
- Acrylic Display Stands by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 12, 2010, 15:40
  Acrylic Display Stands When it comes to selling tangible goods, presentation is everything. By showcasing the books you want to sell in an acrylic book…
- How to package a book for shipping by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  June 10, 2010, 15:47
  Books are shipped to many places across the globe. Have you ever wondered how they are packed to keep them tamper-proof until they reach the destinations, what…
- Do you want a Secondhand Booksellers Bootcamp in Australia? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  May 28, 2010, 09:25
  In a previous post I mentioned a Booksellers' Boot Camp I'd read about where sellers of antiquarian and secondhand books learnt so much about the antiquarian…
- What do you do to help books age gracefully? by: Brian Webster
  April 27, 2010, 14:45
  Quite often, when entering newly purchased books (used) you come across minor faults that you may gloss over until they get sold. By then, of course, you have…
- Should All of my Books be in a Database? by: Judy Riggs
  April 15, 2010, 10:24
  Database ALL of it?? Not a day goes by that I don’t hear the question, “do you have any way to look up what books you have in stock?” And as I look out…
- Shipping with Bubble Mailers by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  April 5, 2010, 09:49
  Should you choose bubble mailers and where to get them at a good price...
- What To Do When The Power Is Off! by: Amanda Dixon
  March 26, 2010, 10:22
  In Perth this week we have had the worst summer storm in nearly 40 years. Over 150,000 houses lost their power (and 5 days later, there are still many…
- Will the iPad and the iBook Store Change the Face of Publishing? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 20, 2010, 22:37
  Do you sense a change coming in the publishing world? At the end of January 2010, Steve Jobs announced the highly anticipated Apple iPad, along with a number…
- Where do you get your Book News ? by: Megan Shea
  March 17, 2010, 22:05
  A customer approached me this weekend with a laundry list of books. One title was On The Brink by Henry M. Paulson, Jr. -- we were sold out and the books were…
- Book Stickers: Remove ‘em or Leave ‘em? by: Louis Gereaux
  March 14, 2010, 21:48
  A couple of great products for removing tough book stickers.
- VPS Hosting For Your Business by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 11, 2010, 23:42
  There are many advantages that a VPS hosting offers compared to other types of hosting. If you’re looking for a better feature than a shared hosting could…
- The Roll Top Desk - An American Classic by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  November 25, 2009, 15:36
  All you need to know about a Roll Top Desk, what to look for in a top notch desk and where to pick up the best ones.
- Used Bookstore Software - Basil by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 19, 2009, 15:29
  We are thrilled to have a new sponsor here at Bookshop Blog, Basil Software. A great built specially for your needs. I invited the owner of Basil to share with…
- Blood Sucking Genius by: Tom Nealon
  May 12, 2009, 21:34
  twilight, anne rice and gothic romances..they all keep selling like hotcakes. Vampire romance is alive and well
- Free Writer's Software - today only by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 18, 2008, 12:52
  Here's one from a regular reader, Paul Young. Although this product is only available today the site is worth keeping an eye on. ************** Download of the…
- Tips on Taking Great Digital Pictures of Your Books by: Nora O'Neill
  June 3, 2008, 20:03
  Great tips on how to take professional digital pictures for uploading to Abe and Biblio etc.
- Using Facebook as a Cutting Edge Marketing Tool (not) by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 17, 2008, 16:38
  Look out for these guys. The pitfalls of exposing your life on Facebook. beware of idiots checking out everything you do on Facebook.
- A couple of tools to help you find the right image. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 24, 2007, 20:25
  Here are two tools you can you use to find very nice images of old, antique books for yuor blog or website.
- Have You Planogrammed Lately? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 6, 2007, 21:20
  Another terrific article from one of our regular contributers. Take a moment to say Hi to Nora at Rainy Day Paperbacks. If you'd like to contribute a posting…
- Tips for keeping expenses down - shipping materials by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 22, 2007, 23:05
  Here's another installment from contributor William Smith of Hang Fire Books (editor's note: while I use a different method for shipping, William covers two…
- A bitesized blurb about building better blogs by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 18, 2007, 04:25
  Two quick links about blogging. Many booksellers have included a blog in their arsenal and if you haven't yet you might want to consider it. It's a great way…
- Template for a brochure by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 8, 2007, 19:37
  Brochure's are quite easy to make, can hold a lot of information and I believe have more staying power than a flyer. Here are links to my brochure in Open…
- Did I lose money on that sale? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 31, 2007, 04:13
  There are so many fees added up against the revenue brought in from eBay book sales that selling inexpensive stuff is really quite a chore for the dough, not…
- How much do you read about book selling? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 23, 2007, 18:08
  It's always been my understanding that to understand any business thoroughly you must not only participate in it but read anything and everything you can get…
- Would you like to add some more time to your day? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 17, 2007, 16:31
  As anyone who has described his first few hundred books knows the chore of creating a nice listing comes down to a few book specific notes followed by a…
Category: Videos (14)
Conversations with authors and other great thinkers as well as tours of bookstores and related items.
- The Magic of Books by: Jas Faulkner
  April 3, 2012, 08:39
  by Jas Faulkner To experience a William Joyce book is the enter a place where things tend to fall together in a fashion that is both charmingly out of…
- The El Ateneo Bookstore in Buenos Aires by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 15, 2011, 07:05
  El Ateneo bookstore is one of the most breathtaking buildings in all of South America; the fact that it is now a huge bookstore is just a bonus. The long,…
- The Strand in New York - 80 years and going strong by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 27, 2010, 10:45
  No description found for this item.
- Upper East Side Apartment in Brazen Head by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 13, 2010, 08:30
  Brazenhead Books - a very cool secret bookshop in New York.
- Northshire Bookstore in Vermont by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 20, 2009, 20:34
  No description found for this item.
- Vampire Fiction by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 12, 2009, 22:07
  No description found for this item.
- Why encouraging literacy should be part of your business plan by: Nora O'Neill
  May 9, 2009, 14:47
  Focusing on increasing literacy should be part of every bookstore's long term business plan. You may see no benefit this month or year, but if you plan to be…
- You'll Find The Best Books (and folks) in the Strangest Places by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 6, 2009, 23:17
  This has got to be one of the most charming couples I have seen. Meet the professor and the farmer and one of the most interesting bookstores I have yet…
- They call them stacks for a reason! by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  December 28, 2008, 22:18
  Holy cow! We have a bookshop here in Montreal that is somewhat like this. The owner actually knocked over a stack on one of our recent visits. If you have any…
- The World Wide Telescope by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  March 6, 2008, 09:47
  incredible technology letting us zoom around the universe
- Using Facebook as a Cutting Edge Marketing Tool (not) by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  February 17, 2008, 16:38
  Look out for these guys. The pitfalls of exposing your life on Facebook. beware of idiots checking out everything you do on Facebook.
- A Conversation with Philip Pullman by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 30, 2008, 21:04
  A conversation with author Philip Pullman (courtesy charlierose.com)
- Video by philosopher Dan Dennett on Memes by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  August 3, 2007, 13:46
  Memes (pronounced like beams) are simply ideas. Of course if you or I come up with what we think is a brilliant idea we have no idea how it may be used by…
- A quick glimpse into a Letterpress shop, old time quality in a modern age. by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 24, 2007, 19:58
  Another feature we will try to bring regularly is some of the more interesting book related videos. I came across this one after a quick visit to The Bytown…
Category: Work Smarter (44)
- Bookstore Organization by: Matthew Singleton
  March 22, 2012, 21:05
  Organization is key. Maybe this is the librarian in me talking, but if a bookstore is to operate properly it needs to be organized. If the store isn’t,…
- Don’t Invite a Brush-Off! by: Pamela Grath
  January 24, 2012, 16:34
  Don’t Invite a Brush-Off! “Do you have that new book by So-and-So?” In my shop, the answer to that question will usually be no unless So-and-So is an…
- 4 questions to ask when ordering textbooks for customers by: Nora O'Neill
  December 31, 2011, 15:24
  If there's one type of book I will hold a party for when it goes totally to ebook format, it will be the textbook. They change so frequently and are so…
- How to detect customers that will waste your time or will be valued. by: Leonid Kouvelis
  December 31, 2011, 10:21
  Time is precious in a bookshop and unless you have a plethora of sales assistants working for you, then you need to carefully ration your time. Some…
- How To Partner With Book Dealers by: Joe Waynick
  August 18, 2011, 08:44
  By Joe Waynick It should be obvious that book dealers and used book store owners are natural allies. Then why is it so difficult for these two groups to see…
- Can We Turn a Bookstore Downsize into an Upgrade? by: Jessica Hayes
  April 28, 2011, 08:03
  In Brisbane, Australia, there is a 52-year-old independent, family-owned store named the American Bookstore. Despite that this store has seen over half-a-cent…
- Goo Gone - The Art of Removing Labels from Books by: Amber Short
  February 23, 2011, 17:28
  A useful article on tools and techniques to remove labels from book covers.
- What are some of the best ways to stay organized - and sane? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  February 21, 2011, 14:50
  Juggling time, always a fun thing to do and never more so than when you’re taking on so many different tasks at once. All the people I know who study or…
- Hiring Staff for the Bookshop by: Amber Short
  February 10, 2011, 10:52
  Hiring is that time of incredible potential; gazing into the unknown sea of resumes and plucking out the chosen few who might just take your bookstore to a…
- Local Bookstores Know Your Books (and Their Books) by: Matthew Singleton
  January 16, 2011, 07:15
  I'm going to paraphrase Spider Robinson. A long time ago I read something he wrote. I forget where it was written and I forgot when it was written, but it…
- Visual merchandising: No guts, no glory. by: Brian Green
  December 30, 2010, 09:26
  What it takes to make your visual merchandising memorable.
- Dear "customer"- you're fired! by: Nora O'Neill
  December 28, 2010, 16:00
  They may be giving you money, but some customers demand so much of your time that they may actually cost you more than they bring in! some may be so awful that…
- Bookstores: Some ideas to get customers in and keep them coming back by: Magda Elsehrawi
  December 24, 2010, 00:20
  Every now and then, businesses fall asleep – especially the book- business, where store-frequentation just spontaneously lessens. Sometimes, there’s never…
- Improve Cash Flow: Sell Books at a Market or Antique Fair by: Kylie Jakobsen
  December 9, 2010, 22:51
  Retrorocket is primarily an online business selling second-hand books and collectables. The business plan contained the idea of a market stall to improve…
- Getting Started Selling on Amazon by: Stephanie Samek
  November 23, 2010, 11:01
  By Stephanie Samek If you dream about having an income-producing bookstore without the massive overhead of a bricks- and-mortar business, then online selling…
- "If it's not on the shelf...." by: Brian Green
  November 9, 2010, 18:48
  "Don't ask me -- I just work here." Or, "Know thine inventory."
- Does a used bookstore location matter? by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  October 29, 2010, 10:00
  a guest post by Ed Dugan from I Need to Cook (if you love food, and who doesn't, check out his site - pretty sweet.) All of us have read about that…
- Getting things done: Pareto’s Principle by: Kylie Jakobsen
  October 26, 2010, 21:30
  I have a great interest in decluttering and first encountered this principle in a book on home organisation and later in an excellent 1970s management book…
- The Importance of Research: Know What Your Customers Want by: Magda Elsehrawi
  July 30, 2010, 10:05
  Where is your bookstore located? Is it in the heart of the city or in a distant suburb? Are there lots of kids in your area, maybe schools? Universities in…
- On the Hunt - Estate Sales and Yard Sales by: Brian Webster
  July 28, 2010, 11:16
  In the beginning, when we first started in the Internet Book business, we already had quite a few volumes to sell, but it became obvious that we neither had…
- What Image are you Projecting? by: Suzie Eisfelder
  July 26, 2010, 09:40
  This article is going to focus more on what all online businesses can do to look more professional. It came to mind when looking at an article on The…
- Monthly Book Themes at your Bookstore by: Magda Elsehrawi
  July 23, 2010, 07:06
  Someone will walk into your bookshop today. The first thing they’re going to go for is the whatever you push to the foreground – namely, your new titles…
- Mr Book it is the End of the Line for you by: Therese Holland
  July 21, 2010, 12:03
  I, like many other secondhand book shop owning hopefuls, came here by the hobby turning to business route. One of the handicaps of this background is that your…
- Dirty Books by: Brian Webster
  July 6, 2010, 06:40
  Just recently I was offered a batch of books at a good price but – take all or no deal. So we took them all, about 200. Obviously or first step was to sort…
- For Love & Profit, 5 Critical Aspects of Owning a Bookstore by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  July 1, 2010, 10:28
  Owning a bookstore can be a dream come true, but for some, it’s also been an eye-opening process that has caught them unprepared to keep their dream afloat.…
- A Business Plan as well as Your Goals should Breathe and Evolve by: Suzie Eisfelder
  June 16, 2010, 11:40
  Selling online is a fairly solitary occupation, this is something I've spoken about before. Last time I spoke about making friends but this time I'm talking…
- Anticipating Demand, What Books Will Sell Tomorrow? by: Adam Bertram
  May 26, 2010, 21:53
  It's a little known fact that you don't always have to be Nostradamus to be able to anticipate demand when selling used books. There are several recurring…
- Signed books: is this real? by: Nora O'Neill
  May 25, 2010, 13:38
  Wow, this book has been signed by the author! It must be worth a lot! Not so fast, is that a real signature? A real signature can vastly increase the…
- What's the Best Way to Package Books Sold on Amazon by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 22, 2010, 22:55
  If you own an online bookstore or just sell books occasionally on eBay or another auction site, you’ll need to ensure they are packaged safely and securely…
- My experience with packaging books by: Brian Webster
  May 22, 2010, 08:50
  When we first entered the book selling business we were complete beginners as far as shipping books was concerned. We had a lot of knowledge of shipping other…
- A Novel Book is now Online, marketing tips appreciated! by: Amanda Dixon
  May 18, 2010, 15:38
  Well, finally after many stops & starts, A Novel Book is back up and running. I am much happier this time around – and the site is so much more user…
- Bookstore Owners, Are Church Sales Your Enemy or Your Partner? by: Pamela Grath
  May 12, 2010, 23:15
  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…
- Training a Book to be a Salesman by: Judy Riggs
  May 11, 2010, 22:38
  I read an article on the blog recently about adding a synopsis of the book to the online listings to help with sales. It got me to thinking about the art of…
- Cardboard Boxes Packaging by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  May 3, 2010, 22:06
  Cardboard Boxes Packaging, there are two main situations when considering using ready made boxes, like the ones you pick up at the supermarket, or custom…
- Will You Buy My Used Books? by: Amanda Dixon
  February 10, 2010, 19:02
  Amanda shares her first experience in bulk buying for her bookshop. Lesson: think twice about the price.
- Corrugated Mailing Boxes by: Bruce K. Hollingdrake
  January 10, 2010, 23:23
  Corrugated boxes, perfect for shipping everything from books to bananas. Take a look here for more information...
- What worked and what didn't in the bookshop, 2009 edition by: Megan Shea
  January 8, 2010, 10:54
  Thanks to a snowstorm and a fairly quiet day at the store, I was able to sneak into my office to begin sorting out the holiday piles. As I crunched…
- Are you always planning ahead? by: Megan Shea
  December 15, 2009, 20:56
  I spent a recent lunch break attempting to clean off my desk while replying to email, listening to voicemail, placing a book order, addressing an employee…
- Love the computer, hate the power bill by: Nora O'Neill
  December 5, 2009, 17:40
  It's the rare bookseller now a days that doesn't use a computer for at least part of their operation. There's still a few die hards that won't touch them,…
- Full Time Job/Part Time Book Business by: Adam Bertram
  September 3, 2009, 20:48
  Throughout the few months that I have been running my blog at sellyourbooksonline.com, I've run into countless people just like me that are running a part time…
- Is a book scouting service actually worth it? by: Adam Bertram
  August 16, 2009, 22:12
  The purpose of a book scouting service is to let the bookseller look up prices on the fly from Amazon..
- The Value of Good Communication for Online Booksellers by: The Bookshop Blog Archives
  June 9, 2009, 22:28
  Selling strictly online means that we forfeit direct face to face interaction with customers and vice versa. We are not able to 'read' one another. Impressions…
- Open A Used Bookstore – Lessons Learned by: Michelle
  January 13, 2009, 21:36
  Are you thinking of how to open a book store? Here are a few good lessons from somebody who has. Check out this article and many others on how to open a book…
- Does your competitor buy the good books just before you arrive? by: Scott Davis
  March 15, 2008, 07:30
  Scoping Out the Competition (Or Working Smarter, Not Harder) Like most of you, I have responsibilities other than my online book selling gig, including a…
Category: Lead Post (36)
- How On Earth Do Writers Write by: Diane Plumley
  May 11, 2012, 12:51
  I mean, how do they find the time, the solitude, the quiet? Do they have little cells hidden behind walls only accessible by pulling the candlestick on the…
- When The Need To Read Dissipates by: Diane Plumley
  May 10, 2012, 22:17
  The gradual or sudden lack of desire to pick up a book and read occurs frequently to me. There’s no discernible reason for it. One day I’m finishing an…
- Higgelty Pigglety Pop! Maurice Sendak Follows Jennie to the Castle Yonder by: Jas Faulkner
  May 8, 2012, 13:55
  by Jas Faulkner Admitted or not, sometimes trapped deep beneath layers of intellectual noise is the part of us that wants to don a wolf suit and run…
- The Most Expensive Books by: Diane Plumley
  May 7, 2012, 13:45
  I receive e-mails from ABE.com, from time to time, regarding various fun book subjects, but one I never bothered clicking on is their monthly roundup of…
- Don’t Fear the Keeper by: Jas Faulkner
  May 5, 2012, 20:25
  The instinct to collect books has always been strong for many of us. To those who understand, the knee-high to be read pile is a sign of devotion to the…
- Banned Science Fiction and Fantasy Books by: Diane Plumley
  May 2, 2012, 22:50
  In light of the recent banning (again) of Slaughterhouse Five, a book site, Worlds Without Ends, decided to list any and all Sci Fi books known to have been…
- A Pulp Vixen Tale by: Diane Plumley
  May 1, 2012, 17:46
  Have you ever noticed the titles of pulp fiction novels? They're lurid and usually descriptive of a woman, what she does, how she acts, her evil ways, lol,…
- Agatha Award Winners Announced by: Diane Plumley
  April 29, 2012, 17:27
  The annual conference that ran Friday through early Sunday, named the winners of the coveted teapot, The Agatha. The Malice Domestic Conference is always held…
- Twenty Chances To Make New Readers by: Jas Faulkner
  April 29, 2012, 11:49
  by Jas Faulkner Many of the stories that came in following this year's World Book Night were inspirational. People chose to go to shelters, public…
- A Past Interview With 2012 Edgar Winner Mo Hayder by: Diane Plumley
  April 27, 2012, 08:38
  When I wrote my own newsletter back in the dark ages, I interviewed many life time writers, established authors, newer published people, and what I liked…
- Murder For a Wanton by: Diane Plumley
  April 26, 2012, 23:21
  Occasionally I enjoy sharing with others those odd offbeat oldies crime novels that have been forgotten my most, but treasured by few. This one is perfect for…
- The Church of Dead Girls by: Diane Plumley
  April 24, 2012, 19:58
  Right off the bat, I need to tell you that there is a spoiler alert on this article. I will not be holding any thing back when I discuss this harrowing read by…
- Everyone Wants to Write by: Diane Plumley
  April 24, 2012, 11:14
  Or so I believe. At least as far as crime fiction is concerned. It seems as though you can’t swing a dead body at a fan convention without hitting at least a…
- Hi-diddle-dee-dee! A Literary Life For Me by: Jas Faulkner
  April 19, 2012, 13:19
  by Jas Faulkner Carr: Artists are members of a privileged class. Art is absurdly overrated by artists, which is understandable, but what is strange is that…
- A Rose By Any Other Name? by: Diane Plumley
  April 18, 2012, 20:41
  My mother was confused when I referred to the bathroom as the loo. When I explained it was the British equivalent of toilet, or bathroom, she mused…
- Photoplay Books--Almost as Expensive as Making a Movie! by: Diane Plumley
  April 17, 2012, 19:35
  Who can afford to collect photoplays these days? I checked out a link that ABE sent me. It has a super page full of gorgeous dust jacketed books representin…
- Introducing Authors by: Diane Plumley
  April 14, 2012, 13:26
  One of the amazing incidents I encountered when a bookseller for a major mystery store in Manhattan, was introducing one author to another and watching their…
- Thanks A Lot, Justice Administration by: Diane Plumley
  April 11, 2012, 13:34
  Thank you so much for protecting us from Apple's attempts to monopolize the e-book industry. Sure, they set e-book prices and colluded with publishers to do…
- Try before you buy, the smell of books, hilarity ensues by: Matthew Singleton
  April 11, 2012, 08:49
  A few interesting book-related links and errata I’ve found in recent days. Some of them are related to each other, others are just awesome, and some are both…
- Thomas Kinkade's Mephistophelian Bargain by: Jas Faulkner
  April 9, 2012, 16:48
  by Jas Faulkner When the news came out that an inebriated Thomas Kinkade had urinated on a Winnie the Pooh statue that was standing in a corner of his suite…
- Too Many Books, Not Enough Readers by: Diane Plumley
  April 6, 2012, 16:18
  Or at least, 50 million Americans aren't readers. Of books, in any form. In a phone survey funded by The Gates Mega Couple, Bill and Melinda, 21% read an…
- The Magic of Books by: Jas Faulkner
  April 3, 2012, 08:39
  by Jas Faulkner To experience a William Joyce book is the enter a place where things tend to fall together in a fashion that is both charmingly out of…
- A Real Kurt Vonnegut by: Diane Plumley
  April 3, 2012, 01:49
  I am a teeny bit embarrassed to admit, I've not read Vonnegut. Although certainly aware of his work. I've never had the inclination to pick his titles.…
- Lou, the Underground Bookseller, Resurfaces by: Diane Plumley
  March 28, 2012, 17:51
  After Lou left Lorry's Book Company, one of many times--this one sticking, he disappeared from the book world, and mine, for years. I'd no idea where he…
- Booked To Sleep by: Diane Plumley
  March 19, 2012, 22:35
  I know I've said no one can have too many books. And I mean that, if you have enough space in your hemisphere. If, like me, that space has now run out, and the…
- An Awkward Situation by: Diane Plumley
  March 17, 2012, 20:39
  The last time I attended the festivities surrounding the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, given out yearly for the best in crime fiction, I was working for A&E…
- A Few Notable Links by: Diane Plumley
  March 15, 2012, 21:03
  In my rummaging through the attic of the internet, I unearthed a couple of unusual, interesting, and in one case, bizarre stories. Sadly another major…
- Are Some Booksellers Out of Register? by: Diane Plumley
  March 12, 2012, 19:19
  It happened again. I found a title with divine illustrations that I could afford, and ordered it from ABE or another seller on the bookfinder website. I…
- A Wee Yellow Library by: Diane Plumley
  March 11, 2012, 23:07
  I've never gone through the doors of Riverton's butter hued public library. I don't consider visiting neighboring towns' libraries, I assume they serve the…
- Do Free Online Illustrated Books Impact Sales? by: Diane Plumley
  March 7, 2012, 02:22
  I collect images. Physical ones, and virtual ones. I have stacks of illustrated children's books, crime fiction dust jacketed books, Deco magazines and books,…
- The next big thing... or the end of civilization? by: Nora O'Neill
  March 4, 2012, 23:59
  Rare book dealers have a certain image in pop culture. They are generally a bit eccentric, standoffish, erudite, and curmudgeonly. Librarians have a…
- Phone Booth Libraries by: Diane Plumley
  February 29, 2012, 19:29
  At first, the concept of shelves of books as teeny libraries in New York City phone booths seemed laughable. I mean, we're talking about NYC, where men…
- Separating the Writer From His Work by: Diane Plumley
  February 25, 2012, 17:38
  I was searching for info about an Alice in Wonderland in french, illustrated by an artist Morin, when another link popped up about a novel called Alice I…
- A Mystery--How Accounting Can Be Murder by: Diane Plumley
  February 16, 2012, 10:20
  I can't think of a subject less likely to be thrilling than accounting. I don't understand accounting, I don't understand people who like accounting, and I…
- WHERE'S MY PACKAGE!?! by: Nora O'Neill
  January 31, 2012, 23:14
  Nothing sends customers into a tizzy faster than a missing package. Once it leaves your hands, there's only so much you can do to find one of these waylaid…
- Uplifting News About Independent Bookstores by: Diane Plumley
  January 31, 2012, 02:18
  I was off looking for a different article, when my path crossed this rather nice upbeat article on the state of indies. Take a gander and hopefully it will…

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