While reading about Bezos and his acquisition of Avalon books, I came across a story I somehow missed, although how, I can’t imagine, since it involves robots. Amazon bought Kiva Systems, an company who makes giant orange machines that scuttle around warehouses fulfilling the millions of orders you, and I, well, you–make. Wow! Bezos must … Read more
Another ABE e-mail came my way and I was surprised to see it was about the illustrator of children’s books, Kate Greenaway. Her work is everywhere-that’s what public domain can do for a long dead artist. I knew nothing about her life, the article at ABE sheds some light on it, and the fact … Read more
by Jas Faulkner The love of learning, the sequestered nooks… I wanted to find a place to sit and look through the books that intrigued me while browsing the stacks. My choices were pretty limited: Taking the armload of books I was deciding upon to the coffee shop area was a non-starter. I wasn’t about … Read more
When I saw the cover of June 10th’s ‘Parade Magazine’ with Nathan Fillian chest deep in water holding Jaws, I had to explore what the heck the point of this photo was. Turns out the actor who plays the title role of Richard Castle on the TV detective series, is a reader. A real one—not … Read more
In a previous article called, “Can You Franchise the Used Book Business?” I wrote the following: “I do not plan on ever franchising. I simply do not want to give the branded name of my store to someone else.” Well, almost exactly 3 years later, I’m now the CEO of Gottwals Franchising, Inc. which … Read more
The premier fanfest, Bouchercon, will be held this year in Cleveland OH, Oct. 4-7. Each year at the convention, awards named for Anthony Boucher, a well known mystery critic and novelist, are given out. The fans who pay in advance to attend, send in nomination ballots, and then vote on each category, the winners are … Read more
To go directly to Indie GoGO to donate money to help get indie bookstore Monte Crisco up and running: http://www.indiegogo.com/montecristobookshop With major changes to the entire industry leaving the concept of a bookstore, period, on shaky ground, opening an independent bookshop during these uncertain economic times sounds like savings suicide. Yet, this is exactly what a … Read more
Diane Plumley has had numerous ‘careers’ throughout her ancient life, but bookselling remains as the high point. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she worked as cashier and then book buyer/bookseller at a store no longer in existence, (nothing new there) called Lorry’s Book Company. Many moons later, she managed Foul Play, another store, … Read more
