Some tips from the Pros on how to operate a successful bookshop.
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 true, unfortunately, it doesn’t address how I felt about the job. Even within the most trying of atmospheres, it wasn’t as though I stood around whining or complaining … Read more
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 store. Space in a retail shop is limited; inventory is expensive, and there needs to be a reason why any product is carried in a store. Through these next … Read more
“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 little bit sweeter, it also hit #1 on Bookscan’s mass market mystery list. Yes! There’s a martini with my name on it.” This is the author Lorna … Read more
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 annoying and wouldn’t deal with them or authors unless forced to. There was, I’m not sure if this holds true now, a certain snobbishness in some independent bookstores. … Read more
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 worked, there have been several inmates also considered employees. After shifting career gears in the early 90s, from jewelry making to part time corporation mumbo jumbo, … Read more
I’ve mentioned the two diminutive people, whose son owned Lorry’s and Pace University bookstore, but never explained their particular presence and role within the workings of the business. They didn’t have one. Or, let me rephrase that, they didn’t have a role conducive to actual bookstore business. They ‘trolled’ the stores, guarded their son’s investments, … Read more
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 architecture, a fact I’d not known until I looked for photos of the building online. I did realize it was quite an ancient structure, but then so are most of the … Read more
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 reader, will sometimes get “You haven’t read “Insert Incredible Classic Here”!!?” Now, with the onslaught of re-jacketed and (very) reasonably priced classics, what better way to beef up sales than … Read more
