Our writers have been around books for a long time and are never shy to share their opinions…
Another installment from William Smith of Hang Fire Books *********** Independent Book Publishers Association (PMA) moves against Online Galley Sales. The PMA is eliminating a membership benefit that “provides a discount in the initial fees for selling books through AbeBooks” because ABE isn’t taking steps to prevent booksellers from listing and selling promotional, pre-pub, versions … Read more
Author Robert Jordan, who was best known for the Wheel of Time series of fantasy novels, has died of a rare blood disease aged 58. full story from the BBC …
Another entry from our distinguished writer from Massachusetts Tom Nealon of Pazzo Books A signed proof of Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls is headed for auction in November at Swann. It has a signed dedication to Martha Gellhorn, Hemingway’s fiancee and is signed to his friend and longtime employee Toby Otto Bruce, as well … Read more
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 want a selection of reading material. Of course not every independent can accommodate a café and comfy chairs–and we don’t want to encourage B+N-style abuse with people sleeping … Read more
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 been high enough to warrant the decision. Money talks baby, who cares if he has a few blemishes on his c.v. I would really love … Read more
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, and the most common mistake is to get married to your screw-ups. You bought something at 20 that you were SURE was a winner. It … Read more
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 (editor@bookshopblog.com). ************************ Most dealers (myself included) love to talk about the rare, scarce and truly wonderful titles that we found on scouting trips; attributing the find to luck, fate, karma, … Read more
Our staff member John Goodman brings us this nugget. SYDNEY (AFP) – Best-selling author Stephen King was mistaken for a vandal as he horrified an Australian outback bookstore, local media reported Thursday. A customer at the store in remote Alice Springs raised the alarm after noticing a man walk in off the street and begin … Read more
