Last month, Seattle Independent Bookstore Day and the national celebration of Independent Bookstore Day were officially postponed. Both were originally scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2020, but are tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2020.
Although we have to wait for the in-person festivities (and exclusive merchandise) until a safer time in public health, participating Seattle bookstores do have something special planned for this week.
Watch social media for #SEAbookstoreday.
Booksellers from Seattle Independent Bookstore Day passport stores chose essays from Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights. With the author and publisher’s blessing, they recorded themselves reading aloud favorite essays as they stay safe and stay home– and as most continue to process orders through their store’s websites, through email, and over the phone to ship to their customers all over the country. Videos will be posted throughout the week.
On April 25 at 4:00 pm PT, everyone is invited to join author Ross Gay for a virtual author event.
These are difficult times. It’s good to remember the delights. Big thanks to Ross Gay, Algonquin Books/ Workman Publishing, and the folks bringing us Seattle Independent Bookstore Day for helping us hold onto the good in the world.
Have you been enjoying internet readings or virtual book events? Please recommend some authors and accounts to watch in the comments.