Rick Simonson has been building community in Seattle and hobnobbing with literary luminaries all over the world for 50 years now. […]

“Rick and I have walked many trails together. But Rick is always too modest, and he always deflects,” said Simonson’s best friend and a legendary bookseller himself, Paul Yamazaki. As Yamazaki talked about his friend’s modesty, Simonson turned away before he cut in, “He does it, though! He does it! He got tagged with an award he couldn’t get out of!”

Talking to the pair is a lot like reading a good book — they tell stories that sweep the literary world with characters like English novelist John Berger and Sonny Mehta, editor-in-chief of the publishing giant Alfred A. Knopf. But they don’t just tell a linear story, no, not these two. They both suffer from a kind of ultra-modest syndrome. As one talks, the other is laughing in embarrassment (Yamazaki) or turning away from the conversation and shaking his head, trying to politely find an opportunity to turn the topic around (Simonson).

Read the full piece by Katie Campbell for KUOW here. 

From Town Hall Seattle’s/ PNBA’s own Grace Rajendran on Instagram:

“Whether you’re in New York, Delhi, or Jaipur, when the name Rick is mentioned (in the book community) they are most likely referring to Rick Simonson…” – Paul Yamazaki at Elliott Bay Book Company’s event to celebrate Rick Simonson.

What a joy and honor to be invited to celebrate Rick Simonson and his remarkable 50 yrs @elliottbaybookco .

As a former bookseller, I know that bookstores are so much more than the books on their shelves. They’re about the people who champion those books and writers, who foster connection and conversations in their communities, who connect those books with readers…
Rick Simonson embodies all of those principles.

I first met Rick 6 years ago and I remember a cold, January night outside the hotel in Baltimore, where booksellers from across the country were gathered for the annual @americanbooksellers Winter Institute. It was my first time at that conference and I suddenly found myself in conversation with two bookselling legends, Rick and Paul Yamazaki of @citylightsbooks . Rick had graciously drawn me into their chat and they both generously shared their wisdom, expertise, and publishing insights and their hopes and wishes for future generations of booksellers.

And since then, Rick has always made me feel welcome and appreciated … at every literary interaction that we’ve had.

That’s the kind of person Rick is. For five decades he’s championed writers- both literary superstars as well emerging voices- and helped make Seattle one the country’s top literary cities.

Last night’s celebration thrown by @elliottbaybookco at @townhall_seattle was a beautiful reflection of that legacy. It was especially moving to hear Paul’s tribute and watch Congressional Rep Pramila Jayapal share how much of a difference Rick made in her own career as a writer.

I’m grateful to have been there to celebrate with a wonderful literary community and also grateful for that winter night in Baltimore, when Rick made a new bookseller feel so welcome at the table.

See Grace’s wonderful photos and video on Instagram here. 

Elliott Bay Book Company celebrated Rick in-store on Saturday November 7, 2026:

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🎉 Free slice of cake 🍰⁠
🎉 Commemorative Bookmark 🔖⁠
🎉 Rick Simonson themed scavenger/trivia hunt 🎲⁠
🎉 A special message from the Mayor’s office 📣⁠
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Thank you, Rick, for having been, and continuing to be,⁠
at the heart of Elliott Bay Book Co.!⁠