April 23 is Shakespeare’s Birthday, the International Day of the Book (and World Book Night!), and St. George’s Day. Author Carlos Ruiz Zafon first introduced me to the Catalan tradition of giving books on St. George’s Day (La Diada de Saint Jordi). Well, I went to a high school called St. George’s and my husband’s …
Next week, volunteers will take to the street on Wednesday April 23— with books. Over 25,000 official World Book Night givers will distribute free books to people in their communities– giving books to people “who don’t regularly read.” At shelters, at movie theaters, at malls, at hospitals, at homeless shelters, at grocery stores, and more, …
In the spring of 2005 I was just a few weeks on the job with the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association when we hosted our spring tradeshow, in Seattle. One of my duties over the course of the three-day show was to host an afternoon event called the Author Reading Room. Among the six authors scheduled …
How are a children’s author and an independent bookstore owner using free technology to inspire kids to read and to increase book sales? Bainbridge Island author Suzanne Selfors (SS) and Poulsbo bookseller Suzanne Droppert (SD) put to print the plan they came up with to give the author national reach while supporting her local. SS: …
Fishtrap, a non-profit dedicated to “promot[ing] clear thinking and good writing in and about the West,” is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday March 15 in Portland to support its programs for writers, such as its annual Summer Gathering. The fundraiser’s theme is “Fishtrap Sampler.” Hear “literary bites” from Brian Doyle, Teresa Jordan, Robin Cody, Kim …
We love this documentary about booksellers! We love that it shows the diversity and delight of independent booksellers. Pacific Northwest Bookseller Association Executive Director Thom Chamblis commented, “These ‘Visit a Store’ videos are the kind of things that we would like to do for our booksellers.” Among the national sampling of independent bookstores, the video …
Shelf Awareness can boast more than 250,000 subscribed readers between two regular newsletters that reach the inboxes of industry professionals and book lovers across the country day after day, but don’t think the staff have forgotten that they are a part of their own local reading community. The Shelfers made their own “Image of the …
It’s never been done before. But based on the excellent turnout and warm reception by eight book communities, George Byron Wright, father of the Crazy 8s Author Tour, might just have to plan another. Wright conceived the idea of getting nearly 30 Oregon authors—among them, bestsellers and award-winners—and eight independent bookstores to participate in an …
