It's Tuesday: 5 Things About the World of Magazines & Media - Issue #31
This week, let's celebrate the durability, creativity and remarkable resilience of independent bookstores, small chain bookstores and their incredible staffs.
Despite everything that the pandemic has thrown at them, so many not only in business, but serve as important anchors within their communities.
So please take a minute to review some of the articles and links below, and then go visit a local indie bookstore near you. And do us magazine folks a solid when you do, stop and peruse the magazine rack.
#1 What does the new year promise? We're Not sure.
A Murky Crystal Ball for Booksellers — www.publishersweekly.com Indie booksellers had a solid 2021, but are uncertain as to what 2022 will hold.
Remarkably, the past year saw sales gains for many independent booksellers despite the pandemic. Some of that was fueled by the return to in-store shopping in the fourth quarter, but many stores were able to transition to local fulfillment centers. I recall reading that one store I follow on social media was actually making home deliveries on local orders.
Like so many retailers, the big question is maintaining staff and keeping them healthy.
Here's a question for you, faithful reader: If this is a category you're interested in, are you reading Shelf Awareness everyday? You should...
Shelf Awareness — www.shelf-awareness.com Welcome to the Web site for Shelf Awareness: Daily Enlightenment for the Book Trade, the free e-mail newsletter dedicated to helping the people in stores, ...
#2 Colorado's Tattered Cover continues to expand
Tattered Cover, with bar, to open in Westminster | Business | denvergazette.com — denvergazette.com The next chapter in the story of Tattered Cover, Colorado's largest independent bookseller, begins next week when its new location opens in Westminster.
This local Colorado chain is now on it's third ownership team and is about to open their seventh location (including three retail outlets at the Denver International Airport).
Think about this: A bar, in a bookstore. I really love that.
#3 Booksellers at Capitol Hill Books in Washington, DC created a band called "The Failed Poets." And, have you seen their Grab Bag Book Order program?
Death of the Novel, by The Failed Poets — thefailedpoets.bandcamp.com Death of the Novel by The Failed Poets, released 04 January 2022 1. Paperbacks & Pills 2. Faded Pink Cardigan 3. Autofiction 4. Long Shot (For truggle) 5. The End is Nigh! Songs by booksellers about books and booksellers.
Capitol Hill Books Grab Bag Order — docs.google.com Tell us a little about you and we'll put together a stack of books! When it's ready, we'll send you a picture of the books for you to confirm/remove any items if needed. Upon approval, we'll send you a PayPal invoice to complete your order. Shipping is free for orders $50 and above, and just $5 for media mail shipping within the US. If you'd prefer to do a curbside pick-up for your order, please write "curbside pick-up" in the Shipping field. We offer new, used, and rare books and are located at 657 C St SE, Washington, DC 20003. *Holiday orders should be placed and paid for by December 13th for the best chance of delivery by December 25th*
So we were talking about creativity, right? Here's a store where the booksellers have not only created a band, but they also have this really smart "grab bag" program.
For the record: This is one of my very favorite places to drop in on when I get to go to Washington, DC.
#4 New generation of ownership for Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, IL
Becky Anderson Becomes Sole Owner of Anderson’s Bookshop — www.nctv17.com Naperville native Becky Anderson will take on full ownership of Anderson's Bookshop after her brothers' retirement from the role.
How many local retail businesses that you know of survive more than one or maybe two generations of family ownership?
This may not seem like such a big deal, but it really is. The roots for this bookstore go back to the late 19th century and this store is a big part of downtown Naperville (147,500 residents).
I grew up in Western Mass where it seems like everything is only 15 minutes away. A few years back I drove out to Anderson's Bookshop to attend a book signing. It was then that I realized not only how big the Chicago metro region and it's collar counties are, but how big Naperville is.
So this store remaining in its founding family and expanding on all of its traditions? This is a good thing. It's also a really, really good bookstore and the drive was well worth it.
#5 Only in your state: Some things you may not have known about Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa City
The Unsuspecting Iowa Bookstore That's Known Around The World — www.onlyinyourstate.com Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa is known as a spot for famous authors, budding writers, and voracious readers alike to gather.
For years, this store was little more than a line item on any magazine distribution I was looking at that included indie bookstores.
So stumbling across this article was a very worthwhile diversion.
Bonus Content! Why Publishers Should Pay Attention to Pinterest
Why publishers should pay attention to Pinterest | Media news — www.journalism.co.uk The visual search platform that has more active users than Twitter created new tools to help businesses build loyal social audiences and explore untapped revenue streams
Yeah, you really should.
Your Moment of Magazine Zen is Brought to you By...
Cabana Magazine is a biannual pub from the UK that focuses in on "obsessive collecting, colors, textiles and Objets d'art brought to life through vivid photography."
Your Moment of Magazine Agita is Brought to you by
This photo was taken in a large format Walmart store in suburban Chicago. Of the twenty-one full faced magazines on the top row, how many are regular frequency publications (Not Bookazines, SIPs, Specials)?
Fewer than five.
Bookazines are great. For retailers. For large scale publishers with deep pockets. They're great for building categories, interest, added revenue.
But when they take over the rack...
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That’s it! That’s all we’ve got for you this week so go on, get back to work! I hear the boss clicking on that Zoom link. May your work week go smoothly and may only a few of your emails start with "Hey there!"