Yes, a guy. But not just any guy, my friend Roy who is the president of the Authors Guild. Here’s his message to members. Pass it on!
“I’ve been talking to booksellers lately who report that times are hard. And local booksellers aren’t known for vast reserves of capital, so a serious dip in sales can be devastating. Booksellers don’t lose enough money, however, to receive congressional attention. A government bailout isn’t in the cards.
“We don’t want bookstores to die. Authors need them, and so do neighborhoods. So let’s mount a book-buying splurge. Get your friends together, go to your local bookstore and have a book-buying party. Buy the rest of your Christmas presents, but that’s just for starters. Clear out the mysteries, wrap up the histories, beam up the science fiction! Round up the westerns, go crazy for self-help, say yes to the university press books! Get a load of those coffee-table books, fatten up on slim volumes of verse, and take a chance on romance!
“There will be birthdays in the next twelve months; books keep well; they’re easy to wrap: buy those books now. Buy replacements for any books looking raggedy on your shelves. Stockpile children’s books as gifts for friends who look like they may eventually give birth. Hold off on the flat-screen TV and the GPS (they’ll be cheaper after Christmas) and buy many, many books. Then tell the grateful booksellers, who by this time will be hanging onto your legs begging you to stay and live with their cat in the stockroom: “Got to move on, folks. Got some books to write now. You see…we’re the Authors Guild.”
“Enjoy the holidays.”
Roy Blount Jr.
President
Authors Guild
Menu
0 Responses
That’s great! We actually don’t have a lot of independently-owned bookstores. There are a couple in the city, but they’re all political where, I imagine, politics sell well. As it is, they’re even closing the chain bookstore by my house. As for buying books, I buy books for everyone at every holiday and for every book I buy someone, I buy myself one! 🙂
That’s great! We actually don’t have a lot of independently-owned bookstores. There are a couple in the city, but they’re all political where, I imagine, politics sell well. As it is, they’re even closing the chain bookstore by my house. As for buying books, I buy books for everyone at every holiday and for every book I buy someone, I buy myself one! 🙂
Books are a favorite gift to give and to receive in our family. Just yesterday I bought 3 books on tape, a mystery, a romance, a christmas stories book, and yearned for a couple of books not available. Stopped at London Drugs to see how JUST BREATHE was going – only 1 left now! We are doing our part to keep the book stores alive and well, including used book stores. There is a great little new & used book store in Steveston run by a lovely couple. That is where I discovered Susan’s books. There it was on the shelf – saying “Pick me, Pick me.” I am so glad I did. Thanks Susan.
To all the “book pushers” – books are better than ….. well, you can fill it in.
If I were a cartoonist I would draw a man/woman by an alley opening a trench coat filled with books in pockets saying “PPST .. wanna expand your mind!”
Books are a favorite gift to give and to receive in our family. Just yesterday I bought 3 books on tape, a mystery, a romance, a christmas stories book, and yearned for a couple of books not available. Stopped at London Drugs to see how JUST BREATHE was going – only 1 left now! We are doing our part to keep the book stores alive and well, including used book stores. There is a great little new & used book store in Steveston run by a lovely couple. That is where I discovered Susan’s books. There it was on the shelf – saying “Pick me, Pick me.” I am so glad I did. Thanks Susan.
To all the “book pushers” – books are better than ….. well, you can fill it in.
If I were a cartoonist I would draw a man/woman by an alley opening a trench coat filled with books in pockets saying “PPST .. wanna expand your mind!”
Carol Mc, I wish you *were* a cartoonist. What a great idea!
Susan, I do appreciate Mr. Blount’s message, and I have bought books for Christmas. I’m also giving a set of my own books at a family gift exchange…if I’m brave enough to carry through on that plan.
It’s possible to buy a new book in my little town, but choices are definitely limited. We absolutely need to support our local bookstores–and local shops of all types–lest they disappear.
Carol Mc, I wish you *were* a cartoonist. What a great idea!
Susan, I do appreciate Mr. Blount’s message, and I have bought books for Christmas. I’m also giving a set of my own books at a family gift exchange…if I’m brave enough to carry through on that plan.
It’s possible to buy a new book in my little town, but choices are definitely limited. We absolutely need to support our local bookstores–and local shops of all types–lest they disappear.
I have been doing my part. I am giving lots of books for Christmas. ALthough we only have one local book seller, plus the big chain book stores and department stores. I have tried to purchase from our local “Booknook”.
I have been doing my part. I am giving lots of books for Christmas. ALthough we only have one local book seller, plus the big chain book stores and department stores. I have tried to purchase from our local “Booknook”.
LOL Carol – I’d probably be the woman in the alley.
I love this article. It’s excellent.
LOL Carol – I’d probably be the woman in the alley.
I love this article. It’s excellent.
One problem is getting people away from the movies, PS3 and Wii. Books can do what those can’t, but convincing people of it is etremely difficult.
One problem is getting people away from the movies, PS3 and Wii. Books can do what those can’t, but convincing people of it is etremely difficult.