When my new book of poems, Seeded Light, was released a couple weeks ago, I was happy to be able to point readers to links for Amazon or Barnes and Noble initiated by my publisher for convenient purchase of the book. A great benefit of the Internet has been the easy access to online stores for all sorts of products by customers anywhere they may live. Although readers of literature have been conflicted by the apparent detrimental impact on independently owned community bookshops, they have especially enjoyed the availability of volumes from large publishing houses or small presses at online outlets.
In addition to the huge Internet locations, Amazon or Barnes and Noble, a few individual brick-and-mortar bookstores, like Powell’s Books of Portland, Oregon, have survived by creating their own impressive web sites for sales of new, used, or out-of-print books. Readers will also locate a link for purchasing Seeded Light there as well. However, establishing such a notable online presence would seem impossible for most local bookstores. Therefore, as a supporter of community bookshops, I was pleased to discover that a national organization of independent booksellers, IndieBound, has been established to centralize searches for books and link customers to web sites of neighborhood bookstores nearest to them.
IndieBound is described on its web site as “a community-oriented movement begun by the independent bookseller members of the American Booksellers Association.” Readers are encouraged to search for books, including Seeded Light, on the central IndieBound site. Buyers are then directed to a local bookstore’s website where a purchase can be made. Curious users also may seek out directions for a number of nearby independent bookstores to visit.
A concern I share with many readers, particularly since the list of independent bookstores throughout the country has diminished in recent years, regards the lack of brick-and-mortar bookstores in their region. The wonderful independent bookshop in Valparaiso closed its doors about five years ago. Asking about this, I have been assured by Rob Dougherty of the Clinton Book Shop—a fine local bookseller in Clinton, New Jersey, the past four decades and a member store in IndieBound—that mail order services from the sellers using book distributors are available through the independent stores: “For instance, anyone who orders Seeded Light from our site can have it delivered direct to them by Ingram,” Dougherty comments.
According to information provided at IndieBound, there are a number of advantages to shopping at independent booksellers, including the following economic effects: “When you shop at an independently-owned business, your entire community benefits. Spend $100 at a local and $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43. Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for our neighbors. More of your taxes are reinvested in your community—where they belong. ”
Consequently, I am pleased visitors to “One Poet’s Notes” will find a link to IndieBound as another option in the blog sidebar for obtaining copies of Seeded Light. Additionally, in an effort to further support independent booksellers, I urge all readers to consider this source in the future when searching for books.
In addition to the huge Internet locations, Amazon or Barnes and Noble, a few individual brick-and-mortar bookstores, like Powell’s Books of Portland, Oregon, have survived by creating their own impressive web sites for sales of new, used, or out-of-print books. Readers will also locate a link for purchasing Seeded Light there as well. However, establishing such a notable online presence would seem impossible for most local bookstores. Therefore, as a supporter of community bookshops, I was pleased to discover that a national organization of independent booksellers, IndieBound, has been established to centralize searches for books and link customers to web sites of neighborhood bookstores nearest to them.
IndieBound is described on its web site as “a community-oriented movement begun by the independent bookseller members of the American Booksellers Association.” Readers are encouraged to search for books, including Seeded Light, on the central IndieBound site. Buyers are then directed to a local bookstore’s website where a purchase can be made. Curious users also may seek out directions for a number of nearby independent bookstores to visit.
A concern I share with many readers, particularly since the list of independent bookstores throughout the country has diminished in recent years, regards the lack of brick-and-mortar bookstores in their region. The wonderful independent bookshop in Valparaiso closed its doors about five years ago. Asking about this, I have been assured by Rob Dougherty of the Clinton Book Shop—a fine local bookseller in Clinton, New Jersey, the past four decades and a member store in IndieBound—that mail order services from the sellers using book distributors are available through the independent stores: “For instance, anyone who orders Seeded Light from our site can have it delivered direct to them by Ingram,” Dougherty comments.
According to information provided at IndieBound, there are a number of advantages to shopping at independent booksellers, including the following economic effects: “When you shop at an independently-owned business, your entire community benefits. Spend $100 at a local and $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43. Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for our neighbors. More of your taxes are reinvested in your community—where they belong. ”
Consequently, I am pleased visitors to “One Poet’s Notes” will find a link to IndieBound as another option in the blog sidebar for obtaining copies of Seeded Light. Additionally, in an effort to further support independent booksellers, I urge all readers to consider this source in the future when searching for books.
4 comments:
As I live in Wellsboro PA, a small town that still has main street business, I appreciate the poet for letting people know that independent bookstores, as well as small, local businesses are an important part of the community.
Hear, hear! It must be noted, however, that the database of titles feeding IndieBound's site remains wanting.
Anything that supports independent bookshops has Ford Street Publishing's support! Major problems facing indi stores here in Australia are rising rents (most small businesses are facing this problem) and major chain stores buying books at such huge discounts that they're selling books cheaper than the indi stores pay for them. Hence, some independent booksellers actually get their books from the chain stores and then resell at the standard RRP! A crazy situation. Add to this book clubs that purchase books firm sale at 70% discount, virtually wiping out educational book distributors who can't match that discount. It's all looking very grim :-(.
Thanks for this, and congratulations on your book!
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