Did you know that mega bestselling author Jeff Kinney owns a bookstore? I didn’t. Until recently. And no, he’s not the only one.
I obviously don’t have a definitive list of authors who also own bookstores, but there’s several who do. But I think the idea is pretty great. Obviously this isn’t something that just any author can do. He’s said that his building cost millions to build. It’s state-of-the-art and rather large. So I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I could afford (or get) that kind of loan with my current finances. He also hosts author events for authors he knows personally. Again, this is probably not something you or I could do.
But I think it’s a cool idea. Obviously authors who do this want to make money from their investment, but bringing people together who love books and making some money from it (after taking all the risk) isn’t the worst thing in the world.
I think authors owning bookstores could become something of a trend. We know there aren’t as many bookstores as there used to be, so this could be a way to attract people into indie stores. They could potentially meet one of their favorite authors just by going in. What do you think of authors owning their own bookstores?
Johnny Reads 
I have often thought about owning a bookstore, specifically gently loved books. I’m far from a published author unless you count not for profit fanfiction,
I’ve also thought about opening a coffee shop/eBook trading/selling/borrowing type of place, but I don’t have the know-how, the cash or the credit rating to go about it right now *sigh*.
I think ANYONE who owns a bookstore, new or used, has the right idea. The can share their love of the written word with the rest of us :), and we can share our cash with them, lol.
Seriously, though, more power to them.
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I agree. I love bookstores (the kind that actually sell books, not just souvenirs, stationery & lottery tickets with a few books lurking at the back); and the idea of authors making enough money to afford a bookstore – well, what could be more ideal? Still, you’d want someone else to handle the day-to-day running, or it could affect the authorial output.
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Very true although I think I could make myself a bunker underneath and hide there during the days, emerging for food and drink and going back into hiding shortly after, lmao.
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Sounds like a plan 🙂
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I’m curious to know what you mean by an eBook trading/selling/borrowing type of place?
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A mix of coffee shop, library, used book store but for ebooks rather than paper/hardback books. I know I have ebooks I don’t particularly want anymore, but I don’t want to get rid of them (delete them) because I did pay for them and if someone else can get the use of them I’d rather do it that way
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Don’t libraries already do that?
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Yup, minus the coffee and I thought of this a while before libraries started loaning ebooks.
Speaking of libraries: our just started loaning out portable hot spots.
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Hmm. I guess they beat you to the punch then. Portable hot spots? Like WiFi ones? Whoa.
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Yes, WiFi hot spots. They loan them out for the standard loan period of three weeks. Useful for those looking for work but don’t have internet or a smartphone or a portable computer (tablet, laptop, etc.) so they can hit McDonald’s or some place with free WiFi.
They just rolled that out a couple of weeks ago.
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Okay. I have no idea what you’re referring to. A hot spot to me is what actually gives the user internet access. Like when phones or cars can be hot spots. But you’re saying you still need free WiFi. So I’m confused.
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http://kpl.org/hotspot
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They are what I thought. They give you internet access. No need to find a place with free WiFi. This gives it.
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I responded before but it have been caught by your Spam filter since it was only a link.
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I think it’s a great idea. If I could ever afford it, I’d love to open a bookstore.
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Get those lottery tickets.
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Will do. It only takes a dollar and a dream, right??
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I’ve never heard that, but sure. Why not? 😉
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Really? I’ve heard that a million times. Mostly by everybody who plays the lottery.
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Well I don’t know anyone who plays the lottery. I’ve only seen old people buying tickets.
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Hahaha!!! I know a ton of people. Old and young.
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Maybe one of them will have some luck on their side.
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I like the idea!
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😊
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Definitely a great idea – if I had a few million going spare, I’d open a bookshop too. Mind you, I’d also want a fully kitted out tree house to write in (with tea making facilities and good heating, of course) and an apple orchard. So, I’d better get out there and make some money, then …
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A tree house? 😳
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Yup. Think of it as a study built in a tree. Preferably an oak or similarly big, ancient living lump of wood. A nice big window looking out at a forest (or the sea – or both!), birds nesting in the thatched roof – families of ladybirds traipsing across my desk every morning … A hive of wild honey bees buzzing somewhere nearby … Not much to ask, is it? 🙂
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Well I know what tree houses are, I’ve just never heard of an adult wanting one. 😕
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Ha! I’ve put way too much thought into it – it’s just aeomthing that appeals. Love a tree. And bees 🙂
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Bees sting. And then make your face swell up. 🐝 And trees hurt people when they fall out of them. 😂
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Haha! Poor bees – I’ll leave them in peace, promise. And as for the falling … Well, who’s to say I’m not some champion liana swinger, a Tarzaness of the blogging community? Okay. I’ll wear a harness. 🙂
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Yikes. Please keep the harness on.
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Haha! Will do 🙂
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I think it’s great way to strengthen the book community! A good author and new books all in the same place – talk about keeping print alive 🙂
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Yes!
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I’d love to own a bookstore that caters to authors… meeting rooms for writer’s groups. Preferential shelving for local authors. A nice little coffee shop. Dedicated space for signings and author events. Now to win the lottery so I don’t have to worry about making a profit 😉
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Well I guess that’d be cool, but his isn’t really like that. It’s just a bookstore owned by an author everyone knows. I think I’d always want to cater to the customers more than authors. There’d be a nice balance.
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There is a bookstore in Phoenix that serves beer. Don’t know that it’s owned by an author. Still… it’s a good way to draw in customers! LOL http://www.changinghands.com/firstdraftbar
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Well there’s grocery stores and bars that’ll meet your beer needs quite easily. Drunk people don’t need to be in a bookstore.
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