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Books and Book Stores
And Other Random Fun
A friend and I recently discussed writer challenges: emerging and seasoned authors struggling to stand out. It's difficult when you don't have the P.R. machine of big publishers. That got me thinking about everyone else attached to writing: small bookstores, illustrators, and book reviewers, to name a few.
Yes, before anyone says something, some of the books below are from large publishers. I would love to hear from you about independent published books out there along with independent bookstores.
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Below showcases some of these people and businesses. I may have collaborated with some, such as illustrators, or hope to , or simply enjoy their work. Just a little light shining, so to speak.
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I receive no payment or any form of compensation for the list below.
Support your Local Small Bookstores!
FOUNTAIN BOOKSTORE
RICHMOND, VA
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I LOVE Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia. I went in one day asking, "Hey, not sure what the name of this book is I'm looking for. It's ummm, I think the guy is a comedian. It's about religion in America...." I went on for another second before both clerks answered in unison the title. Impressed. I decided to throw out a few more vague book questions. They won. It was a lot more fun than playing with an online AI bot. What the store didn't have they ordered and had shipped to my house for free.
Books I love and Books I'M Reading
A book that I have finished recently is You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrique. This book is about the first encounter between Montezuma and Cortes. I love the fact that he uses no quotes or traditional paragraphs. There is an old college English professor I would love to send this book to just to watch them glitch. It would also be fun to watch AI melt down over all the grammar and layout issues.
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It's as if Enrique wrote what was streaming in his head. An entertaining book that shines a light on historical characters. It just happens to be a strobe light that flips history on its head.
Spelled Ink
Orange Va.
Okay, I'm going to be honest here, I've never visited this bookstore. I was looking online for Virginia bookstores and Spelled Ink popped up. Love the website! Can't wait to visit.
Books In The Queue
Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here
by Jonathan Blitzer
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James
by Percival Evertt
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Separation of Church and Hate
by John Fugelsang
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I know some of these have been out for a while but I'm getting there.
Can't wait to visit Middleburg Books
Middleburg, VA
They offer book tastings!
Books I'm Excited For
The Salt We Bleed
by Denile Baugh
Brandylane Publishers
Poetry
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Twinings: Poems at Eighty
by Julie Fritz
Brandlyane Publishers
Poetry
Illustrators
Okay, I'm a little bias on this one but giving a shout out to Aaron Zonka. He was my illustrator for Havenwood.
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Favorite Instagram Accounts
E Train Talks Books
E Train Talks Books is a nonprofit literacy initiative founded by teen Ethan Minton. His organization has donated over 8,000 books to underserved children. He is amazing. I hope you check the site out.