As part of his new "Put Up or Shut Up, Go Big or Go Home" campaign, author and Indies First movement creator Sherman Alexie has challenged authors to show their love and support for their local bookstores by tattooing those stores' names directly on their foreheads.
"I've been in this Indie game longer than anyone," declared Alexie in a profanity-laden post on the American Booksellers Association's website. "Repping these Indies since day one, even before Indies First. But then here comes Ann Patchett, starting a bookstore, and James Patterson, making it rain, and Kate DiCamillo, all acting like I'm out of the game. You think you love indies? Well, it's time to put up or shut up, to go big or go home."
Joy Dallanegra-Sanger of the ABA called Alexie's challenge "a bit unusual," but said that the ABA would nevertheless throw its support behind a campaign that could so visibly raise awareness of independent bookstores. The organization's suggestion that authors might use temporary tattoos was, however, dismissed by Alexie as "some weak s**t."
As of press time, Alexie has reportedly already tattooed the names of several Seattle-area indies on his forehead, face and throat. --Alex Mutter