On Saturday, while booksellers across the U.S. hosted myriad events marking Independent Bookstore Day, their Canadian colleagues were celebrating Authors for Indies Day, during which writers spent quality time on the sales floors of their favorite indie bookshops chatting with customers, signing books and even handselling a bit. More than 600 authors participated this year in 90-plus bookshops. Hop aboard the social media version of the #AFI2017 bus for a quick virtual tour of the festivities:
Authors for Indies: "A dangerous carful of Canadian authors on the way to their next #AFI2017 bookstore."
Book City, Toronto: "The waiting. The waiting. At last @Authors4indies day has arrived at the Danforth! #AFI2017." And: "Best shirt, worn by @mflowrites for @Authors4indies: 'I'd be more interested if you were a book.' #BWV."
Paragraphe Bookstore, Montreal, Que.: "Booksellers for a day! Authors Ariela Freedman and Bonnie Farmer are @ParagrapheBooks to help us out on Authors for Indies day."
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| Bookmark PEI | |
Bookmark PEI, Charlottetown: "Our staff dressed up today to honour Canadian writers from the past! From left we have Susanna Moodie (Lori), Gabrielle Roy (Olivia), Stephen Leacock (Adam), L.M. Montgomery (Marlene), Robertson Davies (Dan), and Mordecai Richler (Ryan)."
Books On Beechwood, Ottawa: "@Authors4indies is underway here! Come down to meet some great local authors, buy books, enter draws, receive door prizes, and so much more!"
32 Books & Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.: "Too much fun #AFI2017 today @CathieBorrie @GrantLawrence @CeaPerson! Thanks for supporting #local #bookstores! #books."
Lexicon Books, Lunenburg, N.S.: "How adorable are these cookies? If you are in the Lunenburg area and are in the market for some books head over to @lexiconbooks to celebrate #authors4indies day!"
Lighthouse Books, Brighton, Ont.: "Wow. What a fantastic day! 8 fabulous authors, 9 awesome spot prizes, probably 100 'Lindt or Lighthouse' chocolate draws, what feels like a million pictures (some highlighted here...) and too many great book conversations to count, we survived Authors for Indies Day 2017. HUGE thank you to all of the authors and organizers but most importantly, our amazing customers for coming out and supporting Lighthouse Books. One thing is surely clear--Brighton supports local business!"
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| Author Louise Penny finds a new use for the scanner. | |
Brome Lake Books, Knowlton, Que.: "Having a great day at Authors for Indies. Louise Penny took over the cash but unfortunately she thought the scanner was a murder weapon! Eventually we got her back to the signing table where she was much more helpful."
Whodunit Mystery Bookstore, Winneped, Man.: "We had a wonderful time with Authors for Indies, and a lovely visit from Sherri Smith. Thanks to everyone who visited and all those who provided support. Stay tuned for draw winners, and thank you once again!"
Another Story, Toronto: "Thank you to our wonderful authors & customers who made @Authors4indies such a success today! Can't wait until next year! #Authors4Indies."
Munro's Books, Victoria, B.C.: "#cake is going DOWN!! #AFI2017 #authors4indies @Authors4indies #books #canlit." And: "There's another hour or so to catch our Authors for Indies crew hard at work serving cake and selling books! Thanks to these wonderful folks for sharing their support of independent bookstores. #bookstores #AFI2017 #authors4indies."
Type Books, Toronto: "Thanks, everyone! @Authors4indies is already hopping at 10 AM!" And later: "A big thank you to all our author-booksellers and everyone who dropped by yesterday! We had a blast at @Authors4indies. Hope you did, too!"
Authors for Indies: "As the third Authors for Indies Day in Canada comes to a close, we want to thank all the wonderful authors, bookstores, and book lovers who came together to make this celebration happen. It is so inspiring to see how much support, and how much cake, we will all offer in the name of something we love! Please keep sharing pictures of your book hauls for the day, and keep dropping by your favorite indies all year. #AFI2017 #OhCanada #IndieBookstoresForever."