The Government Printing Office has opened its newly redesigned bookstore, a renovation done entirely by federal employees, Federal News Radio reported. The GPO bookstore sells only federal documents, which it has done since 1895--and in its own retail space since 1921.
The new store has exhibit space to educate customers about the history of printing and the GPO's role in producing government documents, according to Davita Vance-Cooks, the GPO's managing director of publication and information sales.
The new store includes GPO's first-ever comic book, Squeaks and the History of Printing, written and illustrated by agency employees. (Squeaks, the mouse, helps children to understand the history of printing.) The bookstore also sells online.
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Since
1977, Pinocchio's Children's Bookstore, Memphis, Tenn., "has resided in
the same yellow house, filled with reminders that children have always
craved good stories," the Commercial Appeal wrote, noting that co-owners Miriam Epstein and Judy Korones "both taught children for years before opening their store."
"We
hope that people recognize the worth of having an independent
bookstore," said Epstein. "There's a caring environment that is the
whole nature of the independent store. It's a gift."
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Laura Hansen, owner of Bookin' It
bookstore, Little Falls, Minn., was selected the Great River Arts
Association (GRAA) artist of the month for August for her work as a
writer and poet, the Morrison County Record reported.
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Fans of the Open Book fear it will close. The store moved earlier this year from the site that became Books & Books to a spot on a side street with less foot traffic, but still only "about a dozen storefronts away."Books & Books owner Jack McKeown told the Times his research shows there is room for another bookstore in Westhampton Beach. Open Book owner Terry Lucas said McKeown offered to hire her as a consultant.
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Book trailer of the day: Nature's Secret Messages: Hidden in Plain Sight by Elaine Wilkes (Hay House), a trailer that cost $20 to make.
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Karl Marlantes, author of Matterhorn, selected his top 10 war stories for the Guardian:
"It seems to me that a great war book must speak the truth about war;
that it is mostly tedious, numbing, confusing, occasionally thrilling,
filled with love for your comrades, and ultimately leaves you sad. Then,
of course, there is the constant authorial challenge to keep the reader
turning the pages--a challenge fully met by all of these tales."
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In a post on the Bookshop Blog
titled "Starting a U.K. Bookstore, Laura Jenkinson chronicled her
journey from filling out bookshop employment applications years ago to
her current dream of opening Blackboard Fiction, which "will be an English language and Literature educational bookshop in West London."
"The
thing that keeps me going on past the paralyzing doubt is that
everyone--and I mean everyone--that I have told about my plans has
spread a wide, slow grin over their face and said 'That’s a brilliant
idea,' 'That’s perfect for you,' and, the best, 'Can I come and work
with you please?,' " wrote Jenkinson. "Despite the constant terror that
it’ll all go wrong, that I’ll never get it off the ground, and that I’m
making a long and costly error that could ruin my life, I simultaneously
seem to be 'living the dream,' if as an ex-English teacher I can be
allowed such a hackneyed phrase. Bookshops, especially ones like my
prospective teeny little community-hearted one and mysteriously
decorated one, are dearly missed from most high streets it seems, and
over here in the U.K. there are constant articles in the media repeating
this idea. Even despite the current trend for being poor whilst also
believing everything should be digitalized and instant, people still
love books. I’m really, really looking forward to being a part of that
again. I’ll let you know how it goes."
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Thriving in the digital era for dummies. Macleans
magazine reported that the For Dummies series has adapted nicely to the
changing landscape for publishers: "In some ways, the books were like
the Internet before most knew what the Web was. After all, a Dummies
book is somewhat akin to a Wikipedia entry on steroids, and their
non-linear format, irreverent tone and page layout share much in common
with what the Internet eventually came to look like."
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"Librarians Save the Day!" The Huffington Post showcased 11 movies "that give librarians the center stage."
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Effective immediately, Ingram Publisher Services is distributing Fox Chapel Publishing and Vantage Press.
Founded in 1991, Fox Chapel Publishing specializes in woodworking, woodcarving, craft and how-to books and magazines. The house has more than 350 titles in print and has doubled the list in the last two years.
The company will soon release a list of e-books and digital products, which was a reason for signing with Ingram, said Fox Chapel president and publisher Alan Giagnocavo.
Founded in 1949, Vantage Press is one of the country's main self-publishing companies and has done more than 20,000 titles. Next spring the house will start its Vantage*Point imprint, which will publish in all genres.
David Lamb, president of Vantage Press, commented: "We can now offer our authors any range of services, including marketing and sales, and combine that with Ingram's massive distribution reach."