Stefanie Kiper Schmidt, manager of Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, N.H., "is a true fixture at Water Street and in the local literary community," Boston.com reported in a profile of the bookseller.
"I really lucked into a career in bookselling," she said. "I was an English major but didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I moved back home after college and sort of stumbled into a job at Water Street. Pretty quickly, I knew I had found my place. Soon I was running our events and then I became buyer and manager. I love being a buyer--being able to curate the titles, building this beautiful kingdom of books in my store season after season, it's a wonderful feeling."
Noting that it is the little details that make a local bookstore a true hub, Kiper Schmidt observed: "From curating books to hosting events to donating books and money to local organizations, indie bookstores do so much to bring flavor and life to communities."
Water Street helped establish the Exeter Literary Festival in 2018, which highlights the rich range of writers--past and present--in the area. "I'm sure every bookstore thinks their local writers are the best! We've been so honored to be present for the launch of so many great writers into the world," said Kiper Schmidt. "From John Irving to Dan Brown to tons of wonderful novelists, poets, and nonfiction writers, it's been really lovely to recognize all of our local talent and commune together over the written word."