"Indie bookstores are the gateway to the story drug for a lot of people, myself included. I remember going to the local bookstore when I was growing up, which was probably 30 minutes away, and feeling like I was visiting some mythical landscape (shout out to Bartleby's Books in Wilmington, Vt.). Sometimes we just went to look, but sometimes I got to take something home.
"Bringing a new book home will never stop feeling special. It's a sacred tradition! I have to introduce it to my other books, find the right spot for it, make sure it's comfortable, offer it tea, etc. Independent booksellers are so dear to me--for their passion, for their thoughtful recommendations, for putting on such special events. When I heard that The Light Pirate had been chosen for the Indie Next List I'm not even a little embarrassed to say that I wept. Seeing the responses to the story from the booksellers I am so in awe of already was truly extraordinary, so thank you."