“One of the biggest problems many writers, particularly local or regional writers who often publish with regional or university presses face, is that people who want their books cannot find them in the big box bookstores. Borders and B&N will usually not carry these, and if they do, they only carry them in very small numbers and seldom or never feature them or even display them in a way they can be found. Of course, such titles can be ordered on line, but book buyers are notoriously impulsive in their selections, and quite often, they prefer to hold and handle their selections, leaf through them, and consider them carefully before buying.

One feature an independent shop could offer would be a section of local and regional authors’ (legitimate press publications) books, perhaps displaying them in an area so labled. (Before it’s disappearance, the mall shops of B. Dalton and Waldenbooks did this, and the famous Dallas shop, Taylor Books, did this very well.) If desired–and it may not be–the Legacy shop could easily arrange for readings, signings, workshops, lectures, and other events that are featured prominently in independent bookshops in New York, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles and San Francisco regularly. If properly publicized (which B&N and Borders never do when they stage such “events”), these could become an attractive regular feature. It wouldn’t be hard to assemble a reasonable list of authors who are in the area and whose public appearances around the Metroplex or even the whole state or region have stimulated an interest in their works on the part of potential customers. There are several individuals in the area (not necessarily writers, themselves) who could provide an attractive list of individual writers (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, even plays and books on visual and performing arts and film) who will be delighted by the presence of an independent bookstore and eager to contribute to its success, particularly if it meant that they could direct their patrons, students, and even casual contacts to someplace that would actually have their work in stock.

Just an idea.”

(Also have a couple of book clubs who would love to meet in the Legacy area! We already do a film club that meets at the Angelika Legacy!)