01_**BA_BE_SPRING_2017_v03

MARCH 2017BOOKSELLINGESSENTIALS ESSENTIALTOTHEBUSINESS OF BOOKSELLINGTHE LONDON BOOK FAIR -PUT SPRING IN YOUR STEP!The London Book Fair takes place a month earlier – 14th to 16th March 2017The Fair takes place at Olympia in west London hotel, plus access to all the bookseller eventsand will offer booksellers a full range of events, during the Fair.seminars, networking and learning opportunities.The BA will once again off the Hosted Bookseller A full range of seminars, publisher presentations,Programme , encouraging booksellers who have speed dating and the Booksellers Centre, will takenot attended recently, or have a long way to travel place as usual, and BA members get FREE ENTRYand therefore otherwise would be unable to come, to the Fair, as well as FREE entry to all BAto attend the three day event for at least two days, seminars, as well as great networking opportunitieswith a subsidised trip – including a night in a nearby and the opportunity to see hundreds of publishers and other suppliers all under one roof.The BA Event Programme at The London Book FairTuesday 14th March9.30 - 12.30pm: Publisher Pitches – RSVP [email protected] - 1.15pm: Lunch & Networking (Participating publishers and booksellers)1.15 - 4.15pm: Publisher Pitches – RSVP [email protected] – 5.00pm: Afternoon Tea & Networking (Participating publishers and booksellers)5.00 - 6.00pm: The BA AGM (Open to all BA members)6.00 - 6.45pm: The London Book Fair Awards Ceremony and DrinksVenue: Olympia Conference Centre – Hammersmith Road Entrance(All BA members are invited to the ceremony and drinks) – RSVP [email protected] – 8.30pm: Bookseller Party at The Hand and Flower, Hammersmith Road, W14.(For hosted booksellers and BA members)Wednesday 15th March10.00 - 11.00am: Seminar: Creating an Inclusive Bookshop – What can booksellers to do to helpbuild community and encourage inclusivity from author to customer?Speakers: Nikesh Shukla – Author and Publisher, Tamara Macfarlene – Tales on Moon Lane Bookshop,John Newman – Newham Bookshop11.30 - 12.30pm: Seminar: Using Social Media to Build Community and Maximise SalesSpeakers: Katie Clapham – Storytellers Inc, Lynsey Sweales – SocialB1.00 - 3.00pm: BA PPC Speed-dating (booking essential) A great opportunity for booksellers to meetwith publicists in pre-arranged appointments to share information about new titles, authors andpotential events. To book your place contact [email protected] – 5.30pm: Children’s Publishers Presentations In conjunction with the Publishers AssociationChildren’s Book Group, this session brings you the best in forthcoming children’s titles:To book your place contact Seonaid MacLeod: [email protected] information is available from [email protected] visit the LBF site www.londonbookfair.co.uk

2 BOOKSELLING ESSENTIALS | CAMPAIGNS & EVENTSREGIONAL BOOKSHOPEVENINGSThe BA is continuing with its successful programme of regionalevents across the country, with the following planned for 2017.Rossiters, Monmouth – 6th February, Book Nook, Hove – 26th October,sponsored by HarperCollins sponsored by ScribeThe Bookshop, Kibworth – 4th April, Padstow Bookshop – 1st November,sponsored by Bloomsbury Kids sponsored by HarperCollinsStorytellers Inc, St Annes – 22nd Regional meetings are already Any bookshops who would likeMay, sponsored by HarperCollins planned for 2018 at Griffin Books to host a meeting should contact in Penarth and Booka Bookshop [email protected]’s, Cardiff – 6th July, in Oswestry. or [email protected] by MacmillanACADEMIC BOOK TRADE CONFERENCE 2017 CONTENTSMIC BOOK Leadership and of engaging with students CAMPAIGNS & EVENTS.........................1 TRADE Influence in a demonstrated. The conference will THE LONDON BOOK FAIRC TEF-led world be chaired by Richard Fisher. REGIONAL BOOKSHOP EVENINGSACADE ACADEMIC BOOK TRADE CONFERENCE E This year’s Highlights will include an audience- NEW CHILDREN’S BOOKS MAGAZINE interactive opening address delivered INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP WEEK Academic Book by Sir David Bell, Vice Chancellor, BOOKSELLERS NETWORK University of Reading; Keynote talks BA CHILDREN’S GROUPONFERENC Trade (formerly from Stephen Lotinga, CEO of the BAMB APS) Conference Publishers Association; Richard Stagg, BOOKSHOP BAND takes place in Editorial Director, Pearson UK; and BA SERVICES....................................... 5 leading academic booksellers. IS YOUR BOOKSHOP CYBER AWARE?Stratford-upon-Avon at the Crowne THE BOOK TRADE CHARITY The full programme and booking form YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWEREDPlaza hotel on 18th and 19th May will follow shortly with delegate fees SHOPFLOOR PUBLISHERS PROJECT held at 2016 prices. LOBBYING UPDATEThe main focus will be the Teaching PARLIAMENTARY BOOK AWARDSExcellence Framework [TEF] and its We look forward to seeing you at BATCH NEWSimplications and opportunities for the Stratford-upon-Avon Crowne NATIONAL BOOK TOKENSbooksellers and publishers working on Plaza hotel on 18th and 19th May. YOUR BA..............................................11the creation and delivery of learning LETTER FROM THE BA PRESIDENTresources. Fast-changing pedagogical MEET THE STAFFneeds will be identified and the power BA SPECIAL GROUPS ROUND-UP LETTER FROM THE BA CEONEW CHILDREN’S BOOKS BOOKSELLING FOCUS....................... 13 AROUND THE BLOCKMAGAZINE INDIEBOUND REVIEWS KARA’S READSScoop is a monthly printed magazine unexplained, WELCOMING NEW MEMBERSaimed at children aged 8 and above as well as OBITUARY - JOHN BAKERand it is about indulging children’s comic strips, NEW MEMBER PROFILElove of the unexpected. The magazine activities,aims to enthuse children about the puzzles and Bookselling Essentials is the newsletter of thewritten word in as many ways as jokes. Booksellers Association of the United Kingdompossible, through books but also Scoop is & Ireland Ltd, 6 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JRusing all forms of story, including created T: 020 7421 4640; F: 020 7421 4641;the ‘Dig into the Story’ motto. for E: [email protected] children, and it will Views expressed in Bookselling Essentials are notEach issue includes short stories, also be in part by children as we run necessarily those of the Booksellers Association orpoetry and graphic fiction that will competitions every month centred its Council. Correspondence should be addressedexcite and entertain from some of around themes and ideas covered in to the Editor, Meryl Halls, at the above address.the biggest names in children’s books. the magazine. If you would like to stock ISSN 17453798 MARCH 2017The magazine will include biography Scoop or just see a copy, please emailand non-fiction, exploring everything [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/from history and science to art and the thebooksellersassociation Twitter: BAbooksellers Twitter: IndieBound_UK LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ the-booksellers-association

WWW.BOOKSELLERS.ORG.UK | MARCH 2017 | CAMPAIGNS & EVENTS 3INDEPENDENT 24 JUNE – 1 JULY 2017 BA CHILDREN’SBOOKSHOP GROUP LAUNCHESWEEK 2017 INDIE BOOK OF THE SEASONIBW will take place between 24th June and 1st July this year,with a renewed focus on children’s books, and a raft of The BA’s Children’s Booksellingpublisher offers for bookshops. Group is launching a new Indie Children’s Book of the SeasonPublisher offers are being finalised at “IBW is so well established later this year, to shine a light onpresent and IBW Bulletins to shops will now, and provides a wonderful the crucial role indie bookshopsstart shortly, detailing the offers being summer celebration for our have in selling children’s booksmade to bookshops, which range from members. Publishers regularly and breaking and buildingauthor tours and visits to early exclusive come to us with ideas for IBW, children’s authors and books.offers. The Harry Potter 20th Anniversary which is very gratifying and givesfalls within IBW this year, and Bloomsbury added impetus to the campaign, Vice Chair of the Group, Vanessahave exciting plans for bookshop activity. which every year trends on Lewis of Book Nook Hove, said: social media and drives localOnce again, children’s books will form the and national press coverage on “We know indies can befocus of the Guide to the Best Children’s indie bookshops.” incredibly important toBooks for Summer in the Guardian children’s books, and thenewspaper on 24th June, with reviews by Shops who participated in the reverse is obviously true, soleading booksellers and a more magazine campaign last year will be registered we want to try and create aapproach, making it an invaluable tool for for this year, but can opt out if they new sales and promotionparents looking for summer reading. prefer. Please email opportunity using the network [email protected] of independent bookshopsAlmost 400 shops took part in IBW last to check if you are registered or would who do so well with kid’syear, driving the engine of celebration like to opt out. books, celebrating thefor indie bookshops on the high street. wonderful writing, illustrating“It’s an incredibly important part of our and publishing going on.”campaigning year,” says BA Head ofMembership, Meryl Halls, The project will launch in autumn 2017, in the wake of theBOOKSELLERS NETWORK BA’s collaboration with theOFF & RUNNING! Publishers Association CBG, the Guide to the Best Children’sThe Booksellers Network, the forum for using a network of Regional Ambassadors Books for Summer, publishedshopfloor bookselling to network and across the country. Here’s a list of the in collaboration with theconnect around the UK, is underway, regional ambassadors so far. If you Guardian newspaper as part ofwith a launch event in London in mid would like to find out more about the Independent Bookshop Week.January attracting over 80 booksellers Booksellers Network, contact yourkeen and enthusiastic to create a Regional Ambassador, or become an Chair of the BA’s CBG, Carriegrassroots forum for Ambassador for your area, contact Morris of Booka in Oswestry said:booksellers. [email protected] “We have been talking toThe Booksellers Katie Clapham – Storytellers Inc, publishers about this ideaNetwork now has Lytham St Annes and have had such a positivea thriving Rachel Rogan – Rogan Books, Bedford response; we are excited aboutFacebook Group Jo Coldwell – Red Lion Books, Colchester getting behind a great picture– you can apply to Charlotte Colwill – Foyles, London book this autumn andjoin the group at www.facebook.com/ Emma Corfield – Bookish, Crickhowell demonstrating how influentialgroups/booksellersnetwork and a Richard Drake – Drake the Bookseller, children’s booksellers can be.Twitter account @Booksellers_Nwk and Stockton on Tees In due course we’d love to seebooksellers are already using the group to Debbie James – The Bookshop, Kibworth this become a Children’s Bookconnect and share ideas and ask for advice Mariana Mouzinho – Blackwells, Newcastle of the Month for indies.”– from World Book Day ideas to buddying Richard Thorne – Rossiter Books, Monmouthup for London Book Fair. Andrea Yates – Foyles, Birmingham Details of the project are being Robyn Law – Blackwells, London worked up at present and BAThe Booksellers Network will be creating Nash Robbins – Much Ado, Alfriston CBG members will be informeda newsletter for members, and also Joseph Kennedy – OUP Bookshop, Oxford about it and invited to participateholding a Summer Party in London. Holly Bird – Malmesbury Abbey Books, in the coming weeks.The Network plans to run regionally by Malmsebury Booksellers interested in finding out more should email [email protected] or [email protected]

4 BOOKSELLING ESSENTIALS | CAMPAIGNS & EVENTS BAMB PLANS BOOKSHOP BAND UNDERWAY CELEBRATE FIVE YEARS! FOR ‘17 Over the last five years The Bookshop Band have beenBookshop Day, established in 2016 as the working on a series of albums inspired by books curatedcore focus for Books Are My Bag bookshop by their local bookshop, Mr B’s Emporium. The songs wereactivity, will take place on 7th October 2017. written for the bookshop’s events and performed in front of each author and a small audience. In 2014 longtime “Bookshop Day gives the campaign and member Poppy Pitt announced she was moving on, bookshops a single focus for consumer prompting the recording of the band’s latest material outreach, and allowed us to build before she left. Fans stepped forward to help fund sessions enormous social media traction and and authors emerged to provide recording cameos, bookshop activity which we are sure including Man Booker winners Yann Martel (glockenspiel) will continue this year,” said BA Head and Ben Okri (vocals), Joanna Harris (bass & flute), Patrick of Marketing Alan Staton. Gale (cello), Mark Forsyth (harmonica) and Louis de Bernières (mandolin), with readings by Stanley Donwood,The BAMB Readers Awards, inaugurated last year, will again Catherine O’Flynn and many others.take place with the awards ceremony, which celebrates thebest bookshop books in the run up to Christmas, will take “The Bookshop Band’s approach to song writing isplace at Foyles on 21st November, and will again provide a entirely original, and the results are both surprisingsales focus for bookshops. and beautiful. They are talented musicians comingLimited edition BAMB to the same point from different directions.”bags for adult and Louis de Bernieres.children will beproduced, and the BA is By April 2015 the band had recorded nine new albums.working with our Ben & Beth moved out of their house and onto the road tochosen designers and tour bookshops, libraries, literary and music festivals,illustrators to create the releasing one new album each month. The penultimatemust-have bookshop release will be on Valentines day this year with the albumtote bags for 2017. Accidents and Pretty Girls, inspired by literary wooing, and their final release in the series will be on World Book Day,BAMB bulletins will be 2nd March 2017 with Before I Crack, an album inspired bysent to bookshops over stories about the human body and mind, featuring debutthe summer in preparation novelist Emma Hooper on musical saw and a reading byfor the autumn Rachel Joyce.celebration.Further information is available from Despite the CDs only being available via the band [email protected] concerts the reaction was overwhelmingly positive and the music quickly reached out from the literary circuit to the music industry around the world warranting an approach from a US record label who have just released an album of their songs inspired by American authors. Big proponents of the band in the UK include BBC Radio’s Bob Harris, Tom Robinson, and Late Junction’s Verity Sharp. “Uplifting, melodic, poetic, with vocals that shine like a diamond in a rough of rural acoustica this is the type of music that, when it’s done well, is beyond captivating. The Bookshop Band have nailed it. With aplomb. And love. And sparkly, radiant magic. It’s a modern day Twinkle meets fairytale-land for adults. You’ll be smitten.” BBC 6 Music. The Bookshop Band's literary-inspired albums are now available to order through Gardners.

WWW.BOOKSELLERS.ORG.UK | MARCH 2017 | BA SERVICES 5IS YOUR BOOKSHOP ?For booksellers, physical security is an obvious concern – whether it’s insuring yourpremises or taking steps to protect valuable stock. But, given the increasingly critical rolethe internet and new technology is playing in running businesses and online bookselling,it’s important to remember the simple ways you can help keep your bookshop andcustomers secure online.The impact of an online security breach can be just as far The good news is that protecting your bookshop fromreaching as a physical incident and it’s just as real; 24% of all hackers and viruses, and telling your customers how tobusinesses suffered one or more cyber security breaches protect themselves, is quick and simple. Based on expertin the last 12 months with the cost of attacks ranging from advice from the National Cyber Security Centre, a part ofthe thousands to tens of millions of pounds. Apart from GCHQ, Cyber Aware recommends two simple steps whichthis financial cost of a breach, a company’s reputation almost are crucial in protecting against the majority of cyber threats:inevitably suffers. 58% of consumers said that a breachwould discourage them from using a business in the future 1. Use three random words to create a strong password.in a joint report from KPMG and the Government’s Cyber A weak password can allow hackers to use your email toAware campaign (Small Business Reputation and the Cyber gain access to many of your personal accounts, leavingRisk, 2016). you vulnerable to identity theft or fraud.While cyber attacks on large multinational businesses may 2. Always download the latest software and app updates.make the headlines, the threat is just as real – if not more so They’re not just about aesthetics, they contain vital– to smaller ones. The range of attacks is also growing, from security updates which help protect your devices fromhacking and malicious spreading of viruses to using hackers and viruses.“ransomware” – where hackers disable your computer andencrypt all its files, demanding payment to fix the problem. There is a range of assets includingConsider your bookshop’s website or social media pages leaflets, posters, digital bannersand the important role they play in your marketing. and social media posts which can be shared to promote theseThis makes the Government statistics on attitudes towards simple steps to your employeescyber security from Ipsos MORI surprising – only 32% follow (e.g. in staffrooms) and customers –the latest government advice to use three random words to all are available to downloadcreate a strong password. for free here: www.cyberaware.gov.uk/toolkit For more information about how to protect your business visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk/protect- your-business or follow the conversation on Twitter @cyberawaregov #cyberaware and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cyberawaregovTHE BOOK TRADE CHARITY –THERE IF YOU NEED ITBTBS (www.btbs.org) provides financial and other support for people whowork in the industry and find themselves facing difficulties because ofredundancy, sickness or other life events. Anyone who approaches The BookTrade Charity is treated with respect, and confidentiality is maintained at alltimes. Contact: [email protected]. Tel: 01923 263 128.

6 BOOKSELLING ESSENTIALS | BA SERVICESBUSINESS SUPPORT HELPLINEYour Questions AnsweredBA members are entitled to use the Croner Business Support Helpline FREE for confidential,qualified advice on health & safety, employment law, tax, VAT and customs, landlord and tenantand other general legal matters. You can call as often as you need for, for unlimited time for nocharge. Call the BA Business Support Helpline on 08445 618133 and quote Scheme Number 31937.Wheelchairs and Fire Doors requirements of BS EN 1155, should candidates on the grounds that they be installed. have a spent conviction althoughQ. Our premises has a number of there are many jobs and professionsself-closing fire doors. A new Alternatively, fully automatic swing exempted from this provision in whichemployee uses a wheelchair and doors activated by passive infrared (PIR) case it is lawful to reject a candidate onwe are concerned that she may have sensors fitted above the door or grounds of a spent conviction.difficulty opening these doors. mounted from the ceiling can beWhat action could we take to considered. Automatic swing doors Employers who require more detailedresolve this issue? are ideal where there is no passing or checks have access to prospective waiting traffic around the sensors employees’ criminal records in EnglandA. Clearly, there is a need to ensure that activating zone which would cause the and Wales through the Disclosure andthe individual is not discriminated doors to open unnecessarily, for this Barring Service; in Scotland, access toagainst under the requirements of the reason corridors are particularly suited such information is available throughEquality Act 2010 but also to ensure to swing automatic doors. Disclosure Scotland.that fire safety measures (including firedoors on self-closers) are not As with any reasonable adjustment, Time Off for Antecompromised cost may have to be given consideration Natal Care and a decision made as to the mostThe British Standard (BS) Code of suitable devices to be employed so as Q. A pregnant employee hasPractice notes that if the force required to meet the “reasonable adjustment informed me that she intends toto open doors is greater than criteria”. take time off for antenatal care.wheelchair users can manage, or the Can I refuse this?closing force is too great, those with a Criminal Record Checkdisability risk having to stop or being A. A pregnant woman has the right topushed off balance. It is for this reason Q. How can I check that a reasonable time off work for antenatalthat the action of door self-closing prospective employee does not care, irrespective of length of service ordevices needs to be reviewed. have a criminal record? hours of work with the employer. The right also applies to agency workers.BS 8300 states that “poorly specified A. Having a criminal record, however, The time off is to be paid at thecontrolled door self-closing devices does not automatically prevent appropriate hourly rate.can make doors virtually impassable to individuals from working for ansome disabled people. It is important, employer. The nature of the offence, You may not unreasonably refuse thetherefore, that the controlled door the circumstances, the type of position time off. It could be reasonable,closing device and any latch fitted to being offered and the length of time however, to refuse if, for example, thethe door are specified to provide since the offence took place should all employee works part time for you —accessibility while maintaining an be considered. Employment should, in she could perhaps easily arrange heradequate level of fire safety”. general, not be refused on account of antenatal appointment outside an offence that is irrelevant to the working hours.It is prudent to determine the ability of type of work applied for.the employee in question to open and Further, except for the firstuse the fire doors in their current mode. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act appointment, you could refuse the timeWhere she is unable to gain access, 1974 allows most convictions and off if the employee, when requested toconsideration must then be given to cautions to be “spent” after a specified do so, fails to produce for inspection:making reasonable adjustments. period of time. The individual is then considered to be rehabilitated and a certificate stating that the employeeTo avoid the risk of doors being wedged treated as if he or she had never is pregnant (from the doctor, oropen, BS 8300 recommends that where committed an offence. midwife or registered nurse)the force required to open a fire-resisting door on a circulation route For many types of posts it may be an appointment card or otherexceeds the limits described in the enough for employers to request documents saying that therelevant British Standard, an electrically details from the prospective employee appointment has been made.powered hold-open device, either of any unspent convictions.standalone or integral in the body of If time off is unreasonably refused,the closer, which conforms to the It is unlawful for an employer to treat the employee may complain to an ex-offenders less favourably than other employment tribunal, which may award compensation.

SHOPFLOOR WWW.BOOKSELLERS.ORG.UK | MARCH 2017 | BA SERVICES 7PUBLISHERS PROJECTUNDERWAY BOOKSELLING IN AMERICAAs announced in the last edition Anja Sieg reports on the recent bookselling event in Minneapolis,of Bookselling Essentials, the which was attended by a group of 11 UK booksellers and wholesalers.Shopfloor Publishers Project is We reprint this with thanks to Anja and to The Bookseller magazine.underway, with enthusiasticsupport from a raft of leading The American BA’s 12th Winter Institute (in Minneapolis, Minnesota) drew apublishers and many booksellers. record crowd of 654 booksellers who talked shop, exchanged ideas, met authors and learned about upcoming books from publishers large and small. More thanThe project, designed to encourage half of the attendees were first-timers.senior publishers to travel beyondLondon to visit some of our best The mood was one of optimism and self-confidence. Teicher reported that bookand liveliest bookshops, has sales through indie retailers were up 5% in 2016, to around $500m, and revealedalready attracted leading publishers 87 new shops had opened, of which 21 were in secondary locations. But thereand booksellers. The project is part was also an underlying feeling of unease following the inauguration of Presidentof the BA President’s push to Trump. “Trump is not good for business,” said bookseller Steve Bercu bluntly.engage publishers in the practical Bercu is a former ABA president and his shop, Book People in Austin, Texas, isand commercial realities of one of the best-known indies in the US. “It is going to be an interesting year,” thebookselling, and to build 73-year-old bookselling veteran added drily.substantial collaborations acrossthe industry as a result of improved Bercu’s observation that the mood in the country had deteriorated dramaticallyawareness and engagement. in recent weeks was shared by others who spoke about having to deal with worried customers following controversial decision-making in Washington sinceThe project recommends a day in the inauguration. Typical for a Winter Institute was the hands-on style in whichthe bookshop and is not simply booksellers discussed how to position themselves in the new political climate,about visiting the shop; it’s about with most in favour of cultivating an image of indie bookshops as being safeseeing how the shop works, and places in a new America, and many calling for an increased effort to reach outhow books sell to customers. to minority groups in the local community.We are hoping that some tangible Not all customers, though, are ill at ease with the new government. “Beingcollaborations flow from this non-judgemental should be high on any bookseller’s must-do list,” agrees Betsyproject – including reciprocal visits Burton, owner of The King’s English in Salt Lake City and current ABA president.by booksellers to publishers.So far, Shopfloor Publisher visits Patrick Neale visitinghave been made by Wild Rumpus children’s bookshop in Minneapolis. Tom Weldon (PRH) Main Street, St Boswells Best-practice examples and first-hand advice Nicola Usborne (Usborne) from booksellers for Mr B’s, Bath booksellers, followed by lively discussions, Andrew Franklin are at the heart of (Profile)Sevenoaks Bookshop, every Winter Institute. featured in The Bookseller In Minneapolis, activities magazine were focused on improving and Maddie West (Sphere) streamlining operations. Bookshop, Kibworth Among the key issues this year were updates on “buy local” initiatives and panels concentrating on store culture and branding. David Shelley & Rob Manser (Hachette) ASDA The Winter Institute has developed into a trade event that is unique to the US, if not the world, including Gardners commercial director Bob Jackson, BA Anna Bond (Macmillan) president Rosamund de la Hey and her predecessor Patrick Neale. Rossiter, Monmouth Neale, the co-owner of the Jaffé & Neale Bookshop & Café and a frequent Jamie Hodder Williams institute delegate, said he always returns home “deeply impressed and inspired”. (Hachette) De la Hey added: “As well as talking politics, the UK booksellers group had an One Tree Books, Petersfield inspiring time, visiting US bookshops in the area and listening to many fascinating seminars.” Geoff Duffield (Macmillan) Winstones, SherborneIf you would like your shop to bepart of the Shopfloor PublishersProject, please [email protected]

8 BOOKSELLING ESSENTIALS | BA SERVICES LOBBYING UPDATEBOOKSELLERS WELCOME EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S FORMALANNOUNCEMENT ON AMAZON MFN CLAUSESAs Prime Minister Theresa May makes clear the Government’s The European Commission has announced that Amazon haspriorities for a UK outside the EU, the political scene has been come forward with certain commitments, which are:further marked by the inauguration of Donald Trump asPresident of the United States. It remains to be seen how, Not to enforce (i) any clause requiring publishers to offerwhat, and when these events will impact on booksellers, but, Amazon similar terms and conditions as those offered towhatever the direction of travel, the BA will continue to make Amazon’s competitors or (ii) any clause requiring publishersthe best case for BA members, and ensure the importance of to inform Amazon about such terms and conditions.what they do is heard. This commitment would cover in particular terms and conditions concerning business models, release date andThe BA has continued our focus on Fair Competition in the catalogue of e-books, features of e-books, promotions,book trade as well as the importance of securing the right agency price, agency commission and wholesale price.regulatory environment on taxation and other issues, and Amazon would also notify publishers that it would nowe have continued to focus on the needs of booksellers longer enforce such provisions.across the UK, Ireland and the European Union.Of major note has been the announcement from Brussels on To allow publishers to terminate e-book contracts that24th January on the European Commission’s formal contain a clause linking discount possibilities for e-booksannouncement on Amazon MFN clauses. to the retail price of a given e-book on a competing platform (so-called Discount Pool Provision). PublishersThe BA welcomed the formal request for feedback on would be allowed to terminate the contracts upon 120 days’commitments offered by Amazon MFN clauses with advance written notice.publishers, in the latest development in the on-goingEuropean Commission anti-trust investigation. Not to include, in any new e-book agreement with publishers, any of the clauses mentioned above, includingThe announcement from Brussels follows several years of Discount Pool Provisions.campaigning on this issue from the Booksellers Association.Tim Godfray, Chief Executive at the BA, said: Giles Clifton, Head of Corporate Affairs at the BA, added: “The BA submitted a formal complaint to the “We are delighted that some eighteen months after European Commission on Amazon in June 2015, the BA complaint was formally submitted we are alleging, amongst other items, that its MFN clauses beginning to see some solid action undertaken by were in breach of Competition Law. Following the Commission. Our contention was always that action from the competition authorities in both the MFN clauses were anti-competitive and… Germany and the United Kingdom in August 2013, we are delighted that our hard work has helped Amazon informed the regulators that it would bring about this result. However, we are abandon the price parity clauses for its Marketplace disappointed that it has taken this long to reach across the EU, and change its general terms and this stage. For small commercial competitors of conditions for some of the sellers. However, when Amazon, the damage has already been done, and is the BA conducted an anonymous survey of difficult if not impossible to retrospectively make publishers in 2015, it was apparent that this had not right. The BA complaint was by no means limited to prevented Amazon from continuing to include a the e-book market but covered the far larger, and MFN clause in its contracts with publishers, at least more important, print book market. We renew our in relation to e-books. 42% of publishers responding calls for the appropriate competition authority to to the BA survey said there had been an attempt look at this. As with our views on e-books, we by Amazon to prevent them from offering a better believe that a proper investigation of the print book deal to others and 25% said they were restricted market would uncover irregularities, and we urge from discounting below the Amazon price in action to be taken in this area now.” other channels.”

WWW.BOOKSELLERS.ORG.UK | MARCH 2017 | BA SERVICES 9 6 BATCH NEWSPARLIAMENTARY In this issue, we’re dedicating the Batch news page to one ofBOOK AWARDS our directors, Alan Lorimer, who will be running the LondonSHINE A LIGHT ON Marathon to raise money for The Book Trade Charity (BTBS).BOOKSELLING Go, Alan!Bookselling and publishing were I’ve been a again to get the miles up. I usually doshowcased to Parliament at the director of Batch short distances of 5–8km perhaps threeinaugural Parliamentary Book Awards for about 16 times a week and then a long run at the2106, held in the Houses of Parliament years and a weekend. I’m lucky enough to live inon Tuesday 6th December. Jointly regular runner the west of Scotland with fantasticcreated by the BA and the Publishers for about 20. opportunities for mountains and forestAssociation, the Parliamentary Book I have a love of trails all within an hour’s drive fromAwards were designed to reward the outdoors; home. The Trossachs area north ofbooks by or about parliamentarians, I’m a qualified Glasgow has endless forest tracks inand to celebrate the bookselling mountain beautiful surroundings. The picture ofand publishing industries with leader and ski Loch Ard was taken on an early morningMembers of Parliament, Lords instructor run this summer when supervising aand representatives from the and regularly lead Duke of Edinburgh expedition.devolved regions. groups of young people on these Mountains not far from home includeWith four categories – Fiction, activities. These days, I run around all of the hills around Loch LomondNon Fiction, Biography, Memoir, 100km a month in various distances. and Glen Coe.the Parliamentary Book Awards Living where I do 130 metres up the sidewinners were as follows: of the Kilpatrick hills on the outskirts of I’ve never run a road marathon before, Glasgow, most of my daily runs involve so I’m guaranteed a personal best! a climb – my usual 5km route has a I have run the Glencoe Mountain 230m climb in it, but the bonus is that Marathon a couple of times after the slog up you get to run back (glencoemarathon.co.uk), which is the down again! full 26 miles, but has 1,500m of climb in it. I’d hope to complete the London My running habits are chaotic, event in about four hours. opportunistic and adventurous. They are chaotic in that I don’t follow Please make a donation to The Book any regular running programme. I don’t Trade Charity using my Virgin Money run to win races, though I take part in a Giving link below. My target is £1,500, few, usually finishing about a third of which still seems a long way off. Thanks the way down the field. Running is in advance if you are able to help. thinking time for difficult problems and uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alanlorimer definitely relieves any stress of the day. It’s opportunistic in that I travel once or twice a month for work and my overnight bag always includes running kit so that I can get out and explore wherever I’m working. In the last year that’s been Berlin, Leiden, Kew Gardens and Hyde Park. It’s adventurous in that I’m not a runner who pounds the same streets again andThe Awards will take place again for 2017. BATCH AT LBFFurther information is available [email protected] Coming to LBF? Come and see us on the BA stand (4F21) to find out about our free payments, returns and data services for booksellers.

10 BOOKSELLING ESSENTIALS | BA SERVICESE.VOUCHERS IN 2017 Prepared for prize giving?As we announced in December National BookTokens plans to start selling e.Vouchers in 2017. Offer local schoolsOver the next few weeks we plan to share with FREE gift cardyou everything you’ll need to know to be able personalisationto accept e.vouchers in your shop. when they load £10How do e.Vouchers work? or more per card*E.Vouchers are just like gift cards, with the same 19 digitnumber, and can be redeemed in-store using the same systems. (*Orders placed April-July, minimum quantity 50 cards.)However e.Vouchers do not have magnetic stripes so will eitherneed to be barcode read or manually keyed in to the system. For loads of less than £10 per card(Please see sample below) the following fees apply: Up to 250 cards 39p each, Initial e.Voucher value 250 to 1000 cards 29p, 1000 cards or more free. will be clearly displayed. Please note there is a 5-10 day production time on personalised cards. NB – e.Vouchers may be partially redeemed with change remaining valid on the same voucher for future use. e.Voucher barcodes can be read in the same way as a gift card’s barcode. If you cannot read the barcode the 19 digit card number, starting 633792, is clearly printed and can be keyed into the system.Most eVouchers are emailed to employees by their employers aspart of their benefits or as a reward. Recipients tend to print themout and then present the printout in store.What will this mean to Bookshops?We anticipate very low volumes of National Book Tokense.Vouchers for a number of years. In fact we forecast that mostbookshops will initially redeem less than one a month.We hope that booksellers will accept the very smallinconvenience of occasionally having to key in numbers as itwill allow us to continue to grow National Book Tokens andthereby to continue to support the book trade.What next?In the next few weeks we will share more detailed informationincluding timings and answer any specific questions booksellersmay have. We will also update our stockist search so thateVoucher recipients can find their local redeeming bookshop.If you have any questions or feedback about e.Vouchers ordecide that you do not wish to accept them, please email us [email protected] Please contact Uzo Onuora for details – [email protected]

WWW.BOOKSELLERS.ORG.UK | MARCH 2017 | YOUR BA 11 LETTER FROM STAFF THE BA PRESIDENT PROFILERosamund de la Hey, The Main Street Meet Meryl HallsTrading Company, St Boswells, Scotland What is your role at the BA?I hope this issue finds you recovered from a very busy Christmas I’m Head of Membership Services, which covers a multitude ofseason. It was certainly very satisfying to see our sector out- sins, but my main focus is on working very closely with ourperform many other retailers on the high street over the festive members on campaigns, services and projects – I spend a lotseason with the TCM up by an impressive 7% year on year. of my time working with indies and publishers on projects like Indie Bookshop Week, our Bookshop Partners project and theIn late January, I had the good fortune to attend the American Independent Booksellers Forum, but I also am closely involvedBooksellers Association Winter Institute in Minneapolis in all campaign work, including Books Are My Bag, and I edit the(ABAWi12). Now in its twelfth year, they had a record turnout – BA’s newsletter, Bookselling Essentials. I look after the BA’s roleover 650 independent booksellers attended from around the at London Book Fair, run the Children’s and Christian Groups,US, plus a small, but committed group of us from the UK. help run Bookselling Ireland, and our Scottish booksellingWhat a time to be in the US! It was without doubt, the most group too. I have overall responsibility for the Membershippolitical bookselling conference I have ever attended, kicked Dept (application and database processes), plus affinity dealsoff with a barn-storming speech from Roxane Gay, exhorting with third parties, getting good money-saving deals forus to stand up and be counted. members, plus I try to keep up with professional development opportunities for members.On Day One, jetlag aside, we had a wonderful introduction tothe world of US bookshops (show me a bookseller who doesn’t What did you do before joining the BA?enjoy visiting other people’s bookshops). We all trooped aboard I was briefly a civil servant (and back in the day was a booksellerthe tour bus to visit local shops – my highlight was Wild Rumpus as a student) but I have been at the BA for an unfashionably– it seemed at first to be a ‘normal’ lively children’s specialist, long time!until you spotted the ferret on a lead, and the ceiling thatappeared to have been cracked by a canoe, and the legs climbing What do you enjoy most about your job?a ladder to nowhere… It was packed with children clearly Working with independent booksellers – they are the mostentranced by the theatre of the place, and staffed by brilliant engaging, inspiring and lovely group of people. They work sobooksellers who had the stylish gift wrap down to an art (as well hard, and they are always happy to collaborate – spending timeas management of small mammals). working with them feels like a great privilege – and going to visit bookshops is always a joy.Responding to Roxane Gay’s call to arms, there was a strongtheme of diversity and community from the rest of the Talk us through your typical dayconference. This was perhaps most evident at the session they No. Such. Thing. It depends on the season – at the moment,call, Town Hall Meeting – really an opportunity for booksellers we have wall-to-wall events so I am out of the office a lot atto speak their minds on any subject. It was energetic and events. Typically I would meet with publishers two or threepassionate, but also hugely encouraging listening to the voices times a month, attend committee meetings, liaise with partnersof so many new to bookselling (350 of the delegate were first and supporters for our campaign work, oversee membershiptime attendees). processes, get involved in any in-house discussions on website, social media, or communications issues. On rare days I mightLest we believe inspiration only navigates one way across the catch up on writing for newsletters or bulletins.pond, one of the best attended session was that by Paul CurryCEO of Foyles, talking about Bookselling of the Future giving What are your three favourite books?both a potted history of the brand and bringing us up to date Oh how do you ever answer this question?! A Heartbreakingwith the flagship store in Charing Cross Road, and, most Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers, Cloud Atlas by Davidimportantly, their Barnum philosophy of staff training – putting Mitchell, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. A Thousand Acresthe fun, communication and intuition back into bookselling. by Jane Smiley. Oh and Crow Road by Mary Lawson andIt was evident the US booksellers were taking notes. Plainsong by Kent Haruf.How to communicate effectively was one of the key themes What’s your ‘signature dish’?of the conference, I know I’m often guilty of assuming Winter Squash Gratin – butternut squash, tomatoes, goatscommunication by osmosis, which is less than effective. cheese, double cream, covered in Gruyere!Kim Scott gave a stunning keynote talking about her new book,Radical Candor – explaining how to be a good boss by ‘caring What would be your desert island disc?personally’ and ‘challenging directly’. I’m not one for reading Music’s not my passion, but I’d happily take Islands by Bear’sbusiness books generally, but she cleverly uses story and Den. Very appropriate!personal example to illustrate her philosophy – creating almosta narrative non-fiction business manual – Macmillan are What do you most enjoy doing outside of work?publishing in the UK this March. One of my targets this year is Reading, for sure. Theatre-going with my theatre-fanaticto apply Radical Candor to managing my shop – wish me luck! husband. Spending time with family and friends of course. I also try to do the gym weekly and cycle when it’s not raining! Rosamund de la Hey Currently I am obsessively interested in US politics. Who is your hero? Toss up between Dave Eggers, who has used his writing and his fame to make real differences in the world, and Rabia Chaudry, a US Muslim activist and author of Adnan’s Story. Michelle Obama’s no slouch either. Do you have a motto that you try to live by? Do As You Would Be Done By.

12 BOOKSELLING ESSENTIALS | YOUR BABA MESSAGE FROMSPECIALIST THE BA CEOGROUP’SROUND-UP Tim GodfraySharon Benton rounds up We’ve just celebrated 20 years ofactivity in the BA Special World Book Day. What a remarkableInterest Groups achievement that is. It’s not only the biggest campaign of its kind in the Children’s world; it’s also the UK and Irish book Bookselling trade’s biggest annual celebration of Group reading for pleasure.The Committee met on 6 February The expression ‘reading for pleasure’at Macmillan. trips so lightly off the tongue it seems something slight, almost passive; aThe development of the Guardian diversion… But a literate nation is oneGuide to Children’s Books was that reads for pleasure and the UK anddiscussed along with a proposal for Ireland’s great contribution to that isa Children’s Book of the Season the nurturing and promotion of readingpromotion. for pleasure.Kirsten Grant, the World Book Day If a child discovers the joys of readingDirector, joined the meeting for an for pleasure they will grow up to beupdate on this year’s 20th anniversary adults who do the same. Even if theycelebrations and all were inspired to temporarily suspend that pleasure in‘Do Something Booky for World young adult life, they are always likelyBook Day’. to return.Authors, Philip Ardagh and Hilary McKay World Book Day has grown over themet with the booksellers and chatted 20 years, but its core remains theabout their latest books, which was then same – booksellers putting booksfollowed by title presentation by the into the hands of children,Macmillan team. introducing those children to the delights of bookshops and joy of Academic reading for pleasure. The National Booksellers Literacy Trust has just published some Group findings on World Book Day. Among those findings were that one in fourThis group met on 15 February at children said that the book theythe offices of Pearson. bought with their 2016 World Book Day book token was the first bookThe programme for the forthcoming they owned. World Book Day andABG Conference was discussed and booksellers are making a difference toAcademic Book Week was reviewed the lives of children.with ideas for the way forward withthis promotion suggested. And World Book Day is only one day, within a relatively short redemption Christian period. Promoting reading for Booksellers pleasure is the stock-in-trade of Group booksellers every single day of the year. So here’s to World Book Day,This meeting was held on 9 March at the pivotal role that booksellersthe BA where the committee received have played in the phenomenalan update on plans for this year’s CRT. success of World Book Day over twentyIdeas for the Group’s AGM were years, and the difference that booksellersdiscussed and liaison for articles in make to the lives of their customers allTogether magazine were outlined. year long. Tim Godfray

WWW.BOOKSELLERS.ORG.UK | MARCH 2017 | BOOKSELLING FOCUS 13AROUND THE BLOCK –BARNETTS OF WADHURSTThe second in our series exploring what makes established booksellers successful seesPippa Halpin visit a long-established bookshop in Sussex.It was not a day to be out and about. ‘One day they decided all the display stimulating precedent of French literaryCold, wet, windy: even the cosy market books ought to be purple…And why ‘salons’, Richard decided to start histown of Wadhurst was deserted. So I not?’ I heard of several students, very own Barnett’s of Wadhurst Literarywas pleasantly surprised when, diving including soon-to-be-published Lounge. With the project-managinginto my destination bookshop, Barnett’s author Natalie Hart, for whom the expertise of his colleague Beth Martin,of Wadhurst, I found that there was a responsibility of working in the shop and the discerning eye of journalist Suecluster of customers eagerly gathered had had a deep-seated impact. Gaisford, Richard has put together anaround the till. A moment later, a mum ‘Customer service is key,’ asserts impressive back catalogue of local-ishwalked in, greeting the bookshop Richard, ‘you have to have authors over the last year and a half,owner, Richard Hardy-Smith, like an old a can-do attitude when customers including bestseller Kate Mosse OBEfriend and settled down in the children’s come in with tricky requests: make (Francis Spufford is lined up for latersection for a purposeful browse. them feel wanted, let them bring in this year). Diana Darke’s My House inClearly it was a day to be out and about their dogs and their prams, stay Damascus and Hazhir Teimourian’sin a bookshop. late for them, woo them. I teach this Omar Kayyhām – Rebel, Poet, to the kids….It’s more than a Astronomer provided food for topicalBarnett’s of Wadhurst, initially set up by commercial transaction: offering discussions on Syria and the Middle‘Mrs Barnett back in 1983’, was bought people a chance to enjoy the East, drawing people in fromby Richard nearly 25 years ago, in 1993. atmosphere and chat and peruse – neighbouring counties:Richard, having just celebrated his 80th that’s what is so fulfilling. It’s justbirthday in style, has a wealth of such a healthy aim.’ ‘It doesn’t matter if you haven’texperience in bookselling and has two read the book or don’t know thekey projects which channel his delight Secondly, he exploits his shop’s unique author – it’s about having a socialin using his bookshop to nurture a local positioning. The Wadhurst area community where authors can talkcommunity atmosphere in the town. seems to attract an abundance of about the joys and challenges of famous residents and I was excited to writing and readers can actuallyFirstly, Richard has long been keen on hear that not only have Davina McCall ask the questions they’ve beentraining up the younger generation and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour been to longing to ask.through bookselling: he has a firm the shop, but also ‘a whole family ofbelief that being a bookseller develops Foxes – James, Edward, Emilia, ‘They meet in the bookshop,confidence, character and maturity in a Lawrence’! Inspired by this, and the cramming the forty or so guests inyoung person. Following 30 years in to browse and mingle, and then headAfrica and India as both a teacher and to a warm and cosy barn furtherteaching inspector, he is well placed to down the road for the drinks, talkguide aspiring adolescents: indeed, over and Q+A (tickets are £10pp).the years he has had twenty to thirty Speaking of how the Lounge feedspupils from the local community back into the bookselling business,college Uplands, aged 14 to 18, pass Richard said, ‘It helps place us in thethrough the staff team. ‘Each day, local reading community…peoplebetween 3.30pm and 5.30pm one or are more interested in buying thetwo come to help with sales, tidying, books once they’ve met the author…window displays and ordering supplies it re-establishes small shop shoppingonline. It’s very gratifying to see them in their minds and re-introduceswork well and it gives the shop a family them to the physicality of anfeel.’ Richard favours ‘training by independent bookshop.’osmosis’: he models good customerservice and bookselling habits, knowing A praiseworthy pursuit indeed.that the young people will be observingand copying him. One student was For further information on how yougiven the task of researching, ordering could help train up young people inand curating a section for dyslexic your area to be booksellers (includingchildren’s books; others were left to details about the newly launchedredesign the shop windows. Booksellers Network and guidance on apprenticeships), please contact [email protected]

14 BOOKSELLING ESSENTIALS | BOOKSELLING FOCUSBOOK RECOMMENDATIONSREAL PEOPLE, READ ADVICE, REAL BOOKSThe Running Hare: the world in which we live, Oliver Where once we looked toThe Secret Life of Tearle also dusts off some of the more science for certainties andFarmland by John neglected items to be found hidden answers now we seem toLewis-Stempel among the bookshelves of the past. find only mystery, You’ll learn about the forgotten uncertainty and evenTraditional Victorian novelist who outsold Dickens, more questions.ploughland is the woman who became the firstdisappearing. published poet in America and the Rovelli describes Einstein’s work asSeven eccentric traveller who introduced ‘predictions that resemble the deliriouscornfield the table-fork to England. ravings of a madmanflowers have but which have allbecome Through exploring a turned out to beextinct in variety of books – novels, true’! Space andthe last plays, travel books, time are notwenty years. science books, cookbooks, longer the stableOnce abundant, the corn joke books and sports platforms uponbunting and the lapwing are on the almanacs – The Secret which ourRed List. The corncrake is all but extinct Library highlights some world isin England. And the hare is running for of the most fascinating founded.its life. aspects of our history. Space is curved and By the end of The Running It also reveals the surprising there is Hare you will care as connections between various works really no such much as the author does and historical figures. What links thing as ‘now’. about the sanitisation of Homer’s Iliad to Aesop’s Fables? the countryside, and the Or Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack to This lively book by a story of his attempt to the creator of Sherlock Holmes? leading physicist, traces attract hares to his the history of the major cornfield reads like fiction Mostly Books – @MostlyReading breakthroughs explaining – you’ll be rooting for him. how science has deepened Reality is Not What it Seems our understanding of theMemorable and thought-provoking. by Carlo Rovelli world around us but also reflecting that scienceDulwich Books – @DulwichBooks What is the world made of? How big is itself now reached its the Universe? What really is Space and limits. Everything, asThe Secret Library: A Book-Lovers’ Time? It is to science that we generally Einstein pointed out, isJourney Through Curiosities of turn to discover the hard truths about relative.History by Dr Oliver Tearle the world and for two thousand years our understanding steadily increased. Red Lion Books – @RedLionBooksA fascinating tour Galileo with his newly developedthrough the telescope observed the planets.curious historyof Western Now giant observatories allowcivilization told astronomers to view farther and furtherthrough its into the darkness of the universe. Andmost microscopes examined the worldemblematic beneath the surface of things and haveinvention – uncovered the complex composition ofthe book. matter itself described by quantumAs well as physics. But it is now over a hundredleafing years since Einstein’s work opened up athrough strange new world.the well-knowntitles that have helped shape

WWW.BOOKSELLERS.ORG.UK | MARCH 2017 | BOOKSELLING FOCUS 15.KARA’S ARE KARA’SREADSFuriously Happy: JOHN BAKERA Funny Book AboutHorrible Things John Baker, co-owner with his wifeby Jenny Lawson Mary of Chapter One Books in Woodley, Reading, passed away after anJenny Lawson had me aneurysm in January. John was a longsnorting with laughter in Furiously Happy – time member of the BA, with longa very honest look at her everyday life standing involvement in the BAwith mental illness. Although the Children’s Bookselling Group, where hesubject matter is serious, mainly served as a committee member fordiscussing the different strands of her many years, and an active participant inanxiety and depression, it’s jam- all BA events and projects, oftenpacked with hilarious essays and attending Conferences and London‘arguments’ with her husband, Book Fair events. He always had a kind,Victor. With stories about supportive word for booksellingchanging rooms, unexpected colleagues, was a curious mind whoknocks at the door, and loved to share ideas with fellowuncomfortable silences, booksellers, and was committed toLawson’s ballsy memoir is his bookshop’s place in his ownrelatable, hilarious and a community. He is remembered fondlycomplete breath of fresh air. I’m certain by all who knew him. A funeral servicethat my next book purchase will be Lawson’s was held in February. John’s wife,first book Let’s Pretend This Never Happened – after all, Mary, has closed the shop.when the world feels like it’s falling apart, we could all do with somecomedy-comfort. WELCOMING NEWPretty Iconic: A Personal Look at the MEMBERSBeauty Products that Changed theWorld by Sali Hughes We are delighted to welcome the following shops into membership ofSali Hughes’ first book Pretty Honest the BA in the last quarter.holds a firm place on my bookshelf asthe ultimate beauty companion, I Books.ie, Naas, Irelandlove it. Pretty Iconic is the follow up Chapters of Stafford, Staffordbut this time Hughes delves into a Fantastic Books and Where to Find Them,treasure trove of beauty products West Calder, Scotlandthat have changed the world over Guanghwa Bookshop, Londonthe years. I adore Hughes’ writing House of Illustration, London– she writes about the iconic MJB Music, Bourne, Lincolnshirebeauty products with such The Creed Centre, Chatham, Kentwarmth and consideration, she Waterstones, Londonmasters her areas of expertise in Waterstones, Edinburghthese 400 or so pages perfectly. Some of the Way, Truth & Life Ministries,products will bring waves of nostalgia for people of Wolverhamptonany age – I found myself reminded of products my mum had on herdresser when I was very young, or products I used as a child (peel-offTinkerbell nail varnish, anyone?). A lovely book.If you have any book recommendations for me, I’d love tohear from you: [email protected]

16 BOOKSELLING ESSENTIALS | BOOKSELLING FOCUSNEW MEMBERPROFILEBUTTON & BEAR, SHREWSBURYUzo Onuora speaks to owner Louise ChadwickWhen did you open the shop? get caught up in the day to day work in the caring for their grandchildren or who areSeptember 16th 2016 – that date is shop and you need to make sure that an coming in to buy books as gifts.ingrained! eye is kept on the development of where the business is going to go. So I don’t want How do you go about integratingWhat were you doing before you to lose sight of that but having said that it’s yourself in the community?opened the bookshop? really important to work in the shop to talkFor nine years I worked for the book charity, to people and find out what they want, We work with a few other businesses andBook Trust. I was a Business Development what we’re offering and what we can do they come in and run their events in ourManager for Book Start and then I was Head differently. So I think getting that balance woodland area downstairs. It’s greatof Social Inclusion and Head of Research right is a real challenge. because it brings in people who wouldn’tand then I became Director of normally come into our business. We haveProgrammes. I then left Book Trust and What has brought you the most somebody doing yoga and someone elseretrained as an Occupational Psychologist. pleasure? doing a phonics workshop. We have a first Feedback from customers, so many people aid course running.Who else works in the shop with you? come in and say how wonderful it is toIt’s a family business, so all of the family are have something like this in the town. Also We also work with local charities, I’ve madeinvolved in some way. There’s myself and being able to recommend books to people, links with the food banks and we’remy husband who set it up. He comes to we’d only been open a week and there was fundraising for some books for theirwork at the weekend and does all of the a chap that came in, he was a painter and families. We are also working with a homerepairs and everything. I have four was working locally and he spent ages education group and because mydaughters who all work in the shop and or looking in the window and then when he background is charity I’m keen to work withcontribute – in some cases their other jobs came in I went to chat to him and just said the smaller local charities.and school permitting. Alongside the ‘if there’s anything you need help with thenfamily we also have an additional three let me know’. He said that he had two Do you run any other events?members of staff. daughters and that he couldn’t really read himself and what he wanted to do was to Each week we run a minimum of twoWhat made you want to open a bricks make sure that they loved books because rhyme time and story time for under 1’s and& mortar bookshop? he knew that was really important for them two for over 1’s as well. We do children’sWe specialise in illustrated books and for their future. So I found out their ages parties which we charge for. We havepicture books, if you can see them feel and what they were interested in and I was someone who does a rhyme & stories andthem and experience them, it means that able to recommend two books. He has it’s themed around a book. At the end ofyou are likely to buy more and you can been in every month since to buy books for the party we give them a book and a craftreally get into the book with your child. By his daughters. activity linked to the theme. It’s included inopening a bookshop we wanted to create the price and that increases our book salessomewhere where families could come What’s your current best seller? too. It can be quite hectic so we’ve kept ittogether and experience books – that’s I was hoping it was going to be something to a limit of 14 children and we have partiesquite important. unusual but actually it’s the Tales from booked every weekend till mid-April. So Acorn Wood series by Julia Donaldson and we have two or sometimes three partiesDid you have any concerns about Axel Scheffler. Not that far behind is Benji every Saturday.opening, if so what were they? Davis with The Storm Whale and TheI thought we could open, spend all this Storm Whale in Winter. The business has three elements; themoney, have this great business plan but bookshop side and going and doing thewhat if people don’t come. How do you go about choosing the outreach side and we are working with books? Shrewsbury Bookfest as well and that’s aBut we’ve been very fortunate, we have had We have a pile of favourite authors and key partner for us. We’ve got a coffee shoplots of support. Our bookshop has a illustrators so we always by their books and where people who wouldn’t buy a bookground floor, as you come into the shop we make sure we are completely up to date. come in and have a coffee and then mayhave a few tables that we offer coffee and We have the range of Oliver Jeffers and decide to buy a book. And then we have allcake then we have an activity area with a Shaun Tan books. A lot of the time its of our events.little picket fence around it for children to parents coming in and asking about aplay. We hold events downstairs where particular book and us going off and doing Is there more you think the BA can bethere is a woodland themed room which some research and then we will keep it in doing for you as a bookseller?we hold regular rhyme time and story time stock for when other people ask. We talk toin there. I wanted to have a function room reps and also look at the new books that We do Book Tokens which has been good,where we could run those events regularly. are out. they are a good discussion point as well, we hope to sell more in the future. We areWhat’s been your biggest challenge Do you have a typical customer? trying to increase our ability to get authorsso far? In the main it’s parents of children aged six into our bookshops and it would be goodI would say trying to make sure I am not and under. We get a lot of grandparents to have some guidance on that. It would bejust concentrating on working in the great to show people that that’s somethingbusiness but on the business. It’s easy to we could do and do well.