The Best Ways To Support Local Bookstores!
Because local bookstores are a little piece of magic.
Have you ever wandered into a local bookstore and leisurely read the back of books, enjoying the possibility of there being so many books to choose from? Maybe you're greeted by an employee, or you run into someone familiar. Whether it's a small, cozy shop or a sprawling space with dozens of shelves filled with books, these local bookstores are great places to go when you want to find your next read (or, let's be honest, the next book to add to your “to-be-read” pile).
There's a specific type of happiness and excitement I feel when I'm surrounded by people who also love books just as much as I do. Local bookstores cultivate amazing environments for readers of all ages.
Unfortunately, many local bookstores have taken a hit in recent years. According to the Census Bureau, in the first quarter of 2024, book sales went down by 5.8%.
Why are some local bookstores struggling?
Why are some local booksellers finding it challenging to get people through the door? There's not one single answer, but there are a variety of factors. Of course, maintaining a bookstore is costly, and inflation impacting commercial real estate means that it's sometimes just too expensive for some retailers to remain open.
Another major challenge booksellers face is the prevalence of online retailers, such as Amazon, making it quick and easy to purchase books online at competitive prices. Though it's not just a bookstore, Amazon is the number one bookseller in the U.S.
The pandemic added to booksellers' struggles. Though many people were reading more, many bookshops had to temporarily close their doors. This meant that readers were almost exclusively buying books online.
And while many local bookstores do have websites, you can't always buy books from those sellers online. Since maintaining a website and keeping up with a catalog of books sold online can be time-consuming and pricey, it's not something all local stores are able to do.
How can you support your local booksellers?
1. Show up to events and engage in innovation efforts!
Recently, several bookstores in Richmond, Virginia, created a fun "passport" system that enticed readers to visit local indie bookstores. It was so much fun to visit the different stores, see what they offered, and connect with other readers, authors, and booksellers! I’ve also attended a couple of book swap events at Resist Booksellers in Petersburg (which you can see in the photo below!).
Even if your city doesn't have a similar event, individual booksellers often host fun events at their stores. If you're not sure about what events may exist, consider reaching out and asking about the next event at your favorite local bookstore!
Many booksellers are also innovating in hopes of enticing new customers. These efforts include offering BookTok and Bookstagram recommendations, adding food and beverages to their stores, and inviting musicians to perform at their stores. If your local booksellers are trying something new, engage in their efforts and provide feedback! It helps sellers know what their customers are looking for, and you're likely to have a lot of fun along the way!
2. Leave ratings on your favorite stores' social media pages and on Google Reviews!
This might sound a little obvious, but bookstores, like every business, often rely heavily on reviews. When you search the address for something, Google reviews immediately pop up. Many people hesitate when they see a store that has no reviews or negative reviews. New bookstores might struggle to gain attention from potential customers as a result.
Of course, you don't want to leave dishonest reviews; however, if you genuinely enjoy a local bookstore, know that leaving a positive review will make a bookseller's day and help them reach more people. (Stores with more reviews often show up higher in search algorithms.)
Whenever you make a purchase from a local bookstore, you can also tag them on social media and share a photo and your thoughts about your latest read. This can help your network learn about a bookseller they may not have known about, which can in turn boost the bookseller's business.
3. Support them online through sites such as Bookshop.org.
Of course, going to a local bookstore is one of the best ways to support local booksellers. However, in some instances, you may not be able to visit a store in person. In this case, a fantastic way to support your bookstore online is by using Bookshop.org!
Bookshop.org gives readers a unique opportunity to purchase books online while helping their local booksellers, even if their favorite bookstore doesn't have its own site. You can choose the specific local bookstore you'd like to support with your purchase, and part of the proceeds will go to your local booksellers. You can encourage other readers to do the same. As of today, Bookshop.org has raised over 38 million dollars for local bookstores!
What's your favorite way to support your local booksellers? What are your favorite indie bookstores? Let us know; we love finding out about amazing new bookstores!
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Registration Is Open for The Next Bestseller Workshop!
I wanted to share this fantastic offer from Jennifer Wilkov of Your Book Is Your Hook. She's an expert, too, on pitching your book to TV and film producers. She limits this offering, The Next Bestseller, to a small group, so check it out if you are interested!
The Next Bestseller™ Workshop is a safe space that provides you with the dream team to help you prepare and practice your pitch BEFORE you have to talk about it to the professionals and others.
Don't get caught in another conversation about your book or project that you don't feel ready for.
After you attend The Next Bestseller™ Weekend Workshop, you'll never pitch your book or project the same way again - and you'll have more confidence when you talk about it with others.
You never know when you'll have an opportunity to talk about your book or project. Someone asks you, "What's your book or project about?" ...and you fumble for what to say, start rambling on, or stutter and can't figure out what to say.
It could be at your next writers' conference, book or film/tv industry event, pitchfest, or even on an airplane, during a professional networking meeting, or at a charity or social event.
Everyone is interested in a great project or book with a great hook – whether they are an industry professional, an avid reader, or film/TV fan.
For you to be successful with your book or project, you'll need to be prepared to talk about it and not just pitch but have a real conversation about it.
The workshop will be held virtually from Friday, October 31, through November 2, 2025. Only eight writers can register to ensure each writer receives individual attention.
Check Out the Upcoming Write with Impact Three-Day Event!
Are you a spiritually aligned coach, healer, or visionary leader who knows there’s a book inside you—one that could transform your business, your audience, and your world?
A crystal-clear vision for your book
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This isn’t just about writing a book. It’s about becoming the person you’re here to become—someone who changes lives with your words. Your book—and your readers—are waiting.
The Write with Impact event will occur June 26–June 28 live online!
*Note: The below link is an affiliate link, meaning KWE Publishing may receive a small amount of compensation if you choose to make a purchase using this link.
Happening Today: Jane Friedman’s How to Research Agents and Publishers Like a Pro Webinar!
Susan Crossman is a trusted publisher who, like Jennifer Wilkov, I met through a wonderful publishing networking group. I wanted to share her event!
In this live webinar, you’ll learn not only how to research agents and publishers using a variety of online resources, but also how to evaluate fit and reputation, so that you don’t unwittingly end up with a schmagent or a publisher that’s really a self-publishing service.
Some writers wonder whether they can hire out this work—to identify the right markets, put together their materials, and track responses. Although a handful of services can undertake this process for you, they rarely care about your work as much as you do. But there’s another significant reason to do the work yourself: it represents a marvelous learning opportunity. This work increases your familiarity with the business side of writing and publishing, which in turn leads you to make better decisions for your career.
You should focus on researching and submitting your work to agents if you believe your work has some commercial potential or is a good fit for a big New York publisher because those publishers rarely accept unagented work. The same is true of some midsize publishers and prestigious independent publishers. If you can’t find an agent to represent you, then you’ll need to research publishers on your own who accept unagented work. Typically, you’ll want to research agents and publishers at the same time to keep your process efficient. You may discover through your research, in fact, that your book is better suited to a small or independent press, rather than a big publisher.
This online event will occur on June 19th, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. It costs $89.00 to register.
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