Jeff Rivera Reluctant Readers

Behind the Scenes of My Shoot with Brooke Burke

Here is a little look behind the scenes of my interview with Brooke Burke.  She was fantastic--we talked about her kids and website www.ModernMom.com.  She filled in for a last minute cancellation and was so easy-going and relaxed.  I was so happy to meet her!

Check out more behind the scenes action from Brooke's shoot, and others, at my fansite at: 

http://jeffrivera.typepad.com/jeff_rivera/

Reluctant Reader Interview with Kathy Kruse of The Little Read Book

What is selling well in the young adult & middle grade market?

The only one I can answer with certainty is that the Twilight series sold very well.

What do you do to get the young readers into the store? and what do you do to get them to buy once they are in the store?

I have led book discussions for middle schoolers (grades 6-8) at The Little Read Book for the past five summers.  I think this is a perfect way to reach out to the 10-14 year old readers.  I spend a lot of time choosing titles (usually award winners, or at least books with many favorable reviews) which I feel will appeal to boys and girls.  Our discussion groups have varied in size over the years,  but no matter the size of the group, I continue to be amazed at the quality of the discussion.  These kids love to talk books.  They are the avid readers, who have chosen to come to a discussion like this on their own initiative, not because they were forced to by their parents.  The fact that I also provide snacks doesn’t hurt either.  You know, “Offer them food and they will come.” 

I love offering this at our bookstore, and the parents also seem very grateful.  Often, the books that I select for the discussion are the first of a series, so sometimes there are sales that result following a book discussion.  Of course, we also hope that the children who participate will purchase their books at our bookstore, especially because we offer a 15% discount.

What challenges are you facing within the industry, and how do you deal with them?

Chain stores,etc are a problem.  But there is a big push to “buy local” in the community, so that sometimes helps our sales at Little Read Book. 

Kathy Kruse is a children's bookseller at The Little Read Book in Wauwatosa, WI.

Reluctant Reader Interview with Carol Anderson of Books Connection

What is selling well in the young adult & middle grade market?

Anything paranormal is selling very well with the young adult market.   

What do you do to get the young readers into the store? and what do you do to get them to buy once they are in the store?

  One of the things that we have done this summer is sell our used books to students with a buy 2 get one free promotion.  This has worked well.  We also have a staff pick section recommending books for the reluctant readers and the not so reluctant.  If the books are part of a series, it has been our practice to hand all of the books, if possible, to the customer.  Once they are in their hands, they are more apt to buy them all.  We have a unique situation of selling both new and used books so this practice really helps when the books don't come back very often.  If we have them all, we can give them to the customer and say that we rarely have them, so it would be wise to buy them while they can get them.

What challenges are you facing within the industry, and how do you deal with them? 

I think that the biggest problem we are having right now is the street dates publisher have.  We have customers come to us to buy a book with a street date of say August 11 on the 4th because they have seen it in Target or Kroger, etc.  This is very frustrating because we then lose a sale since we don't have the book and can't sell it even if we have it.  Another trend we have noticed is that customers do not want to pay $17 for a young adult hardcover.  They will wait for a used copy or wait for the book to come out in paperback.  I know myself that I don't like spending this kind of money for a young adult book for my own kids when the books tend to be shorter in length than an adult novel. 

What makes you continue to wake up in the morning and come to your job with a smile on your face?

What makes me wake up each day and come to work with a smile?  I love working with books and helping people find new authors.  I have worked in other fields and in retail before but nothing has been as satisfying as working in the book industry.

This interview was with Carol Anderson of Books Connection.  You can contact her at: [email protected]

Reluctant Reader Interview with Vicki Erwin of Main Street Books in Missouri

What is selling well in the young adult & middle grade market?

Fantasy, fantasy, fantasy! Started with Harry Potter continued with Twilight. Certainly the kids have gone beyond these series but it seems like they are drawn to similar types of books. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID and 39 CLUES are also doing well and are the exception to the fantasy rule.

What do you do to get the young readers into the store? and what do you do to get them to buy once they are in the store?

I am in a tourist area so the kids are usually with their parent or grandparent. Many of my juvenile book sales are to an adult for a child. But I've tried hard to make a comfortable kid/teen friendly area with face out displays for the younger readers. I also make sure I know what books are popular so I have them in stock and can talk about them if asked. I try not to intrude too much because sometimes my recommendation can kill a book.

What challenges are you facing within the industry, and how do you deal with them?

Bookselling is always a challenge -- too many books, too little time. We are facing changes with format. Electronic books are going to be there and independent booksellers have to come up with a way to be in on that. I am supporting ABA in that endeavor. I do think there are too many books published and publishers have to think about that. My store is small and I have to be selective. Perhaps that should spread across the spectrum. Discounts and online sales are always a problem but we try to make our store a place people want to come, as well as trying to be versed in books available so we can offer good customer service.

What makes you continue to wake up in the morning and come to your job with a smile on your face?

I love books! I've worked in every aspect of bookselling and still know that there is nothing I'd rather do. When a customer returns and is pleased with the last recommendation -- that's my satisfaction. Kids that are excited about books that come in the store -- that's what I like to see. And, I'm paying all my bills doing it.

This interview was with Vicki Erwin of Main Street Books
307 S Main St
St Charles MO 63301
636-949-0105
www.mainstreetbooks.net Follow them on Twitter @mainstreetbooks

Reluctant Reader Interview with Val Stadick of Main Street Books in North Dakota

What is selling well in the young adult & middle grade market?

The best sellers are definitely fantasy/series books. Vampires, fairies, etc. I would be happy to see more award winning, books of literary merit sell better but they really don't seem to move like they should. It almost seems that if a publisher is determined to move a book, they will give it the publicity and marketing and it will move.

What do you do to get the young readers into the store? and what do you do to get them to buy once they are in the store?

To get them in the store I always try to make sure I have the newest books out and displayed so they are easy to find. I also work really hard at keeping up on all the series' so I have the book in the day it comes out. Not an easy task as I also wear all the other hats in the store. I am starting the kids coming in early with a Sunday story time and am sure that this will translate well when they get up in the grades. To get them to buy when they are in the store I often ask them if they are a reader and what they like to read and then lead them into something similar. I talk to them like they are adults and am genuinely interested in what they have to say. I loooooove talking books with children and young adults who read. They are very excited about books! Sometimes I talk to them more than the parents and I can tell that the parents genuinely like this and this gives the adults time to browse at their leisure. It also makes the kids feel important and that their opinions on literature are valued. And they are. I have been in stores with my kids when they were at this age group and I don't know how many store owners would watch them, follow them, like they were trying to catch a shoplifter. I talk to them. That's probably why I don't have a huge theft problem. I respect them and, in turn, I hope it goes both ways.

What challenges are you facing within the industry?

I imagine the biggest challenge is getting out the "shop local" message and instilling in people the value of a good book. I am getting a lot of people in the store who are fed up with the way they are treated/helped at the bigger stores where they can't find anything and no one knows where anything is. But, I am sure that this is not the case in all the big box stores. Walk into a Wal Mart or Costco and you just can't get any help at all and no one knows authors or titles. Walk into a Barnes&Noble and everything is divided into departments and invariably the person you talk to doesn't work in the department you need.

Another big challenge is catching a piece of that entertainment pie that young people seem to fill up so easily. Between sports and social networking and texting, etc, they need to know how important reading is and how much fun it can be and how it can translate into school success through high school and beyond. There isn't a lot in our downtown to draw that age group. Mostly gift shops and galleries and restaurants. I get a high school crowd and the honors English class takes a field trip to my store at the end of the year.

Also, they need to know that used books are also great (I sell both new and used). Many children are raised with silver spoons in their mouth and only want the best and most expensive because they assume that it is somehow better. And, they want to read what everyone else is reading. This social networking really has a domino effect on books.  It is also amazing how a movie can sell a book. Isn't that crazy? Everyone knows the book is always way better. I would like to see more young adults willing to go out on a limb and try authors that they aren't familiar with -- some classics, too. Stuff that not only makes them feel, but also makes them think. The stuff that can help them become kinder and more sensitive and way more grateful. Historical fiction. Family tragedy. Memoirs. It is nice to see, however, "The Book Thief" doing so well. That is a fantastic book for young adults (and adults).

What makes you continue to wake up in the morning and come to your job with a smile on your face?

My customers. People who shop independent bookstores are the most amazing people in the world.

Val Stadick works at Main Street Books.  You can contact him at: [email protected]

OR, visit their site at: http://mainstbooks.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Reluctant Reader Interview with Arlene Lynes, Owner of Read Between the Lynes

What is selling well in the young adult & middle grade market?

Paranormal romance and real-life fiction.

What do you do to get the young readers into the store?

To get them into the store, we speak in their English classes in the school and host numerous author and authorless events.

What challenges are you facing within the industry, and how do you deal with them?

My challenge within the industry will be the emergence of e-books and how well I am able to keep up with it. 

What makes you continue to wake up in the morning and come to your job with a smile on your face? 

I absolutely love what I do and I am also fortunate to know that we are making a difference in our community! 

Arlene Lynes, Owner

Read Between the Lynes

www.readbetweenthelynes.com

Book Marketing & Promotion DIfficulties

I recently worked with a journalist, Renee Giroux, author on the blog Stimulating Conversation, who was doing research on book/author marketing and promotion.  She collaborated with me and a bunch of other self-published and published authors to gather some important information for everyone to reference.  The research she did is part of a 10 week long series, so be sure to check it out at: http://stimulating-conversation.com/blog/2009/08/25/mondays-marketing-your-masterpiece-why-book-marketing-and-promotion-so-difficult/

It's great work, so be sure to check it out!

Reluctant Reader Interview with Susan Takacs of Book Cellar

What is selling well in the young adult & middle grade market?

The Twilight series, Monster Variations by Daniel Kraus, Book Thief by Marukus Zusak The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, & Why I Fight by J. Adams Oaks

What do you do to get the young readers into the store?

I think young readers are attracted to the store because they can stop by after school, have something in the café and hang out and look at books.

What challenges are you facing within the industry, and how do you deal with them?

I think the biggest challenge in the industry right now is Amazon.  It is important to educate people that when they spend their money they need to consider a bigger picture.  Amazon does not employ local people, they do not host story time and book groups, they do not host author events.  Amazon does not save boxes for you if you are moving.  Amazon does not let your son use the phone when he is locked out of the house.  Amazon does not donate to school silent auctions.  They buy books at prices that are different than what are offered to a small business and they do not contribute to the tax base of the economy.  The playing field for Amazon is completely different than that of a small business.  Many states have implemented a tax fairness law but Illinois is not one of those states.  I would like to see a move to make the playing field the same for Amazon and other businesses.

What makes you continue to wake up in the morning and come to your job with a smile on your face?

The part of the store that brings a smile to my face is being part of the community.  It’s great to get to know the people that visit the store.  It’s been a pleasure watching the neighbor kids grow up.  It is a lot of fun to match a customer with the perfect book whether it be for themselves or a gift

Susan Takacs

Reluctant Reader Interview with Caroline Green of Malaprop's Bookstore

What is selling well in the young adult & middle grade market?

Of course, a lot of our bestsellers here are the same as many other bookstores, like the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan and the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer...but we also have some other books that the booksellers eagerly press into the hands of readers.  I loved First Light and When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead and sell them well.  Neil Gaiman is one of the store's bestselling authors, so The Graveyard Book is also very hot right now.  The Penderwicks books do well here, as do the books by YA author John Green.  Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler is popular, and a great seller here because it takes place in Asheville. We also have wonderful children's and YA authors who live in and around Asheville who's work sells well- namely Allan Wolf (Immersed in Verse, Zane's Trace), Alan Gratz (The Brooklyn 9, Something Wicked), Karen Miller (Monsters & Water Beasts), and Laurel Winter (Growing Wings).

What do you do to get the young readers into the store?

Malaprop's has some events for young people, but the vast majority of kids and teens come in with their folks to simply browse around.  Beside hosting some author events with YA authors, we have also had a monthly kid's and teen's open mic poetry night and a monthly Young Adult bookclub.

What do you do to get them to buy once they are in the store?

When the kids are here asking for books to read, or parents are asking for books their children should read, I think the most important thing to keep in mind is what the child really wants.  When parents push their kids into reading, even though the kid isn't interested in books, I push the cool non-fiction books (like the Ologies) or puzzle books as a way to get the child looking at books in a new way.  I like to speak directly to the children and teens more than their folks, as I feel like I can make the best book-to-customer match that way.

What challenges are you facing within the industry, and how do you deal with them?

Independent bookselling is it's own industry for sure- different from all other kinds of retailing, and it's changing very quickly!  We do feature downloadable e-books on our website, but I find that most of our customers appreciate that they can come in and get excellent customer service and a unique experience at Malaprop's, and that has served us very well.  Malaprop's is blessed with an incredibly supportive community with folks who have genuine interest in local businesses.  I think we have a great ability to adapt to changes in our market and find new and unique ways to show off what we have and interest people in our merchandise.  I think we have this adaptability because the owner and general manager of the store encourage all of the employees to put our heads together to think about how to make the most of things like displays and signage.

What makes you continue to wake up in the morning and come to your job with a smile on your face?

I love Asheville and the people who live here- the community is so wonderful- and Malaprop's employees are the best people ever!  But beyond having wonderful customers and coworkers, the books are what really make a difference...and sharing the experience of a good book with someone else is a huge reward!

Caroline Green is the Children's Book Buyer and Community Events Coordinator of Malaprop's Bookstore in North Carolina. Visit their site at: http://www.malaprops.com

Reluctant Reader Interview with Rebecca Fabian of Odyssey Bookshop

What is selling well in the young adult & middle grade market?

 

Fantasy, fantasy, and more fantasy is primarily what’s selling well in the young adult market. Everything from the Twilight (Stephanie Meyer) series and Vampire Academy (Richelle Mead) to Alex Rider (Anthony Horowitz) and Maximum Ride (James Patterson) with a little Ranger’s Apprentice (John Flanagan) thrown in. Outside of the fantasy market, teens seem to be very interested in harsh reality stories, everything by Ellen Hopkins and Laurie Halse Anderson, novels that tackle hard issues in many teens’ lives.

 

As for middle grade, fantasy dominates there, too, with best sellers like Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling), Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Rick Riordan), Warriors (Erin Hunter), Artemis Fowl (Eoin Colfer), and The Spiderwick Chronicles (Tony DiTerlizzi/Holly Black). Outside of middle grade fantasy, books about everyday life are in constant demand – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Jeff Kinney), Penderwicks (Jeanne Birdsall), Clementine (Sara Pennypacker), and anything by Andrew Clements.

What do you do to get the young readers into the store? And what do you do to get them to buy once they are in the store?

 

Partnering with our local schools helps to bring young readers into the store. We read books at storytimes in local elementary schools, bring authors into the middle grade/high schools, hold summer reading bookfairs, and work closely with school teachers and librarians to make sure they’re getting the books they need at the best cost. When students see the bookstore presence in the school, it reminds them to check out the Odyssey outside of school. Whether they’re coming into the store to get 20% off their summer reading books, or purchasing a signed copy of a book by the author they met last week, through our work in schools, young readers begin to connect books and the Odyssey in their minds. A knowledgeable and friendly staff, as well as our broad selection, ensures that when young readers come in, they leave with something they like.

What challenges are you facing within the industry, and how do you deal with them?

Many challenges face independent bookstores today; we survive these challenges by being innovative – thinking outside the box to come up with displays, programs, special offers, and events to give back to and thank our customers. We live in, work with, and are supported by our community, whether it’s the weekly farmer’s market, the Saturday morning family entertainment series, the Thursday night outdoor concerts, or our incredible array of in-store and off-site daily, weekly, and monthly events. Publishers don’t have a budget to send authors into schools? We’ll host a Skype event, where students and the author can chat back-and-forth over the internet. E-books cutting into the market? We’ll rely on IndieBound, our independent bookseller association, to work on getting us a piece of the action. Author events as fundraisers ensure multiple party interest and advertising as we all work together to make the event a success. Inventive ideas and strategies play up what independent bookstores and booksellers do best – know their community, cater to their interests, and sell great books.

 

What makes you continue to wake up in the morning and come to your job with a smile on your face?

Sharing great books is why I get up in the morning. It is incredibly satisfying to take a puzzle, such as “11-year-old boy, loves baseball, liked Harry Potter, going on a 5-hour plane ride” or “7-year-old girl, reads at a 6-grade-level, needs something age-and-reading-level appropriate,” and find them a book they will love. Every time I share a book with someone, I relive it, and love it, all over again. There’s always the hope that you’ve matched a child with a book that will open their eyes in some way, whether it’s to reading in general, a new series, a new experience, or the beginning of a life dream. Getting to be a little part of that magic is a privilege that will keep me smiling to the end of my days.

Rebecca Fabian is the Children's Department Manager at Odyssey Bookshop in Massachusetts.  Check out their site at: http://www.odysseybks.com/