From Solo to Supported: The Writer's Guide to Finding Community

A fascinating book for bookstore lovers, people thinking about opening a store, and civic-minded readers. In addition to thoughtful action items in each chapter, Danny Caine hit the road and visited lots of great shops - particularly in the midwest, and collected valuable stories and experiences at each spot. It’s extra good to see words from Semicolon (Chicago!), A Room of One’s Own (Madison!) and our old friends at Red Emma's (Baltimore!) in the mix, among other places we have yet to visit. 

From the publisher:

Can bookstores save the world? As bastions of culture, anchors of local retail districts, community gathering places, and sources of new ideas, inspiration, and delight, maybe they can. But only if we protect them and the critical roles they fill in our communities.

Danny Caine, author of the bestselling sensation How to Resist Amazon and Why and co-owner of the Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas, makes a compelling case for the power of small, local businesses in this thoughtful examination of the dynamic world of bookstores. At once an urgent call to action and a celebration of everything bookstores can do, Caine's new book features case-study profiles of a dozen of the most interesting and innovative bookstores of today, from Minneapolis to Paris. Through a well-informed analysis of these case studies, Caine offers actionable strategies to promote a sustainable future for bookselling, including policy suggestions, ideas for community-based action, and tips on what consumers can do to help. A captivating read for any lover of books, patron of bookstores, or champion of the survival of these vital institutions, How to Protect Bookstores and Why makes the strongest possible argument for the importance of a resilient, inclusive, and progressive bookstore landscape.