Well what a week it’s been. After the coverage in the Malvern Gazette last week we’ve been swamped by comments and ideas. So the first thing to say is thank you. We will respond to everyone in time. If you haven’t heard from us yet please bear with us. There is clearly support for the plan; we just need to harness all the energy.
There have been a couple of comments raising concerns about the viability of the project. We are pretty happy that it is viable. Nobody is going to get rich from this and that isn’t the intention. In effect we are a not-for-profit. We think we have a robust and realistic business plan. It does rely to a degree on what Co-operatives UK call time capital – people working for low rewards to contribute to the success. However, as a Co-op, if we are lucky enough to generate a surplus we can distribute it to members!
We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss all this so expect an update soon….
Some ideas: * In the shop need an advertising board *Could have a monthly theme * If you’re having any form of sound, think talking books *Notice of Malvern & surrounding villages events * Can have visits from Authors & maybe writing courses * Possibly local art shows every 2 months.
MOST IMPORTANT…Children’s bookclub with say, badges per number of books purchased in a 2 month period, say, Platinum (10) Gold (7) Silver (5) Brass/Bronze (3) Green (1)
If you could fit in school visits, then you could “sell” books with a little spiel, say along the lines of,
“IMAGINE A PLACE FULL OF PRINCESSES AND HANDSOME PRINCES SURROUNDED BY FAIRIES & MYTHICAL BEASTS. ANIMALS GALORE & MAGIC. ADVENTURES, BATTLES, EPIC JOURNIES, FOREIGN LANDS AND NEARBY STREETS; SCHOOL TALES, HAPPINESS AT HOME, FRIENDS, SPORT………………………ALL TOGETHER IN ONE ROOM.
WHERE IS THIS MAGIC ROOM WHERE YOU CAN MEET ALL OF THESE ALONGSIDE YOUR MUM, DAD,BROTHER,SISTER &FRIENDS…….CAN YOU BELIEVE IT’S ARRIVING IN MALVERN SOON!!!! YOUR VERY OWN BOOKSHOP!!!!!!!!! A PLACE WHERE Dr WHO SWAPS STORIES WITH HARRY POTTER AND THE GRUFFALO GRINS TOOTHILY AT ‘ORRID ‘ENRY!!
LEARN WHERE TO AND HOW TO WRITE YOUR OWN STORIES, HAVE A DRINK & A BUN,SEE WHAT’S GOING TO BE HAPPENING IN TOWN, BUY AND SELL THINGS, LOOK AT SOME PAINTINGS BY LOCAL ARTISTS,LEARN ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE AND………………………………………………COLLECT THE BADGES!!!!!!!
R
I think the idea is great but I think there are some hard answers to some challenging questions to find. Examples might be:
1. Why will this work where Beacon Books failed?
2. Why should i buy my book here rather than on/at Amazon/Waterstones etc?
3. What ‘gaps’ could this shop fill that other book shops/libraries don’t?
Would love to contribute if/where possible via email and beyond.
As a traditionally and epublished author, I applaud what you’re doing. As an avid reader (3 books a week at least) I doubly applaud it.
When you get set up, I’d be happy to send you a free copy of my latest book to help you on your way.
Best of luck!