McNally Jackson Knows Bookselling

So as I mentioned a few times, I spent the weekend in NYC, which I think may be the Mecca of Indie Bookstores. Unfortunately work kept me super busy, so I only had the chance to see one, but I made it good. McNally Jackson is an innovative and beautifully run indie bookshop in the East Village. I snapped a few pictures, but I really couldn't do the place justice. To the right you'll see the outside of the shop--a picture I borrowed from the website.

First, I have to say, this store has a FANTASTIC website. To be honest, that's what sold me on making this my one stop. It is navigable, aesthetically pleasing, and both business- and community-oriented. The store is very internet-savvy, with links to their Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, which is their frequently updated blog. In their "Shop" section, they provide visitors with concise but comprehensive information about shipping, ebooks, and delivery. That's right-- they hand-deliver books for free to any address in Manhattan. This is a very customer-oriented shop. Here I've reproduced their section on ebooks for a little analysis:

E-books are available two different ways: using Google eBooks, which lets you read on many e-readers, iPhones, iPads, Android phones, and any computer. Other eBooks lets you search for e-books compatible with a number of readers: Sony (use Adobe Digital Editions), Palm (for your Blackberry, iPod & iPhone), and Microsoft Reader. We do not sell books for Kindles.

What additional information could one possibly want? They tell you specifically with which ereaders their ebooks are compatible. They also have a section dedicated to their print-on-demand Espresso Book Machine here. You can search titles or get information about self-publishing! They have a section on their website dedicated to helping self-publishers, which I think is making truly innovative use of their machine. I believe it's already proven to be a smart investment--it was running non-stop during my visit.

I was blown away by this place. I intended to stop in, have a chai latte, and maybe pick up a postcard or something. Instead, I left with two new books, a great tote bag, and a renewed hope that the amazing indie bookstores in this country will find ways to adapt and thrive in the digital age. (That's my sad little picture on the left. But they have a whole section on European literature, much of which is in translation! That's rare and pretty cool. It shows they're dedicated to book discovery.)

Politics & Prose in the Digital Age

Probably the best known independent bookstore in DC is Politics & Prose. I've actually been putting off writing about this place, as I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it justice. I absolutely love this bookstore, and am totally impressed by the extensive book selection and programming offered here.

Unlike the Tattered Cover, it's not the most aesthetically pleasing establishment. The carpeted floors are creaky and the furniture appears to be a curious mishmash of whatever the proprietors could find. Whenever I head to the back of the store, the fixtures seem to be in a slightly different place than the last time. In the basement rooms, the ceilings are low and the books aren't intuitively organized. There are two wooden dining room tables forced together awkwardly in the middle of the sale books.

Time has taught me, however, that there is beautiful method in the madness. A quick browsing of the event calendar reveals that there is some type of engagement literally EVERY DAY at Politics & Prose. This establishment truly takes advantage of it's location in the nation's capital. I went to event last month featuring a Pulitzer prize winning journalist and several field experts. It makes sense the fixtures change-- furniture is rearranged nightly to accommodate the crowds (yes, actual crowds, not five or ten elderly folks) who turn out for book events. Similarly, the large tables in the basement are reserved for book group meetings and other community events. The low ceilings are in the children's section, tiny patrons who are four feet or so from having the tops of their heads skimmed while browsing for books.

For awhile there was a rumor floating about that the store was closing. Fortunately this is very untrue, and in an effort to dispel such rumors, this page was added to the website. Here the previous owners state that they have sought to make "room for new ownership from a younger generation." It would appear that this approach has been effective. Like the Tattered Cover, Politics & Prose allows for visitors to their website to purchase ebooks through Google. They even have a portion of their website dedicated to advertising their "Ebook of the Wee

k." They have SEVEN different blogs on their webpage (which frankly could use a different, more convenient format), and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Most exciting, however, is that Politics & Prose has an Android App for smartphones! This is the first time I've seen something like this. Droid users (like myself), can download the app have access to news about upcoming author events, book groups, directions to the store, and links to the website. From the Android Market, I see that the app has between 100 and 500 downloads. I plan to install it later today. For iPhone users, the Politics & Prose website indicated that a mobile app compatible with Apple products is "coming soon."

The Tattered Cover tackles a digital marketplace

Two weekends ago, while travelling for work, I had the opportunity to visit an amazing independent bookstore, The Tattered Cover in Denver, Colorado. With wood floors, tall shelves, and a winding staircase, I felt almost as though I was in a forest as opposed to a bookstore. The different sections of the store felt like little explored caverns, especially upstairs where the lighting was dimmer. The numerous old couches, chairs, and lounging chaises felt like secret mossy patches where one could settle down with any number of reasonably priced books--some new, some used-- and get lost for hours. It is easy so see how such a whimsical establishment has maintained its popularity for the last 40 years.

This particularly seems to be thriving, even in the changing marketplace. After my visit (in which I purchased a new copy of The Hunger Games and a used copy of Reading Lolita in Tehran in remarkably good condition), I checked out their website to see if it might provide some insight into their continuing success. In addition to many of the standard information (i.e., promotion of book clubs, author events, and bookstore memberships), I found a number of features hinting that the Tattered Cover has its eye on the horizon.

For example, the bookstore apparently provides a service in which students may rent textbooks for a fraction of the list price. This is an impressive tactical approach considering textbooks, which are often large reference books filled with visual data, may be some of the last which will experience full electronic conversion. Even more interesting, the Tattered Cover homepage boldly advertises that they have partnered with Google, providing their customers with "the most flexible way to buy eBooks." Tattered Cover patrons can search the Google ebook library without ever leaving the bookstore's website.

Being receptive to the growing digital market while still meeting the demands of traditional book buyers puts the Tattered Cover in an excellent position to continue to profit. Additionally, I encourage you to follow the store on Twitter and Facebook, or through their blog, Between the Covers.