BTW News Briefs

Kansas City's I Love a Mystery and Atlanta's Outwrite Each Make Local "Best of" Lists

I Love a Mystery in Mission, Kansas, was recently chosen as "Best Mysterious Place (2007)" by the Kansas City Pitch as part of its annual Best of Kansas City 2007. In describing the bookstore, the Pitch wrote:

"Independent bookstores on the Kansas and Missouri sides have been struggling over the past few years, but I Love a Mystery has done so well that it had to expand a year ago. That's not only because of its exhaustive selection of mysteries, thrillers and the like -- it's just a fun place. There's something about a blood-spattered sign, randomly laid daggers and a copious number of skeletons that warms your heart the way Halloween did when you were young enough to trick-or-treat. And the Victorian library setting is just where you'd expect to find a corpse with a caved-in skull and a bloody candlestick on the floor. The atmosphere is put to good use during the store's events, which include book clubs, a weekly game of Clue, and regular visits by authors."

In Atlanta, the Southern Voice, as part of its annual Best of Gay Atlanta 2007, chose Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse as "Best Bookstore." Second place went to feminist/lesbian bookstore Charis Books & More. In describing Outwrite, the Southern Voice noted: "With appearances from serious literary talent like Armistead Maupin and Sarah Waters, as well as celebrity authors including Jim McGreevey, John Amaechi, and Lance Bass, gay Atlantans count on Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse to give us not only something to read, but something to talk about."

Harvard Book Store Honored by City of Cambridge

In celebration of Harvard Book Store's 75th anniversary, the City of Cambridge is naming the corner of Massachusetts Ave. and Plympton St. (where the store is located) "Frank, Mark, and Pauline Kramer Square." Frank is the current owner of the store, and Mark and Pauline Kramer are his parents. Mark Kramer founded the store in 1932. The dedication will take place on Saturday, October 20, at 11:00 a.m., and there will be a brief reception in the store following the ceremony.

Kepler's to Launch Literary Circle Membership Campaign

Kepler's announced that it will unveil the bookstore's 2007 - 2008 Literary Circle membership program this month as it continues its expansion as a vibrant literary and cultural destination. According to a store press release, the Literary Circle program has been an essential ingredient in Kepler's success and remains essential to its plans for the necessary technological and structural renovations it will undertake to be an exciting customer-friendly space for cultural events, great books and gifts, and programs for the entire community.

On Sunday, October 28, Kepler's will host a Taste of Membership 2008 reception with drinks and appetizers to honor current Literary Circle members and tell the public about the bookstore's accomplishments over the last year and vision for the "Next Generation," including the store renovation. Enhanced member benefits for the coming year will also be unveiled. In addition, Kepler's expert buyers will present a "Book Talk" describing their top choices from 2007 and discussing exciting new titles. Anyone joining or renewing their membership to Kepler's Literary Circle will receive an exclusive invitation to a "Members-Only Holiday Shopping Evening" champagne and chocolate reception on Sunday, December 2.

AAP Smaller and Independent Publishers Meeting Moves to BEA

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) Smaller and Independent Publishers Committee (SIP) has announced that the AAP/SIP 2008 Annual Meeting will be held in Los Angeles in conjunction with BookExpo America. The location was picked as part of AAP/SIP's "ongoing effort to provide the nation's small and independent publishers with valuable educational opportunities and a meaningful networking forum." BookExpo will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 29 - June 1, 2008.

The AAP/SIP program, entitled "Starting....Growing...Maturing....How to Successfully Navigate the Life Cycles of an Independent Publishing House," is intended to give small and independent presses the tools they need to develop successful long-term growth and entrepreneurial strategies. Sessions will focus on organic growth, growth through acquisition, labor and capital, changing technologies, employee ownership, and distribution decisions, among other subjects. The program will be held on Thursday, May 29, prior to the opening of the convention hall exhibits.