I'm in the process of looking for a job, yet again, and thought of applying at a local book store. If any of you have experience working in a book store could you tell me if there are any benefits to working there for a writer? I can think of one off hand: You get to be very familiar with what is selling.
Any benefits to working in a book store?
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I would think a benefit would be working around something you enjoy. Hopefully a substantial discount. Not quite the same type of riffraff you get in regular retail.
If I had a bookstore that was less than a 45 minute drive away, I'd be working there.
If I had a bookstore that was less than a 45 minute drive away, I'd be working there.
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My wife works in a book store. Other than the discount, she doesn't get to hang out with the books too much.
On the bright side, many of them let you "check out" books as long as you don't damage them.
On the bright side, many of them let you "check out" books as long as you don't damage them.
I used to work in a huge used book store. That was a good job for a writer, and in fact some of my coworkers had published books, but it didn't pay much either. I used to spend a lot of my paycheck on books, too. We got them at cost, which was roughly 20-30% of the original price. And it wasn't just paperbacks, it was everything--fiction, nonfiction, CDs, books on tape, you name it.
Other than being a writer, working in a bookstore would be like a dream job for me. Alas, I am only fourteen.
There's this little used bookstore I found in a place where I go to write once a month. Catacomb-like, smells like an old library, tiny stools on warped floors so you can reach the stuff crammed on the high shelves. The owner is the only employee. He won't talk to you, because he's too busy. Doing what? Writing in the books he sells.
Yep, this old curmudgeon gives you his personal commentary inside nearly every book I've perused, in scrawly pencil should you wish to erase it, all on the title page. He tells you things like "Prose a bit stuffy" or "Debut novel by this author exquisite". He dates his entries, and initials his opinion.
I love that place.
But, alas, I doubt you'll stay employed long if you write your personal opinion in the books.
Yep, this old curmudgeon gives you his personal commentary inside nearly every book I've perused, in scrawly pencil should you wish to erase it, all on the title page. He tells you things like "Prose a bit stuffy" or "Debut novel by this author exquisite". He dates his entries, and initials his opinion.
I love that place.
But, alas, I doubt you'll stay employed long if you write your personal opinion in the books.
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I started at Borders doing inventory and it was Heaven. Opening boxes of books like Christmas! Alas, they put me in the Cafe, and it was torture. Trapped in a box with coffee and Esspresso neurotics with all those books beyond! We did get a discount, but it was a haul to travel as well.
Carrie where are you in PA? On the way to the PA Ren Faire last week I must have seen a dozen bookstores, including 4 or 5 of the big block stores.
Carrie where are you in PA? On the way to the PA Ren Faire last week I must have seen a dozen bookstores, including 4 or 5 of the big block stores.
I applied at our local used book store a few months ago. I thought it'd be fun, maybe get me out of the house a little (and I always need more books. No matter what anyone says).
My resume is pretty solid, as far as retail goes. The owner must have thought so, anyway, because she offered me the job.
When I called to finalize things and asked when I could start and what hours I could expect to work, she reluctantly explained that she had actually hired someone else before me, but that she'd definitely ask if the new girl wouldn't mind giving up a few hours a week. And I could have all the odds'n'ends hours when people were sick or wanted vacation time.
Awesome. Glad I didn't need the job to, you know, pay rent or anything. And, sure, I'll be on call 24/7 in case one of your other employees gets sick. If nobody does, I'll just eat... nothing. Pass.
Uh, no point to this story, I just wanted to complain about it.
The guys at the big used bookstore always tell me they have that same problem. I know I would! They're hiring pretty frequently; if I lived twenty minutes closer and the drive wasn't a white-knuckle experience, I'd so go for it.
That is SO neat. While I'd pretty picky about writing in my own books -- or letting anyone else do so -- I love it when someone I don't know already has.
I picked up a copy of Soldier, Ask Not the other day, an earlier edition than the one I had, because the original owner had written some very insightful thoughts about it on the front page. And I treasure my antique bible with the carefully clipped and pasted letters to and from the editor by the original owner.
My resume is pretty solid, as far as retail goes. The owner must have thought so, anyway, because she offered me the job.
When I called to finalize things and asked when I could start and what hours I could expect to work, she reluctantly explained that she had actually hired someone else before me, but that she'd definitely ask if the new girl wouldn't mind giving up a few hours a week. And I could have all the odds'n'ends hours when people were sick or wanted vacation time.
Awesome. Glad I didn't need the job to, you know, pay rent or anything. And, sure, I'll be on call 24/7 in case one of your other employees gets sick. If nobody does, I'll just eat... nothing. Pass.
Uh, no point to this story, I just wanted to complain about it.
Saanen said:
The guys at the big used bookstore always tell me they have that same problem. I know I would! They're hiring pretty frequently; if I lived twenty minutes closer and the drive wasn't a white-knuckle experience, I'd so go for it.
cree said:
That is SO neat. While I'd pretty picky about writing in my own books -- or letting anyone else do so -- I love it when someone I don't know already has.
I picked up a copy of Soldier, Ask Not the other day, an earlier edition than the one I had, because the original owner had written some very insightful thoughts about it on the front page. And I treasure my antique bible with the carefully clipped and pasted letters to and from the editor by the original owner.
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Bookstore
I had a very good friend who owned a large used bookstore until his premature death a couple of years back. He always said it was the one thing he loved more than writing. I spent a loy of time there. The best thing about a bookstore for me is the fact that pretty much everyone who comes in is a reader.
I had a very good friend who owned a large used bookstore until his premature death a couple of years back. He always said it was the one thing he loved more than writing. I spent a loy of time there. The best thing about a bookstore for me is the fact that pretty much everyone who comes in is a reader.
If I'm having a bad day, I go to the bookstore. Or the library. Being around books (lots of them) has always made me feel better. (Maybe I'm a book and I just don't know it?) I can't think of any real benefits of working in a bookstore, but I sure would feel comfortable.
I worked at B&N and it directly lead to my two book deal.
I kept hearing others lament that there was not a book about native plants for Georgia but plenty for other states. Finally I just gave up and queried. It worked, and landed me that book plus another I thought would be interesting... I left B&N to write them
I kept hearing others lament that there was not a book about native plants for Georgia but plenty for other states. Finally I just gave up and queried. It worked, and landed me that book plus another I thought would be interesting... I left B&N to write them
I used to work in Waterstones and it was great fun, especially round Christmas when it just got manic. Doesn't pay well, and you're treated like sh*t by the company, but your co-workers are all avid readers, writers and generally decent people, you get staff discount, and it doesn't feel like going into work in the morning. Oh, and you don't get the chance to become addicted to web forums as you do in an office job.
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9 years into my writing career - i had the opportunity 9and need) to work at BooksAMillion. BEST experience as a writer EVER. I leanred so much about the business of books and about readers and some about writers and also got to scan books on my break!
Loved it. Would still be there but got a contract for work for hire and suddenly, after learning what I had it didn't seem such a sell out to get paid for 4 weeks work more than I would have earned all year at the store.
Also, the pay wasn't great and the hours - well bookstores are open 7 days a week, ours 9 am- 11pm so loads of rotten hours and don't get me stasrted about the truly horrid behavior of some people in bookstores, about the strange regulars, the moms who used us for babysitting., the couples, the people who brought lunch in, all the trash they left or the folks who moved in for most of our day left books everwhere and... oh, I would never buy a magazine from a bookstore that keeps them back by the bathroom.
annie jones (Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas - Dec 06 - "Laugh Out Loud Funny" - Publishers' Weekly)
Launne Jones (Heathen Girls - out now)
Loved it. Would still be there but got a contract for work for hire and suddenly, after learning what I had it didn't seem such a sell out
to get paid for 4 weeks work more than I would have earned all year at the store.Also, the pay wasn't great and the hours - well bookstores are open 7 days a week, ours 9 am- 11pm so loads of rotten hours and don't get me stasrted about the truly horrid behavior of some people in bookstores, about the strange regulars, the moms who used us for babysitting., the couples, the people who brought lunch in, all the trash they left or the folks who moved in for most of our day left books everwhere and... oh, I would never buy a magazine from a bookstore that keeps them back by the bathroom.
annie jones (Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas - Dec 06 - "Laugh Out Loud Funny" - Publishers' Weekly)
Launne Jones (Heathen Girls - out now)
L.Jones said:9 years into my writing career - i had the opportunity 9and need) to work at BooksAMillion. BEST experience as a writer EVER. I leanred so much about the business of books and about readers and some about writers and also got to scan books on my break!
Loved it. Would still be there but got a contract for work for hire and suddenly, after learning what I had it didn't seem such a sell out
Also, the pay wasn't great and the hours - well bookstores are open 7 days a week, ours 9 am- 11pm so loads of rotten hours and don't get me stasrted about the truly horrid behavior of some people in bookstores, about the strange regulars, the moms who used us for babysitting., the couples, the people who brought lunch in, all the trash they left or the folks who moved in for most of our day left books everwhere and... oh, I would never buy a magazine from a bookstore that keeps them back by the bathroom.
annie jones (Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas - Dec 06 - "Laugh Out Loud Funny" - Publishers' Weekly)
Launne Jones (Heathen Girls - out now)
That's was I wondering about. Do you learn anything about the book business or is just mostly a retail job?
L.Jones said:9 years into my writing career - i had the opportunity 9and need) to work at BooksAMillion. BEST experience as a writer EVER. I leanred so much about the business of books and about readers and some about writers and also got to scan books on my break!
Loved it. Would still be there but got a contract for work for hire and suddenly, after learning what I had it didn't seem such a sell out
Also, the pay wasn't great and the hours - well bookstores are open 7 days a week, ours 9 am- 11pm so loads of rotten hours and don't get me stasrted about the truly horrid behavior of some people in bookstores, about the strange regulars, the moms who used us for babysitting., the couples, the people who brought lunch in, all the trash they left or the folks who moved in for most of our day left books everwhere and... oh, I would never buy a magazine from a bookstore that keeps them back by the bathroom.
annie jones (Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas - Dec 06 - "Laugh Out Loud Funny" - Publishers' Weekly)
Launne Jones (Heathen Girls - out now)
That's was I wondering about. Do you learn anything about the book business (behind the scenes) or is just mostly a retail job?
I have a friend who works in a bookstore. He gets early copies of new releases and writes book reviews that he sells to different papers across the country. That could be an advantage, if you're interested in writing reviews.
Myself, I worked in a used book store when I was in highschool for about a day. I don't remember why I stopped working there. I still think it would be great to work in a bookstore, I just don't think I'd love the pay. And I know all my earnings would just go right back into buying books.
Myself, I worked in a used book store when I was in highschool for about a day. I don't remember why I stopped working there. I still think it would be great to work in a bookstore, I just don't think I'd love the pay. And I know all my earnings would just go right back into buying books.
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Sorry for the typos in the first post - was on the laptop and between small keyboard and small screen.... I'd edit but now that it's been reposted, ah well.
*That's was I wondering about. Do you learn anything about the book business (behind the scenes) or is just mostly a retail job?
Well, I didn't learn about publishing so much (though I did see things put into practice) but I did learn about distribution, about point of sale, about who is buying and what they are reading and how much certain things influence them. I learned about what promo efforts make a difference and was able to draw conclusions about cover art, compare lines and publishers, and even compare hype to reality. And to talk to the other staff, young kids to "lifers" about all things bookish and get their input.
Also, I don't know how other bookstores operate, but BAM had info for the staff on the computer every day - best seller lists, author info, what books were on what TV shows and in magazines, even suggestions on who to hand sell.
annie
*That's was I wondering about. Do you learn anything about the book business (behind the scenes) or is just mostly a retail job?
Well, I didn't learn about publishing so much (though I did see things put into practice) but I did learn about distribution, about point of sale, about who is buying and what they are reading and how much certain things influence them. I learned about what promo efforts make a difference and was able to draw conclusions about cover art, compare lines and publishers, and even compare hype to reality. And to talk to the other staff, young kids to "lifers" about all things bookish and get their input.
Also, I don't know how other bookstores operate, but BAM had info for the staff on the computer every day - best seller lists, author info, what books were on what TV shows and in magazines, even suggestions on who to hand sell.
annie
kristin724 said:
Right smack in the middle of the state in Farm Country. I'm about 2 hours from the Ren Faire. Never been there, but we'd like to go someday!
I usually make the drive once a week to Borders, where I typically earn a new personal shopping day. LOL!!!
CaroGirl said:
Hey, that sounds like me.
I've worked in bookstores for almost twenty years, starting early in my undergrad days. It's a great job if you take full advantage -- you can find out a lot about how the industry works, about what's really selling (and why), it gives you a chance to talk to readers all day long (which is an invaluable antidote to the hype and the media) and you're surrounded by the current and the timeless. I've made connections through my work (to media, publishing, sales and other types) which have been invaluable, and proved integral to the success of my book. It also helps commodify books, taking some of the magic out of them (which is a good thing for a new writer to experience), and lets you see how they (and their publishers) behave in the wild.
If you don't take full advantage, though (and quite often you have to create your own opportunities, like in any job), it's just another shitty retail job.
I've lived and worked in Hay-on-Wye, Town of Books, for about 15 years now, in various shops.
The best job ever was full time at the Children's Bookshop. As we only sold secondhand books, we had no contact whatsoever with publishers, but the variety of what we sold was so much greater than a new book shop, and it was possible to read and learn from some great authors. I discovered the delights of Antonia Forest there, who wrote school stories with linking family stories for the holidays - now very rare and collectable in the original, but being re-printed by Girls Gone By, the only new books we carried, as they were all reprints of rare and out of print books.
You do get to see what sells, and what sort of person buys. A lot of our books were bought by adults re-living their childhood, but it was also interesting to see what the kids went for, and how their choices were affected by what the adults remembered.
You also get to meet some interesting people, and talk to them about favourite books.
Also, I've always been able to take my dog to work with me. She had her own chair at the Children's bookshop, and biscuits at coffee break, and will go and say hello to children even when she isn't in the shop. When I worked across the alleyway from the pet shop, she used to lounge around outside going: "I'm cute, tickle my tummy - and you can buy a biscuit for me just over there." When I left that job, the pet shop owner laughingly threatened to sue me for loss of earnings!
One of the benefits of living in Hay, without actually working in any of the shops, is the Honesty Bookshop. This is where the surplus stock from Richard Booth's bookshop (the biggest and original bookshop in the town) goes to die. It's out of doors, in the Honesty Gardens, and the books stay out all summer, gradually getting mouldy in the rain. Get in while they're fresh, and you can come away with an armload of books at a time, on every concievable subject.
The best job ever was full time at the Children's Bookshop. As we only sold secondhand books, we had no contact whatsoever with publishers, but the variety of what we sold was so much greater than a new book shop, and it was possible to read and learn from some great authors. I discovered the delights of Antonia Forest there, who wrote school stories with linking family stories for the holidays - now very rare and collectable in the original, but being re-printed by Girls Gone By, the only new books we carried, as they were all reprints of rare and out of print books.
You do get to see what sells, and what sort of person buys. A lot of our books were bought by adults re-living their childhood, but it was also interesting to see what the kids went for, and how their choices were affected by what the adults remembered.
You also get to meet some interesting people, and talk to them about favourite books.
Also, I've always been able to take my dog to work with me. She had her own chair at the Children's bookshop, and biscuits at coffee break, and will go and say hello to children even when she isn't in the shop. When I worked across the alleyway from the pet shop, she used to lounge around outside going: "I'm cute, tickle my tummy - and you can buy a biscuit for me just over there." When I left that job, the pet shop owner laughingly threatened to sue me for loss of earnings!
One of the benefits of living in Hay, without actually working in any of the shops, is the Honesty Bookshop. This is where the surplus stock from Richard Booth's bookshop (the biggest and original bookshop in the town) goes to die. It's out of doors, in the Honesty Gardens, and the books stay out all summer, gradually getting mouldy in the rain. Get in while they're fresh, and you can come away with an armload of books at a time, on every concievable subject.
If you have a published book, you could use your newfound powers as a bookseller somewhat insidiously:
Always putting your books on endcaps, or face-out. Always being sure there's a steady supply on hand. Handing your book directly to hordes of unknowing customers. ("This is my favorite author/book. I haven't met a single person who didn't love it" said with a big smile).
Mwa ha ha!
Always putting your books on endcaps, or face-out. Always being sure there's a steady supply on hand. Handing your book directly to hordes of unknowing customers. ("This is my favorite author/book. I haven't met a single person who didn't love it" said with a big smile).
Mwa ha ha!
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If you're planning to go into publishing, time in a bookstore counts as relevant job experience.
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