When was the last time you visited your local independent bookstore? If you feel a stab of guilt while pondering that question, you can redeem yourself this Saturday, April 29, by taking part in Canada’s third annual Authors For Indies Day (AFI). Several local bookstores are taking part.
Hatched by local novelist Janie Chang (Dragon Spring Road), the concept behind AFI is to boost the reading public’s awareness of indie bookstores through community, discovery and diversity.
After reading about the success of a similar event in the States, Chang approached three local stores in 2015: Book Warehouse on Main Street, 32 Books in North Vancouver and Hager Books in Kerrisdale. All three eagerly signed on, as did about 40 authors Chang reached out to. It was a great start.
Her idea was such a hit that it spread organically from bookstore to bookstore right across Canada. A website went up and Chang organized a national team of volunteers to keep things organized.
“In the first year I couldn’t believe it was actually happening,” remembers Chang. “It was really exciting.”
Hundreds of authors have signed on to appear at stores across the country this Saturday. In Vancouver, memoirist Cea Sunrise Person (North of Normal and Nearly Normal) is one of them. She’ll be at Book Warehouse in the morning and 32 Books in the afternoon. As a best-selling author twice over, Person’s career is on a roll. You’d think her participation in AFI isn’t that important, but Person begs to differ.
“I know how much independent bookstores support us as local authors, so AFI is a great chance to return that support,” says Person. “These booksellers offer not only knowledgeable and personable staff, but also a gathering place within the community for book lovers. I believe it's important to keep that spirit alive.”
More than a dozen Lower Mainland bookstores are in, from Point Grey to Mission, but not all Vancouver indies have signed on. A notable exception is the successful Pulpfiction Books, with stores on Main Street, West Broadway, and Commercial Drive. They took part in AFI for the first two years, but not this time.
Will you be playing Bookstore Bingo as part of #AFI2017? You could win $1000 in books from @penguinrandom (Canada)! https://t.co/rVICudRBm5 pic.twitter.com/bVXgLrOAyA
— AuthorsforIndies (@Authors4indies) April 24, 2017
“There was a lack of interest on the part our clients, who simply ran over the in-house authors on their way to the stacks,” says owner Chris Brayshaw. “The authors mostly hung around and talked to each another, even though the shops were constantly packed with customers.”
Authors are generally an introverted bunch, and it can be awkward for some to simply walk up to a bookstore customer to strike up a conversation and a sale. It’s integral for the booksellers to bridge the gap, says Chang. Brayshaw, who considers himself an outlier in the book world, thinks AFI is missing a bigger marketing opportunity.
“Record Store Day and Comic Book Store Day are focused on exclusive merchandise, which generates lineups of folks looking to acquire scarce or free stuff,” says Brayshaw. “AFI has focused on authors helping out behind the till or making recommendations. Most of our customers are not interested in that.” Brayshaw continues: “If I ran AFI, I would focus on getting cool merch like an Eden Robinson broadside, or an original Amber Dawn poem, or hell, even a Douglas Coupland poster. Make that merch available in very limited quantities, once a year, and only from independent bookstores.”
Exclusive product is something Chang has already considered. This year, author, illustrator and CBC broadcaster Kevin Sylvester has donated 20 signed prints. Ballots to win the prints will be in participating bookstores across the country on Saturday.
AFI isn’t a perfect experience yet, but there’s no doubt it’s an important event for booksellers, authors, and hopefully you, the book-buying customer. Happy Authors For Indies Day! Hope to see you Saturday.
