So I’ve broken my rule about not buying any more books until I’ve read some (intentionally hazy) fraction of the unread books I already own. But I have done so for a good reason. Joe Hill, author of 20th Centurey Ghosts and Heart-Shaped Box, has taken a look at the bookselling landscape and decided that this spring–always a slow time for book stores–has the potential to be disasterous for the small, independent shop. So he has declared March to be “Love Your Indie Month,” and is running a contest to encourage people to support independent bookstores. All you have to do for a chance to win one of 12 fabulous prizes is buy something from an independent bookstore and email a picture of the receipt to Joe. (Address at the first link.) I went down to the only indie bookstore I’m aware of in San Antonio, The Twig, and bought a hardback copy of The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, vol. I by M. T. Anderson (my softback will become a gift for someone) and Pretties by Scott Westerfeld. (They didn’t have any of my previously listed five books.)
March is Love Your Indie Month. Find an independent bookstore in your community or online and show it some appreciation. If you don’t have any particular bookstore that has earned your allegiance, I recommend Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, beloved of Clarionites. All of the Clarion instructors do a reading at Mysterious Galaxy during their week; the store is a great friend of the workshop. You can order from them online. (Online purchases are being accepted by Joe for the contest.) Spread the love!