Granta Opens Subscription-Only Online Archive

Last week, Granta Magazine, our client across the pond, released a full archive on their website that can be accessed online for a yearly cost of £12.99 (about $20).

The archive contains all 111 issues of the literary magazine that have been released since its debut in 1979 and contains many rare works from the early careers of authors such as Nick Hornby, Salman Rushdie, Joyce Carol Oates, and Don DeLillo.

For just twenty bucks, this online archive offers countless hours of high quality literature and access to nuggets and artifacts that were once believed to have been lost to the realm of charity shop bins and yard sales. Take advantage of the subscription here.

Filling Financial Gaps in a Faltering Economy

While we don't hear quite as much about those buzz words of financial apocalypse (crash, sub-prime, credit-crisis, recession, etc.) as we used to on the nightly news, there's no denying that the times are still tough. We're all looking for a quick fix and little tricks to boost our money flow and float us into the long-forgotten land of a steady economy. But how effective are short cuts any way?

Inc. the American business magazine, has published an article on 5 ways to improve cash flow that will actually work. No shortcuts; just pure, effective methods that any small business should employ to improve their revenue for the long haul.

Read the article: Five Ways to Improve Cash Flow

Reinventing the Book Club

Books and Bars is at the top of bookselling innovation. The forum-style, stand-up comedy laced book club was formed in 2004 as a way to revitalize an independent bookstore that had gone under. Moderator/comedian Jeff Kamin leads the discussions that are held in a small auditorium behind a bowling alley that is usually filled to the legal limit within fifteen minutes of the doors opening. The discussions often include Q&As with the authors who attend via online video chats, comedy routines, and forum style discussion with the audience.

The Books and Bars club has become immensely popular and successful in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, receiving virtually no aid from large, commercial sponsors (Books and Bars was sponsored by the onion until recently, now its sole sponsors are three local, independently owned businesses: Surly Brewing Co. which provides drinks for the club meetings, Bryant-Lake Bowl which provides the venue, and Mager & Quinn Booksellers, the largest independent bookseller in the Twin Cities). Utilizing fairly new and innovative marketing, advertising, and sales techniques such as the "#Booksandbars Tweetup" on Twitter, a blog that outlines past discussions, and the self sufficient partnership between Books and Bars and Mager and Quinn that brings in large revenues for both, Books and Bars is an inspiration to independent business everywhere. Read the examiner.com article about Books and Bars and checkout their website and blog.

Detroit's Plan to Revitalize Entrepreneurship

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, which we should assume you are or else you wouldn't be reading our blog, then you should take a look at this New York Times article about Bizdon U, a Detroit based program that is aimed at guiding natural entrepreneurs through the essentials of business management for a successful and lucrative career in self-owned, independent business.

The not-for-profit organization finds young adults in Detroit who show particular strengths in their knowledge of independent business management and guides them through the real world with the aid of successful business owners and entrepreneurs.

The goal of the organization is essentially to revitalize the city with new, successful, and sustainable businesses that will in turn create new jobs for the city that has long been within the top twenty metropolitan areas in the country with the highest unemployment rates.

It is great to see that in this day and age, where big business has really proven just how powerful it can be, that people still have not given up on independent business. We wish Bisdon U the best of luck

Rock Paper Tiger by Lisa Brackman

The New York Times calls Lisa Brackmann's first novel, Rock Paper Tiger, published by our good friends and clients over at Soho Press, a "wild ride." Jam packed with chases, terrorists, and plot twists, Rock Paper Tiger could easily leave Jason Bourne in the dust.

The novel follows expatriate Ellie Cooper on a break-neck thrill-ride through China as she battles terrorists, confronts mysterious black ops commandos, searches for her missing artist boy-toy, and joins a secret society, all just to escape the monotony of every-day life back in the states.

The novel intersperses political wit and social commentary on war, torture, and the anxieties of cultural change into the mix to create a novel that is truly one of a kind.

Take a look at the New York Times review and the website for Rock Paper Tiger by Lisa Brackmann.

Tin House Stands Up For the Little Guys

We are so grateful to have such great clients. Just a few days ago, Tin House announced a new plan to support the indie booksellers of the nation. Tin House Announced last week that from August until November, any unsolicited manuscripts submitted to their publishing company must come attached with a receipt for a hardcover or paperback book from an independent dealer. Here’s a link to Publishers Weekly’s Article: Tin House, Dzanc Books Aim To Help Indies

Way to stand up for the little guys. We all know they need a little help right now. Thank you, Tin House. We’re glad to know you.