Kindle vs Books Continues

More fun from the folks at Green Apple Books:

Round 4: Do books help you sleep?



Round 5: Looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right - Too bad!



Round 6: Customer Service - The machine is always right?



Four more rounds to go.

Kindle vs Books - The first 3 rounds

Everyone is always talking about the Kindle and there are aspects of owning one that do sound attractive. I realize that ebooks are with us to stay and having books available in a digital format does have a lot of advantages. However, it bothers me that one company could exert so much control over the entire publishing industry and so I have more concerns about the Kindle specifically than with the general concept of ebooks. The technology is evolving at such a rapid rate that I am not sure where the independent bookseller will fit into the picture. So I am following San Francisco's Green Apple Books series The Book vs The Kindle with interest.

Round 1 - Selling Your Old Books


Round 2 - Buying Books


Round 3 - Sharing Books

Love Your Small Bookstore Month

Hey, friends and neighbors

Will you help give Paragraphs and South Padre Island a little national exposure? I could use your help. Do you want to help get the Island known for something other than Spring Break in March? Read On..

From Indiebound.org

Author Joe Hill has officially declared March Love-Your-Small-Bookstore Month.

In a couple of recent blog entries, he's talked about how important it is to shop at your local indies. The best part? All the comments from like-minded indie fans! Always great to read.

And to get even more people excited, he's throwing a contest: March-is-love-your-Indie-Bookstore-Month: The Contest.

From Joe:

How to Play: Go to a local independent bookstore. Buy something. Save the receipt. Send a photo or scan of the receipt to this address: indie@joehillfiction.com. Make sure either your e-mail or your receipt includes the name and phone number of the bookstore in question.

There is still time. And if you have already purchased something at Paragraphs this month, come in and I will be happy to print a new receipt.

Fate of An Island Bookstore

Building on a barrier island has its risks and I just hope I have not been minimizing the probability of experiencing the devastating destruction which can follow the severe weather conditions along the Gulf Coast.

In the latest edition of Publishers Weekly, Edward Nawotka provides an update on the effects of Hurricane Ike on the bookselling community in the Galveston and Houston area.

I was particularly moved by the story of Midsummer Books, Galveston Island's only bookstore focused on new books, which Tim Thompson had opened in 2004. His 2,000-sq.-ft. store was completely destroyed. After spending the past year actively involved in opening a bookstore, I cannot imagine the sense of loss one would experience in seeing all those hopes and dreams disappear in one night, because of a random act of nature.

When Hurricane Ike hit Galveston Island, Tex., a little after midnight September 13, Tim Thompson lost his livelihood. Midsummer Books, the 2,000-sq.-ft. bookstore Thompson had owned since 2004, was completely destroyed. “We had eight feet of water in the store,” Thompson said from his temporary home in Austin. “We left the day before and didn't have time to save anything other than the computer
with the stock database.”

“For now, Midsummer Books is history”.

Read the full story here:
Ike Dealt Heavy Blow To Texas Booksellers - 10/6/2008 - Publishers Weekly

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What Comes Next?

When I think back to the beginning of the year and when construction started on Paragraphs, it seems like ages ago.  And, yet, when I try to quantify the progress I have made in preparations for opening the business it seems as if I haven't been doing anything.

There was a column in the American Bookseller's Association newsletter, recently, which printed the responses of several new bookstore owners to a question which appeared on the ABA's bookseller-to-bookseller forum.  Someone had asked, "If you could do it over again what would you have done differently in planning and opening a bookstore?" Now, why didn't I think to ask someone that?

Well, I'm not open, and I probably wouldn't actually change anything, since this silly dream of mine, just seemed to take on a life of its own, but if I were to admit there could have been an easier way, it would probably be not to do everything at once.

Building a new home, creates a whole set of questions to be answered, decisions to be made and expectations to meet.  I never dreamed of having the opportunity to build a home from the ground up and have it be just the way I wanted.  The problem then, becomes knowing what my idea of a dream home is and then adjusting to the reality of what I can afford.

Next, occupying this dream home of mine has meant consolidating and packing all those things that one just can't bear to part with - a duck my aunt gave me when I was born that has long since lost most of its stuffing - from two locations. And, the next issue is figuring how to get these precious possessions from New York and Colorado to Texas.  That, I think I will leave up to Griffy - it seems like a job he should be able to handle, and after all, what are husbands for.

Anyway, I have just realized that most of my efforts have been focused on the above challenges, and my timeline and bookstore opening checklist doesn't have many items crossed off, and I think I am woefully behind schedule.

Let me think, there is shelving to order, computer systems to evaluate, paperwork to complete for vendor accounts, opening inventory to choose, a website to design....

With that, I think  I'll end this and take the dogs for a walk.

Spare Change?

The business plan for Paragraphs has been a work in process but the time has come to commit it to paper and say enough, it is finished. Like nearly all human endeavors in life, opening a small business, requires money, and a consistent and reliable source of it.

It is now time for me and my brain child, Paragraphs, to find a local bank and establish a line of credit. I view the banking relationship as a partnership. Going forward with this attitude helps me overcome feeling like I am standing on the street corner brandishing a placard, constructed from a piece of cardboard torn off an old tomato box, on which is written in crayon or a borrowed felt pen "Spare Change?"

Once a partnership has been established I am sure the day to day communications with the formidable man behind the desk will become less formal and it will be simple to convince him what a grand idea it is to advance me some more money to buy some more books . But, before that can happen it will be necessary for me to convince some Mr. Banker that he wants to, indeed cannot afford to miss out on the opportunity, to loan me money and accept my deposits.

For the small business, the business plan is the cardboard sign of the street corner huckster. And finishing a plan for Paragraphs is my mission-see I even have the jargon down-for the week.

Bookstore Sales Encouraging

This is good news for booksellers, especially after all the discouraging reports about the decline in reading.

Bookstore Sales Post Another Increase in March - 5/13/2008 6:08:00 AM - Publishers Weekly:

-- Publishers Weekly, 5/13/2008 6:08:00 AM

Bookstore sales rose 1.3% in March, to $1.03 billion, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Sales have increased every month so far in 2008 and finished the first quarter up 5.1%, to $4.46 billion. The 1.3% March increase was the smallest gain in 2008.

The sales increase in the bookstore segment was higher than for the entire retail segment, which rose 3.9% in the quarter. March retail sales inched up 0.5%, to $379 billion."

Boulevard or Blvd.?

I spent much of the afternoon returning e-mails to various publishers and vendors requesting catalogs and account applications. In the process, I have been compiling the information needed to complete all the paperwork necessary to open accounts with those companies I choose to order from. Of course, the first question is; Business Name. And, therein, lies a tale.

Way back in December and January - I know it's only been three or four months but it feels like years ago - I decided to start this blog to keep my family, friends, and the SPI community informed about the process involved in opening my dream bookstore. Before I could really start the blog, I had to have a name, and that is a story of its own. But, I finally made a decision; Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard. It can be shortened to Paragraphs, which I thought had a kind of community appeal - "Hey, I'll meet you at Paragraphs" - and the, on Padre Boulevard, tells everyone where the shop is located. So, that choice was made and the blog was launched.

Not long after, I received a very nice call from Jerry Wilson, suggesting that I reserve a domain for my perfect name and future website. He told me that in this new internet world there are folks that just look for names that someone may want, then these same people register the name and when the poor dope (that's me) gets ready to launch their web site, the domain name has been taken but can be purchased, for a price.

Now this sounded like reasonable advice, and I put registering ParagraphsonPadreBoulevard.com as a domain on my list of things to do. Well, we all know what happens to our To Do lists. By the time I got around to this task, a couple of weeks had gone by in classic Padre Style, and, you guessed it, ParagraphsonPadreBoulevard.com was not available. Now, there is no logical reason why this domain name would be used by anyone but me, unless the registrant planned to make me pay for the use of my own carefully chosen name.

My Italian temperament kicked in and I decided there was no way I would give these scavengers the satisfaction of inquiring about this domain name. I finally decided that it was easy enough to change Boulevard to the abbreviated form and everything would be great.

It was one of my first lessons in doing business in this virtual world. So there you have it - Our name will officially be Paragraphs on Padre Blvd. Now I'm ready to get the legal niceties out of the way - that is on the agenda for next week.

Seven Months and Counting.

Now the hard work begins. I just reviewed my "Opening a Bookstore" time line to remind me of what lies ahead. It is a little mind boggling!!

In some places I am ahead of schedule and some items are wrapped up in the construction of my own building. In other areas I need to get busy, which is hard to do down here in "manana" land.

Yesterday Griff left to return to New York, so I should have time to get busy. With our strange lifestyle, when we are together, I like to spend time with him and it's hard to concentrate on business plans and stuff.

My list for six to nine months includes things like:

1. Everything that needs to be done to finalize my business name
2. Update business plan
3. Obtain a SAN number from R.R. Bowker
4. Create credit reference sheet
5. Contact vendors on products, services and computer systems
6. Store design and layout
7. Finalize product categories and inventory percentage

It sounds so simple yet each item can be broken down into a million little pieces. I am glad I have the American Bookseller's Association as a resource. And, yes, like everything else there are consultants that specialize in opening independent bookstores. I have been using materials from Paz and Associates.

Right now I am waiting for a call from a graphic designer who specializes in product branding and marketing. It took me ages to finally decide on a name for the shop - and I want a logo that will stand out and serve several functions:

1. Identify the store
2. Reflect our mission
3. Place the shop as to location, eliminate the need to look for street numbers - this is part of the reason I chose a distinctive architectural style
4. Be easily reproduced in all media from low-quality newsprint to glossy ad pieces
5. Be equally distinctive in color or black and white

I believe that a name and brand are an important part of meeting my goals for Paragraphs. I want to be more than a retail store but also a gathering place, a destination, a community institution - and I want my logo to reflect all of the above.

I Survived

I got through it OK, I think. I was really honored by the number of people that showed up. Thank you, thank you. Pictures later - I'm going to open my bottle of champagne and have a private celebration with Rosie, Griff and the girls.

But, I just want everyone to know how much I really appreciated so many people taking the time to stop by. The Islanders are great ambassadors for the Town.

Bye for now!!

What Shall I Say?

It's Tuesday afternoon and the official Groundbreaking Ceremony for Paragraphs is just a couple of hours away. In true Padre fashion, I stopped by Captain Alan Stewart's place this morning and he is preparing a sign for the occasion. Toucan Graphics also came through with some business cards on a few hours notice. Finally, a stroll down the aisles at the Blue Marlin--a cooler, wine, beer, a couple bottles of champagne--and we're set.

My problem now is what do I say? For a pathologically shy person, like me, the idea of being the center of attention is something I worry for days about. Add to that, the need to actually give some type of a talk - Oh My!! Two hours away and the terror is setting in. What if no one comes, it will be so-o-o embarrassing.

Now focus Joni. What is important about today?

• A chance to thank the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this event.
• Thank those wonderful people who end up taking some of their time to show up.
• Introduce my financial partner who keeps me focused --Thanks, Mom
• Introduce my husband and rock -- Love you, Griffy

• Then there is Dennis Franke - When we couldn't decide whether to build a house in the Shores (it would have been a stretch) or have the store and house for the same money - Dennis encouraged me not to give up on my dream and go for the bookshop. He helped us find and purchase a suitable lot and provided a lot of good advice. Someday, Dennis, that home in the Shores is on the agenda. Well, maybe.

• The design and construction management is in the able hands of John Silar from Harlingen. It took us a while to finally get started - John had preliminary plans for the building a year ago - but his patience has been extraordinary. I appreciate his expertise at getting the best quality for the best price. He also has utilized some "greener" technology which makes me feel good and will also be more energy efficient.

• Garco Construction, the general contracting firm is from San Benito and I am really pleased with this selection. B. J. and Junior are such nice guys and now I understand why John told me that if he was building a new house of his own he would have B. J. handle the general contracting. I am sure I will test their good humor when I start making changes!!

In general though, I feel very lucky to have such a good team. I can go back to Denver and focus on the business end of things and prepare to relocate without any worries about the building construction.

But what about my vision for the store. What will my business add to the town? I believe that literature has so much more to offer us beyond it's entertainment value.

1. A community place where people can come to debate, discuss and share ideas. Reading allows us to examine things outside our own experience and having a dialogue is the second step in taking part in the "Great Conversation" that has been going on for centuries.
2. Work to promote literacy and the love of reading.
3. Be a gathering place for readers and writers alike. Provide an alternative to social networking on-line by giving people a place to engage in real face-to-face conversation.
4. Promote the ideal of life-long learning as an equal partner with exercise and diet as a source of improving our lives.

Ok, I think I have some ideas. Please don't rain!! Guess I better get going.

Becoming an Islander

I know it will be a while before my residence is finished and I have a lot of things to do before making my life on the island permanent - I have taken a couple of steps which make me feel more like this is "home".

The United States Postal Service has confirmed that I am enough of a resident to rent a PO Box. The gentleman at the post office could not have been more helpful, and he has remembered me the few times I have been in to ask questions or pick up mail. Two forms of ID and proof of land ownership took care of getting a box assigned to me and now I can receive mail at a real address instead of c/o the La Quinta. I imagine the desk clerks here will be glad of this change, too.

In the interest of becoming part of the small business community on the island I have also become a member of the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce. From what I have seen so far this is a very active organization and I look forward to supporting them in some of their projects.

Especially exciting is their willingness to help me with a "groundbreaking ceremony". The publicity will be great in continuing to build public interest in the future opening of a general interest bookstore on the island.

Each day I try to make a little progress. October is not very far away, especially according to Padre time.

115 Independent Bookstores Open in 2007

The following information was encouraging after all the doom and gloom which we generally hear from the MSM (mainstream media) about American reading habits.

"The American Booksellers Association welcomed 115 new bookstores that opened for business in 2007. This was the third year in a row that the number of bookstore openings topped one hundred.

'We're happy to report that 115 ABA member stores opened in 2007,' said ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz. 'This is very good news and an indication of a growing trend among communities that are recognizing the unique contributions of local independent businesses. These new ABA member stores offer a one-of-a-kind environment and knowledgeable owners and staff who are dedicated to serving their neighborhoods.'

The new bookstore openings were spread across 35 states, and included a branch store of Florida's Books & Books on Grand Cayman Island and a member store in La Paz, Mexico. The largest number of openings was in California, which welcomed 17 new stores; followed by eight openings in New York; seven each in Georgia and Oregon; six in Michigan; and five each in Colorado, Minnesota, and North Carolina.

The move to local independent businesses that are tailored to specific communities is a refreshing move away from the mega-retailers. This is a trend which should fit in well with the South Padre Island business community.

Anyway, I hope so!!

A Beginning

Good News!!!

Construction is commencing today. Or at least there will be some activity at 5505 Padre Boulevard to give this whole dream some sense of reality.

I'm going to check things out. Hopefully, I can get some pictures posted this afternoon.

I need to temper my good news with a note of best wishes to the Franke's. It was really a shame to see the damage to such a beautiful building and such a labor of love. I was especially sorry to hear about this building fire, because Dennis Franke has been an avid supporter and source of encouragement for my bookstore project.

Patience Is a Virtue!!

I am a confirmed procrastinator and always operate more efficiently under a certain amount of pressure. Going with the flow comes pretty naturally to me - one of the reasons why South Padre Island appeals to me. However, I must admit to an almost irresistible urge to find a shovel and move some dirt on the lot at 5505 Padre. The idea of building a bookstore on the island has evolved over several years and now I must confess to wanting to "get on with it".

My focus has been on the building and each day I anxiously drive south on Padre Blvd. from the La Quinta and hope to see something going on - but to no avail. So to take my mind off of the bricks and mortar part of my new venture, I am going to switch my focus to the operational details, all those things I can do something about. There are really so many details to take care of that it seems overwhelming. A September opening seems like ages away, yet time does seem to fly by and I need to get an action plan together.

So...I pledge to not worry about the construction - I will leave that to the expertise of John Silar, architect extraordinaire, and to take care of my end of things.

Children's Book of the Month

I attended my first Board of Aldermen meeting last Wednesday and was excited to see the Mayor's proclamation which demonstrates a community awareness of the importance a love of reading has on literacy levels.

The establishment of the Children's Book of the Month reads:

WHEREAS, The Mayor's Children's Book of the Month Club is an endeavor of the South Padre Island Public Library Reading Room to partner with leaders in its community to stimulate an interest and lifelong love of reading in children: and

WHEREAS, As Mayor, I will assist the library by publicly supporting this initiative and call on all residents to be aware of the Club's significance to the Laguna Madre area and show support and raise the level of awareness about the importance of literacy; and

WHEREAS, I am enthusiastic about the club, as well as an advocate of the library, and will recommend a different book monthly for our children to read.

Congratulations to the Mayor for taking a stand for reading!!

I haven't read much about this initiative in the local press, but I need to check out what programs and activities are available to encourage the community to actually read and discuss the monthly selection.

When Paragraphs is open for business this is the type of community program we are looking forward to supporting.

Learning to Blog

I am feeling every day of my 53 years--the technology world has moved on without me and catching up is beginning to boggle my poor mind. There was a time when I could write a fairly useful application in DOS and handle some basic research on-line. The whole world of Web 2.0, social networking, open source code and all the rest is completely alien to me. I believe one could spend an entire lifetime glued to a computer screen with all the stuff available to read and discover!!

But, why am I starting this blog?

I want to share my experiences as I go through the process of building and opening an independent bookstore on South Padre Island. It will be a way of keeping family and friends informed about what I am up to and may be interesting to others who have the dream of opening a small business.

I also want to introduce myself to the SPI community and get a virtual dialogue started which can be continued in person once Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard opens next fall.

So, of all the experienced bloggers, I ask your patience as I struggle to learn this new means of communication and as I improve, the ultimate goal is to provide some useful and interesting ideas and information.