cheltonian books {BOOK CLUB} ByAndria Saxelby Celebrating Independent Booksellers
The last 2 years in particular has seen resurgence in traditional book sales and they are predicted to growin numbers as readers are choosing print versions and turning less to the electronic devices. Sure the compact e-readerswere
a novelty, allowingmany writers to get theirwork out in the public domain withoutwaiting to seal a deal with an agent or publishing house: therewere the pricewars of e-books vs. print books to lure us away fromthe gorgeous somewhat addictive smell of ink on paper, in addition to the bonus of carrying a whole library of choices anywhere youwent and yet the bookstore survives and in particular independent booksellers are flourishing – so what’s changed? Local townhigh streets have fast
evolved over recent years, trying to keep up with and support the needs of growing communities. Retailers, cafes and bars have had to diversify the services and goods they offer to feed the public demand. I find it hard not to enter a
bookstore when passing and like small boutiques, Iamalways curious as what an independent one has to offer which might be different…The SuffolkAnthology is an independent bookshop opened in in the beautiful Suffolk’s area of Cheltenham. Helene Hewitt, a formerG.P., began her bookseller journey in 2015 and has won awards for her efforts in 2017
with the achievement of the Muddy Stiletto Bookseller Finalist award
in addition to the Charles Irving SponsorshipArtsCouncil award. The SuffolkAnthology stocks the
latest fiction and non fiction which you will find comfortably placed alongside classic favourites thanks to Helen’s excellent relationship with
distributors.Various events are organized and hosted supporting local authors and poets and regular groups gather supported by Helene and her volunteers such as adults and children’smonthly book groups, writing and poetry groups and a newly launched Saturday Playwright’s workshop. Tea, coffee and a selection of
baked goods are always on offer daily with a selection of seating allowing people to browse over an indulgent treat or catch up with the crossword over a gossip. As with all major booksellers, they run a loyalty card
44 FEBRUARY /MARCH2018 THECHELTONIAN
schemeacceptNational Book Tokens and are able to order by 5:00pm for next day delivery if they don’t have what you are looking for in stock so you don’t miss out! You will also find a selection of notebooks, cards and other gift like items available to purchase. Helene’s best-seller predictions
for 2018 include, ‘Three Things About Elsie” by JoannaCannon following the success of her “The Trouble with Goats and Sheep” and Christopher Somerville’s, ‘The January Man”, described as a beautiful memoir. Recent events saw poet Fiona
Sampson coming to talk about her book “In Search of Mary Shelley” which had had excellent reviews and was featured as Radio 4’s book of the week. The challenges Helene has faced is
learning about the book industry and building a local client base offering things, which the local community wants. Check it out for yourself – what you get is a very personal service:
www.theanthology.co.uk
ByAndria Saxelby
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