the beautiful worst

9.1.20 vol. 6 - issue 5

What would we do without indie bookstores? They keep us entertained and educated. They host important conversations in our communities. They provide safe spaces and rally us in times of crisis. In this issue of The Beautiful Worst, I wanted to show indie bookstores a little love. Enjoy! xo.Katie

Midwestern Bookshop Fights Inequality with the Power of Community--and Zines!

Living in the Midwest gives the beautiful worst some new meaning. It took me a few years of living in Kansas City to appreciate the nuances of this region, and to make the distinction between the deserved criticism and the more nuanced dynamics that aren't discussed in think-pieces written by folks on the coasts. There are many things to celebrate in the Heartland and Raven Books is one of them.

Based in Lawrence, Kansas, Raven does an amazing job of advocating for indie bookstores and small businesses, while also having a lot of fun in the literary community. Owner Danny Caine also writes and produces zines, including How To Resist Amazon and Why, Save the USPS and The Sound and the Purry, written by their bookstore cat during a naptime on the store's cash register keyboard. All proceeds from The Sound and The Purry go to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Lawrence Humane Society.

Here's an excerpt from How To Resist Amazon and Why by Raven Bookstore owner Danny Caine.

But remember what those giant online booksellers have no intention of doing:

bringing your favorite authors to town so you can meet them and get your book signed
creating good jobs in your community
partnering with cultural organizations in your town to enrich the arts
feeding and taking care of store cats that you can take pictures of and pet
creating a safe and comfortable space for you to spend an hour or two
working to support local authors where you live
hosting open mics etc. so emerging artists have a platform
paying taxes

Photos by @RavenBookstore

Bookshop + Book Club

Over the summer, I decided to become a Bookshop.org affiliate to help readers divest from Amazon and support indie booksellers. All the earnings from my affiliate account will be donated to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.

My Bookshop page includes recommended reading lists featuring authors that have appeared in The Beautiful Worst and titles for my virtual book club.

Each month on Discord, my book club discusses books that are adapted to tv and film. This month, we're reading, watching, and discussing The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Join the conversation here.

A Beautiful Worst Throwback: Library Love (vol. 2 Issue 8)

Clockwise from Top Left: The A47 Mobile Art Library by the Fundacion Alumnos47, a library in Hackney UK, Bookyard by Massimo Bartolini, Weapons of Mass Instruction by Raul Lemesoff.

Upcoming Event: KC Zine Con

I'm thrilled to announce The Beautiful Worst will be included in this year's KC Zine Con! The KC Zine Con has gone virtual this year with zinesters tabling at their website on September 5 and 6. They are also offering virtual workshops, panels, and skillshares. This celebration of zine culture will be a great event for creatives and kids! Check it out at www.kczinecon.com

Links of Interest

How You Can Support Indie Bookstores During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Oprah Magazine recently published a directory of Black-owned bookstores.
12 Fictional Bookstores We Wish Were Real
and 14 Authors Who Started as Booksellers.

Your Turn!

Who's your favorite indie bookstore?

Reply to this email with a shout-out to your favorite indie and I'll share it in the next issue of The Beautiful Worst!

Stay Safe + Be well!

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