I don't get out to Seattle very often - it's a long way from New Jersey - but when I have visited Seattle, I've always made it a point to stop by (and buy from) the Seattle Mystery Bookshop. It's a fine indy bookstore specializing, as you might expect, in mysteries of every genre and sub-genre, both the latest titles and the long-out-of-print classics.
Now the bookstore is in financial trouble, as so many indy bookdealers are these days. But they've come up with an interesting idea that could save them - and be good for us readers and writers as well. They have set up a page on GoFundMe, trying to raise a considerable amount of money, which they can use to help solidify the store's finances, help them build out their collection of both new and used books, and get their business back on a solid footing. As incentives, they are offering some interesting premium items, which they will send to people who donate - and there's something for every donor, even at the five-dollar level. Click here for a fuller explanation and a list of those premiums. You don't have to give a lot - every little bit helps (and in just a week, it appears they've collected about 20% of their total goal, which is fantastic news).
Although it's been a while since I was in Seattle, I have fond memories of visits to the Seattle Mystery Bookshop. I'm contributing. I hope that if you believe in the importance to our community of independent mystery book stores, you'll consider making a contribution of your own. (And if you have another indy mystery bookstore that you do business with, isn't it time you ordered something from them too?)
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