Reading Local Essay: Indie Bookstores of the Future

This is the second essay on the future of the book industry, which began with a look at the future for readers, and will continue with a look at publishers and authors.  Again, I invite your disagreements in the comments below, as these essays are primarily meant to spark a discussion.

Indie Bookstores of the Future

I started off the last essay by saying that there has never been a better time to be a reader.  I wish I could say the same for today’s independent bookstores.  Unfortunately the news of closures seem to come daily, and the advent of eBooks as well as increasing pressure from online sellers and the mega stores, puts indies directly in the cross hairs of the literary firing squad.  There are a couple bright spots however.  The push for shopping local is growing, and social media tools are helping independent bookstores connect with their patrons like never before.  But few business models can subsist on these movements alone, and indies will have to get creative if they want to prove the doomsayers wrong.

The indie bookstore of the future will do a lot more than sell books.  An easy way to describe them (for Portlanders anyhow) is to use current locations as reference points.  So think of them as a mix of the small press/local focus of Reading Frenzy, the community living room feel of any of Portland’s fine coffee houses, the services offered by the IPRC, and the events held at Disjecta.

The books stocked at these stores will primarily be used, with all other books being printed at the time of purchase.  As future iterations of the Espresso Book Machine become smaller, cheaper, and more advanced, a growing number of bookstores will begin to offer this convenient service to customers.  This increased demand will force publishers to relent and allow bookstores to print new releases along with nearly every out-of-print book in existence, thereby removing the shelf space limitations stores currently battle.

Since the store no longer has to use up all available square footage for book display, they can begin to offer additional conveniences that will increase revenue.  Customers will sip on a cup of joe and eat a croissant purchased at the Bookstore Cafe, as they sit at tables featuring a version of Microsoft Surface that allow them to browse for new books.  They will be able to read portions of the book, scan all available reviews, watch author interviews and book trailers, design personalized covers, and then order and pay for the book right from the table.  Bookstore owners, employees, and other customers will be able leave their reviews and recommendations for books, while other features on the Surface will allow customers to interact with and befriend one another. When customers finish their coffee and snack and are ready to leave, they pick up the book(s) that have just been printed on their way out.

Another portion of the newly available space will go towards hosting events.  Nearly every night of the week will bring an author or poetry reading, live acoustic music, lectures, art shows, or mini-fashion shows, the majority of which will feature local talent.  A small donation to attend these events will become the norm, with the proceeds evenly split amongst the bookstore and the performer(s).

An additional opportunity available to bookstores due to the Espresso Book Machine, is the ability to take advantage of the growing trend of self-publishing.  As this article involving the Northshire Bookstore in Vermont shows, the demand from local authors looking to publish their work has allowed the owners of Northshire to create a revenue stream that was non-existent before.  By offering publishing capabilities via their Espresso Book Machine, and by partnering with other local providers to offer an “a la carte menu of editorial and design services,” Northshire has been able to increase revenue while also becoming a valuable resource for the writers in their community. Bookstores are uniquely positioned to be the focal point in authors minds for these services, because they are an already established literary landmark in their communities.  Where as the independent copy editors, cover designers, agents, etc. have to work hard to establish a base of clientele on their own, the bookstore could simplify this process for all involved by being the vehicle through which the service providers and those in need of service connect.

This leaves a potential pathway for a direct link between the author and the nationwide network of independent bookstores.  It’s one that would allow for greater profit margins on both sides, by eschewing the large chunk that is currently eaten up by the publishers.  Of course the publishers won’t go down without a fight, and there is still the growth of the eBook to consider.  The larger slice of the reading pie that eBook’s take, the less practical a physical presence to purchase books becomes.  No matter how creative the indie bookstore gets.