>
> Still, let's face it, poetry sells a small amount over a fairly long time
> (unless, perhaps, you're one of the very few).
>
> Doug
Indeed, poetry books mostly shift slowly; and most bookshops simply can't
afford the shelf space to allow them to do so. The fact is, being a small
bookseller (and I've every sympathy with them) must be nearly as chancy a
way of making a living as being a small publisher or -- er, a small poet.
And in one way we must be thankful for the rise of internet sales. Yet they
(internet sales) do contribute considerably to the attenuation of the poetry
section in most larger bookstores. And you can't browse on Amazon. Nor can
you get up a poetry reading there after hours.
In the case of poetry at least, a good and sympathetic bookshop has a real
contribution to make. I get so envious when you people flag up readings and
events in your local stores, clearly regular and well-attended occurences --
and they're on the other side of the world and I can't get there! Long may
they live, though. And who knows, maybe some day ....
joanna
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