Ann Patchett on Independent Bookstores

Over the years I've heard many authors say heartfelt words of thanks and appreciation for independent bookstores. These tributes are always good to hear, but the fact remains that independent bookstores face long odds in the battles being played out in today's bookselling world. Less than 10% of the books sold in this country are sold through independent bookstores, and that percentage has certainly not been expanding.

One author who can especially relate to the underdog status of independent booksellers is the novelist Ann Patchett, who opened a bookstore of her own in Nashville, TN last November. So I was especially looking forward to hearing what Ann had to say when she stepped up to the microphone before about 500 independent booksellers to accept an award as "Most Engaging Author" at a Celebration of Bookselling luncheon in New York in early June.

And what Ann Patchett had to say was...well, you really need to hear it yourself, which you can do by clicking on the link below. Suffice it to say that it was incredibly inspiring-even to a cynic like me-and I was pretty much blown away. I told her this afterwards, for which I received a wonderful hug.

So here's Ann Patchett, writer and Shakespearean actress, on "We Band of Bookselling Brothers":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ85kCO5d-U&list=PLC811FC126A193283&index=5&feature=plpp_video