Tabatha's Bag of Books

Hiya, Readers!Have you ever strolled into a bookstore and wondered, "Whose dream was it to own a place that sparks imagination?" and "How do they select the books that fill the shelves?" I asked Severia Drake, Proprietor of ByWay Books & More in Brattleboro, Vermont about her journey.Severia Drake has a rich background in the book industry, having curated reading collections for two used bookstores for over a decade, serving a diverse community. This experience paved the way for her new bookstore endeavor — and she's not embarking on this journey alone; the saying "the apple never falls far" holds true for Severia and her mother, Elizabeth Drake, who enthusiastically joined forces to work with her daughter. Severia's vision for ByWay Books & More was to create a space for all ages of book-lovers, offering a selection of diverse literature that spans genres and generations. It's more than just a bookstore; it's a space where readers can come together for book clubs, author signings, poetry readings, literary discussions or just to enjoy a good book. ByWay Books is where stories come to life with a goal to cultivate a passion for reading in Brattleboro and beyond. Congratulations on opening ByWay Books & More! Why did you decide to open a bookstore? What do you hope the bookstore will bring to the community?A) Thank you for this interview and opportunity to showcase my new business here in Brattleboro. I decided to open a bookstore because I wanted to expand my career in the book business, and I love a challenge. My goal is to provide a space where all can feel welcome and comfortable shopping for books of any kind. And I provide the best customer service! What challenges come with owning an independent bookstore?A) I have never owned my own business, but I have had the autonomy of operating a used bookstore in Stamford, Conn., in two locations for over a decade. I managed a staff of volunteers with all inventory coming through donations. Now in Brattleboro, I am learning about my community to ensure that I stock the shelves to compliment community interests, while operating on a tight budget. The challenge is to juggle sales, marketing, operations and community outreach while establishing a reputation and presence. What makes your store unique? (Do you sell other products? Let readers know.)A) My location is unique for a new Brattleboro business. I am not downtown; rather I am located a half mile from Exit 1 off I-91 between BUHS and the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. I offer free parking and accessibility. My location is an easy walk from many area neighborhoods. As I have limited space, I must be very intentional with what I carry. The store includes a lovely children's area with a soft rug for sharing a story. My inventory of children's books is extensive and also includes puzzles, games and activities for all ages. The crafts I carry focus on artisans from Vernon (where my mother lives) and embraces ceramics and felted creatures which are really the top seller among the crafts. We have art on the wall for sale from several local artists. I am building out my Vermont book section as I learn more about local authors. How do you choose which books, authors, and genres to stock on your shelves?A) Before opening, I launched my website and included a survey asking our potential customers what they read, which sections they gravitate to when going into a bookstore and what they would buy in a bookstore. I used the responses to drive much of my initial inventory, along with my decades-long experience in the book trade. When customers ask for a title or author, I order it and, even if they cannot wait for the order, at least I know what readers are interested in and, by carrying it, the next person will find it here. I do not order straight from catalogs. I get emails from publishers highlighting new releases, the NY Public Library with daily book recommendations, I follow celebrity books clubs, I keep an eye out for award winners, and I ask every customer what they are looking for and what do they read. This is truly organic growth! What kind of events do you host in your store?A) Since opening I have held story times on Saturday mornings, a poetry reading, a book launch and a book sale. Events planned for fall include another poetry reading, several author events focusing on the outdoors, and, along with another local business, a collaboration on a family-friendly celebration of the Dia de Los Muertos in October. Do you have any advice for authors and how to get their books into bookstores?A) When I initially opened the bookstore, I was contacted by many local authors willing to consign copies of their books to me just to get them on the shelves. I bought copies outright too. It helped me learn about my local community and get a feel for what people are writing. From my understanding, authors truly need to self-promote to get attention drawn to their work more so these days than before social media. The majority of successful authors have done that in some way or another. They sell their books to small independent presses, self-promote at in-store author events, book fairs and out of the trunk of their cars. Anecdotal evidence indicates that when an author can show sales growth from their own efforts, their chances for a large corporate publisher to pick them up increases. I have not tried to be an author myself. Share with us a bit about yourself. Have you always had a passion for books?A) My mother was definitely my inspiration for reading. She gave us books all the time as gifts for every holiday, birthday, un-birthday, any occasion! She was always reading. She would sit outside on the front stoop and read while overseeing us playing. She read to us and I spent nights listening to her read to my brother before bed. And she was always writing her own novels at the dining table (if you like YA dystopian and character-building stories, her books are perfect and can be found in my bookstore). And yes, I have always enjoyed reading for what I could learn about becoming a female, a friend, a young woman a working mother and just being a good person to all living creatures. I developed my own reading interests and developed a passion for literature. I was 14 when I got my first job, working in the Children's Department of my town's local library, and continued to work in libraries, bookstores, and for publishing companies through college and beyond. Not only are books a product I know, but I enjoy the business of books. How can authors and readers enhance their support for independent booksellers like yourself?A) A bookstore owner needs to make a living, like anyone else. Brick and mortar independent bookstores are evolving as effective community building retailers. Bookstores are becoming another space to socialize, exchange ideas, and learn. They are creating more than a place to shop for a book; they are offering gifts, curating stock for book clubs and vacation reads, and creating a space to meet and greet neighbors, friends, and travelers. The more shopping done at your local bookstore; the more taxes go back into the community toward town support. Authors have a chance to bring to life their book to an audience. I have listened with anticipation to authors describe their writing process and the formulation of their story. For example, I loved reading Fiona Davis's book The Spectacular, but the experience was enhanced when she participated in my book club to discuss it. Shoppers/readers can have helpful conversations with knowledgeable bookstore workers to find new books to augment what they already know and love. They can order books and look forward to the call when it is ready for pickup. I am willing to ship or even deliver books. Unlike borrowing books from the library, you own the book that has uplifted you, opened your mind to new ideas and warmed your spirit. You can lend the book, re-gift the book, or share that book with a friend. Both authors and readers can support their local bookstore by recommending their favorite bookstore to family, friends and colleagues for books, good customer service and events. I have one regular customer who was consulting on a job nearby. Regularly he came in with a new co-worker to introduce my shop to them and invariably they made a purchase. Referrals and recommendations make a big difference. Not every independent will carry the same stock and that is the fun of small indie bookstores. Each has a different focus, a different strength, a different feel. Authors can be supportive by offering to do an event such as a mini-bookcase event where they bring in a few authors of the same genre and do a round-robin of reading and answering questions or create an activity. This is important toward sales and exposure for both the author and shop. We are putting you on the spot! What book would you recommend from your store for each category?Children's Fiction: "The Velveteen Rabbit," by Margery WilliamsChildren's Nonfiction: "The Way Things Work," by David MacaulayMiddle Grade: "A Wrinkle in Time," by Madeline L'EngleYoung Adult: "Divergent," by Veronica RothScience Fiction: "Parable of the Sower," by Octavia ButlerRomance: "Wuthering Heights," by Emily BronteHorror: "My Heart is a Chainsaw," by Stephen Jones GrahamMemoir: "Man's Search for Meaning," by Victor E. Frankel Find ByWay Books & More is located at 399 Canal St., Brattleboro. 802-490-8014; bywaybooks.co. Have a column idea or book review suggestion? Get in touch with Tabatha D'Agata: tdagata@gmail.com