Why A Bookshop?

With cyber-prophets hailing the doom of the printed word, and ebooks apparently out-selling their paper predecessors, why on Earth would anyone even think about opening a used bookshop now?

Well, there are 2 things that compel me to launch a physical (as opposed to an online) shop. The first being my compulsion to start my own brick-and-mortar business. And the second, is my need to interact with my fellow literati -- to help them discover authors they've not yet had the chance to encounter.

You'll notice, of course, that I didn't mention my love of reading as a reason to start my own store. Bibliophiles seems to think their passion for reading will somehow overpower their lack of business sense.

A face more than a few bookshop owners wear when they realize someone's actually in the store

In order to deal with the daily shock that comes when someone wants to buy a book -- and yes, it's daily, for I've seen the same owner surprised at my return visits -- they cocoon themselves in a familiar book. To get their attention, you must humbly approach the counter (behind which they are firmly entrenched), and lightly tap said cocoon. Once aroused, they'll answer your inquiry with a one-two word sentence, and point you in the general direction of the book you're looking for.

That will not be the norm at MK4aB (My Kingdom 4 A Book). For one thing, our inaugural location will be a space of no more than 8' x 4" ( Booth # 40 at this year's http://breadandhoney.ca/ ). I won't have a chair -- let alone a counter to shield myself with. No, I will be out in the open, fully accessible to everyone who drops by.

This space is along the lines of what I'm looking for.

And, should all go well at the Bread and Honey Festival, I'll be looking into getting a brick-and-mortar store somewhere in Toronto. Again, no counter will there be -- just a cupboard-sized shop crammed full of literary delights -- and me, standing in the midst of it all.