Authors rally to support indie shops

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If you’ve ever wondered what writers are reading, now would be a good time find out.

Oxford Book Shop will have four London writers — poet, author, performance artist Penn Kemp, Leslie Garrett, Welwyn Wilton Katz and Valerie Mills-Milde — on hand to share their reading recommendations in celebration of Authors for Indies Day.

More than 500 authors across the country and 100 bookstores have signed up to participate.

The celebration brings focus to the independent book stores that dot the landscape under the shadow of Big Box stores that now dominate the market.

“They (indie book stores) are essential,” said Kemp. “They’re diminishing like flies because of Big Box stores, yet they support poets and independent authors (who don’t often have mainstream publishers). I’ve been going to Oxford Book Shop for nearly 50 years. It’s a tradition in the city and people should be supporting them.”

The authors will be at the store from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and co-owner Hilary Thomas said they’ll be available to talk to customers.

“It’s not so much about their own books, but about what they’re reading and recommending. I want it to be a festive, fun atmosphere.”

Kemp said book stores such as Oxford, Attic Books on Dundas St. and Brown and Dickson (in the former Novack’s location on King St.) are often the only outlets for authors.

“These stores bring back the magic of reading,” said Kemp.

“The atmosphere . . . I’ve been using a new word to describe it. Sensoria. An independent book store is like that. It bring the senses to a level above, where Google does not.”

Thomas said a big draw for independent stores is the “personalized” service they provide.

“We really give the best service we can,” said Thomas. “That’s one-on-one service, personal and we try to go that extra mile for people. We get to know our customers.”

JBelanger@postmedia.com

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IF YOU GO

What: Authors for Indies Day, featuring four London authors, Penn Kemp, Leslie Garrett, Welwyn Wilton Katz and Valerie Mills-Milde, offering their recommendations on books.

Where: Oxford Book Shop, 262 Piccadilly St.

When: Saturday, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. (store opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.).

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