Okay, I know--this looks like a blogfest. And it kind of is.
And I know you guys know I'm NOT a fan of blogfests, and usually do my best to avoid them. But this one was way too awesome to pass up. Independent booksellers are an incredibly important part of the publishing industry. They hand sell books. Support authors with amazing events and signings. Not to mention it's pretty much impossible to find people more passionate about reading.
So when Lisa and Laura emailed me about a blogging event celebrating Independent Bookstores, of COURSE I was in. And while there are quite a few local Indies I love and support, there's one that goes just a *little* above and beyond, and that's why I chose to feature it. Mysterious Galaxy Books, in San Diego, CA.
Here's how they describe themselves on their website:
Mysterious Galaxy celebrated sixteen years in business as an independent specialty genre bookstore in May 2009. Our tagline, “Books of Martians, Murder, Magic and Mayhem,” encompasses the genres for which we are widely known: science fiction, mystery, fantasy and horror. In recent years, we have expanded our galaxy’s borders by participating in community events, creating events of interest to our customers, and partnering with local non-profit organizations. We also particpate in a wide variety of outside events including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Men of Mystery, Southern California Writers Conferences, Comic-Con International ... and many more.
We have an active young adult program, providing authors to visit, read, and teach at schools that partner with us. Our MG Junior section reflects this program and our passion for young adult literature ... which we all enjoy.
Our staff is composed of passionate and knowledgeable booksellers, and we share our enthusiasm for our genres through hand-selling, great customer service, and regular reviews in our print and electronic newsletters, as well as here on our website.
You see that LONG list of authors I've met? Yeah, most of those were from signings at Mysterious Galaxy. They organize more author events than any store around--and they do an awesome job with all of them. And it doesn't matter how crazy or chaotic an event is, they keep it organized--even panels at Comic Con.
Every week I look forward to my Mysterious Galaxy email newsletter telling me what they have going on, and I do my best to hit every event I can. And I am dreaming of the day when I get to do a signing there myself. I know they'll do an awesome job with it. *wistful sigh*
So to show my support for them--and you guys--I'm going to give away a book of your choice (so long as it's something MG carries--remember, they're a genre-store, so they don't carry everything) to one lucky commenter on today's post.
To enter, simply follow my blog and leave a comment by 11:59 pm PDT on Saturday, June 4th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, June 5th. Once the winner contacts me, I'll arrange for them to choose their prize and ship it as soon as I buy it. International entries welcome.
And...go!
To learn about more awesome Indies, check out these other links:
38 Comments on I Heart Mysterious Galaxy Books (and a giveaway!), last added: 5/31/2011
I already follow, but heres my comment
I love Indies. We have a wonderful one, Nicola's Bookstore. And I remember when Borders was an Indie. Thanks for the contest.
Thanks for participating in the blogfest. :) I'm learning so much about Indies, today. I'm really glad you all decided to do this.
Ahh! So cool to check out all these amazing Indies! Thanks for spreading the love, Shannon!
I would love to have one of their books to read.
[email protected]
hahaha...we BOTH highlighted Mysterious Galaxy! LOVE THEM
Love their sign "EAT SLEEP READ" - it's kind of my mantra!
That is a great idea. I love the Independent Bookstores. We have many independent Bookstores in my country and thanks for the giveaway.
I wish I had a bookstore like that near me. Montana gets short-changed when it comes to cool author events. :-)
Thanks for the indie-love, Shannon. I hope they have a better future than might appear at the moment. I LOVE my local: Annie Bloom's in Portland, Oregon.
Sounds like a great store! I'm having fun checking out everybody's indie pick!!! Stop by and check out mine too. Have a great indie day Shannon!
This is so cool. Love indie bookstores!!
Your indie sounds awesome! I wish mine had so many great author stops, but it's a bit too squished, which is why I love it. (And I have Books of Wonder in Manhattan for Authors of Wonder!)
Thanks for the additional giveaway!
rivkarno1(At)hotmail(Dot)com
I would love to read one of the indie books. Please enter me in contest. [email protected]
ooh i LOVE a good genre indie bookstore!
Throw my name into the drawing please!!
Love indies! Thank you! :)
hurray for a fellow Indie supporter :) thanks so much for hosting this giveaway! its for a good cause, please enter me!
Diana
[email protected]
THANKS AGAIN!
Mine is Cover to Cover in Vancouver WA. I ordered a signed copy from an author last year. When I called again 6 months later for the next release they remembered me. This is huge seeing as how I'm multiple states away and they've never met me. Love them!
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Thanks!! I wished I could have a store like Mysterious Galaxy near my home!
magabygc at gmail.com
Thanks so much for the giveaway. I love indies!
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
That bookstore sounds awesome! I wish we had bookstores like that where I live.
lyssad87(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for this great giveaway!
[email protected]
That bookstore sounds so awesome! I DEFINITELY want to go there.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am going to go there one day! I just know it...
I love MG! Their store is awesome, they have great signings, and they are always so organized and friendly when they're providing books for events. Maybe I'll see you there sometime this summer when I'm home from college ;)
lookaftermyheart1901(at)gmail(dot)com
Mine is Anderson's Books in Naperville, IL. They bring in tons of authors; in fact, it was an author event that pulled me into their store in the first place!
This sounds great
gfc follower
[email protected]
That sounds awesome! Count me in the contest.
What a great way to support your indie! I love their description--you can tell the booksellers have such a passion for the books they read.
[email protected]
I have a local Indie bookstore I love called Watermark Books. They always do what ever they can to help me out, and they are the only place I know that brings in authors for the public to meet. I went to a Melissa De La Cruz signing there. I don't know what I would do without it!
thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com
So nice to hear that there are Indies that are surviving . . . all the ones in my area have gone out of business.
I'd love to play please.
Already a follower.
lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love Mysterious Galaxy! I've only been there twice to see S.G. Browned and Michael Boatman and Cassandra Clare and Holly Black. It's a small store, but it has all the things I love. It's a bit of a drive since I live close to LA, but it's worth it. :)
titania86[at]yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway! I'm a follower.
toprocrastinate at hotmail dot com
old follower here...ok no-forget that- anyways I looove selfpublshed authors!! they're really cool and I admire all the work they go through to publish themselves, I've read a few and loved them!^^
thanks for the giveaway!!
I have yet to find any Indies around me! Thanks for the shout out to yours and for the contest! Also, thanks for having a helpful blog. There are lots of book blogs out there, but a friend pointed yours out to me and I'm so glad she did. I actually read each post because I really can get something from each one, so at the risk of sounding sappy, thanks!!! Keep it up! Oh, and I'm an old follower. wilsondev(At)gmail.com
Unfortunately, living in a small area, we don't have many indie bookstores, but this is a great thing you all are doing.
Thanks!
Andreat78 (I follow the blog)
[email protected]
Thanks for the giveaway!
GFC - Memrie
darkangel231988(at)gmail(dot)com
Memrie