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At last!  Robin and I are both thrilled and honored to introduce you to Children's Book World's owner and our newest Independent Bookseller of the Year, Ms. Hannah Schwartz!

In our recent month-long search for our next bookseller to be inducted and crowned, Hannah proved to be the hands-down People's Favorite, with both her customers and industry professionals.  She joins a stellar lineage-- following in the luminous footsteps of Kris Vreeland of Vroman's Bookstore (2007) and Alex Uhl, A Whale of a Tale Book Shoppe (2008).

Robin and I dashed across to Haverford PA in our luxury Shrinking Violet jet to interview Hannah, and wished we could have taken you all with us.   In our custom introvert-friendly Boeing, there is spacious room between seats, a No Talking section, a No Eye Contact section, and a serve-yourself refreshment bar.* :-]

Without further ado, Violets and Vinnies, our newly crowned Indie Queen, Ms. Hannah Schwartz, is in the building!  Please join me in giving her a rousing welcome and congratulations! 

SVP:  We are always curious about booksellers and librarians. Demographically, are they as introverted as writers tend to be?  Where  do you fall on the introvert/extravert continuum?

Hannah: I am extremely introverted.  I dislike talking about myself which is probably why it took me so long to answer these questions.  It certainly wasn't for lace of enthusiasm for this award!

SVP: Of all your trillion duties as an Indie owner, which part of your job do you most enjoy?

Hannah: Unquestionably, I love to read the upcoming books.

SVP:  If you had one wish for the publishing industry, what would it be?

Hannah: I hope that the publishers will continue to support independents.

SVP: What was your most memorable author event?

Hannah:  When I first read this question, I threw it out to my staff, saying I didn't want to say J.K. Rowling.  But guess what?  It was hands down J.K. Rowling.  It was not only the anticipation and preparation, but mostly the faces of the kids when she looked and connected with them.  We still think about it.

SVP:  What are you reading now?

Hannah: Since we are in the process of buying fall books, the answer is many books, all at the same time.

SVP:  Complete this sentence: The most challenging thing about being a bookstore owner is:

Hannah: Having the time and energy to deal with the business end and still have time for the fun (reading and talking about the BOOKS).

SVP: What is your biggest wish for your bookstore?

Hannah: To continue to be a part of the community by bringing students, teachers, and parents together with authors and illustrators and, ofcourse, books.

SVP:  We keep  hearing that bookstores are becoming less and less interested in having authors do in-house book signings,  unless your first name is Stephanie, and your last name rhymes with Deyer or Beyer.  :-) Any comments from your perspective on the future of in-store author signings?

Hannah:  In-store author appearances are tricky, at best.  Our ideas about them change constantly.  When I first opened (20 years ago), I only wanted events on Saturdays.  Then I only wanted them other days if could bring a class into the store.  Now I am on a different page.  We have had much success with authors (often sent by publishers) we place into schools at no expense to the schools. However, they must be comfortable presenting to the age group the book is intended to reach.  I could go on, but I guess the bottom line is that in-store signings are often not what they are cracked up to be.  Perhaps panels or visits with children or teachers does a better of job of spreading the  word.

As an aside, the author you were referring to was sent to us and did an appearance for her second book at a school.  The students were very well prepared (by one of our staff) and it was a happy experience for all.

SVP: As a book buyer and seller, is there any book you keep waiting for someone to write?

Hannah: Any book that connects a with a child, and makes her a reader.

Thank you!  Now that she has been inducted, Hannah will be receiving her official SVP coronation certificate,  a $100.o0 gift card to Tango in Bryn Mawr, and a small assortment of goodies befitting her royalty.  Unfortunately, the life-size cardboard stand-ups of Robin and me would not fit in the box.  Dangitall. :-)

*I might be making this tiny part up about our jet, but every other single detail is 100% true guaranteed.

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If you have a second, Violets, follow the link to Hannah's bookstore, on her home page, she has a youtube video book review by one of her staff (I'm assuming that) of Rebecca Stead's new book When You Reach Me. I haven't seen this done on a bookstore's website before, but what a great idea.  Have you seen this done before? I loved Rebecca's First Light, can't wait to read this next one. 

And just a reminder that starting this month and this week, we will be posting on Monday's only-- our Eco-Cyber contribution to reducing some of the information overload in your life.  As Robin suggested in her recent post, do take that extra 5-10 minutes each week, clear your head and just breathe.  May the Muse reward your stillness!

Peace,

Mary

2007 Independent Bookseller of the Year, Kris Vreeland, and welcome in our new 2008 Independent Bookseller of the Year, Alex Uhl. However, before Kris gets away, she agreed to share a few last words with us on her tenure as reigning Indie Bookseller.
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1. You've been reigning Bookseller of the Year for the past twelve months. Have you found that people treat you differently? Any problems with paparazzi at the store trying to photograph you?Autograph hounds?

Part 1: As bookselling royalty, I've noticed that wearing a robe and crown every day in the department does make people tend to gaze at me with what I'm sure is awed amazement and respect. I admit that the fact that I don't have a royal robe with an imitation ermine collar and had to substitute my well-worn bath robe might have diminished the effect slightly, but I think everyone was still impressed.

Part 2: As far as the paparazzi goes, well I have tried to respect their need to earn a living by photographing the rich and famous, preferably in embarrassing or private moments. I therefore I consented to let all of them who came into the store take as many pictures as they needed and I am never in embarrassing or private moments so that was never a problem--though probably does explain why I didn't show up on the cover of most magazines as frequently as one might have thought.

Part 3: We have had many autograph hounds in the store, but for some reason they consistently prefer to have the authors sign their books instead of me--go figure.

2. Any advice for the soon to be crowned 2008 Indie Bookseller of the Year?

I would suggest getting a royal robe with an imitation ermine collar and leaving a stack of signed glamour photos on the desk so people can help themselves when they are too shy to approach you directly.

3. On the list of Important Events in Kris Vreeland's Life where would you place being selected as Bookseller of the Year? Second place or third, or fifth, or FIRST?

First, obviously would have to be being born because clearly without that nothing else could have happened. That would naturally be followed by being selected by the Shrinking Violets as Indie Bookseller of the Year as a very close second. After those to events, all else seems to pale by comparison, however, marrying my husband 27 years ago and giving birth to two beautiful daughters (they resemble their mom) have been very significant as well. Being hired at Vroman's and meeting famous authors (especially famous authors who attend ABA luncheons during BEA, even when they are sitting at a different table is particularly high in this category) are every bit as wonderful as they seem. I suppose next would be the acquisition of our dogs and cats (and rabbits and guinea pigs and hamsters and assorted fish and squirrel monkey and boa constrictor and flying suirrel and assorted lizards, baby alligator, chickens, etc--but I digress). Because I never attended pre-school and dropped out of kindergarten starting my education career on a shaky path from the beginning and being a rather painful area I prefer not to discuss, I think I will substitute living in Brazil for a year and meeting Jeremy Irons (though not in Brazil) in this last prioritized category of life changing events.

Perhaps I should mention in parting, however, that this last year of recognition has lifted me from my humble beginnings and shy demeanor to a strong recognition of who I am as a respected and influential citizen of the world. I can only hope the next bookseller elevated to this esteemed position and recognition will have as rewarding an experience.