Sometimes I get a little nostalgic for the good old-fashioned Xmas in Julys of yore, with traditional Christmas Creep retailers "attempting to lure bargain-hunters in with inventory-clearing sales not just on gifts, but on artificial trees, wreaths, lights and decorations."
But the true meaning of Xmas in July was forever Grinched by Amazon eight years ago, with the debut of Prime Day (now two days, July 16-17 this year). Fortunately, indie booksellers have once again risen to the challenge and restored our faith in Xmas in July with myriad counter strategies, as well as a sense of humor.
|
||
| credit: Larry Law | ||
Positive vibes have also come from Indiebound ("Indie bookstores are magical, but they need your support to keep the magic alive. Choose to shop local and keep the enchantment in your community."); artwork by Larry Law, executive director of the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association ("I designed this to share a concise message about the challenges faced by independent bookstores & how unbalanced the market is."); Bookshop.org ("A note from indie bookstores this Prime Day"); and Libro.fm ("This Prime Day, be an Audiobook Champion and help your indie bookshop take the gold with our reading challenge.").
On social media this week, indie bookseller anti-Prime Days post highlights include:
Swamp Fox Bookstore, Marion, Iowa: "July 16 and July 17 are wonderful days to show your support for local businesses. Visit all your favorites or drop by one you've never been to before."
Phoenix Books, Essex & Burlington, Vt.: "Why buy from the empire when you can support the resistance. While an online giant has a little sale today, we remind you that Phoenix Books is always here for your bookish needs. You all know that we love a good Star Wars pun, and today, of all days, we hope our readers will celebrate our local communities, Independent Bookstores, and booksellers--all working hard to uplift Vermont, one book at a time. Won't you join us?"
|
|
| At Wyrd Bookstore | |
Wyrd Bookstore, Edgewater, Md.: "With all these prime deals, it's difficult to stay away (I don't blame you). All we ask, as your favorite community book store, is to not forget us! Since we've started, we've lived by the 'keep the lights on' mentality, which means your dollars spent at Wyrd get directly reinvested into building it into a place for everyone and keeping the dream of a community space alive. So we thank you for your support along this ride, and hope you continue to Spread the Wyrd so we can continue to be the space you have grown to love!"
Cafe con Libros, Brooklyn, N.Y.: "Today is the beginning of Prime Day on Amazon. No judgement here if you're scratching items off your wishlist. However, I beg you, shop indie bookstores for your bookish needs. Amazon doesn't need your book dollars; indies do. It's that simple."
Under the Umbrella Bookstore, Salt Lake City, Utah: "Under the Umbrella Presents: An Anti-Prime Days Celebration. Did you know that Amazon intentionally loses money on their book sales in order to undermine bookstores like ours because they know they can make money on other things? If you are able to avoid "Prime Days" this year, please do. We're also offering 15% off online orders today and tomorrow (July 16-17) with the code fckamazon."
Alibi Bookshop, Vallejo, Calif.: "Hello, friends. Yes, we know that the giant online retailer is having big specials tomorrow and Wednesday, but this is a perfect time to remind you to shop local! Sure, there are some things you can't find locally, but shopping indie is actually the best deal of all.... Thank you to everyone who said no to Ama*** and shopped with us the past few days! It means so much!"
 |
|
| From the ABA's "Indies take the Gold" summer marketing campaign. | |
Epilogue Books, Rockford, Mich.: "There's a certain online retailer that is advertising "great deals" for the next couple days. You may know who I'm talking about, it's the company that's owned by the guy with a $500,000,000 yacht that's followed by a $75,000,000 support vehicle (neither of which were purchased locally). I realize there are some things they do which we just cannot, however, there are some things our team does they can't even come close to providing. So, let's take a look at just a few of the reasons you should buy books from epilogue books rather than the person mentioned above...."
Plaid Elephant Books, Danville, Ky.: "Just a quick reminder that when you shop indie, you keep your money and your impact right here in your local community. And as a thank-you for supporting local businesses, we'll be giving away four lovely ceramic coffee mugs with this year's indie bookstore slogan--'The Future Is Indie.' Perfect for sipping your breakfast beverage while reading the new books you bought locally."
The Mysterious Bookshop, New York City: "Amazon Prime Day can't do this.... We've got signed first editions of the biggest new mystery releases--autographed for no extra charge! Stop by and browse new arrivals or visit us online."
Fairytales Bookstore, Nashville, Tenn.: "Prime Day? We say have a SUBLIME DAY and shop Fairytales Bookstore. We're offering 10% off online with the code sublimeday, or when you mention this post in store. Who needs Amazon, anyways?"