Haunted Burrow Books, a bookstore with a focus on horror, fantasy, science fiction, and occult titles, opens today in Seattle, Wash.
Located at 430 15th Ave. E in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, Haunted Burrow Books spans approximately 1,600 sq. ft. and sells predominantly new titles with about 20% of the inventory consisting of used books. About 5% of the inventory is packaged as blind dates, and there are tarot cards featured in the occult section.
Owner Roxanne Guiney, an editor by trade, has a small opening party planned for this evening that will include a raffle and golden ticket hunt. In July she has two book clubs scheduled as well as a silent writing group planned through the North Seattle Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers group. In general she hopes to host at least two book clubs, one writing group, and one occult-themed group each month.
Asked about the bookstore's focus, Guiney said she chose to concentrate "on the genres I'm knowledgeable about and can discuss, particularly horror and dark fantasy." She added: "Of course, people get more excited to read a book when the person offering it to them tells them what's exciting about it, and I want to be able to give customers that experience. To some readers, myself included, the connection to another reader is part of the experience."
In addition to being an editor, Guiney has been involved with the writing community in Seattle for several years, and has worked for a literary magazine and a small press. Before deciding to open a bookstore, she sold used books and books packaged as blind dates at various swap meets and vendor fairs around Seattle. She's "always wanted to work in a bookstore," she said, and started to consider opening one of her own late last year.
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She began learning all she could about the bookselling business, and though she expected the process to take a couple of years, "the opportunity for a temporary space in a great area presented itself, and I took it." The space, she explained, is in a building that could be demolished as early as next year, and though "there's a possibility of me staying longer," her lease is guaranteed for only six months.
So far, Guiney said, "everyone has been so supportive." She's heard wonderful feedback from customers at vendor fairs as well as members of her writing community, and she greatly looks forward to stocking and selling books from local writers. "I'm overwhelmed by everyone's kindness, and I hope that translates to the store's survival through the short term lease and on to the next location." --Alex Mutter