Indie Bookstore

A Novel Idea.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

FEATURED INDIE BOOKSTORE

BACKGROUND INFO ABOUT YOURSELF AND A NOVEL IDEA

ANI: A Novel Idea is a community-minded bookstore and event space with a focus on local authors and artisans. We have curated a cozy bookshop with approximately 3000 titles, ranging from literary fiction and fantasy to small press and children's literature. We are a small, two-person husband and wife team who are passionate about books, community, and everything Philadelphia. Every title in the shop is handpicked by us!

The bookstore is our first business together (we got married in October 2018, just six weeks before we opened A Novel Idea). We make up the two halves of A Novel Idea--Alexander bringing over a decade of graphic design experience to the shop, and Christina, as a writer and open mic host, her experience and dedication to literary events in support of Philadelphia artists. Christina is also an author of two books, Creole Conjure and She is a Beast. She even teaches writing and occult-based workshops through the store!

Before we opened, there hadn't been a bookstore in Passyunk for over a decade, and wasn't another bookstore for a mile and a half, which is really far in the city. We regularly hear from folks that they had been dreaming of a bookstore in the area for years.

We built a bookstore with this mission of reflecting the community’s interests, while also supporting them. One way we do this is through our Philadelphia Author and Small Press sections. We want to help our customers fall in love with books, either for the first time or the millionth.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A BOOKSTORE?

ANI: The idea for the bookstore grew out of frustration regarding where we were with our jobs. Christina was an adjunct writing professor in the Greater Philadelphia area, and Alex was working as a freelance

graphic designer and Twitch affiliate. We felt underappreciated, underpaid, and exhausted. We also were fighting to get time together! One night Alexander suggested we open a bookstore in jest, and the more we thought about it, the more we realized it could be a great opportunity to do something together and give our neighborhood a type of retail that it has been missing. Christina always dreamed of owning and working in a bookstore, and we thought it was the perfect way to blend our passions and talents.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT OWNING AND WORKING IN AN INDIE BOOKSTORE?

ANI: Our customers love small press, books written by local authors, and books off the beaten path. Sections like horror, folklore, sci, and new age have become some of our most popular!

We host up to 200 events a year, from monthly book clubs to writing workshops to author events. Most events are suggested donation or sliding scale/pay-what-you-can pricing. In 2021, we started offering A Night Out at A Novel Idea, a private 90-minute date night at the bookstore, which has been very popular! Information about our event offerings can be found at anovelideaphilly. com/events.

In the past year, we've introduced a ton of new A Novel Idea merchandise, all designed by Alex. These products include t-shirts, tote bags, glassware and mugs, and stickers. We also carry other non-book merchandise made by local artisans, such as candles, bubble baths, and puzzles.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE OF INDIE BOOKSTORES WILL LOOK LIKE?

ANI: We think there will continue to be a push for brick-and-mortar indies, especially after the virtual world we've been living in the past couple of years. People want personalization and connection. We see a post-pandemic world (if that's even a thing) as a hybrid one, with a commitment to accessibility and safety and shopping small.

It's important to keep indie bookstores thriving because they foster community and culture. They are a place for inclusivity, conversation, and connection.