Over at Holtzbrinck's blog (thanks Sam), they've linked to a great article by Paul Collins (of Weekend Stubble and Collins Library fame) in the Village Voice about the future of independent bookstores, and if there is a future there at all.
It's a great read and details some of the legal rulings and business decisions that have made publishing and bookselling the peculiar and unique business that it is today. I agree with Paul's point that competition from the chains has greatly improved the independents that were able to survive the blitz, and one encouraging sign is that during my time at BEA this weekend I spoke with 3 different young people opening up independent bookstores within the next year or two (two in Brooklyn, one in Chicago). It's nice to see that there's room in the marketplace for new indies, but I also hope they can learn the right lessons from those that have come (and gone) before.
--John Mark
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