Slog - Comments on Indie Bound? http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound Last night, I attended the American Booksellers Association Celebration. There was a lot of back-patting and award-giving, as many of these convention celebrations tend to be guilty of. But the big deal was at the conclusion. The ABA announced that they were doing away with BookSense, which is the outreach arm of the ABA. Most independent bookstores carry the BookSense 76 fliers, which are little four-page fliers packed with recommendations from booksellers around the country. After they announced the death of BookSense, there was a little light show and then they announced that the new slogan/website/philosophy of independent bookstores around... Copyright 2008 Fri, 30 May 2008 09:00:00 -0800 Fri, 30 May 2008 09:59:36 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Gloria That is so *awful.*

]]> Gloria http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035317 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035317 Books Fri, 30 May 2008 09:11:24 -0800 Comment by ashley Ok it is a little cheesy.

But I do appreciate that they are blatantly giving a big middle finger to corporate bookstores in the middle of this banquet.

]]> ashley http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035323 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035323 Books Fri, 30 May 2008 09:25:16 -0800 Comment by Jeff Stevens Well, if indy booksellers are to become the new rock stars due to this new IndieBound gimmick, I, for one, am taking full advantage of that there.

Here's how: First, I'll write a memoir. All about how I woke up one morning to find myself mysteriously transfigured into a giant, enormous, 700-pound, chain-smoking gorilla trapped in a zoo in South Africa. Then, I'll change my name to something snappy, like, say, Frey. James Frey.

Then, I'll change my mind. Oh, the scandal that would ensue! And indy booksellers nationwide shall thereby profit profoundly and/or profusely. I can see the green rolling in from halfway down the block!

Everything is going exactly according to my evil creative fiction plan! Bwaaaa-ha-ha-ha-haaa!

]]> Jeff Stevens http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035325 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035325 Books Fri, 30 May 2008 09:34:10 -0800 Comment by natopotato Christ... I knew they were desperate, but I had no idea how bad it's gotten...

]]> natopotato http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035328 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035328 Books Fri, 30 May 2008 09:40:30 -0800 Comment by Gloria Yes, I too appreciate how they co-opted the US Declaration of Independence in their quest to sell you their "gear." Way to stick it to corporate culture.

]]> Gloria http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035329 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035329 Books Fri, 30 May 2008 09:41:26 -0800 Comment by JB See? This is why I don't read books.

]]> JB http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035334 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035334 Books Fri, 30 May 2008 09:58:35 -0800 Comment by ashley @5 The main point isn't to sell gear. The main point is to brand themselves. Yes it's a corporate tactic, but it's a damn effective one. I'm not saying that this is the best branding scheme ever (it's kinda lame actually), but I understand where they're coming from.

]]> ashley http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035335 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/indie_bound#c1035335 Books Fri, 30 May 2008 09:59:36 -0800