We've been working with the Queen Anne Book Company (QABC) to get books on specific topics and titles to prisoners for five years. We put our first-ever wish list on the QABC website during quarantine in 2020. Manager Cole English shares his thoughts about what makes QABC stand out in a crowded marketplace.
How did you begin working with Books to Prisoners?
We began working with Books to Prisoners in 2019, when one of our booksellers began volunteering with the organization, and we’ve been lucky enough to work together ever since.
What makes your store different from other bookstores in Seattle?
Every bookstore in the city has its own niche; used books, cats, stacks. Our niche is community. We are ingrained in the daily thrum of our neighborhood and are actively working every week to make it the best it can be. We’ve been known to deliver meals and goodies to customers in the hospital, we sponsor various community programs and sports teams, and our doors are always open to those who need support.
How has your store changed in the time you've worked there? How would you like to see it change in the future?
Since I’ve been here, we’ve been able to focus more on curating our shelves. Instead of following publisher catalogs and industry trends, our buyers are able to go through the thousands of upcoming titles and investigate each one to see if it would do well in our store. I’d love to see us become more of a community hangout with more non-book related events, to play into our strengths as an institution.
How has your store managed to adapt and survive in an environment dominated by internet booksellers and national chains?
It really boils down to interest. Each bookseller we have is wholly dedicated to the power of the written word, and we all do our best to make it as accessible and exciting as we can. Internet bookselling platforms are great - until they become AI-driven content recyclers. If you want to talk about books, talk to a bookseller or librarian, not the cloud.
How does your store interact with your physical community? Your cultural community?
We host author and community events and engage with our neighborhood at the street-level and beyond. Bookstores are not a money-making operation, and we exist first and foremost as a service to our community members.
Is there anything else you want the readers of our newsletter to know about your store?
We’ve got a holiday catalog out, and anything in it is 15% off through us! Whether it’s from us or your local bookstore, make sure to keep it indie this season.
You can visit the QABC at 1811 Queen Anne Ave N., or online at https://qabookco.com/. If you’d like to buy a book to donate that you can be sure will delight our readers, check out our wish list, bit.ly/QABCBtPWishlist.