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Hello!! Today is our 36th birthday. 
We are so grateful for the support we've had, both during the pandemic and in the 35 years before that.
We've had author friends and regular customers showing their love every day.
But even soâwe're not sure we'll make it to our 37th.
We are so grateful for the support we've had, both during the pandemic and in the 35 years before that.We've had author friends and regular customers showing their love every day.But even soâwe're not sure we'll make it to our 37th.
Bookselling during COVID has meant more work for fewer sales, plus the complete loss of certain parts of our income (events, especially). It's taken a toll on us, both emotionally and financially. Our booksellers love the work they do, and they want to keep doing it.
And it's been heartbreaking watching other indie bookstores close forever. According to data from @ABAbook, more than one bookstore has closed each week since the pandemic began.
NYT had a great article about all of this: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/books/independent-bookstores-economy.html
NYT had a great article about all of this: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/books/independent-bookstores-economy.html
So, that's the bad news. But the good news is that if we have a strong holiday season (crucial for most retail), we'll be much better set up for 2021.
And there are a few ways you can help us (and other indies!!) in this crucial fourth quarter.
And there are a few ways you can help us (and other indies!!) in this crucial fourth quarter.
1. Buy books!! (obviously)
This one is fairly self-explanatory, but, like, it still helps a lot! It's especially helpful if you can buy your books *early* for the holidaysâthat way, none of us has to stress about the timing for publisher re-prints and pandemic-slow shipping.
This one is fairly self-explanatory, but, like, it still helps a lot! It's especially helpful if you can buy your books *early* for the holidaysâthat way, none of us has to stress about the timing for publisher re-prints and pandemic-slow shipping.
2. Buy gift cards! Available as both digital and physical things here: https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/gift-cards-1 . Gift cards give us money now, and you (or your friend or sibling or child) books later.
3. Buy mystery packs! Mystery packs ( https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/gift-packs ) allow us to take advantage of the books we actually have in-store, so none of us has to deal with all the aforementioned shipping difficulties. (Plus they're really fun for our booksellers to make. 
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4. Prepay for a six- or twelve-month Bookshop in a Box subscription! This is basically a combination of buying a gift card and a mystery pack (and when you prepay, you get a discount)! And it's the gift that literally keeps giving! https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/bookshop-box
5. Choose @librofm for audiobooks instead of Audible! http://Libro.fm is an amazing indie audiobook company partnering with indie bookstores, so you can have your cake (audiobook) and eat it (support indies), too! https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/digital-audiobooks
6. For ebooks, choose Hummingbird (or Kobo)! Like with http://Libro.fm , it's a way to support indies even when you're buying books in different formats. https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/buy-ebooks2
7. And, finally, if you have a few extra bucks, consider donating to Red Balloon. Every little bit helps us keep our doors open. https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/donation
We know this is a lot of information (if you've made it thru it all, thank you!).
But if you want indie bookstores to be there for you in the futureâfull of enthusiastic nerds who genuinely want to find the best book for your dino-loving 9yoâwe need you to be here for us now.
But if you want indie bookstores to be there for you in the futureâfull of enthusiastic nerds who genuinely want to find the best book for your dino-loving 9yoâwe need you to be here for us now.
