Inside for Indies: Live on Independent Bookstore Day

Independent Bookstore Day, a national celebration that usually features scavenger hunts, giveaways, frosted goodies, and so forth and so on, will, like everything else, be subdued in 2021 because of the corona virus. Although many stores are open, there are severe limits on the number of people that can gather safely, and hours of operation.

So...the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame facilitated a live “Inside for Indies” program featuring author Faisal Mohyuddin and also pop-ins at some of our cherished indpendent stores, including Women & Children First bookstore, Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, Seminary Co-op Bookstore, The Dial Bookshop, and Bookie’s bookstore. Jim Garner will host. The event was free and open to the public.

Jim Garner and a cast of Chicago authors joined together early in this pandemic to raise awareness and money for Chicago’s struggling independent bookstores. Jim called his creation, “Inside for Indies,” and each episode featured an author showing off his home and writing space. A concerted effort was made to direct donations to local stores like The Book Cellar, and also to the American Booksellers Association, which was distributing funds to bookstores in need.

Faisal Mohyuddin reads for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame on Independent Bookstore Day

Jim Garner interviews Roberta Rubin during the live, “Inside for Indies” program. They talk about the bookstore business, authors, and the American Writers Museum.

Here are links to Women & Children First, Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, Seminary Co-op Bookstore, The Dial Bookshop, and Bookie’s bookstore.