The Bookseller's Podcast

In this final episode of the year, we present a converstaion between Mark and Sandy Grant. Sandy reflects on his (and therefore Hardie Grant's) origin story, the influence and impact of his partner Fiona, the changing publishing landscape and today's trends and realities.

There is so much happening in bookselling world, we thought we would bring you your very own news bulletin, done the friendly Bookseller's Podcast way.

Booksellers Nina (Verso Books), Lynne (Torquay Books), Heather (Fairfield Books) and Charlotte (Ink Bookshop) freewheel about behaviours seen in our bookshops and the industry and pontificate about how best to manage these.

Mark and Jaye chat with Mark Fletcher, Founder of Tower Systems & Managing Director, newsXpress. The conversation, ostensibly about Tower Systems (software POS provider) meandered into thoughts about the retail space, AI & AI agentics, the morphing newsagent, search engines, optimising online sales, the creative process and much much more.

Jaye speaks with three individuals who have found alternate ways to support the book industry. Come and get to know (better): Kaye Wright (Leading Edge, NSW), Jill Langhammer (Literary Listings, Vic) and Jane Sullivan (Birds of a Feather, Queensland).

We have been very keen for awhile now to speak to a French Bookseller and Mark has finally had the chance to do so. We learn, directly from the horse's mouth, the pros and cons of being a bookseller in a country with over 3,500 independent bookshops (300 in Paris alone).

Mark has a fireside chat with David Gaunt from Gleebooks. Turn the volume up, find somewhere quiet and listen to this mesmerising conversation from 2 doyens of our industry.

Continuing the theme of chatting with new bookshop owners, Jaye sought out: Alison Arnold from LadyHawke Bookshop. Ivanhoe Lien Giang from Pictures and Pages, Coburg Bella from Head and Tales Bookshop, Barwon Heads. who generously shared their starting pains but all of whom are committed to being in this game for the long haul.

Mark Rubbo chews the fat with Alex Caminer who shares he & his partner Chi's vision & ambition for the newly acquired Alternative Bookshop in Bellingen NSW. With the tagline 'for Nature Lovers & Deep Thinkers', the new owners are determined to keep the titles of the books they sell consistent with their ethos of self and global discovery.

Ever wondered how EDI, Pac-stream, title page and the publishers all talk to your bookshop via your POS system? Didn't even know they did? Well, fasten your seatbelts and lets find out together. To kick off Season 3 we have gone straight into the weeds. The Bookseller's Podcast speak to Matt Lupica, General Manager of the Book Barn in Rosebud and Belgrave, Victoria who is also a trainer for users of circlesoft POS. This episode is also relevant to non-circle users.

Mark and Jaye start with intentions to reflect on the year that's been but end up with a session on the books of the season. You can take the bookseller out of the bookshop, but you cannot take the books (to be sold) out of the bookseller! We wish everyone a great season's trade to end the year with a bang!

It's an Indie Bookshops Call to Arms! We speak to the Global Coordination Team: Federico Lang (Libreria Luces, Malaga, Spain) Brid Conroy (Tertulia Bookshop, Westport, Ireland) Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo (Greenlight Books, Brooklyn, USA) about their genius idea to do activate local bookshop crawls all around the world during one very special week in April 2025. For more information go to www.globalbookcrawl.org or contact globalindiecrawl@gmail.com

Booksellers talking about bookselling. We cannot think of a more delicious episode. Featuring Anna Low from Potts Point Bookshop, NSW; Jaclyn Cupri from Hill of Content; Melbourne & Matt Davies (2024 Bookseller of the Year) from The Bookshop in Queenscliff.

Mark and Jaye chat with Jason Steger fresh off his 14 year role as Literary Editor of The Age.

The Booksellers Podcast has gone global in this episode featuring Mark's conversation with Jan from The English Bookshop in Sweden. Both booksellers have the distinction of their bookshops being accoladed with the International Excellence Award for Bookstores by the London Book Fair. In a wide ranging discourse, what stands out is Jan's deep passion and respect for his role as indie bookshop owner.

Jaye & Mark talk books as they have coffee but spill tea.

We say this every time, but this might be our best episode yet. Feauturing Kate Horton (Farrells Bookshop, Mornington Peninsula, Vic), Tim Jarvis (Fullers Bookshop; Hobart) and Joe Rubbo (Readings, Melbourne), we chat with this new generation of bookshop owners and leaders as to the process which got them where they are. More than usual we are very grateful to these guests for sharing their very personal stories with such warmth and candor. This episode is dedicated to Alee Liang (1936 - 2024), Jaye's mum, who was the Bookseller's Podcast Number 1 fan.

This is the pointy end of owning a bookshop. Whether you are thinking of selling your business, and even if you are not, Mark speaks to Michael Kerr of Kerr Capital and asks all those questions we often wonder. - how much is my bookshop worth? - should stock be in the asking price? - when do I tell staff? - are there alternatives to selling? - what if my successor is a staff or family member? - how do I improve future saleability? Kerr Capital specialise in helping owners increase the value plus make their business easier to sell. This episode will have you thinking more deeply into getting your business on track for a long term better outcome.

Jaye and Mark had the immense pleasure and privilege of chatting with best-selling authors Ann Patchett and Lauren Groff who also have the distinction of being indie bookshop owners in the USA. Both conversations were by turns inspirational and jaw-dropping.

This episode features the best of us - Children's Bookselling. We would like to thank Fran from Escape Hatch Deb from The Younger Sun Erin from The Kid's Bookshop Rachel from Gleebooks for their time and generosity. Before that though, Jaye has a rant.