Ann Patchett is opening her own bookstore in her hometown of Nashville, after the author ran out of places from which to sell her books.
The closure of a local bookstore in Nashville, along with that of Borders after it filed for bankruptcy, formed the catalyst that drove Patchett to open up her own bookstore, reports The New York Times.
Best-selling author Patchett, whose new store is named Parnassus Books, said, “I have no interest in retail. I have no interest in opening a bookstore… But I also have no interest in living in a city without a bookstore.”
Patchett, the author of “Bel Canto” and “Truth and Beauty,” admits she is highly conscious of the heavy competition from online titans like Amazon.com.
Nevertheless, the acclaimed writer said that her store isn’t neglecting the value of online sales, as Parnassus Books will also sell eBooks through Google.
Furthermore, Patchett hopes that Parnassus Books’ main attractions for new customers will be its provisions of personal service and intimate author events.
Still, Patchett has an uphill struggle. The American Booksellers Association currently has about 1,900 independent bookstores as members. In 2002, the ABA had 2,400 registered book stores.
