Around Indies

Nicola’s Seeks New Owner

Nicola’s Books, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is on the market, reported Publishers Weekly. The indie originally opened as a Little Professor bookstore in 1991, and was purchased by Nicola Rooney in 1995. Two years later, Rooney re-negotiated the franchise agreement with Little Professor, and changed its name to Nicola’s.

The 8,500-square-foot store won the Women’s National Book Association’s Pannell Award in 2013 for a general bookstore that excels in contributing to its community.

Indie to Open in Downtown Las Vegas

The Writer’s Block Book Shop, an independent bookstore with educational offerings, will be opening in downtown Las Vegas this spring. The store will be operated by Scott Seeley, former director of a free writing program for kids in New York City.

When complete, the bookstore will serve a variety of functions, aside from selling books, Seeley told the Las Vegas Sun. Screenwriting will be incorporated into the store’s programming, as well as an educational writing program for children.

Seeley and Drew Cohen run the only Espresso Book Machine in Nevada, inside the newly opened Inspire News Café.

Books Inc. and Cleis Press Pair up for Valentine’s Day

On February 13, Books Inc, in San Francisco’s Castro District, is working with LGBT publisher Cleis Press to host a Valentine’s Day party filled with romantic stories of gay love.

Reading together for the first time will be writers Felice Picano, Lewis DeSimone, and Rob Rosen.