She Is Too Fond Of Books ... » Pamela Kinney

Spotlight on Bookstores: Fountain Books in Richmond, Virginia

sheistoofondofbooks — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:00:59 +0000

This week brings a second Spotlight on Bookstores by Pamela K. Kinney, an author of published horror, science fiction, fantasy, horror, poetry, and so far, two nonfiction books, Haunted Richmond, Virginia and Haunted Virginia: Legends, Myths and True Tales, both published by Schiffer Publishing. Using the pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan, she has published sweet paranormal/fantasy/science fiction romance, also poetry and a couple of horror stories. She has done acting on stage and in films. Find out more about her at her website or at either the MySpace pages for Pamela Kinney or Sapphire Phelan. Here she tells us about a fantastic independent bookstore in Richmond – complete with personalized book recommendations from the staff, daytime book signings, and a neighborhood full of wonderful restaurants. Who’s heading south with me?!

If you’re ever in Richmond, Virginia and driving downtown, head down Cary Street going east, until you hit Historic Shockoe Slip. You’ll know you’re there as the street goes from asphalt to cobblestone. There are mostly restaurants and bars in the area, but there are shops too. One of those shops is an independent bookstore called Fountain Bookstore. When you enter, it won’t seem big as a Barnes and Noble, but more intimate and comfy like a beloved teddy bear.

Kelly Justice is the owner of this wonderful establishment. Once the manager, she took a chance and bought it. She has a great staff, Tess, Steve, Heather and Doc to assist her. You can see her and the friendly faces of the staff at the Fountain Books website. On that page as you click on their names or Kelly’s you’ll be taken to books they had enjoyed reading. You can chat with them or Kelly on those books face-to-face. They’ll advise you on those or other books, or just talk about anything else. Just like home.

Not made for specific genres, this bookstore covers all sorts of books, from science fiction and fantasies to horror, urban fantasies, romances, nonfiction, literary, and children’s books. If you don’t find what you’re looking for there, they can order it for you. And being in Richmond, Virginia, they also have many books on Richmond to Virginia to the Civil War! Besides books, there are calendars, postcards, greeting cards and more.

Besides being the owner, Kelly is a fountain of knowledge about books and talks about them with New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell on a radio show, BOOKS! on WZEZ 100.5 every first and last Monday of the month during a.m. drive time with Mark Neimand In The Morning!

I went from reader to author when I started getting published. More so, when a nonfiction book of mine, Haunted Richmond, Virginia, came out. Because of that book, I got many signings, mostly during October of 2007. Fountain Bookstore was the last place I stopped, right on Halloween, during the daytime, which was Thursday.

The daytime, you say? During a Thursday! That’s not a good time for a book signing! But for Fountain Bookstore, most of their readers come in during their lunch breaks from their jobs nearby, or Yuppies living in the downtown apartments around there stop in before heading home. Which is why their book signings are during lunchtime or at night during the week. Weekends are not their busiest times. Most businesses are closed and the Yuppies head out into the suburbs for the malls and shopping centers. Those that do venture downtown are looking to eat in the restaurants or go bar hopping in Shockoe Slip and this is most of the time, after six.

As for that book signing, I did nicely. It was a nice ending to a month long of book signings. I was glad it happened in Fountain Bookstore.

This is another place that has my heart. I stop by there each month if I am at the James River Writers’ Wednesdays held the second Wednesday at Richbrau Brewing Company. With many indie bookstores closing due to this economy, I pray that Kelly keeps succeeding. For the place adds a unique flavor to a very interesting area.

Next time you’re in Richmond for anything, drop by Shockoe Slip. Eat at the Tobacco Warehouse, maybe have a pint at Sine’ Irish Pub or Richbrau Brewing Company (this last one is haunted and is in my book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia), then drop by Fountain Bookstore. Get some books, meet Kelly, and have a chat too. It’s a good place to be.

You can find Fountain Bookstore at 1312 E. Cary St. Richmond, Virginia (804) 788-1594. Hours: Mon.-Thur, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays are 12 noon to 5 p.m. Website: http://www.fountainbookstore.com/ Check their website for upcoming events and book signings, along with ordering online, too.

Spotlight on Bookstores: Creatures ‘n Crooks Bookshoppe in Richmond, Virginia

sheistoofondofbooks — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:44 +0000

Attention all fans of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mystery – you’re in for a treat! This week’s Spotlight on Bookstores is submitted by Pamela K. Kinney, an author of published horror, science fiction, fantasy, horror, poetry, and so far, two nonfiction books, Haunted Richmond, Virginia and Haunted Virginia: Legends, Myths and True Tales, both published by Schiffer Publishing. Using the pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan, she has published erotic and sweet paranormal/fantasy/science fiction romance, also poetry and a couple of erotic horror stories, including the current ones, erotic urban fantasy, Being Familiar With a Witch by Phaze Books and erotic Lovecraftian horror novella, Unwitting Sacrifice, by Under the Moon. She also has done acting on stage and in films. Find out more about her at her website or at either the MySpace pages for Pamela Kinney or Sapphire Phelan.

She admits she can always be found at her desk and on her computer, writing. And yes, the house and husband sometimes suffers for it! (photo below is of the author at the Hanover Book Festival)

There’s something about an independent bookstore, especially one that deals with the genres you not only write, but read as well. Instead of a bunch of workers like in a big chain, you have the owner, plus maybe one of two workers. Knowledgeable about the books in the bookstore, can even suggest some titles when you aren’t sure of what to get. And not only do you find the current books that just got released in this smaller bookstore, but you find the older ones by the authors too. You can talk for hours with the owner or the workers about everything under the sun about not only the books, but about the genre TV shows and movies you have seen.

Such a bookstore is Creatures ‘n Crooks Bookshoppe in Carytown in Richmond, Virginia. Such an owner is Lelia Taylor. When I first spied this place in its first location in the Steinmart shopping Center on Midlothian Turnpike, I was excited. A bookstore that deals mainly in science fiction, fantasy, horror and mystery—how cool is that?

Even greater, it was getting to know Lelia. She was easy to talk to and very helpful in suggesting any titles. She even started some reading groups, one for the mystery buffs, the other for the scifi, fantasy and horror fans. I joined the second group and found other Richmonders who loved to read these genres–making some great friends. The bookstore became a home away from home.

Then Lelia and Creatures ‘n Crooks moved to its current spot in Carytown a few years ago. Nestled snug between a place that sells smoothies and Subway, this was done in hope for more foot traffic. Something that was impossible in its old spot. In Carytown, people living nearby took walks in evenings and on weekends, even during the daytime during the week, visiting all the unique shops.

I had to drive farther to get my books and for my reader’s group, but I did so. I even joined the writer’s group that met there one Thursday a month. Nothing could be better than this.

Then I began to get published. Short stories and poetry at first, but then my first book all by myself, a nonfiction ghost book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia, published by Schiffer Publishing. When it was released June 15, 2007, the first bookstore to have it for sale before all others was Creatures ‘n Crooks Bookshoppe. They had the couple of copies by the cash registers. It was so cool. I snapped a picture and posted it on my blog. Eventually, weeks later, Barnes and Noble and others in town got it, but this indie bookstore beat them all. That following October, I had a book signing there.

This bookstore will always have a place in my heart. I can’t get out there as I used to these days, with rising gas prices and all. But I always try to get out there to buy books and chat with Lelia. I recommend her to anyone who wants not only my books, but any other they’re looking for.

So if you’re in Carytown and come to the Cary Court Park & Shop shopping center, check out the candy store, the French restaurant and other shops in it, but most of all, do stop inside the cool interior of Creatures ‘n Crooks Bookshoppe. I guarantee you’ll feel you came home.

Find Creatures ‘n Crooks Bookshoppe at 3156 West Cary Street Cary Court Park & Shop Richmond, VA 23221. The phone number is 804-340-0277 or toll-free (888) 533-5303. Their website is cncbooks.com.

She Is Too Fond Of Books ... » Pamela Kinney

Spotlight on Bookstores: Fountain Books in Richmond, Virginia

Spotlight on Bookstores: *Creatures ‘n Crooks Bookshoppe* in Richmond, Virginia

Spotlight on Bookstores: Creatures ‘n Crooks Bookshoppe in Richmond, Virginia