Literary News: Bookshop New Amazon Rival

Bookshop Provides Alternative to Big Businesses

By Gretchen Gales

Local bookstores have been closing as a precaution for COVID-19, causing a lot of uncertainty about the fate of small businesses. While some bookstores have been doing book delivery services or urging their regular customers to purchase gift cards for future use, another alternative has appeared to rival big companies like Amazon: Bookshop. 

An online business created in response to COVID-19 and its impact on book sellers and book lovers alike, Bookshop prides itself on providing direct support to the authors and book sellers that help keep publishing alive and well. A widget at the top displays the amount of money raised for local bookstores, who can opt in to receive a percentage of each month's total earnings from book sales. As of now, the number is nearly $450,000, quickly increasing every moment. Book sellers and book lovers can also become affiliates Bookshop uses Ingram to fulfill orders, so stores don't have to keep inventory of anything.  

In addition to brick and mortar stores, literary magazines and small presses have used the affiliate program to bring attention to their own recommended books. Many of their selections are curated to match their own tastes, so finding a book that interests you is as easy as ever!

So the next time you need your lit fix, think the business that prioritizes the value of authors and readers. You'll feel good about where your money is going.