I spent the first half of this week at the AuthorsBookshop.com distribution center in Chesapeak VA. As our members know, the books are received, warehoused, and shipped out of a print shop, Print and Ship, in Chesapeake. We also have retail space in the front of the shop where our books are displayed and available for purchase.

Its a small shop, but all of the books are displayed face-out, and they look pretty good there. This opportunity to have a physical retail location has definately benefitted our members, as we have made sales that would not have been made via the website.

The shop just moved, and with the move we got a new space. There is more room for books – in the old location, there was one rack, and it was among many other print-shop related stuff. Now, we have two walls in an area that actually looks like a little bookstore. I placed a chair in the corner so shoppers can take their time to peruse, and there is a counter where we can place additional materials, and “lean-and-read” space for shoppers.

We are also looking at placing some signage on the street, to elevate the presence even more.

This shop is a prototype, if you will, of what I eventually would like AuthorsBookshop’s retail space to become. Eventually, I would like a stand-alone shop that sells books, but also offers space for book launches, realeased, signings and parties. I would also like to offer classes on writing, publishing, and marketing, as well as a great general meeting space for the indie publishing community.

But, in the meantime, this is what we have.

So, if you are in the Chesapeake area, and want to check it out, please stop by anytime monday through saturday from 9-6. The address is:

1109 S. Military Highway, unit A
Chesapeake, VA 23320

Look for the Print & Ship sign!

Here is a picture of the AuthorsBookshop.com space and books: