Where the Roses Smell the Best features a mix of short stories, vignettes, poems and visual art that highlights the city's people, places and lifestyles. Festivities kicked off earlier this month at Powell's Books on Hawthorne, where students emceed the event and Oregon Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen and others read pieces they contributed to the anthology. Oregon Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen with student/publishers.Įnthusiasm is blooming for Where the Roses Smell the Best: A Literary Companion to Portland, the inaugural offering from Unique Ink, a student-staffed publisher at Roosevelt High School. With increased pressure from online outlets and e-books, it's more important than ever to understand and focus on the most critical aspects of the business and to establish a tangible competitive advantage.' ABA members are eligible for a discount. Many different aspects of the start-up process and ongoing operations demand your attention if you hope to achieve financial sustainability.

Retail bookselling is a low-margin business compared to other forms of retail.

As the organizers noted: 'Whether you're testing the waters or already a new owner, learning the business of bookselling-the art as well as the science-is critical for your personal and financial investment. For new owners and managers, as well as those who plan to open within the next six months, this program focuses on refining competitive advantages, keys to store design, retail buying and inventory management practices, and marketing to build sales and create customer loyalty. 'Managing for Love & Profit' takes place September 9-12 on Amelia Island, Fla. Participants will learn to estimate their start-up investment and potential earnings, understand the latest in industry trends, and see how indie booksellers are successfully competing in today's bricks-and-clicks retail world. 'Deciding to Own a Bookstore' will be held August 15 & 16 in Northville, Mich. Two workshops, co-sponsored by the American Booksellers Association and facilitated by Donna Paz Kaufman and Mark Kaufman of the Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates, have been scheduled for August and September, featuring guest booksellers and trainers to share frontline expertise.

Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang