The book business is hard. I think this is true whether you’re an author, publisher or bookseller and that was brought home to me in a sad way this week.

I received an email from Angus & Robertson at Capalaba Park Shopping Centre with the sad news that they are closing down. This is a great loss to the Brisbane Indie book community, as they were a great supporter of local authors. I had a signing there in November and sold 14 books.

David, who ran the store, was always welcoming, always recognised me and remembered my name, and I will miss going in there for signings. I hope that, in some small way, I helped them out by getting in a few extra customers when I was there.

If you’re looking for a book, can I encourage you to go and shop there? They’re open until the end of January and at the moment it’s 50% off everything. If you live on Brisbane’s southside particularly, pop in and make a purchase. I’m sure they’d appreciate it and I’d be thankful if you did.

Hearing the news about their closing brought home to me afresh just how difficult this business can be. It’s hard to be in the book business. Bookstores go under. Publishers go under. Both of these things mean that it is harder and harder for authors to find publishers and stores that will stock their books. Few of we small-time authors will ever end up in stores like Big W or Kmart. We don’t have that kind of reach. We need these small bookstores, the small press publishers.

Please help new Aussie authors. Please buy your books from small bookstores and look for new Aussie authors. Please support small press publishers. We authors will love you for it.