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The end
I’ve decided to put paper defiance on indefinite hiatus. I’ve had some life going on which is why I haven’t recorded and posted an interview since I talked to Stefen. I decided to give it a break and see how I was feeling about the podcast when all of that was dealt with. I’ve loved talking to bookshop owners and I’ve spoken to some really fantastic people over these sixteen episodes. I’ve realised though that it’s about run its course for me.
Thanks for listening and see you in the next project.
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Stefen’s Books, Perth
Stefen runs Stefen’s Books in Perth, Western Australia. With a focus on genre books, it’s a wonderful place – and Stefen is a passionate bookseller (you need to be passionate about dusting bookshelves to be one…). (On Facebook, Twitter, Insta.)
Thanks for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving a rating or a review, or just tell someone else about it! Twitter: paperdefiancepod. On Instagram: paperdefiance. Facebook: Paper Defiance Podcast. We’re also on YouTube!
This podcast is created and produced by me, Alexandra Pierce. The music is called Loopster, by Kevin MacLeod; you can find the attribution at paperdefiance.com.
Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Voce Books, Birmingham
Voce Books in Birmingham, UK, is run by Clive and Maria. It’s focused on books published on independent presses, is tiny, and punches well above its weight. It’s also very new! (And they’re on Insta, and Twitter.)
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Shaqueal runs Our Watts Bookshop
In this episode I interview Shaqueal Atkins of Our Watts Bookshop in Watts, Los Angeles. She’s opening her bricks&mortar bookshop in just a couple of months!
Thanks for listening to this thirteenth episode. If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving a rating or a review, or just tell someone else about it! You can find paper defiance on Twitter as paperdefiancepod. On Instagram, as paperdefiance. And on Facebook, it is Paper Defiance Podcast. We’re also on YouTube!
This podcast is created and produced by me, Alexandra Pierce. The music is called Loopster, by Kevin MacLeod; you can find the attribution at paperdefiance.com.
Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Sue is the CEO of Clunes Booktown
In this interview, I’m doing something a bit different: talking to the CEO of Clunes Booktown.
Thanks for listening to this twelfth episode. If you’re listening to this before March 25, you’ve still got time to get tickets and get to the festival! Personally I am super excited to see Sheila Fitzpatrick live. So, if you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving a rating or a review, or just tell someone else about it! Twitter: paperdefiancepod. On Instagram: paperdefiance. Facebook: Paper Defiance Podcast. We’re also on YouTube!
Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Jeannine runs Harriett’s and Ida’s Bookshops
In this episode I talk to Jeannine A. Cook, who is responsible for Harriett’s Bookshop and Ida’s Bookshop. (I get a bit starstruck, so forgive some giddiness…).
Thanks for listening to this eleventh episode. And if you think I’m not amused and bemused by talking to someone who has also featured on Oprah and in Vogue, well, think again. If you enjoyed it, consider leaving a rating or a review, or just tell someone else about it! Twitter: paperdefiancepod. Instagram: paperdefiance. And Facebook: Paper Defiance Podcast. We’re also on YouTube!
Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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The Avid Reader in pictures
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Fiona at The Avid Reader
In which I chat to Fiona from The Avid Reader in Brisbane for this first episode of 2023!
I haven’t done a transcript for this episode because I’m really not sure whether they’re being used. So if you have used the transcripts or know someone who likes them, please let me know – you can email me at paperdefiancepod at gmail dot com. As well, if you’d like to tell me and the world about a bookshop you love, send me a short audio recording to paperdefiancepod at gmail dot com, and you may hear yourself featured at the end of an episode.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving a rating or a review, or just tell someone else about it! You can find paper defiance on Twitter as paperdefiancepod. On Instagram, as paperdefiance. And on Facebook, it is Paper Defiance Podcast. We’re also on YouTube!
Music: “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Episode 9: The Hellenic Bookservice (pictures)
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Episode 9 transcript: the Hellenic Book Service
Alex
Welcome to Paper Defiance, a fortnightly podcast all about indie bookshops and their owners. My name is Alex, and I am recording this on Wadawaurang land, in Ballarat Australia. It’s exciting to have you join me.
Today’s interview is with Monica, who at 56 years in the bookselling business is the longest-standing person in the business I’ve spoken to so far. Let me repeat that: she started the Hellenic Book Service 56 years ago. Our chat ranges over how she got into bookselling, some of her experiences in doing so, and the fact that Virgil is still popular although if you ask me I couldn’t tell you why. Also we get in a Black Books reference.
I should note that Monica’s audio does go fuzzy once or twice, and there are occasionally some voices in the background, but I trust that nonetheless you’ll find the interview as absolutely fascinating as I did.
Just before we jump into the interview, two bits of housekeeping. First, a reminder that you can find not only audio but also transcripts of every interview, and pictures of each of the shops featured, over on paper defiance.com . And second, the podcast is taking a short hiatus over the summer – my summer, that is, you northern hemisphere folks. So let’s call this season 1. Season 1 has featured 9 bookshops – two in the US, two in England, two in Australian capital cities and three in regional Victoria. The tenth episode was of course my chat with Garth Nix, about his experiences in the book trade and his novels about booksellers who also use magic. So we’ll reconvene for season 2 in February. And if you have a favourite bookshop you’d like to tell people about, send an audio message to paper Defiance pod @gmail dot com and you might find it included in an upcoming episode.
Now, over to Monica.
Monica
My name is Monica Williams. I used to be Constantinou before I was married, which is – that’s why it’s a Greek name. And the bookshop is called Hellenic Book Service which I started in Charing Cross Road in 1966.
Alexandra
1966! Monica that’s, I have a lot of questions about what you’ve just said. Firstly, 1966! That’s a long time.
(more…)