New Dearborn Title Reveals Secrets of Starting From Scratch

Bookseller contest ends August 15

To promote Wes Moss' Starting From Scratch: Secrets From 21 Ordinary People Who Made the Entrepreneurial Leap, Dearborn Trade Publishing has created a contest for independent booksellers that asks them to describe in 500 words or less their greatest challenge as an independent bookseller and how they've been able to meet that challenge to succeed. The winning bookseller will receive a store credit for $500 worth of Dearborn Trade books. The winning essay may also be included in Starting From Scratch.

Moss' title, to be published this fall, features interviews with an eclectic group of successful entrepreneurs from various industries and businesses: salespeople turned business owners, corporate managers turned housing developers, and teachers turned publishers. Among those profiled is Steve Bercu of Austin's BookPeople.

Author Wes Moss

Moss recently told BTW that "the book was created with two groups in mind: The younger generation that hasn't yet been too immersed in corporate America and wants some ideas about what to do entrepreneurially. It's also for baby boomers who are heading into semi-retirement and are looking for something to do as a second career to make a nice living."

Of Bercu, Moss said, "I learned a lot from him about the book industry and how baby boomers could go into it."

The book includes Bercu's tips for prospective booksellers attending the Bookseller School at this year's BookExpo America. Among his suggestions are "Think small, quaint book shops ... with a little weirdness and character" and "instead of whining about Internet bookselling, which accounts for a fraction of the market, ... pay close attention to what it feels like for the customer entering your store."

Other Bercu advice offered in Starting From Scratch includes getting to know local politicians and volunteering to serve on local boards or commissions to make yourself known.

Booksellers will soon be able to find more of Bercu's tips on Moss' website, www.wesmoss.com.

More information about the contest is available at www.dearborn.com/trade/home.aspx. Booksellers may also e-mail their story to [email protected], with the subject line "Starting from Scratch." Entries must be received by August 15. The prize of $500 is for store credit only and may not be used to clear an account or redeemed for cash. --Karen Schechner