Writers and Readers Supporting Feminist Bookstores
As readers, writers, feminists, and political activists, we beleive in the enormous power of words to inform, inspire and challenge.
WRITERS PLEDGE:
In order for our words to be read and heard, we must rely on publishers and bookstores to bring our work to the public.
Feminist and other independent bookstores and small presses have been supporting and distributing our books - poetry, novels, essays, plays and photography - for many years. We count on them. They have been publishing and carrying our books because they are owned and run by people who care about ideas and take risks for the sake of social and political change.
Independent bookstores are now an endangered species because of hte rise of coprorate-owned chain bookstores that engage in predatory pricing and discount policies. The more corporate bookstores control the market, the less likely it will be that they and the publishing industry will take risks on new or controversial ideas and authors - and the more control the corporations will have over what we all read.
Without feminist and other independent bookstores and small presses, some of us could be silenced and the next generation of writers with important ideas might never be found.
AS WRITERS, WE PLEDGE THE FOLLOWING:
And we ask readers to shop at feminist and other independent bookstores as often as possible - to think of shopping at feminist bookstores as an investment in freedom of expression and independent thinking.
READERS PLEDGE:
AS READERS WE PLEDGE to support feminist and other independent bookstores in every way we can, to shop at feminist and other independent bookstores as often as possible and to encourage others to do so.
If you'd like to take the pledge, or find out more information, contact the Feminist Bookstore Network at FBN@FemBKNews.com