Giving the Gift of (Local) Words
Posted on December 6, 2006
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Each Christmas, I buy at least one book for at least one person. There are some people for whom I have rarely bought any other than books. This year, I’m trying to buy books by local authors for people on my gift list. I’m not buying books for everyone–I’ve got at least one person on my list who would likely never get around to reading a book, if I bought one for him or her. But, for those people who are getting books, I’m doing my best to buy books by local authors.
Not everyone will be getting local authors. It may be that I can’t think of a local author who writes anything that would be enjoyed by the person I’m buying for. It may be that there’s just something that would suit a particular person better. What I’m trying to say is that, just because you’re on my list, it doesn’t mean that you’re getting a book from a local author. Hell, you may not even be getting a book (at least, not from me).
However, I thought it would be a good idea to support the local literary scene by buying local books for some of my friends and family. Considering that some of my friends are a part of the local literary scene, it seemed appropriate. If you’re getting a gift from me, it’s possible that you may find a Trofimuk, a Tourette, or a Sobat under the Christmas tree this year.
If you’re buying books for people this Christmas, wherever you live, support your local literary scene. Buy at least one local book for a friend or family member. Don’t just do it haphazardly, either. Pick a book that you know the person is likely to enjoy. Don’t buy local for the sake of buying local. Buy local because it’s good, and because supporting good things enriches your community. Plus, if you’re like me, buying local will send a couple of royalty pennies in the direction of friends and colleagues, so it’s almost like two gifts in one.
Note: This post was mistakenly set as “private.” It is now correctly set up as a public post page.
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