The Bookshop Podcast

• Queer Haven Books: How Two Women Built a Queer Literary Sanctuary

  Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Baker Rogers and Mattilyn Kortney, co-owners of Queer Have Books in Colombia, South Carolina.Nestled in Columbia's historic Arcade Mall, this cozy 680-square-foot sanctuary defines queer not just as gender and sexual identity but as active resistance against all forms of discrimination. The shelves hold carefully curated collections addressing LGBTQ+ experiences alongside works on anti-racism, feminism, and social justice, creating a space where intersectionality isn't just acknowledged but celebrated.What makes Queer Haven remarkable is how it thrives despite challenging political circumstances. While South Carolina faces potential legislation that could lead to widespread book bans, the shop has leaned into controversy by prominently featuring banned titles. "We have people come in here every day saying 'I've got to get this before it's sold out,'" Baker shares, noting the irony that censorship attempts have actually boosted interest in these books.Beyond retail, Queer Haven functions as a vibrant community center. In its first year as a brick-and-mortar location, it hosted an impressive 160 events, ranging from book clubs and writing workshops to drag story hours and queer comedy nights. In a world increasingly dominated by algorithm-driven recommendations and instant delivery, Queer Haven Books represents something profoundly different: human connection, thoughtful curation, and a physical space where marginalized voices are centered rather than silenced. It's not just about selling books—it's about creating community one page at a time.This episode is brought to you by Saturn Press. Indie Bookshop owners, click here to receive 10% off your first order:  www.saturnpress.usQueer Haven BooksTJ Klune BooksFarrel Covington and the Limits of Style, Paul RudnickTJ Klune episode on The Bookshop PodcastTJ Klune episode on The Bookshop PodcastPaul Rudnick episode on The Bookshop PodcastThe Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore, Evan FrissPen America Book BansThe Life Impossible, Matt HaigThe Night Watchman, Louise ErdrichStone Butch Blues, Leslie FeinbergSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

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• Peniel E. Joseph, Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution

  Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with historian Peniel E. Joseph about his latest book, Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution.Joseph's storytelling prowess brings James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Jn., President Kennedy, and Bobbie Kennedy to vibrant life, not as static icons but as complex humans navigating treacherous terrain. Particularly fascinating is Joseph's exploration of the forgotten women who shaped the movement—Gloria Richardson, Lorraine Hansberry, Diane Nash—who confronted both racial oppression and patriarchal limitations within activist circles. Their stories provide crucial context for understanding today's intersectional movements.What resonates most powerfully throughout our conversation is how the struggles of 1963 remain eerily familiar six decades later. As we witness contemporary battles over voting rights and historical memory, Joseph reminds us that reconciliation can only emerge through confronting difficult truths about our past, a lesson America is still struggling to learn.Peniel E. JosephFreedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights Revolution, Peniel E. JosephEvery Living Thing, Jason RobertsThe Daily Stoic, Ryan HolidaySupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

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• The Art of Seasonal Cooking with Pascale Beale

  Send us a textThis episode is sponsored by Saturn Press!Hey indie bookshops!Did you know that greeting cards are a fantastic way for bookshops to boost sales? Saturn Press creates beautiful, handcrafted letterpress cards that customers love to purchase alongside books, helping bookshops grow and thrive.As a thank you for tuning in to The Bookshop Podcast, Saturn Press is offering indie bookshops 10% off your first order! Just use the code BOOKSHOP10 at checkout and discover how adding cards to your bookshop can make a big difference to your bottom line.Here's to supporting local bookshops, one card at a time.https://www.saturnpresscards.com/In this episode, I chat with Pascale Beale, who shares her culinary journey from a French-English upbringing to becoming a California cookbook author and cooking instructor. Her philosophy on food has evolved significantly over the decades, shifting from traditional French cuisine to a Mediterranean-style approach that emphasizes seasonal vegetables and fish.The transformation in Pascale's cooking philosophy mirrors broader cultural shifts. Where once her cooking classes featured red meat prominently, today she finds students gravitating toward vegetable-centric, lighter fare. This evolution reflects both the natural influence of California's climate and changing attitudes toward health and sustainability. Her deep commitment to seasonal eating, instilled by her grandmother in the French Alps, remains the foundation of everything she creates.What makes Pascale's story particularly fascinating is her unconventional path. After fifteen years in property development and financial management, she returned to her first love – cooking – establishing Pascale's Kitchen cooking school in Santa Barbara. Her business background provided unexpected preparation for entrepreneurship, though she notes the challenges of wearing "all the hats" in a small business. The pandemic pushed her creativity further, developing food photography skills that allowed her to shoot her entire "Flavour" cookbook using just her smartphone.Now embarking on a new multimedia cookbook project that combines text, audio, and music, Pascale continues to reinvent how we experience food through media.Subscribe to hear more conversations with culinary innovators and storytellers who, like Pascale, remind us that food is far more than ingredients – it's about connection, tradition, and the joy of sharing.Pascale’s KitchenFlavour, Pascale BealeEdible, Santa BarbaraSaturn Press CardsSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

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• Megan Beatie: A Publicist's Journey

  Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with book publicist Megan Beatie about book publicity in a revealing conversation about the art and science of literary promotion.Drawing on over 25 years of experience working with authors ranging from Linda Ronstadt to Tess Gerritsen, Megan shares how the publishing landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation since she began her career. She explains the crucial difference between publicity (earned media) and marketing (paid media), and why authors need to understand both to succeed in today's competitive marketplace."I'm only as good as what I'm representing," Megan explains, revealing why passion for the books she promotes has been fundamental to her success. This philosophy has served her well, helping numerous clients achieve bestseller status and prestigious awards, including Danielle Trussoni's recent LA Times Book Prize for Best Mystery Thriller, The Puzzle Master.For debut authors feeling overwhelmed by marketing expectations, Megan offers practical wisdom: start early (ideally a year before publication), maintain an updated website as your "ground zero," choose social media platforms that match your personality rather than trying to be everywhere, and recognize when to seek professional help instead of attempting DIY publicity.Beyond tactics, our conversation delves into the deeper value of cultivating genuine relationships with booksellers, fellow authors, and readers. Megan challenges the common "is it worth it?" mindset about events and appearances, encouraging authors to see the long-term value in the connections they make. "If you go to a festival and don't sell a single book but you're on a panel with a better-known author who might give you a blurb for your next book, you just never know."Whether you're a published author looking to elevate your publicity game, an aspiring writer curious about the business side of publishing, or simply a book lover interested in how your favorite titles find their way to you, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving art of connecting books with readers in meaningful ways.Megan Beatie CommunicationsThe Puzzle Master, Danielle TrussoniThe Puzzle Box, Danielle TrussoniThe Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club, Martha Hall KellyThe View From Lake Como, Adriana TrigianiVianne, Joanne HarrisThe Lion Women of Tehran, Marjan KamaliJoin or Die documentarySupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

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• The Literary Heartbeat of Santa Barbara: Jen Lemberger at Chaucer's Books

  Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Jen Lemberger, co-owner of Chaucer's Books.Nestled in Santa Barbara's Loreto Plaza sits a literary institution fifty-one years in the making. Chaucer's Books, now under the stewardship of Jen Lemberger and Greg Feitt, stands as a testament to the enduring power of independent bookstores in our communities.Jen's career started in health research and social epidemiology. She worked with organizations like Direct Relief before pursuing a master's in library science and eventually returning to Chaucer's, where she had once worked part-time alongside Greg. "I like to provide it as evidence for folks that you're not going to have one career," she reflects, offering hope to anyone questioning their professional journey.The transition came as Mahri Kerley, who had owned Chaucer's since its founding in 1974, turned 80 the same year the bookstore celebrated its 50th anniversary. What makes Chaucer's special isn't just its impressive collection of over 100,000 titles, but the care taken in curating them. As a New York Times reporting bookstore with strong publisher relationships, they strike a balance between bestsellers and niche interests, ensuring depth across all sections. Their booksellers are strategically hired for their diverse reading specialties, creating a knowledge ecosystem where customers can always find someone who speaks their literary language.Despite challenging retail trends, Chaucer's thrives as both a destination for bibliophiles and a beneficiary of its location near frequently visited establishments. Millennials, Jen notes, have become their fastest-growing demographic. Whether you're a Santa Barbara local or just passing through, Chaucer's Books offers that irreplaceable feeling of discovery that only comes from wandering through shelves curated by passionate readers who know their community. As Jen's ever-growing "to be read" pile attests, the literary journey never ends—and Chaucer's Books ensures you'll never run out of new worlds to explore.Chaucer’s BooksThe Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club, Martha Hall KellyColm Tóibín BooksI Know the Whale (A Social Emotional Picture Book for Kids), Robin YardiN.K. Jemisin booksJosh Brolin BooksGunpowder PressSojourner Kincaid RolleSue Grafton BooksT.C. Boyle BooksAdrienne Maree Brown BooksOur Beautiful Boys, Sameer PandyaChristopher Pike BooksMy Name is Emilia del Valle, Isabel Allende Support the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

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