MIDDLEBURY — The locally owned Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury will host three authors as honorary booksellers this Saturday.
Hundreds of independent bookstores across the country will be hosting local authors this Saturday, Nov. 29, Small Business Saturday, thanks to a movement called Indies First. Launched by noted author Sherman Alexie in 2013, Indies First encourages authors to volunteer at their local bookstore, to give back some of the support that independent bookstores have traditionally given to authors.
Indies First falls in line with Small Business Saturday, which started as a project of American Express as well as a Better Middlebury Partnership promotion. This Saturday, shoppers can spend $10, at up to three participating businesses, on their AmEx credit card and American Express will give back up to $30; plus shoppers who spend at least $25 at participating Middlebury stores on Saturday will be entered into a raffle to win $50, $100 or $150 in Middlebury Money, which is accepted at more than 100 stores.
Vermont authors Nancy Means Wright, Sara Henry and Stephen Kiernan are coming to the Vermont Book Shop to show their support for indie bookstores. Means Wright will be in the shop 9:30-10:30 a.m., Henry from 1 to 3 p.m., and Kiernan from 4 p.m. until the shop closes at 5:30 p.m.
Shoppers as well as those interested in just talking with the authors are invited to come in to chat and get expert advice from local authors.