Today, we visited two independent bookstores in Midtown Atlanta. This is a wonderful part of the city of Atlanta. Nearly fifty years ago I lived in the Virginia Highlands area. We visited the Virginia Highlands Bookstore, after stopping at the A Cappella bookstore in the Inman Park area, which was very close to where we lived when we were married in 1984. After a short trip from Marietta south on I-75, we got off at The John Lewis Parkway, and drove on the grounds of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center. To simply think about John Lewis and Jimmy Carter as we drove along the parkway was remarkable.

A Cappella Bookstore

I recently joined the Atlanta Writers Club and I noticed that A Cappella Books was mentioned as a bookstore of merit. Their website is fantastic, and it immediately drew me in, and it was first on our list to visit today.

The store is located on the edge of one of Midtowns wonderful neighborhoods.

There are two sections to the bookstore, new and used books. We were impressed with the ease of looking at the new book’s section. Firstly, it wasn’t overwhelming, but was organized superbly. More importantly, it has an excellent selection of books. We purchased four new books and three used books.

I brought a copy of my book, The Trump Files, but had decided not to present it, but to introduce myself and ask how a local author would go about have their books considered for placement in the store. The young woman who waited on me said there wasn’t a procedure. Just send an email to owner, Frank Reiss. She gave me his email.

I continued shopping, and while doing this, I heard the name Frank at the front counter. I went to the counter and asked if he was the owner, Frank Reiss? He said yes. I told him that I would be writing a letter about my book. He said he was going out of the country for two weeks, and not expect a reply for a while. I understood. I then told him I was a walk-in and didn’t want to push, but wondered if he would like to see a copy of my book (after I gave my elevator pitch). He seemed interested because and said yes. When I pulled the book out of my case, he asked if it was self-published. Yes, I said, but it was edited and designed by Indigo Editing. We he and the clerk saw the book, they were impressed.

Virginia Highlands Bookstore

We drove a mile and a half to the Virginia Highlands Bookstore. I had been in contact with this bookstore in August, 2022, and filled out paperwork and sent a copy of my book to apply to get the book in their store. So, the night before we visited the store, I called and spoke to Alexa. I asked her The Trump Files was in stock. .

She said it was. I also mentioned to her if they would be interested in sponsoring an author event. I mentioned that the content of the book was relevant to the Fulton County Grand Jury Trump Inquiry. The judge overseeing the Grand Jury released four pages of the nine page report last Thursday. She said the timing would be perfect. I asked how I would go about scheduling an author event. She said to email to owner, Sandy Huff, which I did last night.

So when we got the store, I went to the non-fiction area downstairs. I couldn’t find the books, so I asked a worker if she has a book by Jack Hassard, The Trump Files. She recognized my name and title. Wow. She pulled it for me. I told I was the author. Then, she asked me if I would sign it. So we went upstairs and I put my signature on the book, while they prepared an “author signed” sticker.

I mentioned I couldn’t find the book. An author we have to keep in mind that there are thousands of books in any given bookstore. There was only one copy of my book in the store. It’s a humbling experience to realize this. However, it also gratifying that one of your books is there for sale.

Call to Action

I really recommend you visit either or both of these bookstores. There are located in one of the most interesting urban settings around the country. These are independent book stores, and they depend on us to support them.