Ann Patchett is in the news today? Not clearly tied to a current event in the snippet. If she’s tied to Red Sea fest coverage, she isn’t. Quick bio: American author, born Dec 2, 1963; PEN/Faulkner and Orange Prize winner for Bel Canto (2002). Novels include The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, The Magician.
Independent, author-owned bookstores have expanded in the U.S., with a surge in ABA membership and ventures from Patchett, Erdrich, Groff and Straub. Stores range from Birchbark in Minneapolis to An Unlikely Story in Plainville, reflecting a broader mission beyond selling books.
A wave of author-owned bookstores across the U.S. is reshaping independent bookselling. Notable spaces founded by Judy Blume, Louise Erdrich, Lauren Groff, Jeff Kinney and George R.R. Martin are expanding in Brooklyn, Minnesota, Florida, Massachusetts and New Mexico, offering community hubs beyond Amazon-dominated retail.