>>Stories are wha really connect us to each other.

At the end of the day.

So no matter how different we are, no matter where we come from.

Stories help us understand each other.

>>Writer's Block is an independent bookstore in Winter Park.

>>Writer's Block really offers a full service, independent bookstore feel.

Anything that you can do online, we can do for you here in the store.

But the thing that we offer that you can't get online is personality, recommendations, and an actual human touch.

The biggest challenge I think, every indie bookstore faces is how do we still compete with, you know, the convenience of online?

>>So most bookstore will collaborate with schools.

You do a lot of teacher ordering stuff, but we try to go a step beyond that.

>>We do offsite events.

We work with a bunch of local venues.

We do book fairs for schools.

We do boozy book fairs for adults.

Like when I started, I would not have guessed that I would be working with breweries.>>Online's not going to bring authors to you and have really neat book clubs.

>>It's a lot of community involvement.

It's also getting to know people who are into the same things as you.

>>So many people tell me, I found my favorite book through your book club.

I'm like, oh, it's so like rewarding to hear.

I'm so glad that we picked right for you.

>>We try to target every age, and I feel lik we're very successful with that.

I didn' get into reading till I was 17.

I think it really fuels what I do, because we have a lot of kids that come in that don't like reading, and get to tell them neither did I. And so they have something to relate to, and I think that it builds a lot more trust with them that like, okay, maybe you're on to something.

>>I mean, a lot of the people that come to our events, I would say at least half of them are regulars.

Like it's really awesome to see how much they want to support us.

>>I think it's important for the community to know that we want to do these things for them.

But if you choose to g other places, we won't be able to do those things for you.

[PHONE RINGING] >>We got a call in the middle of the pandemic saying, we would like you to open a bookstore in Winter Garden, and we're going to give you money.

The city had done a grant.

There was a Barnes and Noble.

It closed, and there was a petition of like 8,000 people begging for a bookstore in Winter Garden.

The only way that we can be sustainable and the only way that we can meet our goal, is for the community to want us to stay.

>>That's one reason why I answer the phone, is so that I can stay in contact with our regulars.

Hello, Mrs.

Smith?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, I saw that in the New York Times bestseller list, too.

Happy to get your copy.

>>If you don't support local, it's going to disappear.

That's the sad bottom line in anything.

>>When I confirm authors or book fairs or school visits, our staff is very excited.

People will see it go on the calendar and then they'll message me right away.

Can I work this event?

I would love to work this event.

I would love to help out.

>>They're actually arguing about who gets to, not who has to.

That's pretty cool.

>>We get so many inquiries about if we're hiring and I'm always like, no, stay away from my job.

Because we all just, like, love it here so much.

>>If I were to try to think of one thing that created this wonderful space, I wouldn't be able to do it.

It was a lot of effort, a lot of people.

>>I would not be able to do anything if I didn't have the support of every single person in the bookstore.

>>I have the best team ever.

I would not trade a single one of them for the universe.

I mean, I've been in retail for over 25 years, and it's very rare that I can look at a team and go, I would be genuinely upse to lose any single one of you, and I would be genuinely upset to lose any single one of my team members.

>>Reading is fundamental.

Books are the beginning of everything.

>>It gives insight in like, every way you could possibly imagine.

>>I feel like I learned so much about myself through fictional characters.

>>Part of what makes Writer's Block amazing is that we are a place where these stories can live.

We really strive to be a safe place where community can gather, share information, share ideas, share interests and really serve Central Florida as your all-inclusive bookstore.

>>I haven't read my favorite book yet.

I've read books I really love, but I know in my heart I haven't read it yet.

>>My favorite author is Frieda McFadden.

Her number one book is The Housemaid.

So that was the first book I read of hers that really ignited my fire into thriller.

>>It is Vicious by V.E.

Schwab.

It is a phenomenal book.

V.E.

Schwab is my favorite author.

>>I recommend this book constantly.

I don't think a better children's book was ever written.

I hold it near and dear to my heart.

>>Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

It is a fantasy romance.

It's very fun and adventurous and romantic.

>>East of the Sun, West of the Moon.

The other one is called Richard Scary's The Best Story Book Ever.

That's the book I learned to read in, so that, to me holds a very very special place in my heart.

>>That's a wrap on Lauren.

Thank you.

>>Thank you so much.

>>Thank you.

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