In our first of a semi-regular series showcasing independent bookshops in and around our local area (SE London, BTW) we chat to David at The Word in New Cross.
Before we get into it, a quick one on this series - we're not exclusive to SE London at all. We're just looking at what's local to begin with. If you have a independent book shop in your area that you love and want to put forward for an article contact us in the button below. This also goes for people who actually own bookshops too - don't be shy, contact us and let's put something together.
Right then, now that's done and out the way, let's chat with David at The Word, New Cross...
Hey David! Let's start at the top - may you please give us an overview of Word Bookshop – what you’re about, your history and your ethos.
The Word, is a cosy, buzzing independent bookshop in New Cross. It's bulging with wonderful books to dive into or give as presents.
There’s fantastic new and popular fiction for grown-ups, children’s books for toddlers to teens, and a great selection of poetry and graphic novels.
We’ve also got plenty of serious, and not so serious, non-fiction – from biographies to books on politics, history, race and gender.
We’re also part of the fabric and community of Goldsmiths College, University of London, working in a collaborative relationship, and closely liaising.with teaching staff and responding to students’ needs.
Our fiction tends towards the literary, offering the kind of fiction that doesn't appear much in supermarkets, while our non-fiction tends to be quite political, with both small 'p' and large.
How long have you been in your area and has it changed over time?
The bookshop has been open for almost 9 years. We're next to Goldsmiths, so we have more students on our doorstep than most bookshops. As student numbers, and demographics ,have changed, so the number and types of books we sell to them have changed. In the meantime, as our reputation has grown in the area, we cater for a lot more local customers.
Do you host events and readings? How do they go down?
We do host events in the shop. These are mainly book launches and come in all shapes and sizes. They are generally quite relaxed and very popular. Most of the time, though, I do a lot events outside the shop, from talks, conferences to launches.
For you what makes a great bookshop?
A great bookshop should be welcoming and attractive, with a wide selection of titles, from the popular to the niche, with friendly, knowledgeable staff.
What are you reading at the moment and who can you recommend?
I've just finished the Booker Prize winner, Orbital, which was a wonderful and deep read. Other than that, I've just finished, and can recommend, Natasha Brown's new one - Universality - and Michael Pedersen's Muckle Flugga (a highly entertaining read, out in May). In the background I'm rattling through Bryant & May’s Peculiar London
How did you get into the industry?
I come from a background of running academic bookshops and, before that, record shops. When I had the opportunity to open my own high street bookshop, I grabbed it.
How important are independent books shops to the reader and the communities they serve?
They are important as they offer a more personal contact than chains and online. We're happy to chat without necessarily selling you a book. We also offer ranges of books that are curated for the local area and clientele that differs from the uniform offering of chains. Local bookshops are generally sensitive to their local area and people.
What is it about books and bookselling that you love?
It helps if you have a love of the books you're selling, and a belief in them, but also it's great if you can have engaging chats about the books, authors and the literary environment with customers. I have a degree in English, which also helps.
How do you support independent writers and publishers?
We stock a lot of titles from independent local authors and publishers. We have the ability to do this where a lot of chains, understandably, don't. Most of our books are from mainstream publishers, but a lot of local authors and poets have approached us directly to stock their books. We take most of these - giving them a chance to sell in the shop, on a consignment basis (where we pay for what we sell).
How do you manage to keep it all going with such enormous competition both in chains and online stores?
We focus on what we're good at, identifying the kinds of books that our customers want as early as we can, so the books are available. You have to realise that the competition won't go away, so you make your bookshop excel at its strengths, and not try and compete.
Looking ahead, do you see a bright or dark future for independent writers, publishers and bookshops?
Books will always be popular, and there are exciting titles being published all the time, so there will always be good independent bookshops that will cater for them. Similarly, they will cater for independent authors and publishers. The main current threat to authors is the rise of AI, but this can be challenged by direct collaboration between writer and bookshop.
What plans have you and Word Bookshop got for the coming year that you can share with us?
I'm looking forward to more of the same. An ever-changing product range and lots of interesting events keeps the job engaging and exciting.
And there we have it! Thanks to David for taking the time from selling books to answer our questions and set some light on it all. We invite you to head to New Cross and say hello, and peruse the offerings within. Also, give them a follow on Instagram by hitting the button below.
This series is constantly open for submissions - we would love to create a directory of national independent bookshops; a network of book lovers keeping that independent spirit alive. So, if you have a local shop you love and want to nominate, or if you run your own shop, please contact us and let's chat!
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