Nicole Meier joins the Spotlight this week to discuss her fourth novel, City of Books
Author Name: Nicole Meier
Book Title: City of Books
Book Genre: Upmarket Fiction
Release Date: May 28, 2024
Publisher: SparkPress
Welcome, Nicole! How would you describe City of Books?
Inspired by the temporary shuttering of Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon, City of Books charmingly explores a bibliophile’s fantasy: moving into a bookstore to stop it from closing.
What sparked the idea for this book?
In the spring of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the famous Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon closed. This surprising event devastated those who loved it. I was one of them.
Thankfully, the legendary bookstore has since reopened, but it caused me to imagine a world in which a fictional bookstore in trouble is saved by its employees.
And while my story is loosely inspired by Powell’s, this book is a love letter to independent bookstores everywhere.
My hope is that readers will fall in love with this story of Jo and her friends, as they work to keep the spirit of the indie bookstore alive.
Fill in the blank: Readers who liked _____(Book Title)____will also like City of Books.
Readers who liked The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore will also like City of Books.
What about the writing/editing/publishing process has been the most surprising to you so far?
This is my fourth novel and along my author journey I’ve had two different publishers. I think the most surprising thing, that’s becoming increasingly common, is that editors switch publishing houses all the time and authors switch publishing houses all the time. In this regard, what makes sense for one title may not make sense for another in terms of publishing paths.
Any words of wisdom you give your pre-published writer self (or to a new writer)?
Don’t rush the process. Take it from me, a reformed rusher. It’s important to take your time, learn story structure, don’t fly by the seat of your pants 100% of the time, and identify your author goals.
Are you working on a new project? Please tell us about it.
After a decade of being an author, I’m now working as a certified book coach and developmental editor. I like to tell people that these days I’m serving my younger writer self who yearned someone to walk alongside me from beginning to end. I wanted this person to be my sounding board, developmental editor, expert in my genre, cheerleader, and co-strategist.
Where can readers find you?
Readers can find me at nicolemeier.com
Writers can find my self-paced courses and small group programs at stepstostory.com or by tuning into my Steps to Story podcast.
Thank you!!
Thank YOU, Nicole! City of Books is out in one week and available for preorder.
City of Books
Jo Waterstone knows what you should read next. She’s honed the skill of sizing up a person and recommending their next book in the decades she’s worked at Bruebaker’s Books. Her life has been shaped by the store, the bustle of customers exploring the stacks, and managing the eager staff. She can honestly say it’s the best job she’s ever had.
Then the store’s elderly owner, Mr. Bruebaker, suffers a stroke, and just like that Jo’s perfect job is on the chopping block. Mr. B’s daughters and the bookstore’s icy CEO think the time is right to close for good, and they order Jo to lock up. But she doesn’t know what she would be without Bruebaker’s–and besides, the place is an institution. So instead of following orders, she decides to take a stand: along with a few brave team members, she barricades herself in the store, trying to buy time until Mr. Bruebaker recovers and can speak for himself.
Living in a bookstore has a certain magic to it, but the quiet hours among the books throw the choices Jo has made in her life into sharp relief. As supporters–and detractors–start to voice their opinions about her actions, Jo will have to decide what, exactly, is worth saving.