Dear Crabby, Are Brick-and-Mortar Stores a Thing of the Past?

Dear Crabby, I was giddy when the new Barnes & Noble opened at The Village of Rochester Hills last month, but I was also a bit surprised. It seems like so many other chains are shuttering stores, either in favor of an online presence or because they’ve declared bankruptcy. Is there still hope for brick-and-mortar stores or are they outdated relics? Thanks! Samantha Spendthrift Dear Miss Spendthrift, Some might say I know a thing or two about being an outdated relic, so I feel quite … [Read more...]

Barnes & Noble Opens New Store Prototype at The Village of Rochester Hills

Rochester Hills now has Two Barnes & Noble Bookstores Barnes & Noble, Inc.,the world’s largest retail bookseller, opened a new store prototype at The Village of Rochester Hills (200 N. Adams Road) on March 27. This will be the first new prototype store in Michigan. Local author, columnist, and radio personality, Mitch Albom, was the location's first book signing and author appearance on Wednesday. Albom spoke of how important libraries and bookstores are and how they contain … [Read more...]

Author’s Corner: Preparing Your Manuscript for Printing

Preparing Your Manuscript for Printing For my first book, I had written the original draft in WORD. I told you in my last column what an effort it was to create the digital versions. The paperback books were a bit easier (or maybe I was just numb from creating those digital versions). In any event, when I was ready I downloaded that original manuscript (still in Word), into the size I wanted (5.5 x 8.5 is a standard trade paperback) making the necessary tweaks to the file for proper type … [Read more...]

Author’s Corner: Formatting Your e-Books

Formatting Your e-Books A friend asked me earlier this year which company put together the Kindle and Nook versions of my books. When I told him I did it myself, he seemed amazed. “I didn’t know you knew how to do that kind of stuff,” was his response. I smiled and let him think I was a genius. The truth is, I didn’t know. I had to figure it out. I started the same way I suppose many author wannabes begin. I Googled "self-publishing companies" and looked at the first page of 28.2 … [Read more...]

Harry Potter Coming to Barnes & Noble in Rochester Hills

Midnight Release Party Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter franchise, told nineteen years after the last book. Starting at 8:00 p.m., customers can visit Barnes & Noble Rochester Hills for the fan-favorite Countdown to Midnight Party leading up to the midnight release of the epic eighth story, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One & Two. At the Countdown to Midnight Party, two customers who entered the sweepstakes at Barnes & … [Read more...]

B-Fest Teen Book Festival at Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble Bookstores all across the nation are hosting book festivals for teens this weekend. Panel discussions, book trivia, giveaways, author signings, writing workshops, and more. The Rochester Hills location has a jam packed three-day-weekend planned. June 10 at 7PM: "B-IN THE KNOW" Panel Discussion and trivia event with Cori McCarthy (Author), Amy Rose Capetta - Author, Erica M. Chapman, Bethany Neal, and Andrea Hannah. Moderated by author Kristin Bartley Lenz. Join us as we … [Read more...]

Mitch Albom and Frankie Presto come to Rochester Hills Bookstore

Book signings with Mitch While a force of movie-goers were gearing up for a line waiting experience at local theaters, December 17 had many others already in line to get their purchase of The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto signed by its author. Mitch Albom was a busy man at the end of 2015 – The Community Edge caught up with him at the Rochester Hills Barnes & Noble Bookstore – signing copies of his latest book. Store policy does not allow the release of how many books were … [Read more...]

What to give the Writer on your Holiday Gift List

Holiday Gift-giving Guide for the Writer on your Holiday Gift List 2013  Book Suggestions: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg Page by Page by Heather Sellersclick here Chapter by Chapter by Heather Sellers What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter Breathing In, Breathing Out by Ralph Fletcher The Art and Craft of Storytelling by Nancy Lamb Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott If You Want to … [Read more...]

Check out November at the RHPL!

Residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township, don’t miss this exciting event at Rochester Hills Public Library. Each child who registers for library programs must have his or her own library card and be a resident of Rochester, Rochester Hills, or Oakland Township.  Registration is online. Confirmation numbers are required at the door. All youth programs are funded by the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library. See the Schedule of Events on our website at www.rhpl.org or … [Read more...]

The Gift of Travel

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas Travel is a wonderful present, anytime of year. It may be difficult to plan an entire vacation, book it and offer it as a gift this holiday season; however, it’s not too late to “suggest” a getaway. Suggest the present of travel by giving a travel guidebook, new luggage or passport application. Use your imagination and the destination to gift appropriately. More Ideas in Detail Say your senior is graduating in spring and she wants to backpack Europe; … [Read more...]