The Bookseller's Podcast

In this single topic episode - fixed pricing - Mark Rubbo explores the concept of limited fixed pricing on new releases with Pulitzer prize winning journalist and Indie Bookshop owner, Raymond Bonner.

Mark waxes lyrical about his recent experience with the Jaipur (India) Literary Festival. We also hear origin stories from Sally Tabner (Bookoccino), Dan Jordan (Roaring Stories) & Bronwyn Druce (Red Kangaroo, NT). Tales of floods and moves and how to run a bookshop cafe abound. And of course we talk books.

Mark and Jaye chat with Matthew O'Brien, Operations Director of United Books Distributors (UBD), the country's pre-eminent book distribution warehouse. Covering some mind-boggling facts and stats, what it boils down to is that there are some very passionate experts making sure that those books get to our bookshops not only accurately and in a timely manner but also in pristine condition. H...

Jaye and Mark have a very cosy 'Christmas Fireside'-like chat ranging from current fave reads to audiobooks to aspirations for the podcast. As well, we feature Amanda Wildsmith, Area Manager, Hardie Grant and Kate Taperell, Group Communications Manager, Hachette who want booksellers to know how we can best leverage their expertise. The Bookseller's Podcast would like to thank everyone...

Lucky episode 8 is a bit of a chop suey episode with lots of yummy ingredients and a gem or three. We are indebted everyone who contributed and shared so willingly and with such great humour. Apologies in advance for the sound quality of the conversation with Tim - not to fear, we will bring our BookPeople President back for a crystal clear chat about succession planning in the not too distant fut...

In today's episode we speak with Keiran Rogers from Affirm Press, Barry Scott from Transit Lounge and Louise Stark from Hachette. In this series of surprisingly frank and transparent conversations we learn that publishers LURVE books (almost) as much as booksellers, AND are great conversationalists. The collective generosity of these three publishers to have open discussions plus willingly sub...

This special episode is in celebration of the start of Mark's next chapter following 50 years as Managing Director of Readings. We are tagging this The Bookseller's Podcast's Mark 'Springsteen' meets Henry 'Obama' episode. This insightful, provocative conversation will leave many of you thinking more deeply about what we do and, if you are like Jaye, very grateful to ha...

To monetise or not to monetise - that is the question. In an episode packed with dos and don'ts and some very creative ideas, this is the episode you've been clamouring for. Jaye and Mark chat with Fiona Stager AM (Avid Reader, Bris), Suzy Wilson OAM (Riverbend, Bris), Chris Gordon (Readings, Melb) and Anna MacDonald (Paperback, Melb) about bookshop events and learn that Brisbane and Melbo...

Jaye and Mark catch up at the annual BookPeople conference and chat with many new, and familiar, faces. This episode will put a smile on the dial of those who attended and is likely to cause FOMO for those who didn't. We congratulate BookPeople for pulling together an exceptional couple of days.

Where do the books come from? What is stock turn? How high should the shelves be? What is author care? This episode might just be mandatory listening for all those starting out and even for those who think they know ... but do you really? Jaye speaks with Robbie Egan, CEO, BookPeople (aka Australian Booksellers Assoc.) to ask all those questions and more. You can find out more about BookPeople her...

In this episode we hear from Rachel Chopping (Product and Member Services Assistant, BookPeople) and Michael Earp (YA author, Bookseller of the Year, 2021; Affirm Press) about the ups and downs of bookselling and Charlotte Lindsay from Ink Bookshop (Mansfield, Victoria) and Petra Blumkaitis from Peach's Pages (NSW) about realising their dreams of owning a bookshop. Bookshop mentioned: https://...

Welcome to the first episode of The Bookseller's Podcast. To celebrate the beginning of this new initiative, we talk to Chris Redfern from Avenue Bookstores (Vic), Jane Seaton from Beaufort Street Books (WA) and Gavin Williams from Matilda Bookstore (SA) about their beginnings, the challenges and pitfalls and the joy of owning your own bookshop. Donations to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation...