Choosing a childless resource that works for you
I went to Hay on Wye, on the borders between England and Wales, in search of a book. This town is famed for bookshops. There are 30 sellers within walking distance, so I was in the right place. The choice was overwhelming.
I had to start somewhere, but where? I went to a bookshop, Booths, that had a nice window display. Unable to find what I wanted, I asked the chap at the counter if he had the title.
"No, we don't, try Addyman's up the road," he said and pointed out where I needed to go. After thanking him, I went off, and yes, I found the book I wanted.
Later, I went back to Booths to buy a perfect present for a friend, and it was quiet enough for me to ask the same man if that bothered him. If, on a wet September Monday afternoon, he might be fed up because the person who passed the window went into the shop over the road?
'"But the next person or the person after that will stop here because we're a book town," he said knowingly.
Hay on Wye is a great example of how collaboration beats competition every time. The late Richard Booth had the idea of a book town (and many others including making himself the King of Hay on Wye) in a bid to attract visitors to the area which is remote. It's many miles from the nearest railway station and could easily be overlooked as tourists head to the coast or nearby Brecon Cathedral or Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons).
It was interesting to observe that people would visit one shop and then another and spend time at the castle or one of many cafes. Of course, I did this myself during my stay. Each business was working together to give visitors and residents choices through collaboration.
I noticed this applies to our community too. We are not the only podcast or the only online group, and there are many authors sharing stories with each other as well as readers. We spent time with them at Storyhouse and often catch up online and on the podcast so you can hear about them. We may be the only group* that was established by a chap and two women which isn't on Facebook (as we know many of you aren't keen on Meta, too). We share and suggest info on other groups on other platforms, books, podcasts and resources and encourage that 'Hay on Wye' ethos so everyone can access a resource that works for them. It's providing you with choice through collaboration. If you'd like to know more, chat with us.
In fact Sarah wrote a guide about it which you can download from our website or KOFI.
*If we're not, that's fantastic; let us know about you.
Watch me talk about this on an Insta live
Berenice
An extract from a map of some of the many booksellers of Hay on Wye
