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Independent bookstore Tag

Elisa “Sol” Garcia – Hear in LA podcast

 

Much props and respect to Elisa “Sol” Garcia who is an awesome book seller from LA. She operated her own bookstore called Imix Books which curated a huge list of books by and about people of color. When my book Furqan’s First Flat Top came out she was the first bookseller in LA to carry it and I have never forgotten that. 

 

Link to podcast episode w/ transcript and photos!
Here is a podcast called Hear in LA which did a lovely interview with her where she talks about her long history of being a bookseller (26 years!!!),  best sellers, the summer of 2020, Morrissey, the whole American Dirt fiasco, Eso Won Books, and Skylight Books where she currently works. 
Something she did not mention on the podcast is that she owned and operated her own bookstore and community space-Imix Books back in the day, which sadly closed. 
She’s also a selector/DJ on the radio show known as Lady Imix with DJ Phatrick on “Heartbreak radio” and on shows like “Word to your mama” and “Heat Rocks” !
Dig this? Check out The Stoop podcast
January 10, 2023
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Art of Rob – is now in 7 bookstores!

Feliz Año nuevo. Juiced to tell you that “Art of Rob” is making its way into more brick and mortar community based independent bookstores in the US. I love sharing information about bookstores because they are little cultural hubs for reading, art, politics, sometimes food, dating :), learning, and reading of course. If you can please go support these book and art galleries, you’re guaranteed to find something unique.

 

1. Modern Mouse – Alameda California 2223 S Shore Center, Alameda, CA 94501

 This gift store/ art gallery houses some of the coolest books, art prints, t-shirts, stickers, candles, toys, jewelry, and more in the East Bay. I’m not sure when it was founded but Matt and Mynt took over the company in 2017 and they are Queer and Woman of color owned. Check them out!

 

2. Push/Pull– Seattle Washington 2000 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

Push & Pull is a cool independent bookstore located in the northwest side of Seattle right in between Adams and WestWoodland. They are go to spot for independent comix, books, gifts, and art. Not only that but they publish folks and host regular events. If you were at the Short Run Fest you might have seen their table. Go support them!


3. E14 – Oakland California 461 9th St, Oakland, CA 94607

E14 has been rocking with me since Furqan’s First Flat Top debuted. They are a project and offshoot of the EastSide Arts Cultural center in East Oakland and they featured clothing, jewelry, art, toys, and books. Every year they host an array of local talent through gallery shows and vendor events. Go check them out. Brown and Black owned!

 
4. Skylight Books – Los Angeles California  1818 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
https://www.skylightbooks.com/

Skylight is a cool independent bookstore located in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles. They have a huge selection of books. They host author readings and feature independent creators such as myself. They host a lot of cool book events, have a podcast, and feature banned books! Check them out.
 
What is “Art of Rob”? Its my 130 page art book featuring character designs, paintings, sketches, tutorials, and more for the burgeoning young artists!
Note: If you have not received your book in the mail from the kickstarter or you believe it got lost in the mail please message me here or email me at info@robdontstop.com If you’d like to purchase a copy directly from me you can using this LINK. 
 
Did you see the first three bookstores to carry the book? Here’s a LINK to that post featuring The Multicultural Children’s Bookstore, Marcus Books, and Pegasus Books
January 5, 2023
in General, Merch
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Art of Rob – Is now in 3 bookstores!

Sup with it fam? I’m excited to share that “Art of Rob” is making its way into actual community based independent bookstores. Juiced!!!! I love sharing information about bookstores because they are little cultural hubs for reading, art, politics, sometimes food, dating :), learning, and reading of course.
1. The Multicultural Bookstore – Richmond California
 260 Broadway, Richmond California 94804
 This bookstore was founded in Richmond back in 2016 or 2017. It is Black owned and has one of the largest selection of kids books featuring children of color. Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern, and Queer kids books. They specialize in picture books, but also carry middle grade, chapter books, YA, novels, biographies, and art books   🙂
2. Marcus Books– Oakland California
 3900 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland, CA 94609
 This is the oldest Black owned bookstore in country y’all. Originally founded in San Francisco and Oakland, the Oakland location remains a staple for the Bay and the Black community. I shopped there as a teen for textbooks, as a young father, and now as a book creator myself. They have the widest selection of Black literature in the Bay period. Novels, non fiction, comics, picture books, photography books, biographies, cards, and art books!!
3. Pegasus Books – Berkeley and Oakland
 2 Locations in Berkeley, 1 in Oakland
Pegasus has been in the bay since 1969. This is a very cool and progressive store that has cook books, kids books, comics, novels, zines, posters, art books of course, and they buy, sell, and trade books. There are three locations in the East Bay and my book is at all three so cop it there!
One of the most amazing things about bookstores (and libraries for that matter) is the possibility of discovery. You might not even know you would see your friend there or find a book that you know a friend would cherish. That being said, visit these stores if you’re in the Bay. If there is a bookstore you cherish that would understand my little art book please let me know! My hope is that young people will discover something cool in this art book. Peace! Thx for reading. Stay tuned…
Note: If you have not received your book in the mail or you believe it got lost in the mail please message me here or email me at info@robdontstop.com If you’d like to purchase a copy directly from me you can using this LINK. 
 
Dig this? Check out this video of fathers day 2022 by Marcus books. And if you have a bookstore I should get the book into, please let me know.
 

I was doing this for Furqan’s First Flat Top too, getting it into indy stores one at a time.

 
September 12, 2022
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Sew Seoulful Zine now available at Pegasus Books in Berkeley,Ca

Peace the homie Ian overt Pegasus was nice enough to let a brother get the zine up in the store.Thanks Ian! If you havent been to Pegasus’ Books in the Btown, go check them out. They have a very laid back book store with benches and chairs for reading. Besides the love for underground and independent culture, wonderful old LP covers, old dvds, vintage books, they also have a very good childrens section that I had pull my son away from as we jetted to run more errands around the city. Look for more updates on the progress of SS.Vol.2 “Sew Seoulful”.Step by step! And go check out Ian’s artwork at themilkmachine.com . Im feeling the Farmer cow print Ian!
-Rob

June 29, 2009
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