I am ashamed to say, I often buy books from chain stores. In my defence, the closest truly independent bookstores to me are a 40 minute drive from where I live on the south-western outskirts of Sydney. Just over half-an-hour away are a few larger book-specific retailers. My cousins live in Orange, in regional NSW, and have an independent bookstore closer to their home which I love to visit.
During the session about publishing at the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival, I discovered the reason book prices have risen is due, at least in part, to the impact of Covid on paper prices. Paper manufacturers are able to make more money producing cardboard packaging than book printing paper. Consequently, they now charge more for the paper. Also, impacting book prices are general increases due to the rising cost of living, causing higher costing for all aspects of publishing.
I have been challenged to frequent independent booksellers more often. What a hardship! I do love a wander in a good bookshop, and the drives to those closest to me are not unappealing – Collins at Thirroul is beautiful and The Bowral (Kiama) Bookshop a veritable treasure trove. Furthermore, in my ongoing endeavour to support authors, independent booksellers and publishers I will more often make a purchase in store.
Trish Lewis 