Ghostwriter Circus: The Paul Eckert Website

Whenever you think of buying a CD, DVD, book, or appliance, where do you go? Best Buy, Borders, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, etc. Sure, why not? Hell, I've shopped those places before. Cheap prices, readily available products, large parking lots, easily accessible, and mostly incompetent and uncaring customer service.

I don't like to be the guy to tell everyone what to do, so I'll only pose this as a suggestion: buy your products from independent sources.

Sure, there is nothing morally wrong with buying from the big box stores. They do legal business and offer the same products, often at cheaper prices. But don't forget about the little places, those brave souls who, in the face of world corporate dominance, still have the guts to operate their own bookstore, music store, whatever. The importance of independent stores are often overlooked.

Let's look at it from the perspective of books. If you are a self-published author, the big stores will never put your book on their shelf. They've got so many books, they don't have room for yours (or will refuse to make room). Therefore, they contribute nothing to your local scene. Only the big, corporate-backed names get play time.

On the other hand, small, independent bookstores will often hold book readings for local authors. They will put your book on their shelf or display it next to the cash register. They give you the opportunity to start making a name for yourself. And if your book sells well, they may ask you for more.

I write this because I am constantly concerned about independent stores vanishing from our cities. The only reason these stores go under is because they are not making money. They are not making money because people are not buying from them. They would rather go to a store where they can go up elevators and sit in a Starbucks next door.

You don't have to buy everything from independent stores. Sometimes it's hard to avoid the big box stores. But before you complete a transaction on Amazon, call your local bookstore and see if they have the book. If they don't, see if they can order it. It may take two weeks, but at least you'll know that your money is going into the hands of someone who deserves it, someone that supports people like you.

And let me not limit my phrasing to "independent" stores. I will broaden this to anyone that actively supports independent artists of any persuasion, whether a corporate chain or not.

I will list some independent bookstores and other media stores in Houston below. I'll also start a section in the links page for independent stores. If you would like me to add independent stores from your area, use the contact page and give me a list of the stores, what they sell, and in what city.

Books:

Brazos Bookstore

Domy Books

River Oaks Bookstore

Murder By The Book

Music:

Sound Exchange