Well-Known Authors Who Own Bookstores

We’ve heard of authors working at bookstores – it’s the perfect job for a writer. But who are the well-known authors who actually own bookstores? Here’s a list.

Neal Drinnan – Cow Lick

Cow Lick is an emporium of delights, toys and ornaments and objects of unique fascination, oh and of course BOOKS!! It stocks a wide range of books from farming, gardening, cookery and crafts to sci-fi and contemporary. There is a great children’s book section, as well as locally produced giftware and cards. There is a mail order service, author events. And of course, Neal Drinnan’s latest book, the excellent The Devil’s Grip is well stocked.

Jeff Kinney – An Unlikely Story

Not only is Jeff Kinney the author of the mega-successful Wimpy Kid series, but he is co-owner with his wife of the Unlikely Story Bookstore and Café. Located in Plainville MA, USA, the store is a community gathering place where you can meet amazing authors, eat breakfast or lunch, or attend readings, workshops, yoga, karaoke, wine tastings and game nights. Oh and you can also buy books there.

Ann Patchett – Parnassus Books

Author of the newly released, The Dutch House, Ann Patchett divides her time between writing novels and selling them, at the Nashville USA bookstore she co-owns. Parnassus stocks the best selections of literature, non-fiction, children’s, local interests, and the arts. The store also boasts an extensive local author section… including Ann’s own novels.

Nora Roberts – Turn the Page Bookstore

One of the most famous author-owners is bestselling author and romance megastar Nora Roberts. Her store is owned and operated with her husband, and located in Boonsboro, Maryland USA. Turn the Page does such booming business – it has busloads of fans coming in for Nora Roberts’ events (she also writes under J.D. Robb) – that the husband and wife team bought a number of nearby heritage buildings and turned them into B&B’s for visiting tourists.

Judy Blume – Books & Books

Famed children’s author Judy Blume is co-founder with her husband of this special bookstore in Florida in the USA. The bookstore is located in The Studios of Key West, a non-profit arts centre and cultural organisation. Along with Books & Books, it also has a dedicated space for the literary arts, a community centre for readers and writers.

Do you know any other authors who own bookstores? Let us know.