When you’re an avid music aficionado, the arena is your palace. You seek concerts to watch your favorite idol perform from across the room. You shout until your voice is worn and the heartbeat of the crowd happily wears you down. But when you’re a connoisseur of the written word, your path to rockstar sighting is differently paved.
The book lover seeks signings, readings and events where they can not only listen to the words of their favorite author be spoken, but say hello, share a treasured passage or offer their appreciation. These authors are the headliners of the literary world, and they spend their days, I mean weeks, correction months, dedicated to honing their craft and perfecting their stories in hopes of connecting with the reader.
It’s a celebration of giving and receiving in the literary world. Readers and authors go together like inhale meets exhale. The place where this breath collides is inside the walls of the most treasured “purchasable” libraries – inside a store of books.
These stores are tucked away in various parts of your town. They come in many shapes and sizes, in the form of large corporate chains with delicious cappuccinos, or as Indies – the cozy shops around the corner that often have a variety of mainstream to eclectic.
Nashville is losing our largest Indie. Davis-Kidd is closing her doors next month, and leaving unwritten chapters in the hearts of authors, readers and celebrators of books everywhere. As we tip our hat, shed a tear and stomp our feet in protest, we also pause to give thanks and share memories of the little Indie that could – and did – bring joy to us for over 30 years.
“It's devastating. Davis Kidd is so much more than a bookstore to me, it's a part of my Nashville mythology. In 1994, when my husband brought me home to Nashville to meet his parents for the first time, he took me to David Kidd. I was utterly charmed by the store - the sweeping staircase, the amazing smiles of the folks who worked there, all those books... I think part of the reason I fell in love with Nashville was because of the store. When we moved here in '98, I immediately started frequenting the store, learning my way around the city using Davis Kidd as if it were the North on my compass. And in 2007, when my first novel came out, Davis Kidd was right there, encouraging me, having me in for a signing, promoting me among their local authors, helping establish me as an author. I've had five signings with them, and it's impossible to wrap my head around the idea that there won't be any more.
My heart broke last night when I attended the very last author event. Davis Kidd has given so much to all of us over the years. I hope that a miracle happens, that somehow, someway, Davis Kidd can live on in more than out memories. I know it will always live in our hearts.” J.T. Ellison, best-selling author of the Taylor Jackson series.http://www.jtellison.com/
“I am absolutely broken-hearted. Davis-Kidd is more than a bookstore. For me, this is about family. They have applauded my successes and offered a patient ear and a warm hug on the hard days. I am grieving this loss, not only as a writer and reader, but as a Nashvillian who understands the store's invaluable contribution to our community.” Susan Gregg Gilmore, author of Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen and The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove. http://www.susangregggilmore.com/
"Davis-Kidd was more than a bookstore. The area has lost a piece of its soul. Davis-Kidd was a gathering place of all walks of people. As someone who works with authors and publishing houses, I learned quickly the book industry knew of Davis Kidd's influence in Nashville and the south." Tom Robinson, author publicist and media consultant,www.authorandbookmedia.com
“Where will all the storytellers go? For eight years I've called Nashville home. During that time the wild, wonderful array of authors as been like a storybook parade. I've been entertained, informed, introduced and fallen in love over and over again with the words of authors presenting at Davis Kidd. My granddaughters and niece and nephew claimed the store as their own and camped out seeking treasures among the aisles. It's also been my honor and privilege to hold the kick-offs for my last three novels at the Davis Kidd store. The news of the closing has left the community of local authors and avid readers nothing short of mourning. My deepest thank you to all of the booksellers and management who have worked so tirelessly and joyfully to not only sell our books but to read them. You will be so surely missed.” River Jordan, author, speaker, radio personality. http://www.riverjordan.us/
“I attended my first writer's meeting at Davis-Kidd. I met my agent there when she flew in from New York for a client book launch. Davis-Kidd is where I wanted to launch my debut novel this summer - I've actually *dreamed* about it. It breaks my heart that Nashville is losing this cornerstone of the literary community. Thank you for over thirty fantastic years. The loss of your presence will be mightily felt.” Myra McEntire, author, blogger and author interviewer. http://writingfinally.blogspot.com/
“My primary memory of Davis-Kidd is from right after I moved to Nashville. I'd just received the copyedited manuscript of my first novel, and needed The Chicago Manual of Style to help me decipher all the mysterious proofreading marks. I went to Davis-Kidd to buy it--and it was one of the first times I felt like a Real Author. Will never forget the store was part of that.” Tasha Alexander, author of The Lady Emily series. http://www.tashaalexander.com/
“Davis-Kidd has been a celebrated staple for Nashvillians seeking refuge in a good book for so many years. Not only a great venue for authors to hold events, it was also an inviting environment for readers to engage in book discussions, set up book clubs or just get lost in the moment over a great cup of tea. It's devastating that literacy takes a hit, ultimately, because of the economy.” Jonathan Clements, Literary Agent – founder of Wheelhouse Literary. http://www.wheelhouseliterarygroup.com/about.htm
“Losing Davis-Kidd is a major blow to the independent bookseller scene in Nashville . I really hate to see them go not only because of the impact on the employees and friends who work there and the imbalance created between the independent and chain bookstores in Nashville, but also because of the special niche they filled for book lovers and writers alike. They were certainly more than a bookstore. And they will be missed.” Clay Stafford, Filmmaker and writer/founder of Killer Nashville. http://www.claystafford.com/
“Davis-Kidd's closing is a tremendous loss to Nashville writers and readers. We'll miss the book signings and the hours spent in the children's area with our little ones. We'll miss browsing and running into book-lover friends who want to talk about the latest good read. Davis-Kidd has been a special place. Green Hills was so fortunate when Karen Davis and Thelma Kidd opened the original bookstore in Grace's Plaza. Now it's sad that in Green Hills you can buy almost anything at almost any price - except a book?” Phyllis Gobbell, author of A Season of Darkness. http://www.phyllisgobbell.com/
"When I moved to Nashville almost six years ago, I was looking for 'community.' I found it at Davis-Kidd, several years before I began to focus my business on publicity for books. I found my Nashville home in that bookstore. Bev Peery, the General Manager, was always the sunny face with the funny story and infectious laugh that kept all the balls in the air for everyone. When I did focus my company on literary publicity, Ginger Nalley was the special events guru that made me look good by having outstanding author talks for my clients. When Ginger stepped back to be a mom, I thought the world would come to an end. Then Betsy Begdonas stepped in as the special events guru with the dimpled smile and an efficiency that kept the author events exciting and challenging night after night. I could go down the list of long-time employees of DK that made me, my authors and everyone else who wandered in, feel like part of a big family.
I made myself go back in today, just to see my beloved bookstore one more time before it was completely torn apart. The grace and pride that Bev Peery has always personified and the DK family had always shown was on full display today as well. The shelves weren't disheveled, although a lot of product had already been sold. The same familiar faces were there at the cash registers and roaming the floor straightening shelves. They took the sad looks and condolences from long-time customers with poise. It was definitely a wake...a visitation....and I don't know that I can force myself to walk into the funeral when the liquidators arrive and take over. The fight to keep independent bookstores open has always been very important to me as a book publicist. Now it's personal. " Julie Schoerke, JKS Communications – Literary Publicity. http://www.jkscommunications.com/
Farewell, Davis-Kidd, thanks for the memories.
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