"Although the retail book trade in Africa face problems and obstacles of equal magnitude as their publishing colleagues, bookselling in Africa has perhaps received less attention and support than the more “glamorous” area of publishing, but as is rightly pointed out in the foreword of this guide ... , booksellers have an important role to play in book development in Africa, and they have the capacity to nurture a culture of reading within the local community. This excellent guide is edited by two highly experienced African booksellers, and it also contains contributions by several successful booksellers from around the continent. Attractively designed and laid out in landscape format, the guide aims to assist both novice booksellers as well those with established businesses. Two introductory chapters set out bookselling in an African context and the role of the bookseller in the book chain, followed by seven themed chapters. These cover the establishment of a bookshop (and examining what opportunities exist for those new to the book trade), business planning and management, training staff, dealing with customers, and maintaining and expanding a bookselling business. They are supported by a number of case studies presenting real-life examples of successes, or failures. A final chapter deals with non-traditional methods of selling books, such as mobile bookselling, book clubs, street vendors, market book stalls, as well as online bookselling. Each chapter contains a wealth of practical, hard-nosed advice, not only on the day-to-day management of a bookshop, but also on all the finer aspects of running a successful retail operation. Additionally, the book includes a number of model guidelines and forms, and other documentation that provide examples of good practice, and good housekeeping. A series of appendices include resources for booksellers, listings of book trade organizations, associations, journals, and useful Web sites." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 2482) more

"Examines the nature of book subsidy schemes in Europe, North America, Australia, India, and in Africa." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 1401)