Modern Times Fetes City Lights

Barbara R ther |

Dec 13, 1999

Bookselling
Modern Times Fetes City Lights Barbara R ther -- 12/13/99 One evening last month, Modern Times bookstore, the neighborhood landmark in San Francisco's Mission district for most of its 28 years, was filled with more than 100 people for the first event in the Independent Press of the Month Series. The bookstore initiated the series to promote solidarity among independent publishers and independent booksellers. Last month's featured press, City Lights, attracted a crowd of local literary stars and young bohemians. The Independent Press Series, organized by Brenda O'Sullivan, will continue to feature independent presses from around the country whose books are regularly sold at Modern Times. Routledge, Childrens Book Press, and the local p try house Manic D are scheduled in the next few months. Future possibilities include the bilingual Texas publisher Arte Publico and local literary houses like Kelsey Street Press and Mercury House. Each event will vary in style and size according to the preference and budget of the publishers. "What we will always do is host an event for the press, offer their titles at a 25% discount for the entire month and promote the press in store displays and in the local media. We ask that each press in turn help with discounts, organization and promotion." O'Sullivan told PW. Michael Rosenthal, one of Modern Times' owners, opened the festivities by observing that both City Lights (headquartered in North Beach, Calif.) and Modern Times were named in honor of Charlie Chaplin movies. Both also share a commitment to progressive politics, literature and political literature. "Our uniqueness as a bookstore is dependent on their uniqueness as a press. In light of mainstream publishing's recent conglomerate mergers, it's becoming clearer that as independents, we are in a unique and in some ways fortunate position," said Rosenthal. Nancy Peters, longtime editor at City Lights, spoke of the role of booksellers like Modern Times in making San Francisco a center of progressive thinking and applauded its commitment to making available books that matter beyond their ability to make money. A party with wine and a large cake, graced by the City Lights logo, was attended by a number of City Lights authors following the reading.

Bookselling

Modern Times Fetes City Lights
Barbara R ther -- 12/13/99

One evening last month, Modern Times bookstore, the neighborhood landmark in San Francisco's Mission district for most of its 28 years, was filled with more than 100 people for the first event in the Independent Press of the Month Series. The bookstore initiated the series to promote solidarity among independent publishers and independent booksellers. Last month's featured press, City Lights, attracted a crowd of local literary stars and young bohemians.

The Independent Press Series, organized by Brenda O'Sullivan, will continue to feature independent presses from around the country whose books are regularly sold at Modern Times. Routledge, Childrens Book Press, and the local p try house Manic D are scheduled in the next few months. Future possibilities include the bilingual Texas publisher Arte Publico and local literary houses like Kelsey Street Press and Mercury House. Each event will vary in style and size according to the preference and budget of the publishers. "What we will always do is host an event for the press, offer their titles at a 25% discount for the entire month and promote the press in store displays and in the local media. We ask that each press in turn help with discounts, organization and promotion." O'Sullivan told PW.

Michael Rosenthal, one of Modern Times' owners, opened the festivities by observing that both City Lights (headquartered in North Beach, Calif.) and Modern Times were named in honor of Charlie Chaplin movies. Both also share a commitment to progressive politics, literature and political literature. "Our uniqueness as a bookstore is dependent on their uniqueness as a press. In light of mainstream publishing's recent conglomerate mergers, it's becoming clearer that as independents, we are in a unique and in some ways fortunate position," said Rosenthal.

Nancy Peters, longtime editor at City Lights, spoke of the role of booksellers like Modern Times in making San Francisco a center of progressive thinking and applauded its commitment to making available books that matter beyond their ability to make money.

A party with wine and a large cake, graced by the City Lights logo, was attended by a number of City Lights authors following the reading.

A version of this article appeared in the 12/13/1999 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: