Dear Sponsors,
I've got some great news -- though it's taken a bit longer than it did last year, we hit 300 sponsors for 2020 exactly one week ago! So, we're certainly going to be open for the rest of this year. Right now the sponsor count is at 310 and I do hope that it will continue to rise. By way of comparison, we had 547 sponsors last year and 639 the year before. My sincere thanks to all of you who have renewed. As I've said at least five times before -- without you we wouldn't be here.
Last month I wrote that the sponsor program (and the trust you've placed in me) is something that I really appreciate. I didn't have space or time last month to explain in detail but I'll try to do it now.
Five years ago, the idea of sponsorships allowed us to keep Borderlands open. That, all alone, was truly remarkable. Over the years you've heard from me and from others on the staff what that meant to us personally. And I hope that you've read some of the news articles about what we accomplished and how it's been an inspiration for other small businesses.
But, in all that time, I haven't described the series of effects that have rippled out from that original accomplishment. Perhaps "rippled" isn't the right term. It's been more like dominos falling.
The first domino was the way sponsorships made me think about the business differently. Instead of being my private domain, that I could do with what I wished, I came to see it as something more like a public trust. Something that you had given me control over; for the benefit of not just me, or the staff, but for all of you. And, further, for all of our customers and our customers-to-be.
That meant that I had an obligation to figure out how to keep Borderlands operating for as long as possible. Which caused the next domino to fall when I realized that the only way to have a fighting chance of staying open for decades was to buy a building to house the shop.
But that realization wouldn't have meant much were it not for your continuing support. All together, you have given more than just the minimum that was necessary to keep the store open. That minimum has always been 300 sponsors. Yet, every year, many more people than that have chosen to support us. I'll not list all the numbers here but we have never had less than 500 sponsors and most years it's been over 600.
That greater-than-required support allowed me to save enough money that the idea of making a down-payment for a building wasn't utterly impossible . . . it was just mostly improbable. And so I went looking. For almost two years. I made several offers on buildings but none of them worked out. Until I ran across our building on Haight St.
And then the next domino fell. As it turned out, the down payment I had put aside wasn't really enough and, further, getting a mortgage was (pretty much) out of the question. Inspired by, once again, the support you had given me, I decided to try borrowing the money from our customers. Starting with you, our sponsors.
As you know, it worked.
And that's when the most recent domino fell. I realized that, with a building secured, it would be possible for Borderlands to not just continue for decades but continue long after I'm gone. Hence my plan to create a non-profit, the purpose of which will be to take over the operations (and assets) of Borderlands -- either when I just can't manage the store anymore or when I'm not around to do the job. (I'll go into detail about that plan in the regular store newsletter this month, if you're interested in details).
So, there it is. From "What the hell! Maybe we can stay open," to "We're going to make a bookstore that will last for 100 years". It's been a long, weird trip and I'm very happy you've come along for the ride. This year is going to a notable one -- I hope you'll continue to support us as we swing into the home stretch.
Warmest Regards,
Alan
PS If you haven't renewed your sponsorship yet, I'd sure appreciate it if you would. This is going to be a damn expensive year and we can use the help. You can renew on-line at https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship.html Or feel free to stop by the store, or give us a call to renew in person.
On the other hand, if money is tight, please let me know. This year, just like every year, we have some "scholarships" that were paid for by your fellow sponsors. One of the reasons for them is to allow sponsors to keep participating, even when cash is in short supply.
- Upcoming Events -
The Silica House Version <https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-have-built-worlds-smallest-house-180969149/> :
Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm -- Juliette Wade, signing for MAZES OF POWER with Deborah J. Ross
Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm -- Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Tracy Clark Flory, Aaron Glantz, Meng Jin, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders
Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm -- Sarah Gailey, signing for UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED, in conversation with Meg Elison
Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm -- Katharine Kerr, signing for SWORD OF FIRE
Saturday, February 22 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsor Social at Borderlands Books [Sponsors and Guests only]
Sunday, February 23rd at 6:00 pm -- SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders' Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with Mike Chen, Tiffany Trent, and Juliette Wade, moderated by Terry Bisson
Saturday, February 29th at 6:00 pm -- Seanan McGuire, signing for COME TUMBLING DOWN and IMAGINARY NUMBERS
Friday, March 6th -8th -- FOGCon in Walnut Creek
Tuesday, March 31 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsors' General Meeting [Sponsors and Guests only]
Thursday, April 2nd, time TBA -- N.K. Jemisin, reading and signing THE CITY WE BECAME.
Saturday, May 9th -- Maggie Tokuda-Hall signing for THE MERMAID, THE WITCH, AND THE SEA, in conversation with Annalee Newitz.
The Antilia Version <https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/mukesh-ambani-antilia-home-mumbai/#s-cust0> :
Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm -- Juliette Wade, MAZES OF POWER - We're delighted to welcome local author Juliette Wade, showing off her debut novel MAZES OF POWER! From the book description: "The cavern city of Pelismara has stood for a thousand years. The Great Families of the nobility cling to the myths of their golden age while the city's technology wanes. When a fever strikes, and the Eminence dies, seventeen-year-old Tagaret is pushed to represent his Family in the competition for Heir to the Throne. To win would give him the power to rescue his mother from his abusive father, and marry the girl he loves. But the struggle for power distorts everything in this highly stratified society, and the fever is still loose among the inbred, susceptible nobles. Tagaret's sociopathic younger brother, Nekantor, is obsessed with their family's success. Nekantor is willing to exploit Tagaret, his mother, and her new servant Aloran to defeat their opponents. Can he be stopped? Should he be stopped? And will they recognize themselves after the struggle has changed them?" Join us to meet this up-and-coming author who is soon to be a superstar! Juliette will be in conversation with author Deborah J. Ross.
Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm -- Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Tracy Clark Flory, Aaron Glantz, Meng Jin, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by the incredible Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this month includes Tracy Clark Flory, Aaron Glantz, Meng Jin, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu! Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 7:00 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books. http://www.writerswithdrinks.com/
Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm -- Sarah Gailey, signing for UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED, in conversation with Meg Elison - We couldn't be more excited to welcome Sarah Gailey, who will be showing off their brand-new novella UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED! Jude can't stop raving about this book and we're convinced you'll love it, too. Here's the description from the publisher: "Esther is a stowaway. She's hidden herself away in the Librarian's book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her -- a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda. The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing." Join us to meet Sarah and hear all about your next favorite book! Sarah will be in conversation with local author (and Philip K. Dick Award winner) Meg Elison.
Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm -- Katharine Kerr, SWORD OF FIRE - We're always happy to welcome the beloved Katharine Kerr to Borderlands! She's back with the first a new trilogy that will re-introduce readers to Deverry! From the book description: "The bards are the people's voice -- and their sword. All over the kingdom of Deverry, the common people are demanding reform of the corrupt law courts. In Aberwyn, the situation catches fire when Gwerbret Ladoic, second in authority only to the High King, allows a bard to starve to death rather than hear their grievances. Guildwoman Alyssa, a student at the local scholars' collegium, and Lady Dovina, the gwerbret's own daughter, know that evidence exists to overthrow the so-called traditional legal system, if they can only get it into the right hands. The powerful lords will kill anyone who threatens their privileges. To retrieve the proof, Alyssa must make a dangerous journey that will either change her life forever -- or end it." Don't miss this near-legendary author who is at the height of her creative powers right now!
Saturday, February 22 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsor Social at Borderlands Books. [Sponsors and Guests only] Join us for food, drink, and merriment as we talk about books, buy books, and maybe even win some free books in the raffle! This is our first sponsor social of 2020, and we hope you'll come by to meet fellow sponsors and toast the absolutely incredible fact that YOU made it possible for the store to survive. We've got some great advance reading copies to give away and we're going to have a good time! Bring your favorite treat or drink to share, be super-social, or simply find a book and a quiet corner to commune -- we're just delighted to have you.
Sunday, February 23rd at 6:00 pm -- SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders' Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with Mike Chen, Tiffany Trent, and Juliette Wade, moderated by Terry Bisson -- (Suggested donation $10.) Doors and bar at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm. We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! This month we're joined by the fabulous Mike Chen, Tiffany Trent, and Juliette Wade. The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by Terry Bisson. Authors will schmooze & sign books after. Books will be available for sale. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com. More info at www.sfinsf.org
Saturday, February 29th at 6:00 pm -- Seanan McGuire, COME TUMBLING DOWN and IMAGINARY NUMBERS - One of the hardest working authors in genre fiction today, Seanan McGuire is back with not one but two new books! From the publisher: "The fifth installment in New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire's award-winning Wayward Children series, COME TUMBLING DOWN picks up the threads left dangling by EVERY HEART A DOORWAY and DOWN AMONG THE STICKS AND BONES. When Jack left Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children she was carrying the body of her deliciously deranged sister -- whom she had recently murdered in a fit of righteous justice -- back to their home on the Moors. But death in their adopted world isn't always as permanent as it is here, and when Jack is herself carried back into the school, it becomes clear that something has happened to her. Something terrible. Something of which only the maddest of scientists could conceive. Something only her friends are equipped to help her overcome. Eleanor West's "No Quests" rule is about to be broken. Again." From the publisher of IMAGINARY NUMBERS: "The ninth book in the fast-paced InCryptid urban fantasy series returns to the mishaps of the Price family, eccentric cryptozoologists who safeguard the world of magical creatures living in secret among humans. Sarah Zellaby has always been in an interesting position. Adopted into the Price family at a young age, she's never been able to escape the biological reality of her origins: she's a cuckoo, a telepathic ambush predator closer akin to a parasitic wasp than a human being. Friend, cousin, mathematician; it's never been enough to dispel the fear that one day, nature will win out over nurture, and everything will change. Maybe that time has finally come." We're always delighted to welcome Seanan and we sincerely hope you'll join us!
Friday, March 6-8 -- FOGCon in Walnut Creek. Once again we will be setting up shop at the Walnut Creek Marriott for the 10th (!) FOGCon. This year's featured guests include Mary Anne Mohanraj and Nisi Shawl. Find more details and register here: https://fogcon.org/
Tuesday, March 31 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsor General Meeting [Sponsors and Guests only]. Join us for a recap of the prior year and our goals for the upcoming year, including the status of our move to Haight Street.
Thursday, April 2nd, time TBA -- N.K. Jemisin, reading and signing THE CITY WE BECAME - We are truly pleased to host the three-time Hugo winning author of The Broken Earth Trilogy. This event will take place at a local theater venue and there will be a suggested donation of $20 to help offset the rental costs. However, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. There will be advance tickets and we will be sending out a special notice when they are available. Sponsors will have preferred seating (details to come). Please come join us for what may be our biggest event ever.
Saturday, May 9th at 3:00 pm -- Maggie Tokuda-Hall signing THE MERMAID, THE WITCH, AND THE SEA, in conversation with Annalee Newitz. Please join us for another entertaining adventure with local favorite Maggie Tokuda-Hall, who will be thrilling us with her latest work (and first novel)! From the publisher: "The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive -- including sailing under false flag on the Dove as a marauder, thief, and worse. Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, a highborn Imperial daughter, is on board as well --accompanied by her own casket. But Evelyn's one-way voyage to an arranged marriage in the Floating Islands is interrupted when the captain and crew show their true colors and enslave their wealthy passengers. Both Florian and Evelyn have lived their lives by the rules, and whims, of others. But when they fall in love, they decide to take fate into their own hands --no matter the cost. Maggie Tokuda-Hall's sweeping fantasy, full of stolen memories, illicit mermaid's blood, double agents, and haunting mythical creatures, conjures an extraordinary cast of characters and the unforgettable story of a couple striving to stay together in the face of myriad forces wishing to control their identities and destinies." Maggie will be in conversation with local author, journalist, and podcaster Annalee Newitz!
