Bookseller Profile

Abebooks' uniqueness is our network of independent booksellers who work with us to provide the most diverse selection of rare, used and out-of-print books on the Internet. Take a moment and meet our member booksellers from around the globe. It is these sellers, with their experience, commitment and love of the used and out-of-print book business who help all our buyers find that treasure they've been looking for.

How did you get started in bookselling?
AI've been selling books since I was 15. I found if I bought 3 copies of new books, I could sell two and keep one free. I also bought and sold used books as my own collection grew.

Bookselling is not the easiest way to make a living. What keeps you doing it?
An absolute love of books. I've been buying and selling books for over 30 years and every day I discover some title I never know about. When that stops happening, then I'll likely quit.

What is your specialty? How did you choose it?
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Popular Culture. These are the things in which I'm most interested; the stores are outgrowths of my interests.

Do you collect anything besides books?
Toys; mostly monster related items as in Famous Monsters and anything related. Movie posters.

Do you have a shop pet?
No, just dust bunnies.

What are your favourite books, or your recommendations?
Little, Big by John Crowley; Camp Concentration by Thomas M. Disch; anything by R. A. Lafferty; authors Keith Roberts, John Sladek, J.G. Ballard, Howard Waldrop, Philip K. Dick, among others

Do you have any legendary stories you tell about incidents with your store or as a bookseller?
Many. We've hosted over 300 writers and artists in our stores and we've many adventures, both good and bad. Check out our web site at www.dreamhavenbooks.com for some stories.

Any last words?
My love of books and bookselling led me to publish a number of books and I'm currently finishing a bookstore anthology titled "Shelf Life: Fantastic Stories about Bookstores" . Due in a bookstore near you soon. Without books and my bookman's experience, I think my life would have been a much poorer one.

Greg K., DreamHaven Books & Comics

The views of the author, expressed above, are not necessarily those of the Advanced Book Exchange