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For those interested in our services, including editing, author coaching, publishing and literary publicity, please join our waiting list at http://waitinglist.amicusbooks.com. At this time, our schedule is full; however, once appointments become available, we'd be happy to contact those interested.
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On March 1st, 2010, Amicus Books Literary Arts Center and Community Bookstore in Marysville, California will be closing its doors. The Center's founders and lead directors, James and Kara Davis, will not be reopening the bookstore but plan to establish a new organization in mid 2010, dedicated exclusively to the area's writers, authors and publishers. The new location and name of the organization will be announced once they are finalized.
Amicus Books, located at 413 D Street, is a privately owned literary arts center, funded by an independent bookstore. Since its opening in 2005, it has provided services and programs to the community's readers, writers, authors and publishers. Presently, however, the fund-raising efforts, primarily via book sales, are no longer enough to keep The Center open and sustainable in the future. Due to rapid changes in the publishing and bookselling industry, independent bookstores, including Amicus Books, continue to see a loss of revenue and a loss of significance in American culture. Online book-sales, large retail outlets, electronic-reader technology, and print-on-demand technology have made the brick-and-mortar bookstore increasingly unnecessary and unable to compete.
Despite the transition of the bookselling industry, Amicus Books has pioneered several community programs throughout its lifetime. It opened to the public on April 1st, 2005 in Yuba City, California,[1] and within its first year produced Wordcolors, an anthology of poetry, short stories and photography, in collaboration with the members of its first literary program, Poetry from The Green Chair.[2] Also during 2005, the center established The Literary Lounge, a consortium of the region's authors, writers, publishers, illustrators and editors.[3] The consortium has been showcased by the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council[4] and includes many published authors.
In March 2006, Amicus Books relocated to 413 D Street, in the historic downtown district of Marysville, California.[5] Later that year, it founded the Downtown Marysville Art Chautauqua, collaborating with local businesses, artists and writers to provide a regular venue for the literary and visual arts.[6] In July 2006, Amicus Books launched the Intrepid Press, a 'zine written, edited and directed by local writers and artists, ages 16 to 23.[7][8][9] The Center has also hosted numerous educational and literary events, including presentations by authors Chris Enss, Jennifer Basye-Sander, Candy Chand, Richard Beban, Selden Edwards, Lueza Gelb, Erica Ross-Krieger, and most notably, John Esam, a Beat Generation poet and a chief organizer of the 1965 International Poetry Incarnation.[10][11]
According to co-director, James Davis:
"Today, via the internet, there is a mega-bookstore in virtually every home. Amicus Books attempted to compete by offering special orders for any in-print books, including best sellers. In addition, in terms of used and out-of-print titles, we were able to provide many books that chain bookstores were not able to. The hope was that community members would see the value in having a literary arts center, and support that idea with their purchases and donations of books. Although many have responded to that hope positively, it has been a slow but inevitable decline. When B. Dalton announced their closing, we were disappointed for them and for our community. We did not take it as a 'good for us, bad for them' situation. We took their closing as a real sign of the times.
"Although closing Amicus is a loss in many aspects, we are excited about the direction we're taking. Once the bookstore and community center have been closed, the project will be reorganized and evolved to focus on services that best meet the needs of the literary community--editing, publishing, publicity, freelance writing and author coaching. We are grateful to all our community supporters for their past support and ask for their continued support in fulfilling the goals of this new venture."
According to Kara Davis, programs director:
"We are proud of our accomplishments; we've had the honor of launching several literary programs and seeing them flourish in our community:
"The Green Chair Poetry group has evolved into a meeting of minds; for the last five years, the group has met monthly to discuss, read and explore the power of poetry in shaping contemporary culture. The group has continued to develop under the direction of Amicus Books Poetry Liaison, Mary Rowntree.
"The Literary Lounge authors, writers, publishers, and illustrators program, currently under the direction of Administrator, Bill Crocker, has served nearly one hundred members since its inception; it has been instrumental in seeing numerous local writers get their articles and books published.
"Intrepid Press, a local youth publication, has been a valuable voice and outlet for the community's young writers and artists. Over the years, the various staff members have been generous with their time and ideas. The launching staff--Skye Appleby, Nancy Nehl, Laura Hernandez and Brittany Perkins--and the current staff--Ben Currier, Kevin Currier, Amanda Martinez, and Anthony Martinez--should all be commended for their commitment to maintaining a positive program for the local youth. The Intrepid Press has published over 25 'zines and we are thankful to their faithful subscribers and distributors for their encouragement. Among the local distributors are Apples Personally Yours (M), Clark Avenue Coffees (YC), Marysville Music (M) The Brick Coffee House (M), The Candy Box (M) The Sew Sew Shop (M) Underground Music (YC), and Yuba County Library (M).
"For nearly four years, Moments in Marysville's History, a bi-monthly history discussion group, has been hosted by Marysville City Historian, Henry Delamere. Mr. Delamere has been faithful to make himself available to the community for the purpose of sharing and correcting local historical information. The program would not have been possible without the kind sponsorship of Cakes by Request in Marysville, and for the past year, the organizational efforts of Bill and Jan Rackerby.
"The Better World Book Club has developed into a productive community group. After having read the monthly selection, members meet to discover and apply the ideas toward building a better self, a better community and ultimately, a better world. They have continued putting their discussions into action through volunteering, serving as board members, continued education and starting other local programs, projects and non-profits.
"Without the many volunteers who have served the literary community, we could not have made the impact that we have. They have grasped our mission and understood the value of a literary arts center in our community. Volunteers are the nourishment of any community project and our volunteers have been the cream of the crop. There are far too many to name. Among them, however, are the Amicus Books Board of Directors, including Bill Crocker (Literary Lounge Administrator), Kevin Currier (Intrepid Press Lead Staff), Louise Miller (Literary Community Liaison), Deborah Nold (Programs Assistant), Mary Rowntree (Poetry), Kim Tennant (Marketing and Promotions), Holly Wilson-Bennett (Membership).
"Finally, we would not have been able to offer such a diversity and quality of programs without the ongoing support of Jim and Michele Davis, and the generous book donations, purchases and financial donations of hundreds of community members. We have been in a constant state of gratitude for all our community's encouragement and support."
Further Information:
Due to the enormous amount of details involved in closing the store, James and Kara Davis ask that community members and media outlets refrain from requesting comments or asking questions about the closure. Until March 1st, Amicus Books will be open for its regular hours and current calendar events. To stay abreast of the events as they unfold, please visit www.amicusbooks.com; details will be posted as they become available.
References:
1. Dickey, John. "A place to learn and grow." The Appeal Democrat, April 3, 2005
2. Picard, Jennifer. "Writers, Literary Lovers Find Friends At Amicus." The Appeal-Democrat, November 17th, 2005
3. Buis, Kyle. "Literary Lessons in Marysville." The Appeal-Democrat, July 30th, 2007
4. Life Briefs. The Appeal-Democrat, August 22, 2008
5. Hightower, Eve. "A Good Read For Marysville." The Appeal-Democrat, June 14th, 2006
6. Laughlin, Breeana. "A Festival of the Arts." The Appeal-Democrat, November 26, 2006
7. Pasternack, Nancy. "Down an Author or Two: Intrepid Press publishing despite writer shortage." The Appeal-Democrat, September 17, 2007
8. Weeks, Justin. "D Street's literary revolution." The Appeal-Democrat, February 19, 2009
9. "Marysville, California." Wikipedia.org
10. Whitehead, Peter. Wholly Communion, (Grove Press, 1966)
11. Sargaent, Jack. Interview with Peter Whitehead. Naked Lens: Beat Cinema (Creation Books, 1997)