Interview With RWA’s 2007 Bookseller of the Year:
Linda Keller

(From July 2007 RWR)

1) Congratulations, Linda. RWA authors will want to add your romance-friendly bookstore to their mailing lists. Where can they send their congratulations or promotional items and to whose attention?

Linda Keller, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 9455 Civic Centre Blvd., West Chester, OH 45069.

2) How long have you been a bookseller? Can you briefly tell us about your professional journey?

I started with Barnes & Noble as Community Relations Manager in October 2000. I was also the Ohio Valley RWA chapter president for six years, and my chapter met in the store where I began with Barnes & Noble. It was a perfect fit! I joined RWA in 1991, so the romance bug was already there. Thank you, Kathleen Woodiwiss!!

My store in West Chester is the second new store I’ve opened and the third Barnes & Noble where I’ve worked. In 2003, I became a training manager for new Community Relations Managers (CRMs), so I consistently coach the partnership benefits between a CRM and his or her local romance authors.

3) Can you give us an idea of what romance fiction amounts to in percentage of overall sales for your store?

Ah, numbers. You do know they’re proprietary, right? I will say romance remains one of our most popular categories, and my store received two display racks for Harlequin and Silhouette titles. Most stores have only one. Shortly after opening in March 2003, we added an additional book bay for romance. It is alive and well. And I never miss an opportunity to let upper management know my passion.

4) What changes have you brought to the romance section of your bookstore? Are you planning any future changes?

We made the increase in shelf space and booksellers will refer customers looking for romance to me. No future changes right now, but as you know retail is a world unto itself.

5) What do you like most about selling romance fiction, and what do you feel you offer your romance customers?

I love happy endings! I love the escape. I’m a fan of historical romance, and I’ve enjoyed the increase in younger readers looking for historicals. Some of my customers have discovered these historicals are not their high school history classes. I bring knowledge and an eye for the market to my customers.

6) What does it mean to you to be chosen as RWA’s Bookseller of the Year?

I’m truly humbled. I do what I do for the love of it. I am as familiar with the author side of the industry as the sales. Selling books is important, but at some point, the author has to come first. Book one may be fantastic, but I want that author to know I’m as interested in book two, three, etc. I develop friendships and partnerships with the authors I host. When the books go away, the people remain.