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The Second Shelf

Created by A. N. Devers

The Second Shelf is a rare book business and a new quarterly print publication focused on increasing the visibility of writing by women and their contributions throughout history.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Thank You! We've Made it Halfway.
over 6 years ago – Mon, May 21, 2018 at 09:58:06 AM

Dear Backers,

Because of you, we’ve surpassed the halfway mark in only a week!

I want to thank you from the depths of my basement, where I am currently sorting through stock to try and decide what goes to our first book fair as a bona fide member of our rare book association. It’s a stressful and exciting moment that is the result of two years of work, and four years of dreaming.

There are many women behind The Second Shelf’s launch I also want to thank. There are part-time librarians and academics, rare book dealers, and former rare book dealers, writers, editors, designers, photographers, animators, and artists. It is no small endeavor to launch a small business via Kickstarter anymore, or a small business in the rare book trade that needs to get a message out there in order to have a chance at finding its customers.

I particularly want to thank Katie Angermeier Haab, who came on board to help me Project Manage the launch all the way from Austin, Texas where she was the Executive Director of a wonderful literacy organization called Austin Bat Cave. She’s only worked with me for part-time for six weeks, and it’s already time for me to release her back into the world. My ambitions for this business launch on the timeline I had in mind wouldn’t have happened without her. She is new to London like me and this city is so lucky to have her in its literary community.

The response thus far has been overwhelming and humbling -- it means a lot and I know what a commitment you’ve made to direct your resources towards this project. We are committed to making a difference and your support will help me place women writers on personal bookshelves and on the shelves of public and private libraries and institutions worldwide. We can’t say we’re surprised that people care so much about preserving and uplifting literature and history by and about women, but we can say we’re thrilled—beyond thrilled—at the response so far. We don’t doubt we will reach our fundraising goal, but we still have to get there.

It’s been an intense and focused few months, we are unendingly grateful and look forward to balancing the bookshelves with your help.

Warmest regards,

Allison Devers