It's #DrawYourBookshop day, in which artists worldwide are drawing pictures of their favorite bookshop, to remind everyone to #shopindie RIGHT NOW. So I painted my neighborhood bookstore, @powellsbooks Last time I did an author event at Powell's, I reminded the audience, as I do at every event, to please buy a book, even if it's not my book. I remember so clearly that night that I added, "You know, this place is so massive and so beloved that it's hard to imagine it ever not being here. But even a legendary bookstore like Powell's can only open its doors every day if people come and buy books that day. It's impossible to imagine Portland without Powell's, but if you don't buy books here, there is no Powell's." I thought I sounded a little overwrought at the time, but here we are. All bookstores are struggling, even the mighty Powell's. Bookstore sales are down over 30%. No small business can take a hit like that. What you can do is to buy books as gifts. Buy a lot of them, & buy them right now. Don't wait. Shipping & logistics are super-hard this year. And this goes for every small business in your neighborhood. If you want them to be there in the spring, you need to spend some money with them right now. Today. For more on the #DrawYourBookshop campaign check out @selfmadehero, and shout-out to @indiebookstoreday @shelf.awareness @publisherswkly @downtownpdx @travelportland @bookshop_org for getting the word out about our amazing indie bookstores (at Powell's Books) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHvvlcInkR9/?igshid=wsm3hp2ath9u