13 JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Dallas gave me one of their ballpoint pens and told me I had to go. That was 1996, and from the moment I set foot on that green carpet at the old Cherry Creek location, I knew I wanted to write a book and have an event there. The Tattered Cover, in all of its iterations, has been an important part of my life, as both a reader and an author. I hope this version is a success. Nancy Stohlman, Going Short Tattered Cover fi rst broke my heart when that Cherry Creek location fi nally fell to the Cherry Creek overlords, then again with the more recent closing of the beautiful, wood-fl oored downtown location (which had been gradually shrinking for years, fi rst losing the top fl oor, then the whole store). And it continues. We all know it’s a bigger trend, of course — the homogenization of art. The collapse of indie leaders like Tattered Cover to eco- nomic realities is sending necessary ripples and warnings through the communities: Our current model of indie publishers and bookstores is no longer sustainable. Keep- ing the Tattered Cover trademarking is a mercy — for now. Especially for the current employees. But what will that mean in the future — a new trend of homegrown, small- batch bookstore facades, mega-companies indulging our nostalgia as compensation for our true losses? And what does it mean for the last hilltop holdouts — should we designate the remaining indie bookstores as National Historic sites, the way Paris has done with the book stalls along the Seine? The writing has been on the wall for a long time, and while Barnes & Noble may be providing a temporary Band-Aid, I think the real question writers and readers should be asking is: What does this trend mean for our future as creatives, and are we okay with those answers? If not, then the time to actively re-vision our community and our industry is now. Our creativity is always our greatest asset at this and every crossroads. So let’s use it. Steve Rasnic Tem, Figures Unseen I always try to hope for the best, so I’m hoping that in the end the result is still a great bookstore, but I still have some sadness and anxiety about this sale. Independent bookstores are essential to our culture. In my experience, it has been the independents who have nurtured and supported writers the most. I have wonderful memories of the Tattered Cover. Not only have I spent a great deal of money there, but their literary events have always been enlightening. I’ve participated in a number of signings at their various stores, and my late wife, Melanie, and I launched our novel The Man in the Ceiling at the LoDo branch. I hope this Denver institu- tion can continue in some recognizable form. Erika Wurth, White Horse My fi rst memory of the Tattered Cover is of the dreamlike, book-fi lled mansion in the Cherry Creek location. My father used to take me year after year as a child, and I would climb the massive stairs to the nerd section and sit for hours, wondering which science fi ction, fantasy or horror book to spend my babysitting money on. When it moved locations and I became a writer my- self, TC hosted me for book after book, even for those little small-press books that didn’t go anywhere, and fi nally, it was the location I felt the most pride when hosted for White Horse. I just want Tattered Cover to stay open, and of all the buyers, it strikes me that Barnes & Noble can make that happen. Barnes & Noble has been extremely good to me and my book. They’re committed to brick-and-mortar. They’re committed to books. As long as they keep the brand of the spirit alive of the original TC, I’m happy. Email the author at [email protected]. EVAN SEMÓN Author Erika Wurth wants the spirit of Tattered Cover to survive. Get your winter gear at half price The Annual Obermeyer Garage Sale! All products will be at least 50% off MSRP Friday June 28th to Sunday June 30th From 11am – 7pm The Obermeyer Distribution Center 14185 E 42nd Ave, Denver, CO 80239 Exit 281 on I-70 onto Peoria St. 8 o 0 o o eo a Ski Clothing, Winter Clothing, and Accessories for Adults, Kids, & Teens
