Jam Bookshop - Help is still needed

About Jam bookshop:

Your support will help keep Jam an unparalleled independent bookshop: half of the space will showcase a hand-picked selection of essential literary genres and classics, while the other half will focus on a specialist range of must read graphic novels and art/illustration/design books.

The shop is in the heart of creative Shoreditch, London and funding helps me survive the first year.

Money helps run the exhibitions and creator events.

There is a bookbank. This is a little invention for books like the food donation boxes that supermarkets display. People can buy a book to donate to the bookbank box which will be put on display a number of times a week (always available by request). The books are donated to a Shoreditch homeless charity.

I have deep, persistent love for books, creativity, music, illustration, communal encouragement and the pursuit of being unique.

All these loves are reflected in Jam Bookshop.

Why:

It's been a mission for a long time to open my own bookshop.

But... while spending 12 years as a freelance illustrator in London does strengthen your determination and skill at surviving in tough climates, it doesn't exactly leave you... rolling in excess cash for such a project.

Sure, it could be seen as radical to open a bookshop in choppy times on the high street but I honestly believe that this kind of radical risk is what people need to take to help society survive. Let's not give up on the things we love!

About me:

I have been an acclaimed illustrator while working in both journalism and publishing. My work has been printed regularly in some of the most read publications in the world. I have sold-out self-published books and have had books released by small to huge publishers in the UK and France.

Also, I created the UK & Ireland-wide event Small Press Day which takes place on one day a year, in dozens of shops to promote the next wave of small press publishing creators. It has been running and growing each year since 2016. I believe that the future fades if we don't harness the creativity we have now. Shops are a big part of that.

I have the knowledge and insight to run a efficient bookshop business using my 6 years' experience of working in bookshops with strong sales, stock control, systems management and display responsibilities.

Your help:

This crowdfunding can ease the burden that new businesses like this take on, helping it get into stable profit sooner.

Thank you for anything you can spare.

Every penny is deeply appreciated - no donation is too small (or large!).

David

www.jambookshop.co.uk