Free Expression Friday: From Pop-Up to Storefront, Supporting Marginalized Books with Ashley Mireles-Guerrero (Judging by the Cover Bookstore)

Free Expression Friday is an interview series from ABA's American Booksellers for Free Expression celebrating the amazing work of booksellers, organizers, and book people in general fighting for the right to read. As a children's book author who also works for an independent publisher, Ashley Mireles-Guerrero wanted to create a space for marginalized literature that included small-press and indie books. She also wanted to find a way to push back against the targeted book bans in her area that were threatening access to books featuring diverse voices. Her store, the Judging by the Cover Bookstore, began doing that work in Fresno, California initially as a pop-up, showing up with themed displays featuring books by marginalized authors in places where those books were needed. It continues to do this work, but as of this year, also has a brick-and-mortar storefront in Fresno's Chinatown. Ashley joins Philomena Polefrone in conversation about the journey from pop-up to storefront, her store's mission, and why her work feels especially important now. Follow the American Booksellers for Free Expression on Instagram at @ABFEFreeExpression to keep up with ABFE's advocacy efforts and tune into their Free Expression Friday series. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org.   Theme by Constant Companion