The Bibliotherapists Ep #22: Katie Clapham on the Substack that turned into a book deal

Welcome to a new episode of The Bibliotherapists.This week Toni and I were joined by Katie Clapham, bookseller, writer, and the voice behind the popular Substack, Receipt from the Bookshop.Receipt from the Bookshop is a brilliantly wry weekly column observing life at Storytellers Inc., the small bookshop that Katie runs with her mum, Carolyn, in St. Annes on Sea, Lancashire,And in this interview we find out how what began as a last-minute Substack post last summer turned into a book (out in June) charting this bookseller’s year, and all the comings, goings and eavesdroppings that make up the particular world of indie bookshops.“Reading is like brushing my teeth or eating food. It’s just a non-negotiable.”* Katie ClaphamIn this conversation we spoke about:* Why reading isn’t “therapy” for everyone * The surprise bookshop and how it became both a dream and a distraction* How running a bookshop shaped her identity as a writer (and also paused it for five years)* The reality of building a Substack from zero with consistency* How Receipt from the Bookshop began as a last-minute post and became a book deal* A refreshing take on book clubs: choosing books you haven’t read and letting readers disagree* Why the best books don’t reflect your life but transport you somewhere completely different“I like to read a book about someone that I am not and will never be, but can be for the duration of that book.”* Katie Clapham🎧 Listen Now(also available wherever you get your podcasts).📖 Katie’s Reading List* Receipts from the Bookshop by Katie Clapham (out 4 June 2026)* Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan* On the Calculation of Volume (Vol. 1) by Solvej Balle* The Lion’s Run by Sara Pennypacker* The Wreck by Lizzie Stewart (out 9 April 2026)* Dad Had a Bad Day by Ashton Politanov (out 2nd July 2026)More from Katie🖥️ Receipt From The Bookshop📺 @katieclaphamwritingAbout The BibliotherapistsThe Bibliotherapists is hosted by Toni Jones, founder of The Shelf Help Club, and Tanya Lynch, therapeutic journalling coach and founder of Ease Retreats.Each week, we speak to a writer or creative about:* The books that shaped them* How reading supports their wellbeing* Their writing practice and reading habits* How they use Substack as part of their creative ecosystemWe believe words heal. And we love asking other word nerds questions that get beneath the surface (as well as taking a tour through their book shelves).New episodes will be recorded live here on Substack every week.Next up Caroline Donahue is joining us live on Wednesday April 1st at 11am.Thank you Renee V-L, Tam, Adele Robertson, and many others for tuning into our live video. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebibliotherapists.substack.com