How I Started My Bookshop With Public Knowledge Books
Public Knowledge Books is a distributor of books and magazine. Setting up as distributor in 2019 they have recently doubled up as a bookshop and opened their doors in Walthamstow. Hidden gems, and the world’s literary avant-garde, is abound in Public Knowledge’s store: with publications dedicated to archiving Japanese TV show villains from the 70s-90s, zines and essays on cooking, Hesse K’s ‘Disquiet Drive’ from queer indie publisher Pilot Press, and much much more.
Enya Ettershank spoke with Public Knowledge’s managing director Bryony Lloyd about her eclectic range, her experience opening the bookstore and her general experience of the book world.
Enya Ettershank: Can you please introduce yourself?
Bryony Lloyd: Hi Worms, I'm Bryony and I run Public Knowledge Books. We're a distributor and bookshop based in Walthamstow, London.
Can you tell us a bit about the ethos behind Public Knowledge Books and what you stock?
Our interests are quite broad, but the distribution catalogue has a focus on visual culture, subcultures, minority voices and art and literature that exists outside of the mainstream or (too many) commercial constraints.
We're interested in books that feel progressive -whether it's experimental writing, something innovative in the design of the book itself or works that were overlooked or too radical for the time in which they were made.
The shop is a more playful space where we are able to accommodate things other than publications -I've just hung some framed prints by Black Lodge Press.
You're also a book distributor, what drove you to open a bookshop as well? And could you tell us a bit about its location in Walthamstow?
I missed selling to the public and the different experience that affords. I always liked participating in book fairs; the talking, laughing or seeing someone discover a book for the first time. I've just had an interaction with a customer (Hi Dee!) that has really lifted my mood. Books are a catalyst for extraordinary conversation and a way to navigate all sorts of difficult subjects and concepts.
Having a shop space also informs the distribution side of PKB. It's helpful to engage directly with customers and hear their thoughts. It's like doing field research every week.
We are very happy to be in Walthamstow. It's a borough that embraces creativity and has a good community spirit among diverse residents. We've enjoyed meeting our neighbours like Andy's Barbers next door, Walthamstow Trades Hall and Oh Squirrel. Walthamstow has a lot of independent businesses. Our customers have made us feel very welcome in the area.
Could you tell us a bit about your experience as a book seller and distributor over the years?
I started out at Artwords Bookshop after I left uni in the early noughties. I was very green at this point, as recent graduates usually are, so I really see Artwords as my formative years. Working there helped me to connect the dots between cultural movements, groups of artists and writers. I let customers educate me too and by the time I left, I'd not only acquired a knowledge of publishers and the book industry but also the wider world of visual arts.
Ben, the owner of Artwords, let me sit in on sales meetings and Paul from Book Works, kindly let me tag along to his sales meetings. That's how I started my career as a sales rep.
15 years on and my favourite part of the job is still the face to face sales meetings. I still feel very lucky to be working in this industry with people that I like and respect.
We want to encourage people to come in and ask questions
Your books fall outside of the mass market and have an avant garde bend, how do you find your books and decide what to sell?
We're interested in books that feel progressive -whether it's experimental writing, something innovative in the design of the book itself or works that were overlooked or too radical for the time in which they were made.
We have such a great list of publishers. With most of them, we take everything that they publish, so they are really the tastemakers. There's a large degree of thinking commercially too. When we receive a submission, or I'm at a bookfair, I'm keeping our stockists in mind. Then my personal interests creep in, of course -sometimes I must indulge my inner goth!
How has your taste in literature evolved over the years?
That's tricky -I hope it has evolved. I'm a stubborn old dinosaur sometimes. As I get older, I'm naturally reading books by writers that are a generation younger than me; most recently Hesse K. Reading outside of my age group offers a different energy and makes me feel hopeful. I try to open myself up to works that I find challenging or outside of my comfort zone. Then I can always revert back to familiar writers that feel cosy to me, like short stories by Shirley Jackson or Donald Bartheleme or something nuts by Richard Brautigan.
I'm a sucker for anything dark and sardonic.
What are your hopes and plans for the shop's future now you have a space?
Even in the short time we've been open, it's apparent how valuable it is to have a front facing division. We've connected with the community and will be getting involved in local events. The social side feels like a luxury since distribution involves so much emailing. Sometimes I can feel like I don't exist outside of Gmail!
We want to encourage people to come in and ask questions; to talk and to feel welcome. In October, we will be hosting our first book club.
We currently have a beautiful Riposte window display, so I'm also looking forward to collaborating with more of our publishers on windows, launches and events.
Who knows what else? This year has taught me to trust my instincts, so I'm excited to explore the scope of the space. I have lots of help from my amazing colleagues, Fanny and Will. I'm feeling energised!
