Bright Side Bookshop sells autographed Paul McCartney book, gives back to the community.
And what’s wrong with that? Nothing at all, says Avery. “It’s a win for Bright Side, a win for the collector who bought it and a win for three Flagstaff nonprofits.”
The bookshop was offered one of the rare editions from publisher W. W. Norton & Company last fall. Bright Side paid $1,500 to receive the book, along with the freedom to market it. “We had never done anything like this before,” said Avery. “Some bookstores had an auction, some had a raffle, some named a price and waited for a buyer.”
The book arrived, sealed in a box within a box, said Avery. “And it wasn’t just the book.”
The special deluxe edition included a translucent blue vinyl of “Wings: The Definitive Collection,” an oral history with interviews from band members, family and friends documenting the band’s journey and musical reinvention in the 1970s. It also came with memorabilia. The book was written with historian Edward “Ted” Widmer. The foreword was written by the former Beatle.
The Bright Side owners announced that the book was for sale on the bookshop’s website. Those interested were directed to the landing page on the day the exclusive books went on sale. Avery and Lamberson offered their book at a minimum bid of $3,500. However, bidders had the option to “buy it now” for $7,500. Two early bids met the minimum requirement. Then, another came in for an immediate purchase of $7,500.
“We were thrilled and decided we would share the earnings with the community,” said Avery.
Bright Side chose to give cash donations to two nonprofit organizations that promote America’s First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. “These are values we hold dear,” said Lamberson.
They donated $3,000 to KNAU, Arizona Public Radio, an affiliate of National Public Radio. “When Annette told me about the Paul McCartney book and that Bright Side wanted to donate proceeds from its sale to KNAU, we felt so fortunate,” said KNAU Development Director Cory Sheeley. “With the loss of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding, we are seeing community members and local businesses step up like never before to say, ‘Public radio matters to me and to my community.’ Annette and her team are the ‘public’ in public radio and KNAU is honored for the support.”
Avery and Lamberson also donated $1,000 to Friends of the Flagstaff Library, a nonprofit organization that supports the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library with funding for programs and materials.
“We used the remaining money for new chairs for the bookshop and donated our used chairs to the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival,” said Avery.
“We thought this was a cool blend of local and global connection: from McCartney’s legendary career to meaningful impact right here in Flagstaff,” said Lamberson.
“I’d like to think that all parties involved benefited, from Paul McCartney to the publisher who printed the book, the highest bidder, three local nonprofit organizations and Bright Side Bookshop, which was able to buy new chairs for in-person events at the store,” said Avery. “Just a win-win for everyone.” FBN
Bright Side Bookshop is located at 18 N. San Francisco St.
Courtesy Photo: Bright Side Bookshop owners Lisa Lamberson and Annette Avery say they were thrilled to be given the opportunity to buy a limited signed edition of Paul McCartney’s new book, “Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run.”
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