Unicorn Tree Books Weblog

Lincoln’s Niche Market Book Specialists!

Think Local, Buy Local, Be Local – Don’t let our local business become a thing of the past!

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 9 January, 2010

Now as you know we really are committed to you all and want to support you in the best way we can!
We set up the Church and Community Partnership Scheme to really work with and support the local communities, because we want to give to the local community, we want to be part of that community actively and integrally.

We host events, buy tables, run classes, start groups and make blogs because we want to be involved with our community.

We know how hard it is to always get into the shop so we have set up ways for you to shop online with us, so you can still go local to go global.

In fact we want to be part of the community – an integral, fulfilling and active part of the community.
We hope you want us to be part of the community as well!
To this end then we need your help – we need you to support us too because being a small local indie business is getting harder and harder, So please use us whenever you can – you know we will go that extra mile for you!
And Yes, as you know and we have always admitted – all the things we do such as above are not completely self sacrificing, they are as much for our benefit as yours – but then thats what community is all about, working together for the betterment of both, of all!
So please, here are some posters - 
can you perhaps print one out and stick it up somewhere visable:

church, school, Dr’s Surgery, community hall, house window, car window
(all right the last two are unlikely but really how cool would that be – how cool would you be to do that, to really show full out grass roots support!).
Can you tell people about us please, real people you see and know, share the knowledge of us and that we are here, perhaps on your own blog or facebook pages you could include links to our website(s) or even to this post, or use the poster on your blog!
Perhaps in your emails in the signature section you could include one of our links? Recommend us on your twitter stream?
Please support us – shop with us and share with us and share us with others.
let’s be community minded and share news with our community – wherever and whoever they may be.
And you know if there is something you want sharing, something you want spreading to the community then let us know, bring us a poster to put up in the shop, send us a note to blog or twitter about, let us know about your links too!
You see if we think local, buy local and be local the whole community and economy naturally and vigorously grows strong and healthy and vibrant! All we have to do is start sharing and spreading the message, start thinking of each other as part of the whole – the community.
So go on, stick up a poster, add a link and use the shop and the sites!
It makes sense!
Now remember, when you come in to have a chat, share the news, or as you bring a poster to put up or leaflets to hand out, mine’s a caramel latte and you can have whatever you want too! oh and if I recall right I think the minions mostly drink hot chocolate – see how community minded I am, I even remember the minions!

The websites are:
You can join us on twitter: @unicorntreebks
Friend us on Facebook, or join our facebook group

Please think local, buy local, be local and support us where you can, just use the websites and pass on the info wherever you can – and in return we’ll try to be the best we can for you, just let us know what you want and need and how we in turn can help you, our community and our friends.

Posted in Article, Christian, Christian Books, Market, News, books, buy local, carbon footprint, classes, crafts, customers, events, fact, giving, indies, minions, questions, recycling, true life, twitter | Leave a Comment »

Online Shopping – we know you do it but now do it with us!

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 21 December, 2009

Sad news all around for the booktrade, Borders gone as from this week, Wesley Owen Christian Bookshops pretty much gone, 26 into administration this week, then Waterstones admitting a major profit downturn, the furor earlier in the year with Oxfam killing off Secondhand bookshops – yes indeed one might think it really was the end of real bookshops!
But you know what, it’s not – it’s just a changing time and these all have to be gone through.
Now the big blame being placed out there is on Supermarkets and Internet Shops
(and yes it does make it harder when publishers etc do give them such massive discounts as to allow them to half price the books, this then makes the supermarket/internet price a better price than normal bookshops can actaully buy them from the publishers and wholesalers for in the first instance! madness but is this the supermarkets/internet shops fault or the publishers, there’s something to think about!).
So anyway I can’t actually do anything about this conundrum except raise the issue that when you buy from a non-local national or multi-national that less of your spend actaully goes back into your local community, so there we go issue raised.
Now though what I can do is try to make it easier for you to support a local bookshop business whilst going where you want to go anyway – ie onto the internet for what is admittedly a style of selling that is going nowhere fast!
So Here we go, please use these sites:
www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk for all books and more needs! This is an Amazon Ashop so you will be getting all you want from one of the big players that I often can’t compete with, however by going to them this way you will be helping support me via their affiliate scheme.
Now lets be perfectly honest here – I would much prefer you actaully came in and purchased from me directly, but as your probably not going to in this instance, at least this way you are still helping support a local business for the times when you do come in to see what the book look like! :0)
Now if it’s jigsaws and games you want then please use: www.jigsawsandmore.co.uk
and if it’s Christian & Religious Books then please use: www.lincolnchristianbookshop.co.uk
Now on the Christian Books side, if you want church supplies and stationary then that’s not online but you can just email us your order at unicorntreebooks@aol.com and we will get it for you and phone you for the payment details we need!

It really is just that easy, of course you can also twitter the order to us at anytime, we are @unicorntreebks or you can facebook us: Unicorn Tree Books Group or friend me

Now please do me a favour and post all these website details all over the place for me! link to them and try to help out your Local(ish) Bookshop business, cause you know we live to serve you!
So Go Local to Go Global, local communities supporting local businesses build a better world and support a healthy global economy and network – really!

Oh and if you are popping in in person then I wouldn’t mind if you felt like sharing a caramel latte with me, you bring it i’ll drink it – those cyber ones just don’t seem to taste as good or quench the thirst nearly so well!

Posted in Article, Christian Books, IBS-STL, Market, New Product, News, buy local, charity, church supplies, customers, fact, fantasy, fiction, gifts, giving, jigsaws, minions, true life, twitter | Leave a Comment »

Craft Sessions Have Started! The White Table is in Action!

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 16 November, 2009

Now as some of you may remember back in september I posted about our new big white table (here’s a reminder for you!):
‘Thursday, September 24, 2009
A Round Up, Some Questions and a new white table!
So whats new in your friendly bookshop?
Well the newest edition, as of today, is a white table in the middle of the shop!
Now as you may know we don’t have a seperate room where we can hold regular events like reading groups, book discussions or craft classes, though we really want to hold them!’

Well that Big White table has already seen one fantastic author event – that worked really well and had the shop buzzing and heaving at the seems at one point, I’m looking forward to doing more author events, so if you have any idea’s then shout out!

But now that Big White Table in the middle of the shop has seen 2 craft sessions take place, with more booked and arranged.

The first one was a Thursday Morning lesson on embellishment idea’s for cards and lasted for 2 hours, and yes it was great – the people attending the class loved the class (and have rebooked for this weeks thursday session too, so it must have been good!!) and the browsers seemed to have no problems looking at their books and occasionally glancing over at the table too with considering glances, so who knows maybe some new crafters are in the making!

The Second session was on Friday and that was a 1hour 15 minute beginners taster on quick christmas cards. Again it went well, we can tell by how much the participants purchased to take home and practice with :0)

So anyway if anyone else is interested you can come in or contact us to see what’s on or arrange a one to one session!

We think that a one to one session might make a good christmas gift idea for the crafter who has everything else, so yes you can come in and buy a gift voucher for a session to give to someone else!

So there we go, that big white table is not just a blank space, but is now an active community space and I am loving that!
(though I do believe that despite the cards advertising my favourite coffee house – Angel Coffee – it has not yet seen enough cups of take out caramel latte grace its top, I am sure though in time that will be rectified as loyal minions gift me with coffee, time and their presence in the shop ;0)

So we still need to get a monthly reading group going round the table, but perhaps we should leave that for after Christmas!

Oh and hey what about a Lent Study Group round the table?
Anyone interested in that come Lent, We can do it at a Lunchtime slot and either share food at the table or offer up a Lent Fast and donate our lunch moneys to a charity of the groups choice! Think about it and tell others and get back to me with your thoughts!

Ok that’s it from me for now, see you in the shop tomorrow (even though it is my day off!) and remember should you want coffee and a chat, well mines a caramel latte :0)

Posted in Book Reviews, Market, New Product, News, author signing, bibles, books, buy local, charity, christmas, classes, crafts, customers, easter, events, fiction, gifts, giving, lent, minions | 1 Comment »

Nursery Crimes, oops I mean Nursery Rhymes! Children In Need Appeal – Friday 20th November!

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 13 November, 2009

Pudsey Bear Day cometh!
aka Children In Need Appeal – Friday 20th November!

We are thinking Nursery Crimes, oops! I mean Nursery Rhymes as the days theme in the shop!
It’s Literary and as were a book & craft shop it just makes sense! Fun and adventures will abound!
All the staff will be dressing up as Nursery Rhyme characters (guess who we are and make a donation if you are wrong & we’ll make one if you are right!).
There will be make & take and craft lesson sessions for a donation to the pudsey appeal for children in need, and no I’m not thinking of Mrs Hubbards GrandKids or that Shoe Ladies kids, though you know their cupboards are bare and it’s a tight squeeze for a family living in something the size of a shoe!!
Nursery Rhymes really tell some social stories and for a donation we’ll even tell you some tall tales and stories too!
What do you think, sound like fun? well then spread the word around and don’t forget to come on down on the 20th November.

Posted in Lincoln Echo, Market, News, buy local, charity, childrens, childrens books, rumours, true life, twitter | Leave a Comment »

Author Barrie Mahoney Reading & Signing His New Book ‘Journeys and Jigsaws’ Book 1 From Teacher to Drag Queen

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 27 October, 2009

It’s our first LGBT Author event in shop and it would be great if some people showed up and I know you all know the people who know the people!

Event Details:
Author Barrie Mahoney Reading & Signing His New Book
‘Journeys and Jigsaws’ Book 1 From Teacher to Drag Queen

Venue: Unicorn Tree Books, 35- 40 Central Market, Sincil Street, Lincoln. LN5 7ET
Time & Date: Friday 30th October. 12noon – 2PM.

Background:
The novel is focused on a small primary school in a rural area and explores the issues faced by gay professionals in such rural communities and the prejudices and obstacles that they need to overcome to fulfill their jobs. The book deals with serious issues, but it is very amusing and readers have commented that they “laughed out loud” and the book is available from Gardners.

Barrie was born in Holbeach and later attended Spalding Grammar School. He later worked as a primary school inspector in England and Wales and inspected many schools in Lincolnshire.

Barrie was delighted to be interviewed about his book on the Judy Theobald morning show on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and is also pleased that the Lincolnshire Free Press is reviewing his book in an article in their next edition.

Unicorn Tree Books – Lincolns Niche Market Book Specialists & Lincoln’s year round LGBT Book & Dvd Stockists are proud to host this event and hope this may be the first of more LGBT Author & Book events to come!

For more info Contact: Melanie Carroll. Email: unicorntreebooks@aol.com Tel: 01522 525557

Ok guys I know this is not for all of you but it is a community event and it would be really really nice if we can be friendly and supportive and really try to make this a fun and full event, just like with the wonderful Sue Hampton Author Event.
and if any of you know of any authors or themes then come on and let us know.
Looking forward to seeing some of you on Friday and feel free to bring a caramel latte with you (for me!), especially as it’shalf term and none of the minions are on the job this week!

Posted in Article, Book Reviews, Lincoln Echo, News, author signing, books, buy local, customers, events, fiction, lgbt, minions, promotions, questions, rumours, true life | Leave a Comment »

A Round Up, Some Questions and a new white table!

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 24 September, 2009

So whats new in your friendly bookshop?

Well the newest edition, as of today, is a white table in the middle of the shop!
Now as you may know we don’t have a seperate room where we can hold regular events like reading groups, book discussions or craft classes, though we really want to hold them!
So I am trying to get feedback here, would you consider doing these types of things in the open venue of the bookshop whilst the shop was open if the events were either free or really really cheap or coffee was provided? (Because as I’m sure you all know by now I will do much if a really good caramel latte is added into the equation – it is a payment and reward in itself!)

So anyway I think it would add an interesting vibe as other people browsed while you breathed the books as it were in terms of a book group – or created and learned a new craft, what do you all think please?

Talk like a Pirate Day and visiting Author Sue Hampton was well recieved – thanks to all the young-uns that walked the plank to see Sue! I had a great time!
We still have copies of Sue’s book – ‘The Lincoln Imp’ in stock for those that couldn’t make the day and we also have some of her other books in and they are very good too!

We would love to do some more author or themed events in store (Hence another reason for the big white table where once there were bookcases!) – so if you have any idea’s then please let us know!

The Bishop of Lincoln, John Saxbee, has a new book out – ‘No Faith in Religion’ and it is now in stock and available, though it is selling pretty fast!
Please pass the info on and reserve or come in and buy your copies (and yes we do mail order too!), it is an excellent book and a wonderful symphony of blended idea’s on the dichotomy of faith and religion!

We have Calenders, Diaries, along with Advent Candles and Christmas books, cards and items making an appearance now! Lots of Christmas Decoupage and Craft things too! and not forgetting Parsons Pocket Books & Lectionaries! Yes it’s early but they are selling already.
Please think of us!

Oh and of course dont forget about our Church & Community Group Partnership Scheme! Tell others, join yourselves!
This is a real opportunity for working together to build community by supporting each other! More proof if needed that we are Working with you and for You!

The basic idea, as i’ve said somewhere her before, is that Churches and Community Groups (this also includes schools, clubs or any community, church or group based initiative) sign up with us as a Partner, once signed up you promote us to all your church/group members and then everytime they come into the shop and make a purchase, providing they let us know they are part of your partnership (we can provide cards for you to give them), you get a percentage of that sale held in credit for your church/community group!
We think this is worth it as we are helping you and we hope building community at the same time – and yes we do not deny we hope it helps us too by increasing the outreach of our shop too!

Ok and we would be really grateful if you could let your friends, collegues and networks know about us, both in person and through the Facebook groups/twitter/blogs! So next time you visit the fb group page, followfriday on Twitter, or even come into the shop then please ‘invite people to join’!

So that’s the news, info and questions from your friendly folk and slightly mad but highly amusing and mostly tame wonderful bookshopboss at Unicorn Tree!
Please do respond, tell others and feel free to pass on this message to any you think might be interested.

See you in the shop! and don’t forget mine’s a caramel latte and bring one for yourself as well :0)

Posted in Christian, Christian Books, author signing, books, buy local, cheap, christmas, church supplies, events, fiction, indies, promotions, refit, twitter | 1 Comment »

Ahoy and Avast me hearties were having some impish good fun on Saturday 19th September!

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 18 September, 2009

Just to let you all know that tomorrow (Saturday) we are having a fun filled day at the PirateShop Unicorn Tree Books and you and any children you may know are all invited to drift by, drop anchor and visit.

A wonderful children’s author – Sue Hampton – will be joining us all day to sign copies, read and talk about her brilliant new children’s book ‘The Lincoln Imp’. A book about learning to deal with change with a very local character at it’s centre!

However the fun doesn’t stop there because with it being International Talk Like a Pirate Day we of the Pirateshop are going to have some impish fun and are going to be dressing up a little like pirates and having fun with all the rest of the landlubbers as we regale you with pirate talk (crib sheets available in shop for you scurvy lot who don’t know the language).
So bring the sprogs down and don’t be lily-livered about it, as you wont want to miss out on the booty we have commandeered for you! Eyepatches will be given out and there may well be stickered polly’s and possibly paper planks to walk or other mayhem for the gentlefolk of fortune who visit!

We look forward to seeing you there and please pass this onto any facebook/twitter/blog friends or others you know in the area or who have children and might want some small burst of fun!

Cheers

Melanie
ps feel free to bring me a caramel latte to bribe and save any future keelhauling as may result from under caffeinated landlocked pirateshop captains!

Posted in Book Reviews, Market, News, author signing, books, buy local, childrens, childrens books, customers, events, fantasy, fiction, indies, minions, promotions | Leave a Comment »

A mention in the Echo again – it’s no fake copy either!

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 2 September, 2009

I am once again mentioned in the Lincoln Echo – a short quote from me on the damage Counterfeit Goods can do to genuine businesses and markets!

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Don-t-caught-counterfeit-goods/article-1297651-detail/article.html

Hehe – it’s good to be known!

Posted in Article, Lincoln Echo, Market, News, books, buy local, customers, dvd, fact, indies, magazines, promotions, true life, twitter | Leave a Comment »

Unicorn Tree Books Nominated Charity

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 23 August, 2009

First off we would like to say thank you to everyone that has contributed in the last year to our Nominated Charity – The Alder Hay Imagine Appeal. Together we have raised £367.

That’s not bad going at all considering the economy, So thanks.

As you probably know we nominate a new charity each year on the anniversary fo the start of the business, and this year we have decided to go with Listening Books.

Listening Books is the only audiobook charity in the UK providing a streaming audiobook internet service, as well as a comprehensive postal service, to anyone who has a disability which makes it impossible or difficult to hold a book, turn its pages, or read in the usual way. Charity registration number. 264221

We figure this is a worthy cause as we love books and we want everyone to be able to enjoy them – this one is close to our hearts as well due to the fact that in our family we have people who suffer from both degenerative eye issues and physical issues that can contribute to causing our families favourite past-time to becoming something deeply missed. So we want to help make sure that everyone with similair issues gets to continue enjoyig the treasures that books are.
We hope this is a Charity that again you will all be able to get behind with us and that this year we can raise as much, if not more!, for this worthy charity too.
You can donate in shop giving your pennies as so many of you already do – or of course you can dontate directly through our JustGiving Page too. Thanks :0)

Posted in Illness, Market, News, books, buy local, charity, fact, fiction, gifts, giving, promotions, true life, twitter | Leave a Comment »

Church & Community Group Partnership Scheme

Posted by unicorntreebooksboss on 22 July, 2009

We have now officially launched our Church & Community Group Partnership Scheme!
So if you have a church or group we would like to help you earn revenue by becoming an affiliate partner of Unicorn Tree Books & Crafts!
(That’s right an affiliate scheme thats not cyber based but is in a real shop with real people!! though of course you can still twitter or facebook your orders and enquiries to us!)
This is a real opportunity for working together to build community by supporting each other! More proof if needed that we are Working with you and for You!

The basic idea is that Churches and Community Groups (this also includes schools, clubs or any community, church or group based initiative) sign up with us as a Partner, Once signed up you promote us to all your church/group members and then everytime they come into the shop and make a purchase, providing they let us know they are part of your partnership, you get a percentage of that sale held in credit for your church/community group!

That’s right – they buy, you spend!
It cost’s your collective members nothing extra,
it costs you nothing but a bit of time, word of mouth and/or print promoting the service and our shop to your collective members (and anyone else you know who may benefit from the Scheme please!),
in fact the only one it’s costing is us as we give away a percentage of our income to you!
We think this is worth it as we are helping you and we hope building community at the same time – and yes we do not deny we hope it helps us too by increasing the outreach of our shop too!

We will be hoping to run special partnership events and offers as time progresses as well.

So whats the catch?
Your collective partnership have to buy up to £250 worth of goods in the course of the year, now even if your group only has 10 people in it (and remember you can get them to recruit their friends and family for your aims as well – it’s a viral charity thing!!) then that’s only a total spend for each of them of £25.00 in a year!
Given everything we sell – books, jigsaws, arts & craft supplies, gifts, music, cards, dvd’s, stationary & lots more – thats not really going to be that hard is it!

So please do contact us to sign up & please do spread the word around about the Scheme – it’s open to any Church and Community Group and also to pretty much any other group, club or network too!

Posted in Christian Books, Lincoln Echo, Market, News, books, buy local, charity, childrens books, church supplies, customers, gifts, giving, indies, jigsaws, promotions, recycling, twitter | Leave a Comment »