James RoutledgeBookseller & Events Manager
With a background in fine art painting and contemporary art curation, James has been a bookseller for 10 years.
Throughout the first seven years, James was an integral part in building Corbridge’s award-winning indie bookshop Forum Books - firstly as a part-time shop floor bookseller and eventually as assistant manager under Helen Stanton - claiming the Vintage Books' inaugural Independent Bookseller of the Year award in 2018; selected as a judge on the 2020 Books Are My Bag Readers Awards panel; and shortlisted for the 2021 London Book Fair Trailblazer Awards, along the way. |
IN MAY 2021 JAMES HELPED LAUNCH FORUM’S SISTER SHOP, THE BOUND IN WHITLEY BAY. WHILE STEPPING INTO THE ROLE OF MANAGER JAMES DELIVERED OVER 200 AUTHOR SIGNINGS & TALKS IN A 2-YEAR PERIOD; AND ALONGSIDE A PASSIONATE & KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM OF BOOKSELLERS, HELPED ESTABLISH THE BOUND AS A DEEP-ROOTED LITERARY CENTRE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE GREATER NORTH EAST. COLLECTING A HOLLY & CO INDEPENDENT AWARDS 2021 HIGH STREET SHOP NOMINATION AND TWO COLLECTIVE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OF THE YEAR REGIONAL WINS IN THE PROCESS.
MORE RECENTLY, JAMES TOOK PART IN THE 2023 OPENBOOKS ‘SHELF HELP - BOOK INDUSTRY 101’ PANEL; AND IN SEPTEMBER 2023 WAS NAMED IN THE BOOKSELLER’S SHOP FLOOR HONOUR ROLL AS ONE OF THE UK AND IRELAND’S TOP 10 INDIVIDUAL BOOKSELLERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT THE BOOKSELLING FRONT-LINE. |
Opt Indie Books was born from a passion for new books and an appreciation for all the hard work, breadth of knowledge & endless creativity that booksellers from across all forms of bookselling (whether that be high street chains or tiny islands of independence) bring to their roles.
A great bookshop is only ever as good as its staff, and having worked alongside some of the best in the business I felt it was about time some of that book love & enthusiasm for the written word was put on display. This is a glimpse into my journey a little deeper into the book industry rabbit-hole and some of the fascinating people I meet along the way. I hope you enjoy following along! James |