Independent We Stand

From My Shelf Books & Gifts and Kevin Coolidge's Totally Ninja Raccoons have both been nominated for the Indie Small Business Award sponsored by independentwestand.org. "Only 25 businesses will make it to the next round. We can't do it without the public's support," said Kevin Coolidge, owner of the bookstore at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro and author of the “Totally Ninja Raccoons,” a children's series he wrote specifically for young reluctant readers.

"People can vote once a day per IP address between now and Sunday, Nov. 12 for either my bookstore or my book series. That means those who use multiple computers can vote from home, from work and even their local coffee shop every day. The 25 getting the most votes will proceed to Round 2, which starts on Nov. 20 and ends on Dec. 11.

The top 10 selected will be in the running for the Indie Award grand prize. The overall winner will be announced on Dec. 13 and receive an enhanced prize package valued at $50,000, including $5,000 in cash, a comprehensive marketing makeover and $1,000 for a local organization that supports small businesses. "If From My Shelf Books & Gifts wins, we have selected the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce as the organization that helps small businesses in the community.

The chamber will receive $1,000, which is part of the award package. If Totally Ninja Raccoons wins, the Knoxville Public Library will receive the $1,000 for being totally awesome in supporting my new book series," said Coolidge. To make voting easier, a link to voting is pinned to the top of From My Shelf's Facebook page and to the top of the Totally Ninja Raccoons’ Facebook page. Those who don't do Facebook, can still vote for either the raccoons or the bookstore by visiting www.IndieBizAward.com.

H.P. Lovecraft's the Call of Cthulhu for Beginning Readers

The most merciful thing in the world, I believe is humanity's failure to fully conceive the cosmical horrors we've yet to reveal, and which up until now I have tried to conceal. The iconic H.P. Lovecraft 1928 story, The Call of Cthulhu, is now a children's book.

Seamlessly and gracefully told in anapestic tetrameter by "genius poet-artist" RJ Ivankovic. The late Professor Angell's research has been discovered by his grand-nephew, Francis Wayland Thurston. Francis delves into the papers and discovers a bas-relief depicting an odd creature with an octopoid head, spurring him to read on.

He learns of the raid led by Inspector Legrasse and the voyage of the Vigilant, captained by Gustaf Johansen. This glorious full color 102-page adaptation of the H.P. Lovecraft story was written and illustrated by R.J. Ivankovic.

Bigfoot in Pennsylvania: A History of Wild-Men, Gorillas, and Other Hairy Monsters in the Keystone State

Timothy Renner is an illustrator, author, and folk musician living in Pennsylvania. His illustrations have appeared in the pages of various books, magazines, fanzines and comics as well as on many record and CD covers. Since 1995, Timothy has been making music both solo and with his band, Stone Breath. Stone Breath has released over a dozen albums. Timothy's first book, "Beyond the Seventh Gate" was published in 2016. Timothy is the co-host of "Strange Familiars," a podcast concerning the paranormal, weird history, folklore and the occult. He makes regular appearances on the paranormal radio show, "Where Did the Road Go?," and has appeared as a guest on many other podcasts and radio programs, including "Coast to Coast AM."

Cherry Springs State Park

Cherry Springs State Park is located in Potter County Pennsylvania. It is named for a large stand of Black Cherry Trees in the park. The park is popular with stargazers and astronomers due to it's exceptionally dark skies. It is one of the best places in the eastern United States for watching stars.

Cherry Springs State Park was named Pennsylvania's first dark sky park in 2000. The park hosts several several star parties a year. There are regular stargazing and educational programs for the public at the park.

Cherry Springs also offers has trails for hiking, biking and snowmobiling, and offers camping and picinic facilities. The surrounding state forest are home to a variety of plants and animals. Contact the State Park office for facility seasons and hours. Phone: 814-435-1037

The Totally Ninja Raccoons Have Been Nominated!

The Totally Ninja Raccoons have been nominated for the Indie Awards sponsored by independentwestand.org. Only twenty five businesses will make the next round and they can't do it without your votes. The Totally Ninja Raccoons is a children's series specifically geared towards reluctant readers.

Voting to advance The Totally Ninja Raccoons to round two starts now! You can vote once a day per IP address, that means some of you can vote from home, from work, AND when you are drinking your latte in the coffee shop. Voting continues until November 13th. Then the top twenty five businesses will proceed to Round 2.

This year, the Indie Award winner will receive an enhanced prize package valued at $50,000, including $5,000 cash, a comprehensive marketing makeover and $1,000 for a local small business group. The Ninja Raccoons will give the $1,000 to the Knoxville Public Library for being totally awesome when they win. Those raccoons are confident.

Your vote can make that happen for The Totally Ninja Raccoons. You can go to their Facebook page where there's a link pinned to the top to make voting easier.

If you don't do the Facebook thing, you can still vote by visiting www.IndieBizAward.com


JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO BE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO THE PAGE TO VOTE FOR THE TOTALLY NINJA RACCOONS!!!

From My Shelf Books & Gifts Has Been Nominated!

You may have already read that From My Shelf Books & Gifts has been nominated for the Indie Awards sponsored by independentwestand.org. Only twenty five businesses will make the next round and we can't do it without your votes.

Voting to advance us to round two starts now! You can vote once a day per IP address, that means some of you can vote from home, from work, AND when you are drinking your latte in the coffee shop. Voting continues until November 12th. Then the top twenty five businesses will proceed to Round 2.

This year, the Indie Award winner will receive an enhanced prize package valued at $50,000, including $5,000 cash, a comprehensive marketing makeover and $1,000 for a local small business group. From My Shelf Books & Gifts will give the $1,000 to the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce if we win!

Your vote can make that happen for From My Shelf Books. You can go to our Facebook page where we will have a link pinned to the top to make voting easier. If you haven't already liked our Facebook page, please do. We have lots of great cartoons, word play, and geek culture.

If you don't do the Facebook thing, you can still vote by visiting www.IndieBizAward.com

Thanks so much for helping us get this far.

The Staff at From My Shelf Books & Gifts

JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO BE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO THE PAGE TO VOTE FOR FROM MY SHELF BOOKS & GIFTS

October Happenings At From My Shelf Books & Gifts

It's fall at From My Shelf Books & Gifts. Fall into a great book! We'll help you find the perfect book for birthdays, Halloween, and yourself. From My Shelf Books has mystery, horror, romance, and fun. It's an experience.

October 6, 7, 8, and 9, Columbus Day weekend, From My Shelf Books is having a huge membership sale. Membership is usually $25 a year, but this weekend, it's only $5! Membership gives you discounts off books, games & gifts.

This Columbus Day weekend, we are also selling "The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet Bigfoot" for just $5. It's the first in the Totally Ninja Raccoon Ninja series, and it will turn your child into a reading ninja!

You can get the story of your life October 6. Local writer Declan Synott will create the “Story of Your Life” on the spot at “From My Shelf Books and Gifts,” Wellsboro, PA.

In a unique twist on street artist character-sketching, Declan Synott, a poet and writer will write “the story of your life” in 100 words or less in an “on the spot” special appearance, Friday, October 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at “From My Shelf Books and Gifts, 7 East Avenue, Wellsboro, PA, as part of Downtown Wellsboro’s First Friday Celebration. Synott, aka Kevin Clark, is a retired professor of English and creative writing, most recently from Elmira College and has published poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction in a variety of journals and anthologies.

“What I will attempt to do,” he said, “is provide a snapshot of one’s life based on a brief interview and other observations and perceptions.” Synott will use his favorite 1929 Remington manual typewriter to create “on the spot” vignettes, poems, or living eulogies for the curious or the impressionable. “Andy Warhol famously said we will each have 15 minutes of fame, yet these creations (suitable for framing and signed by the author) may be treasured keepsakes for years or you can crumble them up and dispose of them properly.”

Synott adds, “There’s a suggested donation of $5 per life story; $10 if you’d like a happy ending.”
Originally from Pittsburgh, Declan Synott now calls Wellsboro home and has a B.A. in Communication from Slippery Rock University, a Masters in English Literature from Bucknell University, and an M.F.A. in creative writing.

October 21st is Wellsboro Bookfest is a huge used booksale and local/regional author event benefiting the Wellsboro Schools. The best combination of a used library-style book sale and a book festival celebrating local & regional authors! All in gorgeous historic Wellsboro, PA, during flaming foliage season!

From My Shelf Books is home to the Totally Ninja Raccoons, the award winning children's series that will turn your child into a reading ninja. It's all at From My Shelf Books on East Ave Wellsboro, your hometown bookstore.

The Story of Your Life

Writer creates the “Story of Your Life” on the spot at upcoming event at “From My Shelf Books and Gifts,” Wellsboro, PA.

In a unique twist on street artist character-sketching, Declan Synott, a poet and writer will write “the story of your life” in 100 words or less in an “on the spot” special appearance, Friday, October 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at “From My Shelf Books and Gifts, 7 East Avenue, Wellsboro, PA, as part of Downtown Wellsboro’s First Friday Celebration. Synott, aka Kevin Clark, is a retired professor of English and creative writing, most recently from Elmira College and has published poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction in a variety of journals and anthologies.

“What I will attempt to do,” he said, “is provide a snapshot of one’s life based on a brief interview and other observations and perceptions.” Synott will use his favorite 1929 Remington manual typewriter to create “on the spot” vignettes, poems, or living eulogies for the curious or the impressionable. “Andy Warhol famously said we will each have 15 minutes of fame, yet these creations (suitable for framing and signed by the author) may be treasured keepsakes for years or you can crumble them up and dispose of them properly.”

Synott adds, “There’s a suggested donation of $5 per life story; $10 if you’d like a happy ending.”

Originally from Pittsburgh, Declan Synott now calls Wellsboro home and has a B.A. in Communication from Slippery Rock University, a Masters in English Literature from Bucknell University, and an M.F.A. in creative writing.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet the Little Green Men

The next fun Totally Ninja Raccoon book is available for pre-order now at From My Shelf Books & Gifts!


In The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet the Little Green Men, the Ninja Raccoons continue their ninja training, learn the power of forgiveness, and meet creatures from out of this world, aliens!

The Cat Board plots against the Ninja Raccoons as the Raccoons explore Cherry Springs State Park. Will the Cat Board trash the Raccoons? Will the Little Green Men find the perfect pet? Will Rascal make French Toast?

There are more things in heaven and earth than these three brothers ever dreamed. Cats are trying to take over the world; monsters are real; and Chinese food really will make you hungry soon after you eat it. It's up to the Ninja Raccoons to do something about it.

From My Shelf Books Hours Labor Day Weekend

From My Shelf Books & Gifts Hours of Operation Labor Day Weekend 2017

Friday, September 1, 2017 9AM to 7PM

Saturday, September 2, 2017 9AM to 7PM

Sunday, September 3, 2017 11AM to 4PM

Monday, September 4, 2017 9AM to 6PM