Hello Beautiful People,
I’ve mentioned Out of Print several times in this little corner of the interweb – and if you’re an avid reader, you know I have the utmost appreciation for this company and what they do. And so, it gives me great pleasure to introduce y’all to one half of the Out of Print duo, Todd Lawton.
MM: First things first, can you tell our readers a bit about how OUT OF PRINT started?
TL: It all started with a gut feeling that there were more ways to get people talking than existed at the time. We see being bookish as a very cool thing and something that should not be kept a secret. So, we unearthed and licensed a bunch of iconic cover art and started making shirts. Fast-forward a bit and we’re a full literary lifestyle brand with a line of apparel and accessories featuring over 100 titles. Often, we hear about customers meeting other readers through wearing a shirt or carrying one of our products, and it couldn’t make us happier.
MM: Just for fun, if one were to walk into your home right now, what books would be on your bookshelf?
TL: It’s all over the place–but color coordinated. Middlesex, Anansi Boys, Motherless Brooklyn, A Fine Balance, Unexpected Tales (short stories Roald Dahl), Catch-22…
MM: Just for fun, if you were stranded on a desert island, what television shows and movies would you want to have available to you?
TL: Shows: Game of Thrones, The Brady Bunch, and Lost (because it seems relevant)
Movies: Airplane, The Big Lebowski, and Empire Strikes Back
MM: What was your favorite book as a child?
TL: Treasure Island.
MM: Do you have a favorite piece of cover art?
TL: Changes day-to-day but today I’m into some of the Sherlock covers we feature: The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
MM: If you had to give young creative entrepreneurs a piece of advice, what would it be?
TL: “Forward, always forward.”
MM: How has arts education impacted your business?
TL: Our business wouldn’t exist if there were no artists, so it doesn’t get much more important. Also, if I didn’t have really great art classes when I was in school I probably wouldn’t have the same appreciation for the stunning book art we deal in.
MM: What’s next for OUT OF PRINT?
TL: More of what people like for and some big surprises that will help us continue the discussion about books. Secret bookish stuff.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
TL: That’s tough. Ms. Englund, my 6th grade teacher, stands out.
Thanks, Todd!
Write Teacher(s) Readers – be sure to do some holiday shopping over at Out of Print this holiday season!
Live, Love, Learn,