UPDATES! The state of the store + a SALE (yes, we still need you! did I mention there's a sale?), the chelonian movements of cross-continent orders, event news, and a shmancy new NEWSLETTER!

Hello, my winter warblers! Feels like a month since I've checked in with you here! Since it has in fact been a month, that stands to reason.

Thank you to all of you who have been bringing your friends and talking us up. This is how any living thing is sustained, by constant feeding. Just last week, an award-winning SF author from the US dropped by with a companion and told me that when she asked her local queer friends about places to visit in the area, everyone talked up this place--and she says she really enjoyed her visit and plans to come back! It was gratifying, for sure, but it also showed us that you are behind us. Thank you. Thank you.

CRISIS AVERTED just in time for the next one
First up, as you may have guessed from our continued existence, we did in fact make our critical goal at the end of December. Thanks to you, we ended the month at almost where we had originally budgeted, paid a chunk of back rent, and made our landlords much happier. On our annual graph, it looks like a December should!

January is behaving like January--retailers expect that things will slow wayyyy down. That's normal. We do still have bills to meet, and dodging that big bullet last month didn't leave us with reserves. And the political situation down south, besides raising all our fears for our siblings there, has added to the economic stress all are feeling, so naturally folk are pulling in their horns. So far we have mostly caught up our bill payments, but we must bring in $12,500 every month from now through July (when the rent and bills will go up again). That's our monthly "nut," no getting around it. We are presently $2500 short and the rent will hit on Monday. We need to make up that shortfall ASAP.

SO--there's a SALE on! BUY 2 GET 1 FREE on all used books
We've been offering this sale all week, with a few little extras in the evenings...but it's been really quiet on the weekdays, and today's cold rain has put an end to foot traffic. So tell your friends, as usual, that there is a deal here for them. If you want to shop online, the promo code RENTPARTY will get you the deal on used books. The site's filters will help you see what's in stock. In-store, we are happy to be flexible and apply the deal to mixed new and used purchases, but the website isn't as smart as we are. And in-store, we have tea to warm your insides while you browse! So if your spirits need lifting, come hang out with us this weekend. We have a lot of good nourishment here for tired souls.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?
If you haven't picked up a Cross & Crows tee, we have sizes M-3X! Specify size in the Instructions box at checkout.
PREORDER, PREORDER, PREORDER! This helps us know what books to prioritize, and make sure to have the books you want here for you as soon as they're available. Click here to check out the amazing queer titles coming out in February. Click here for March!

I'm going to pause the bookstore management stuff for a moment here.

These last few weeks have been hard for so many of us, in so many ways. What's happening in the US, the targeting of our queer and trans siblings, the destruction of efforts to push back against literal centuries of inequality and colonial violence, on top of the long year of barely comprehensible violence unleashed on Palestinians, plus all the things that wear on us closer to home--it is a constant fight. What I want to say is, it is a fight that can be fought. We have done it before. We shouldn't have to do it again, but I believe that we can. I believe in us, I believe in you, I keep this space for us and for you so that you can find what you need to go out and fight it when you have to. If you need to fortify your spirit by sitting in a comfy chair in a space where you are welcomed and wanted and cherished for being who you are, I hope you're finding that here. If you need to fortify your mind with knowledge and wisdom from the history of queer resistance, one resource is this excellent book published by Vancouver's own Arsenal Pulp Press: Our Work Is Everywhere by Syan Rose. It's in stock now. Please come in and take a glance at it, if you haven't read it already. It's just one of the many kinds of medicine for this moment to be found in books.

Has my special order come in yet?Thank you for asking. I've contacted some folks individually but this is a general note. Orders from three of our most distant sources have been very slow to arrive. This was happening before the postal strike, but hasn't gotten better since. One supplier is doing inventory and will only process rush shipments until that's done. One formerly fast source is experiencing a 5- to 7-day lag in processing orders before they even invoice us. At present, some shipments already in transit are flagged by the carriers as delayed. Fortunately, our preferred suppliers, the nearest and fastest, are getting restock of some things that ran out over the holidays, so where possible I am shifting orders to them. Orders already in transit will get here, just not within our original estimates. Thank you for bearing with. NOTE: If you're looking for a speedy turnaround, titles on our website showing arrival in 2-7 days really do show up that quickly, from warehouses right here in the lower mainland, so they are your best bets.

EVENTS at your bookstore

Tuesday, 11 February, 7:00pm: Dr. OmiSoore Dryden presents GOT BLOOD TO GIVE Through storytelling, theorizing and discourse analysis, Dr. OmiSoore Dryden investigates how anti-Black homophobic nation-building policies became enshrined in blood donation. The event will feature a reading, Q&A session, and book signing. Click here to reserve a copy of the book! Dr. OmiSoore H. Dryden (she/her/hers) is a Black queer femme and professor at Dalhousie University. Her academic appointments include founding Director of the Black Studies Research Institute (in STEMM), the James R Johnston Endowed Research Chair in Black Canadian Studies, Faculty of Medicine (2019-2024), and co-founder and co-lead of the national organization, the Black Health Education Collaborative. OmiSoore engages in interdisciplinary scholarship and research that focuses on Black LGBTQI communities, blood donation systems in Canada, and addressing anti-Black racism in healthcare and medical education, and developing Black health curricular content.

Saturday, 15 February, 6:30pm: Valentinian Open Mic Fundraiser for Bug's Backyard Theatre
See and be seen at this fundraiser for Bug's Backyard, a theatre company founded and run by queer students! The mic is open, and the evening will also feature performances by members of the company as they raise resources for their summer musical, Carrie! There will be art and treats available to purchase, with proceeds going to the company.






Monday, 17 February, 7:00pm: Vancouver NonMonogamy Discussion Group This is a free monthly meeting of nonmonogamous folks to discuss issues in relationships and culture. For more details or to contact the facilitators, please check out their Facebook group!

Monday, 24 February, 7:00pm: Open.Mic.Night. Bring your work to read or perform. Headlining the evening is a featured poet, TBA. For more details or to contact the organizers, follow them on Instagram @open.mic.night.1.

NEWSLETTER!
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