Betsy Burton Author and Bookstore Owner to Speak at Brigham City Library

Betsy Burton will be speaking about her book, books and bookselling at a program on June 21st at 7 p.m. Betsy Burton is the co-owner and co-founder of the King’s English Bookshop which turns 30 in 2007. She is also a co-founder of the Salt Lake Vest Pocket Business Coalition and co-founder and board chair of Local First Utah. The mother of two children, one a son with disabilities, Burton has served in various capacities on boards working in the world of special needs. The author of The King’s English: Adventures of an Independent Bookseller, she is currently at work on a mystery novel and a new book about—what else? Books!

"Putting the right book in the right hands at the right time can actually change lives," opines Burton, proprietor of the independent bookstore the King's English in Salt Lake City. The story of her 20-plus years in the book trade starts in 1977, when she and her then-partner chose their inventory by reading through the entire multivolume set of Books in Print. She tells stories of triumph, like the store's first book-signing event in 1979, when a then-unknown John Irving created a media frenzy by arriving only days after The World According to Garp hit the best sellers list. (Over the years, the store has also hosted literary luminaries such as Isabel Allende and E.L. Doctorow.) Burton presents the low points, too-thieving employees and competition from big chain bookstores. An interesting insider's look, liberally sprinkled with book lists.

Please come attend a great evening with Betsy. For more information call Sue Hill, 435-723-5850.