Friday, October 13, 2006
For those of you who frequent the Shocklines.com message boards and shop at the store, you know why I’m writing this. For those who don’t, it’s time you did. Shocklines is simply the best online specialty bookstore in the business, and for one main reason: its owner, Matt Schwartz.
What Matt has done has created not just a seamless and satisfying online shopping experience, but an entire community. The Shocklines.com board has become THE place for writers within the horror, mystery and suspense genre to hang out–an Internet cafe of sorts which allows aspiring writers and pros alike to meet, put their feet up and talk about whatever comes to mind. You’ll find big names like Doug Clegg, Tim Lebbon, F. Paul Wilson, Beth Massie, Brian Keene and many others posting there pretty frequently. Threads range from personal announcements to (yikes) political rants to promotion of new work to reviews of the latest releases.
But the key to Shocklines is Matt’s insistence on civility at all times. While many other boards quickly dissolve into name calling and personal attacks, Matt keeps his board clean. That’s not to say that you can’t argue a point, but the arguing is done with respect for others’ opinions. To me, that’s a very important point in this day and age, when it’s all too easy for people to hide behind keyboards and provoke others for no other reason than their own entertainment. It’s a simple thing to be a jerk, and much harder to express your point of view while respecting what others have to say–even if they don’t agree with you.
And what about the store? Well, Matt is focused mainly on horror, both for the casual reader and the collector. There are a lot of items at Shocklines.com that are pretty hard to find elsewhere, and quite a few hidden gems. He’s got a “Guaranteed Good Reads” section that offers a money back guarantee (I’m pleased to say Bloodstone is on the list). There’s free shipping and gift-wrapping too.
So if you haven’t been to Shocklines yet, stop by. Search the store and pick up a few good reads. Check out the message board and see who’s hanging out. Readers, writers, all are welcome. Just check your ego at the door.
Hope to see you there.
