Common Language Bookstore plans silent auction to help ensure survival

As the future of independent bookstores grows increasingly uncertain, local LGBT and feminist bookstore Common Language is making an appeal for community support. Co-owners Keith Orr and Martin Contreras, who also own the /aut/ Bar next door, are hosting “The Last Bookstore Standing,” a silent auction and cocktail dinner, on Aug. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Orr spends a lot of time thinking; “What is the future of books and by extension the future of bookstores?” He laments that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and feminist bookstores like the one he owns with his partner are a rarer breed than they used to be.

Bookstores in general are facing uncertain times. With the very recent closing of locally founded giant Borders, “It’s on everyone’s mind that, yes, bookstores are closing, even here in Ann Arbor,” he says.

“A couple of years ago, when Shaman Drum Bookshop announced they were closing, it seemed like the right time to make an appeal for community support,” Orr says. They held their first “The Last Bookstore Standing” fundraiser last February.

The silent auction will “largely feature autographed books or collections of books that authors and publishers are donating,” Orr explains.

Donating authors include Kim Baldwin, Fay Jacobs, Maria Ciletti, Rob Byrnes, and Frank Polito, and more donations will likely come in before the fundraiser.

Local Ann Arbor publisher of lesbian fiction Bywater Books is donating two collections of books to the silent auction. One contains works by fours winners of their annual Bywater Prize Awards, and the other is a collection of works by 10 finalists of the Lambda Literary Awards, a prestigious honor for LGBT literature.

Canadian writer and Lambda winner Anthony Bidulka is known for his series of novels starring gay detective Russell Quant. “He’s donating a character name in his next book to our silent auction. He loves the bookshop because we were one of his early supporters,” Orr says.

Florida-based author Neil Plakcy, who writes mysteries, romance novels, and erotica, is also donating a character name.

David Pratt, who won a Lambda award for his debut novel, “Bob, The Book,” is donating editing time and advice. He will share his time and expertise with someone working on their own book.

Orr and Contreras also plan to serve up a food and cocktail reception outside in Braun Court (weather-permitting). If it rains, the plan is to move it inside the SH/‘aut Gallery across the way in Braun Court.

“Common Language is more than a place to buy and sell books,” Orr says. “It serves an important cultural purpose. It’s a community resource. LGBT readers come in here because it is a safe, gay-friendly space. And although gay culture is not monolithic, I think there is still a thing that we can define as ‘gay culture.’ Part of it is LGBT literature. For gay lit to survive, we need healthy readers, publishers, and bookstores.”

Jennifer Eberbach is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com.