The Writer's Block

For the web series, see The Writers' Block.
The Writer's Block
Company typeBookstore
IndustryBooks
Founded2014
HeadquartersLas Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Key people
Scott Seeley, Drew Cohen, Chris Molnar
ProductsBooks, periodicals, marionettes, artificial birds, anatomical models, build-your-own diorama kits
ServicesLiteracy education, publishing
Websitewww.thewritersblock.org

The Writer's Block is an independent bookseller, publisher, and literacy educator in downtown Las Vegas. It is the first independent bookstore in Las Vegas and second in the state of Nevada.[1]

Its bookstore has been recommended several times by publications and authors including Los Angeles Times,[2] Tayari Jones,[3] and Alta Journal.[4][5] In 2024, it was chosen as Best Bookstore for the Las Vegas Weekly Best of Vegas list.[6]

Original location

Years before its establishment, 826NYC co-founder Scott Seeley and Drew Cohen came together with plans to found an independent bookstore in downtown Las Vegas. Beforehand, Cohen was warned severally that attempts to open an independent bookstore in the area would fail.[5] In midst of its creation, entrepreneur Jennifer 8. Lee put Seeley and Cohen in touch with Zappos founder Tony Hsieh who, as part of his Downtown Project—a $350-million-dollar initiative to revitalize downtown Las Vegas—helped partially fund the Writer's Block.

In 2014, the Writer's Block was opened at 509 Fremont Street, a location previously occupied by a tattoo parlor, with former BSSco. store manager and Archway Editions publisher Chris Molnar.[7][8][9]

The storefront of the Writer's Block in May 2015 at its original location on Fremont Street

Behind the bookstore front, at its original Fremont Street location, was the literacy education component of the Writer's Block, known as Codex. Similar in layout to the educational area behind 826NYC's Superhero Supply Store,[10][11] Codex also featured movable walls, tables and desks. It was used for free writing workshops for children ages 5-18, in addition to readings, signings, and ongoing series such as Neon Lit, the monthly reading by MFA and PHD writing students at UNLV.[12]

Relocation

In 2019, the Writer's Block relocated to the Lucy, a new art center in downtown Las Vegas on 6th Street and Bonneville Avenue established by philanthropist Beverly Rogers, who now partially owns the Writer's Block.[13] The location utilizes 3,000 square feet for bookselling and another 800 square feet for events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the square footage was retooled for fulfilling online orders.[13] Along with over 20,000 books, the location has a coffee shop, while regularly hosting creative writing workshops, book clubs, and author signing events. [14][15]

References

  1. ^ "Despite E-Books, Independent Bookstore Gambling on Downtown Las Vegas". Nevada Public Radio. December 2014. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  2. ^ Dirkse, Jeffrey (2024-05-31). "13 indie Vegas shops worth leaving the strip for". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  3. ^ "Famous authors share their favorite US bookstores". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  4. ^ "5 independently owned bookstores to explore in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  5. ^ a b "Alta's Favorite Bookstores: The Writer's Block". Alta Online. 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  6. ^ "Best Bookstore: The Writer's Block - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  7. ^ "Wham! Pow! Everything a Superhero Could Want". The Brooklyn Ink. 24 February 2012. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "Downtown Denizen: Chris Molnar". DTP. 29 April 2015. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  9. ^ Schoenmann, Joe (2014-01-29). "Joe Downtown: Independent bookstore opening in old motel". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  10. ^ "Here's What You Can Buy At The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. — And How The Store Is Secretly Saving The World". Business Insider. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  11. ^ "Rewriting the Bookshop". Vegas Seven. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  12. ^ "Hawthorne Heights, Neon Lit, Chicken Shack and Remembering Aurajin". DTLV. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  13. ^ a b Nawotka, Ed (January 29, 2021). "Bookselling Spotlight: The Writer's Block". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  14. ^ "The Lucy to open a new chapter in downtown Las Vegas' culture". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
  15. ^ Will, Brian; Overton, Stephanie (May 31, 2024). "Writer's Block: Downtown Las Vegas bookstore celebrates 10 years while thriving in digital era". 8NewsNow.

36°10′00″N 115°08′04″W / 36.1667°N 115.1344°W / 36.1667; -115.1344