words! Celebrates 10 Years
From Spotlighting Local Authors to Celebrated Poet Amanda Lovelace, A Grand Reopening Has Launched At the Downtown Asbury Park Bookstore
Asbury Park’s words! bookstore kicked off a 10th anniversary Grand Reopening celebration by honoring local writers.
The independent bookstore is the brainchild of Jan Sparrow and Scott Asalone, who also run ASGMC, a management consulting venture they launched in 1999 that works to coach, train, and motivate middle to senior level members of the nonprofit and business community through their TLC program – teamwork leadership and communication.
Sparrow is a former University of Denver communications educator who went on to become a Vice President at Merrill Lynch, specializing in leadership and development training for 18 years. It was there that she hired and worked with Asalone, also a former Vice President at the wealth management firm.
“We moved here and wanted to have our consulting offices here so we thought we’ll open a bookstore and here we are 10 years later,” Sparrow, a Chico, Calif native, said.
While the local bookstore has become a rare commodity, words! has developed into a successful hub for the 1.4 square mile community, established across the street for 9 years prior to moving to its 623 Cookman Ave location.
“Like a lot of people, I grew up reading scads of books but I don’t know that I ever thought I was going to open a bookstore,” Sparrow said.
The duo is known locally for not only their well-curated selection, knowledge of contemporary to classic genres and everything in between, but also for delivering personal requests for their patrons in a timely manner.
“When we first started the e readers were just beginning and they had a huge impact and oddly they have leveled off but of course, online sales are the greatest challenges [an independent] bookstores have at this point,” Sparrow said. “What people like about a bookstore like ours is that we know books; which I think is our advantage. When people come in and say help me out, my first question is what was the last thing you read.”
From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday patrons of the popular Cookman Avenue venue were introduced to Jersey writers with expertise in everything from holistic health to tech savvy empowerment.
Techpreneur, author and coach Kareen Delice-Kircher was on hand with her “Waking Up From Your Parents’ American Dream,” a guide that empowers its readers to define success on their own terms. Her Devops Advisors helps demystify technology for corporate clients and helps professionals figure out the next steps.
Early childhood educator turned writer and artist Penelope Marzec offered a collection of her happy-ending, sensual, paranormal, contemporary romance novels. She is also known for her young adult novellas and historical sagas.
And then there was Beth Tancredi who picked up the pen after a 20 year professional career in broadcast, print and digital media, financial services and health care. Her ‘Single Working Mom’ blog led to “Pursuing My Wonderful,’ a book that compares the steps taken to turn her passion into a business to post-divorce dating.
Aura D’Amato, a holistic specialist who holds a bachelor’s in sociology and is a certified reflexologist and energy healing practitioner, offered ‘Angels Share the Power of I Love Me: How I Can change Your Life and the World.’ The spiritual guide offers its readers a guide to realizing dreams for a prosperous, peaceful and joyful life.
Along with their stalwart employee Liza Minno-Bloom, words! has line up an array of renewed programming that will culminate with a reading by award winning poet Amanda Lovelace. Below is a sampling of what’s to come:
4.19 – 1 p.m. Lorax Storytime
4.21 – 6 p.m. Reading and Book Signing with Kim Van Alkemade
4.26 – 4 p.m. Drag Queen Storytime
4.28 – $15 Fill-S-Bag sale (as supply lasts)
5.1 – 7 p.m. Just Kids Book Club with Patti Smith
5.5 – 6 p.m. Reading and Book Signing with Poet Amanda Lovelace
words! Bookstore is located at 623 Cookman Ave in downtown Asbury Park. They are open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more about words! and their upcoming events, visit them on Facebook page or call 732-455-5549.
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