New Look Church Partnership Accounts Launched!

We are very happy to announce our New Look Church Partnership Accounts!

At Unicorn Tree Books we know that Christian books, Bibles, music and resources form a vital part of the church's ministry.

We realise that there are great financial pressures on churches & community ventures at this time and we are committed to helping you by providing the best possible prices we can for Christian resources on the High Street & in the Diocese.

That is why we are now really happy to offer you the Church Partnership Account Scheme.

The Account Scheme is a way in which we can help to support your ministry or organisation, by offering discount, credit facilities, bulk purchasing and sale-or-return services, in exchange for what we hope will be your continued loyalty to us. It is available to all Churches registered in the UK and other Community & Institutional Organisations too.

Additionally we give a Ministry Discount Card to all Signatories of the Account for Personal Purchases. These Ministry Discount Cards may also be available for others involved in your church or community ministries too - Just ask us.

We are officially launching this new Scheme at the Lincoln Diocesan Clergy Conference next week, but wanted to give all our other customers the heads up too!
We would be delighted to talk to you about it, and even set up accounts with and for you.

We really hope that this is some small way that we can work together.

Here's a copy of the leaflet - you can even print it out, fill it in and send it back to us for us to get started on opening an account up and filling in your Ministry Discount Cards ready for you to start using and making savings with! 
(Just Click on the pictures to see them at full size)

Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local and use an Independent - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)

So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you when you come in for your church or personal supplies - or indeed for any other reason too!

Easter Egg Hunting now underway in Lincoln Central Market! & Easter Opening Times.

Easter Egg Hunting now underway in Lincoln Central Market!

Every day we are open there will be chances to hunt for real Chocolate Easter Eggs!

There is the option to take part in the Virtual Easter Egg Hunt where you have to find the letters hidden around and make the phrase for a range of goodies to be won!

Or you can decorate your own Hard Boiled Egg and bring it in to be judged with others for a chance to Win more Chocolate Easter Eggs!

Each activity is only 50p a go with the proceeds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care!
So go on - Come in and take part, it's all for a Good Cause!

Easter Opening Hours at Unicorn Tree Books will Be:

Maundy Thursday (April 5th) - Open as Normal

Good Friday ( April 6th) - CLOSED 

Holy Saturday (April 7th) - Open as Normal

Easter Sunday (April 9th) - CLOSED

Easter Monday (April 10th) - CLOSED
Tuesday (April 11th) - Open as Normal

Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local and use an Independent - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)

So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you when you come in for your easter fun and supplies - or indeed for any other reason too!

Margaret Dickinsons New Book Due out on 18th February! - Free £5 Voucher with Pre-Orders!

Margaret Dickinsons New Book!
Jenny’s War!
Out on February 18^th!

Order Yours Now and Get a £5 Voucher to use

on another purchase*!

Order Now! RRP £6.99 our Price £6.75

 Is it possible for a ten-year-old girl to fall in love? Jenny Mercer thought so. Evacuated to Lincolnshire from the East End of London at the outbreak of war, she is frightened of the wide open spaces and the huge skies. At first, she is treated badly by the two spinsters with whom she is billeted. But the kindly Thornton family soon makes her feel welcome. And no one more so than Georgie, the handsome RAF fighter pilot, who is caught up in the battle for Britain’s survival. When Georgie is posted missing, presumed killed, Jenny is devastated and there is more heartbreak when her mother demands that she return home to the dangerous city streets now under almost daily attack from enemy bombers. Dot never hides the fact that her daughter’s birth was a mistake and kindness and care towards Jenny comes, not from her mother, but from their neighbours across the street, the Hutton family. The only other person to show concern for Jenny is, strangely, Dot’s ‘fancy man’, Arthur Osborne, who moves into the terraced house. But is Arthur only interested in the girl because she can be useful to him? No one will suspect a ten-year-old of being involved with the Black Market. When the law comes a little too close for Arthur’s comfort, the family flees in the night under the protection of the blackout, heading north out of the city. But to Jenny’s disappointment, it is not back to Lincolnshire but into the hills and dales of Derbyshire where they are always on the move, always on the run. There, Jenny is caught up in a life of deception, obliged to do whatever her mother and Arthur demand of her, when all she really wants is to go back to Lincolnshire. For Jenny has never given up hope that one day, Georgie will come back…

*£5 voucher can only be used on your next purchase valued at £10 or more.

Voucher Valid until 18^th March.

Voucher will be issued with your copy of Jennys War.

Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local and use an Independent - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)

So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you when you order your copy of Jenny's War - or indeed for any other reason too!

Polskie książki teraz dostępny! - Polish books available!

Polskie książki teraz dostępny przy Unicorn Tree Books!

Wielu głównych autorów fikcji i style zarządzili w - inne tytuły mogą być zarządzone na życzenie!

Yes, That's right, Polish books coming to Unicorn Tree Books soon!
Many top fiction authors and styles ordered in - other titles can be ordered on request! 

We are really happy to say that we are now able to source a wide range of books in Polish so that we can better serve our new neighbours and friends here in Lincoln and across Lincolnshire. 

We are committed to really being a bookshop that serves the community we are in, and so getting in Polish books really was an important item on our list of how we can better serve the community. 

We are really happy to have found a supplier in Gardner's Books that also feels that committment and is carrying polish language titles as part of their stock range too, the added benefit here is that these books are also available on www.hive.co.uk - the website that supports independent local bookshops through every sale of a book or ebook download.

The first selection of fiction in Polish will be here in the shop and on the shelves by Wednesday 21st December, with an expanded range to follow in mid January. 
It's hoped the choice should appeal to a broad range of readers with some crime, thriller, romance and childrens books too!

We are starting out with a small selection but as people come in and let us know what they are interested in and as they spread the word we really hope to be able to grow the range and space given to these books to really be able to serve our growing multi-lingual community.

Books can be ordered - just let us know the title you are after and we'll do our best to get it.
Remember you can either pop in to the shop to order in store (and check the shleves to see what we already have in stock) or you can go online to www.hive.co.uk where you can then have them delivered either to your home or arrange to collect them direct from Unicorn Tree Books.


Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)


So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you!



Jesteśmy bardzo szczęśliwi z tego,  że jesteśmy teraz w stanie pozyskać szeroki wachlarz książek po polsku, tak abyśmy mogli lepiej służyć naszym nowych sąsiadów i przyjaciół w Lincoln oraz w Lincolnshire

Jesteśmy zajęci się naprawdę będąc księgarnią, która pracuje dla społeczności jesteśmy w, zatem dostając po polsku książki naprawdę był ważną rzeczą na naszej liście z jak lepiej możemy pracować dla społeczności.

Cieszymy się znaleźć w Gardners Books dostawca, który jest zobowiązany do dostarczania książek również po polsku jako część ich pasma towaru. teżdodatkowa korzyść oto to te książki są również dostępne na www.hive.co.uk - serwis internetowy, który podtrzymuje niezależne lokalne księgarnie przez każdą sprzedaż książki albo ebook pobieranie danych.

Pierwsze książki fikcji po polsku będzie tu w sklepie i na półkach przed środą, z rozszerzonym zakresem nastąpić później w styczniu.
Miało nadzieję, że wybór będzie pracować dla szerokiego zakresu czytelników z jakimś kryminałem, romans i childrens książki również!

Startujemy z małym wyborem ale jako ludzie odwiedzać i mówić nam jakich książek oni chcą, i ponieważ oni rozpowszechniają wiadomość o naszym serwisie, naprawdę mamy nadzieję móc rosnąć zakres i przestrzeń daną tym książkom aby naprawdę móc pracować dla naszej rosnącej wielo-językowej społeczności.

Książki można zamawiać - daj nam znać tytuł szukasz, a my dołożymy wszelkich starań, aby je zdobyć.Pamiętaj, możesz wstąpić do sklepu na zamówienie w sklepie (i sprawdzić shleves aby zobaczyć, co mamy już w sprzedaży) lub możesz zobaczyć w Internecie www.hive.co.uk gdzie można je dostarczony do domu lub zorganizować je odebrać bezpośrednio z Książki Unicorn Tree Books.

Pamiętać, że mamy tu obsłużyć cię i dziękuję za twoje wsparcie.
Proszę robić zakupy Lokalny - to jest lepsze na wszystko gdy idziemy do pobliskich sklepów do mieć globalnych rzeczy; -)

Więc nie będziemy móc się doczekać widzenia cię, recieving e-mail od ciebie, gadając przez telefon (01522 525557) z tobą albo nawet facebooking albo świergocząc z tobą!

Christmas is Coming - Bible Refresh Offer!

Christmas is Coming!

Now I know that at my house in the lead up to Christmas one of the things we do is smarten up a bit, a touch of redecoration ( and no not putting up tinsel and baubles!) but smartening up the things that over the year have taken knocks and got a little tired so that when the guests come at Christmas the house looks welcoming for them.

Based on this idea I thought maybe this might be something Churches might like to do it too - and one of the things I find gets a lot of wear and tear in many churches is the Pew Bible!

So here's a rather good deal to anyone who thinks they just might like to do a bible refresh before the Christmas guests arrive!

(Here's the link to the flier telling of the offer just in case the clever picture doesn't show up!

Don't worry if your church doesn't use the NRSV, just contact us as we can do some great offers on other versions of the bible too - just ask us!

Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)
So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you!


Unicorn Tree Books, Central Market, Lincoln. LN5 7ET
www.lincolnchristianbookshop.co.uk 
www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk
www.jigsawsandmore.co.uk
www.cardmakersupplies.co.uk
www.lincolnartistsupplies.co.uk

We are 5 Today!

Today is our 5th Birthday, we've seen an awful lot of change in those five years not only in Unicorn Tree Books (& Crafts) but in the economy, in the market and in the booktrade and we are happy to say we are still here and smiling widely!

 We've drunk a lot of Caramel Latte's, shifted a lot of units, re-arranged how many times and seen our minions fledge and go off to found their own businesses - this bookshop boss thinks that's one heck of an achievement and to celebrate is having a venti caramel latte today!

However I know we wouldn't be here still today if it wasn't for all you lovely customers and I want to say the biggest and most heartfelt THANK YOU! to all of you.

You make each day different, fun and, hey, maybe even a little more crazy than it would be even with the bookshop boss in attendance anyway - so thank you.

As a little birthday celebration we are today giving 5% off all books to celebrate the 5 years of trading and we are also giving 1 reward point for every £5 spent instead of the usual £10 

So come in and celebrate with us as we journey forth into our next 5 years of bookshop bosses, minions and cheerful customers, along with coffee, books, crafts and other fun fuelled things!

So there we go 5 years old today so go on come in and browse and treat yourself to a gift from us that will act as a gift to us, because the best gift we can ever have is your custom!

We'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you!

Hmm - that's a lot of books for a small shop with a seemingly small selection!

(Updated with Images of facefronted sections as requested by Phil Groom in the Comments section - cause we always aim to please!)

I have just been told by a customer that they had been told that we here at Unicorn Tree Books & Crafts didn't have a lot of Christian Books in stock!
They told me they would be going back to Church and suggesting perhaps the person that told them that should actually look and not make an assumption based on a quick glance around what seems like an admittedly small space - as he felt we had an exceptionally wide and varied selection more than equal to some large shops he had been in.
I thanked him for his kind words.

Based on this I just checked the system and currently we have 2273 different Christian titles in stock in the Christian books section and that doesn't include multiples of the same title - it is solely individual actual titles in stock right now, it also doesn't include Childrens Books & Resources, Bibles or service books!
So now I need to see what those excluded sections carry too - this enquiring mind needs to know!
In terms of Bibles - there are 102 different Bibles & New Testaments and then 46 Different Childrens Bibles as well in stock.
Childrens Books & Resources has 497 Different titles in stock.
In terms of Service books - there are 38 listed and then a few pamphlets/leaflet types not actually accounted for on the system.
So in total there's 2956 individual christian/religious titles recorded on the system and probably just over 3000 titles if we include the tracts, pamphlets, leaflets and books without barcodes that aren't listed on the system! And remember that's individual titles and not just books stocked as that's going to be a much higher figure due to multiples, oh and it doesn't include secondhand stock!

And yes that is just the Christian section, in the general section we have 3982 new books and probably just under that in secondhand!

Now don't get me wrong I know this still makes me a small bookshop - actually I like that it's a small independent bookshop - it means I know my stock, my customers, my delivery drivers etc perhaps a bit more than I would if I was having to run a large bookshop with all the administration and work involved in that,  but it's certainly not the smallest selection of Christian Books there on the shelf - indeed I'm pretty sure that's more books than at times we had in some SPCK shops (so ok I know that's quite a few more than I ever had in stock in the Brighton SPCK back in 2000, and probably about comparative to the Lincoln SPCK).

I've been thinking about this most of the morning and pondering therefore why it is that some people think we don't have many Christian Books instock given how many we do have, is it a now unreal expectation based on the wide range available online? possibly but to be honest I think what makes the difference is the display - it is a perception thing.

You see there is not much (indeed one could almost say no) room for face fronting of books here in the shop, that's a sadness but it's also a choice I have willingly made - you see I value breadth of offering and range, so given the small space I decided I'd rather have a good wide selection of books and titles spanning a multitude of subjects and churchmanships, than have a pretty face front and probably multiple heavy but significantly lessened range of books.

So therefore people don't see a pretty display of lots of face front books, they see lots of spines and due to the way they are now educated to perceive ranges of books (face front and lots of piled multiples on tables and shelves) in most bookshops like Waterstones, WHSmiths, Publishers Clearance Warehouse, The Works, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Amazon - when they then don't see this they assume there's not much there - they don't browse the shelves properly, they just make a decision based on perception for the most part.

Of course this is a generalisation and many book buyers really do browse and do appreciate the choice of range over display, but it is something I have to consider and work on - indeed as does everyone - therefore at the back of the shop there are now two small bookcases that look up the shop so when you turn into the department they face you - previously they were used for displaying gifts etc - now they are being used to display 'New Titles - Just In' face front and special promotions face front.

I'll wait and see if it makes a difference to how people percieve the size of the shop and range, but I'm still not willing at this time to sacrifice the range of books for the face front look, I'd rather sacrifice a few other things first - and yes that's my choice and it may be a little to my detriment, but less range is certainly to the detriment of the people who need the books that day or just may come across that one life affirming or altering book in amongst those spine facing books.

A few months ago I saw one shop self describing itself as large due to an impressive 7000 product lines, is this a good indicator?

Because I'm always intrigued by statements like product lines, you see if I started adding in just the prayer cards (120 different designs on just one spinner), candles (53 different sizes and types), music (212), dvd (48), gifts (127 in the display cabinet, 42 different witness pins on the spinner -and  I am not going and counting how many different childrens items, stickers, and gifts there are on the 3 other displays!) and cards (26 different card headings, I think at stocktake it was something like 287 different designs not including seasonal cards!), Church Stationary and Requisites ( 7 different types of wafers, 8 incenses, lots of different certificates,applications, registers etc!), let alone the christian craft items and so on then the numbers of product lines really do soon start rising.

So I'd be interested to know how many titles other shops have and what size they consider themselves to be.

On the whole i'm still admitting to being a small bookshop - but I don't think the range we carry is really too bad at all for our size and I'm just glad I get to be here and share it with others and am always happy at the surprised joy on some people faces when they really look beyond the initial impression and realise we had just what they wanted after all.

So there we go that's the bookshop boss done pondering for now - time for a maple syrup flavoured coffee I think - nothing like a bit of a change of pace now and again, especially after serious thoughts! 
So anyway come in, browse and, we hope, stock up soon - we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you!

Summer SALE Madness!

It's nearly August, 

the kids are on hols,

next week the beach arrives in Lincoln's City Square again right beside us,

And as from tomorrow pm Minion Conscripts have been called into action 

and Yay Me i'm away to the Lake District for 4 days camping and walking!!

So today to celebrate my summer hol mood, 

the Summer Sale has rolled out! 

 

All books, 

YES ALL BOOKS! are on BUY 12 & PAY FOR 10 

- any choice, mix and match, new & old! 

 

All DECOUPAGE & PEEL-OFFS are 

BUY 20 GET 2 MORE FREE! 

and All other 

CRAFT ITEMS are BUY 12 & GET 1 FREE!

 

It's what's in stock on offer folks, the choices are yours and it's while stocks last only 

- we don't think some items will be there long in some cases and we can't guarantee that items will be back in stock before the Summer Madness ends at the end of August 

- so be quick and get in here because I'm not likely to ever be this generous again because the only things not in the sale are the gifts and candles!

 

If the sun was shining I would think I'd got sunstroke with this one! 

 

So there we go that's the bookshop boss done being silly and summery for now - time for a mint syrup flavoured coffee I think -  that syrup makes me think of Kendal Mint Cake, hmm maybe I'll bring minion conscripts some back and some for you lovely customers too!
So anyway come in, browse and, we hope, stock up soon (you'll be mad if you don't with this offer!) - we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you!

York Book Fair - Collectable bookselling at its finest and we've tickets to give away!

Yes indeed - never ever let it be said that booksellers aren't kind and generous people - 

especially we here at the Unicorn Tree!  

We have 4 complimentary tickets to the York Book Fair to give away - each ticket admits two people and there is even a free shuttlebus from the railway station to the event! Amazing!

So what is the Book Fair?

From modest beginning with just 20 exhibitors at the White Swan Inn in York in 1974, the York Book Fair has grown into the largest, and many say friendliest, rare, antiquarian & out-of-print book fair in the U.K.. Held over two days, 215 of this country's leading booksellers offer for sale a breathtaking diversity of books, as well as maps & prints, ranging in price from just a few pounds up to tens of thousands of pounds. This year we also welcome a number of dealers from overseas.

You will find books over 500 years old, to review copies of recently published works, and everything in between. The venue is very easy to reach, there is unlimited free parking, and also a free shuttle bus from the Railway Station to the Fair every 20 minutes.

Who Will Enjoy It?
Anyone interested in books and reading. This is not just a Fair for dealers, but is open to everyone young and old, and a great place to start collecting. With over 100,000 books for sale, where else can you look at, touch, enjoy, and even purchase so many rarities under one roof. If you are already a collector then it is a great opportunity to meet new dealers in your area, and if you aren't already a collector it's one of the best places to be inspired to become one!

All in all it is a great day out for any book lover, regardless of whether you collect or not, and it's not just books, there are also maps and other ephemera too - it's lovely and I only wish I was going!

So if you want one of these complimentary tickets just go to our facebook page - Unicorn Tree Books - like it if you haven't already and write on the wall to tell us you want a ticket 
- the first four to do so get the tickets! it's just that easy :-)

So there we go that’s the bookshop boss being generous yet again – so I reckon that it must now be time for a hazlenut flavoured coffee I think. 

Anyway don't forget to come in, browse and, we hope, stock up soon, we also have some very good books and collectable things lurking here in Unicorn Tree Books & Crafts too remember and we really look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you!

Unicorn Tree Books, Central Market, Lincoln. LN5 7ET
www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk
www.lincolnchristianbookshop.co.uk

Bible Fresh Bible Festival & a Marcion Heretic!

Hello and welcome to Holy Week!

Just a quick update to tell you all that the Biblefresh Bible Festival is on Saturday 30th of April all day along the High Street Churches and with the GodPod in Cornhill Square - oh and we are the official bookshop for the event - we even get a lovely mention on the back of the programme!

Talking of programmes and maps for the event - you can pick one up in here right now to help you plan the day.

We are offering the Biblefresh 'The Big Story' Bible at only £14.99 instead of the RRP of £19.99 (and yes we are even cheaper than Amazon on this offer!!) whilst stocks last to support this great initiative - don't miss out as this is a fantastic offer and a great bible too.

Okay next heads up is of course for the Next Lincoln Theological Society Lecture on the 24th May at Bishop Grossteste University College at 7pm.
'Marcion, Heretic or Hero', subtitled 'Can a Christian really read the Old Testament?'

The lecture is being given by Rev'd Canon Dr. Stephen Dawes and should be really interesting indeed, after all there's nothing like a good bit of heresy to get the tongues going!

We will be there again with a bookstall which will include Stephen Dawes books - and again there will likely be an offer on his works (amongst others!) as well as the chance to get them signed at the bookstall after the lecture.

Now you can get your tickets from us here in the shop in advance of the event and we really do suggest you come and get them early given how full the last lecture was and the capacity of the lecture hall - after all you wouldn't want to stand all through the lecture would you!

The tickets are a bargain at only £5.00 for which you also get a glass of wine (and very nice wine it was too last time!) and are available now.

Contact us to get your tickets by any of the regular methods - phone (01522 525557), email (unicorntreebooks@aol.com), twitter, facebook or indeed when you come in and see us for your books or as part of the Biblefresh Bible Festival visit! to get your ticket for this fantastic event.

See you soon :-)

Ebooks, Website Updates and a Fantastic Product of the Future!

Wow - Been busy recently - not only re-arranging the shop to make yet more space (honestly this place is like a tardis, always more space to be found, you never know what you might find in it and time in it seems to move in funny ways!) but also refreshing the shops websites too!

Yes the digital age is here, no use pretending it's not and ignoring it, which wouldn't work anyway as some of us have been reading ebooks for much longer than Kindles and the like have existed, pda's & now phones are a much better multi tool anyway, however that doesn't stop me buying the real things too! So it's a much better idea just to get on and go with it - so that's what we've done!

Now on our online shop sites of www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk & www.lincolnchristianbookshop.co.uk you will find a new page entitled 'Ebooks, Audio Books & Mp3 Offers' for your delight and delectation, this means even if you have gone 100% Digital you can still support us here locally!

It really is better to Go Local to Go Global - and yes this includes even in the cybersphere!
Local Community and Businesses puts more into the Local Economy, so by going Local you keep your Local area healthier and lots of healthy local areas and economies make a healthy world!

So please do use the sites and maybe put a favourites on them so you go to them everytime you want to make a purchase (Books, Ebooks, Cds, DVDs, Mp3s & lots more too!) each sale through the sites help keep us here and you don't lose out at all as our shop sites always match Amazon price, or other big name online shops!

Don't forget we are not just active online but in the real world too!

Remember that one of our favourite things is to actually see you in person, so please do come visit the shop too!

If you are members of the Community Partnership Scheme then tell your groups about these fantastic prices because if they come in to the shop itself and buy themselves copies of physical product then this will count towards your Schemes total! If you aren't signed up to Scheme then it would be well worth it - it's open to any community group or initiative regardless of size!

Just to let you know these are not the only bargains, come in store and see whats on offer at the minute - we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you!

Anyway see you in the shop soon - if it's the real one remember i'm likely the one behind the counter sipping on the Caramal latte - and yes the counter has moved, we moved it to the centre of the shop at the end of September ;-) I'll provide pictures of the new look shop for all the blog watchers once I've finished this new crop of re-arranging!

Ohh and I nearly forgot about the Fantastic product of the Future! Here you go, it really is a fantastic product and I'm wholeheartedly endorsing it:

Happy New Vat Rate! Keep the New Year Cheer!

Happy New Vat Rate!
However as we don't like to bring the New Year down in feel already we have decided to carry the VAT Increase on all current stock ourselves and not change any prices to you, our lovely customers.
So ok it's not much - but it is a little thing we can do to help customers & churches at the start of this New Year!

So that's no increase on Candles, Cards, Gifts, Music, DVD's, Jigsaws, Art & Craft Supplies & Stationary - and of course there never was an increase on books as they are zero rated anyway.

Being honest though when we get new stock in on new increased prices from our suppliers we might have to change some prices - especially as January typically is when the prices from suppliers tend to go up anyway.

So there we go keep on having a Happy New Year and keep your smile going into the year! Oh and don't forget we have our New year Sale on in shop too - so not only haven't prices gone up but they have also gone down on a whole lot of things too!

So see you in the shop soon, I'm going to be the one with the large latte, caramel flavoured of course, to see me smiling through the sale and the new year!

Book Signing - Childrens Author & Illustrator Jasper Cooper in UTB with his Artwork & Books on Saturday 20th November at 12noon

Jasper Cooper is the author and illustrator of The Kingdom of Gems trilogy, a Children's Fantasy Adventure Trilogy.

He has visited many schools leaving behind a legacy of inspired children and enthusiastic teachers and is now bringing his display and talents to Unicorn Tree Books & Crafts on Saturday 20th November between 12noon and 2PM when he will be showing some of his original artwork as well as signing copies of his wonderful books!

It will be a great time for Children and Adults so come and meet this wonderful author and illustrator here at Unicorn Tree Books & Crafts - your local independent and community bookshop.

Oh and we appreciate for some of you this might not be exactly your thing but go on do us a favour and tell someone who might like it!

'The Glass Prison - Jasper Cooper

The Dark Wizard Troubler is close to possessing the powerful Candara Gems and the kingdom seems lost to his evil spell. Amalek and Seph have survived their dangerous journey to acquire magical help from the great Wizard Elzaphan.
However, along with the group of courageous animals, including Joog the owl, they must return to face the evil wizard...'

Author Barrie Mahoney Reading & Signing His New Book 'Journeys and Jigsaws' Book 1 From Teacher to Drag Queen

It's our first LGBT Author event in shop and it would be great if some people showed up and I know you all know the people who know the people!

Event Details:
Author Barrie Mahoney Reading & Signing His New Book
'Journeys and Jigsaws' Book 1 From Teacher to Drag Queen

Venue: Unicorn Tree Books, 35- 40 Central Market, Sincil Street, Lincoln. LN5 7ET
Time & Date: Friday 30th October. 12noon - 2PM.

Background:
The novel is focused on a small primary school in a rural area and explores the issues faced by gay professionals in such rural communities and the prejudices and obstacles that they need to overcome to fulfill their jobs. The book deals with serious issues, but it is very amusing and readers have commented that they "laughed out loud" and the book is available from Gardners.


Barrie was born in Holbeach and later attended Spalding Grammar School. He later worked as a primary school inspector in England and Wales and inspected many schools in Lincolnshire.


Barrie was delighted to be interviewed about his book on the Judy Theobald morning show on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and is also pleased that the Lincolnshire Free Press is reviewing his book in an article in their next edition.

Unicorn Tree Books - Lincolns Niche Market Book Specialists & Lincoln's year round LGBT Book & Dvd Stockists are proud to host this event and hope this may be the first of more LGBT Author & Book events to come!

For more info Contact: Melanie Carroll. Email: unicorntreebooks@aol.com Tel: 01522 525557

Ok guys I know this is not for all of you but it is a community event and it would be really really nice if we can be friendly and supportive and really try to make this a fun and full event, just like with the wonderful Sue Hampton Author Event.
and if any of you know of any authors or themes then come on and let us know.
Looking forward to seeing some of you on Friday and feel free to bring a caramel latte with you (for me!), especially as it'shalf term and none of the minions are on the job this week!

A Round Up, Some Questions and a new white table!

So whats new in your friendly bookshop?

Well the newest edition, as of today, is a white table in the middle of the shop!
Now as you may know we don't have a seperate room where we can hold regular events like reading groups, book discussions or craft classes, though we really want to hold them!
So I am trying to get feedback here, would you consider doing these types of things in the open venue of the bookshop whilst the shop was open if the events were either free or really really cheap or coffee was provided? (Because as I'm sure you all know by now I will do much if a really good caramel latte is added into the equation - it is a payment and reward in itself!)

So anyway I think it would add an interesting vibe as other people browsed while you breathed the books as it were in terms of a book group - or created and learned a new craft, what do you all think please?

Talk like a Pirate Day and visiting Author Sue Hampton was well recieved - thanks to all the young-uns that walked the plank to see Sue! I had a great time!
We still have copies of Sue's book - 'The Lincoln Imp' in stock for those that couldn't make the day and we also have some of her other books in and they are very good too!

We would love to do some more author or themed events in store (Hence another reason for the big white table where once there were bookcases!) - so if you have any idea's then please let us know!

The Bishop of Lincoln, John Saxbee, has a new book out - 'No Faith in Religion' and it is now in stock and available, though it is selling pretty fast!
Please pass the info on and reserve or come in and buy your copies (and yes we do mail order too!), it is an excellent book and a wonderful symphony of blended idea's on the dichotomy of faith and religion!

We have Calenders, Diaries, along with Advent Candles and Christmas books, cards and items making an appearance now! Lots of Christmas Decoupage and Craft things too! and not forgetting Parsons Pocket Books & Lectionaries! Yes it's early but they are selling already.
Please think of us!

Oh and of course dont forget about our Church & Community Group Partnership Scheme! Tell others, join yourselves!
This is a real opportunity for working together to build community by supporting each other! More proof if needed that we are Working with you and for You!

The basic idea, as i've said somewhere her before, is that Churches and Community Groups (this also includes schools, clubs or any community, church or group based initiative) sign up with us as a Partner, once signed up you promote us to all your church/group members and then everytime they come into the shop and make a purchase, providing they let us know they are part of your partnership (we can provide cards for you to give them), you get a percentage of that sale held in credit for your church/community group!
We think this is worth it as we are helping you and we hope building community at the same time - and yes we do not deny we hope it helps us too by increasing the outreach of our shop too!

Ok and we would be really grateful if you could let your friends, collegues and networks know about us, both in person and through the Facebook groups/twitter/blogs! So next time you visit the fb group page, followfriday on Twitter, or even come into the shop then please 'invite people to join'!

So that's the news, info and questions from your friendly folk and slightly mad but highly amusing and mostly tame wonderful bookshopboss at Unicorn Tree!
Please do respond, tell others and feel free to pass on this message to any you think might be interested.

See you in the shop! and don't forget mine's a caramel latte and bring one for yourself as well :0)

Ahoy and Avast me hearties were having some impish good fun on Saturday 19th September!

Just to let you all know that tomorrow (Saturday) we are having a fun filled day at the PirateShop Unicorn Tree Books and you and any children you may know are all invited to drift by, drop anchor and visit.

A wonderful children's author - Sue Hampton - will be joining us all day to sign copies, read and talk about her brilliant new children's book 'The Lincoln Imp'. A book about learning to deal with change with a very local character at it's centre!

However the fun doesn't stop there because with it being International Talk Like a Pirate Day we of the Pirateshop are going to have some impish fun and are going to be dressing up a little like pirates and having fun with all the rest of the landlubbers as we regale you with pirate talk (crib sheets available in shop for you scurvy lot who don't know the language).
So bring the sprogs down and don't be lily-livered about it, as you wont want to miss out on the booty we have commandeered for you! Eyepatches will be given out and there may well be stickered polly's and possibly paper planks to walk or other mayhem for the gentlefolk of fortune who visit!

We look forward to seeing you there and please pass this onto any facebook/twitter/blog friends or others you know in the area or who have children and might want some small burst of fun!

Cheers

Melanie
ps feel free to bring me a caramel latte to bribe and save any future keelhauling as may result from under caffeinated landlocked pirateshop captains!

A mention in the Echo again - it's no fake copy either!

I am once again mentioned in the Lincoln Echo - a short quote from me on the damage Counterfeit Goods can do to genuine businesses and markets!

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Don-t-caught-counterfeit-goods/article-1297651-detail/article.html

Hehe - it's good to be known!

Unicorn Tree Books Nominated Charity

First off we would like to say thank you to everyone that has contributed in the last year to our Nominated Charity - The Alder Hay Imagine Appeal. Together we have raised £367.

That's not bad going at all considering the economy, So thanks.

As you probably know we nominate a new charity each year on the anniversary fo the start of the business, and this year we have decided to go with Listening Books.

Listening Books is the only audiobook charity in the UK providing a streaming audiobook internet service, as well as a comprehensive postal service, to anyone who has a disability which makes it impossible or difficult to hold a book, turn its pages, or read in the usual way. Charity registration number. 264221

We figure this is a worthy cause as we love books and we want everyone to be able to enjoy them - this one is close to our hearts as well due to the fact that in our family we have people who suffer from both degenerative eye issues and physical issues that can contribute to causing our families favourite past-time to becoming something deeply missed. So we want to help make sure that everyone with similair issues gets to continue enjoyig the treasures that books are.
We hope this is a Charity that again you will all be able to get behind with us and that this year we can raise as much, if not more!, for this worthy charity too.
You can donate in shop giving your pennies as so many of you already do - or of course you can dontate directly through our JustGiving Page too. Thanks :0)

Church & Community Group Partnership Scheme

We have now officially launched our Church & Community Group Partnership Scheme!
So if you have a church or group we would like to help you earn revenue by becoming an affiliate partner of Unicorn Tree Books & Crafts!
(That's right an affiliate scheme thats not cyber based but is in a real shop with real people!! though of course you can still twitter or facebook your orders and enquiries to us!)
This is a real opportunity for working together to build community by supporting each other! More proof if needed that we are Working with you and for You!

The basic idea is that Churches and Community Groups (this also includes schools, clubs or any community, church or group based initiative) sign up with us as a Partner, Once signed up you promote us to all your church/group members and then everytime they come into the shop and make a purchase, providing they let us know they are part of your partnership, you get a percentage of that sale held in credit for your church/community group!

That's right - they buy, you spend!
It cost's your collective members nothing extra,
it costs you nothing but a bit of time, word of mouth and/or print promoting the service and our shop to your collective members (and anyone else you know who may benefit from the Scheme please!),
in fact the only one it's costing is us as we give away a percentage of our income to you!
We think this is worth it as we are helping you and we hope building community at the same time - and yes we do not deny we hope it helps us too by increasing the outreach of our shop too!

We will be hoping to run special partnership events and offers as time progresses as well.

So whats the catch?
Your collective partnership have to buy up to £250 worth of goods in the course of the year, now even if your group only has 10 people in it (and remember you can get them to recruit their friends and family for your aims as well - it's a viral charity thing!!) then that's only a total spend for each of them of £25.00 in a year!
Given everything we sell - books, jigsaws, arts & craft supplies, gifts, music, cards, dvd's, stationary & lots more - thats not really going to be that hard is it!

So please do contact us to sign up & please do spread the word around about the Scheme - it's open to any Church and Community Group and also to pretty much any other group, club or network too!

Time Stops for No Man - But Clocks Do!

I'm in the Echo again doing the page 3 thing! who knew I was so photogenic!!
Anyway the clock in the market - rather like the economy - has slowed down to a virtual stop and so the nice people from the echo came back to report on it.
Actually I was on page 3 of the Lincoln Echo twice this week as I was also mentioned in a report about doing away with the penny! fame at last.
So here are the links for those that might be interested:
Markets Antique Clock Stops Working
Charities Threatened by Death of 1p

oh and the wonderful thing about the penny article - the next day a wonderful disabled gentleman came in with a pocketful of copper to dontate - now that is community mindedness and generous giving.

See it proves that together we can do more for more!
Remember here at Unicorn Tree Books as an independent shop we are Working with You and For You!
and with that in mind just to let you know out Church & Community Partnership Scheme is now officially up and running as from today! more on this exciting community initiative later!!

So anyway come by and see us - and feel free to bring an extra coffee with you, latte with a shot of caramel, for when we stand and chat!