“It’s a changing world for bookstores,” she said, “so we are always looking at ways to evolve.”

Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa City recently announced their new venture into the publishing world with a small press called Prairie Lights Books. The first two books from the press will come out in spring 2013 — “Sweet Will” by Philip Levine, a reprint of a 1985 Macmillan publication, and “Coming Close: 40 Essays on Philip Levine,” edited by Mari L’Esperance and Tomas Q. Morin.

The fruition Prairie Lights Books will prove to be an exciting development, both for the bookstore and for Iowa City, where writers co-exist in a connective atmosphere of shared inspiration and respect.

“We are so connected to the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop,” Weissmiller said, noting that the store’s reading series — started 22 years ago — is almost like a rite of passage for graduates of the program. “We have a lot of people to tap for ideas.

“We are also connected to book sellers across the country and have an immediate marketing network. Publishers still recognize the importance of hand-selling in bookstores.”

Read the full article, from The Gazette here:

My Biz: Prairie Lights in Iowa City starts its own small press