Incubator

Why ORPIB Chose Spoke and Word Books

The Incubator Team of experts carefully reviewed over a dozen applications to our Incubator Program. Below are some excerpts from owner Cierra’s application that especially resonated with us. 

“I think everyone deserves to be at the center of a joyful story, and I love being able to promote these stories so that kids coming up now have a better experience.”

“Hi, I’m Cierra, and my family and I are opening this bookstore! I’ve spent the last 16 years in retail management, and have spent years volunteering in various roles in my community. I’ve been operating Spoke & Word Books as a pop-up for the last year, and my favorite part of selling books is hearing from people about what books they’re looking for and why. I grew up reading voraciously- I got in trouble in 2nd grade for sneaking a Baby-Sitters Club under the desk during math class. (In case you’re curious, I’m totally a Kristy).

“I remember being a young teen and not having access to any media that represented me. I would go to the local library and search for the keywords “bisexual,” “lesbian,” and “gay.” I would sit at the computer at the back, sweating and praying that no one caught me searching for these words. When I did find queer books (which was not often), there…was little joy, and almost no stories that celebrated queer existence. I take so much pleasure now in buying and promoting books that celebrate queer life, especially books where the main conflict in the story isn’t someone’s queerness.”