BookHeart Founder Reveal, Updates, & What's Next

Hello BookHearters!

‘Tis I, your founder – Charlie.

It’s been 100mph since my last blog and a few updates I’ll catch you up on include:

1. I finally did my reveal

2. Updates on the platform

3. What’s coming next…

I finally revealed my identity! If you didn’t see the video, it’s located on our Instagram here: Reveal Video Here. Doing the reveal was a bit scary, but simultaneously exciting. I believed that BookHeart didn’t necessarily need a “face” or any one person. It’s about a community, something much bigger than any one individual. Additionally, other marketplaces function without a person, but therein lies what makes BookHeart different. My ever-the-optimist theory that if you actually meet other readers, enjoy stories, engage in meaningful conversation about what we read then you do, in fact, connect and truly connect beyond a transaction. You help your friend who really wanted something become an owner of that very thing they were looking for. Putting a face to BookHeart was a moment of embodying the same mission I set out to build.

I’ve been in healthcare for over 14 years. I started as a radiologic technologist (shoutout to rad techs – you are amazing, literal light workers and I see the hard work you put in day in and day out), turned physician assistant. I worked in orthopedic surgery and did emergency medicine on the side. I stepped into admin world, specifically operations. I got my MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business (GO BLUE DEVILS!). What does that mean about me: I care about people, I fix things, and I think at scale. Some of you notice those touches in BookHeart and it’s a cool moment when I hear “Wow. It’s like you read my mind.” Yep, I’ve been trained to decipher subjective presentations, analyze them, and ultimately, do something with that information. And lucky for the book world, I love books, the power of storytelling, and now I have a place where I can put these skills to good use.

Thank you to the people in the book community that knew about what I had been working on and honored my wishes to keep it a secret. Thank you to those who have become my friends over the past year that kept encouraging me to do a reveal. I had no idea that getting back into reading as an adult (instead of just medical texts and research articles) would provide me with the opportunity to make friends that are equally passionate as I am. I am grateful for the people that have turned into friends. The true “I want to clap for you”, “I show up for you” kind of friends. I am incredibly grateful. I hope those of you in the BookHeart community find and meet those same kinds of people as well. To the team at BookHeart, thank you for allowing my fire to be unbridled and bringing my ideas to life.

Moving on to updates.

1. For listings with offers, once a seller accepts an offer, the transaction is finalized. We had a laggy back and forth and it frustrated me (yep, I occasionally buy from BookHearters which is REALLY fun to dine in the castle we’re building). So that’s fixed.

2. We’ve updated our dispute processes where now if a buyer has a dispute, it pings both the BookHeart team AND seller rather than a lockstep process of seller then BookHeart. I’ve buttoned up what is and is not considered dispute worthy.

3. We have author direct retail live. If you know an author, are an author, or an author’s PA, an alternative space exists to list their books for direct to reader. Special editions welcome and yes, indie editions are welcome. In fact, we have BookHearters who specifically collect indie editions. If an author is interested, they have a seat at the table at BookHeart so long as they do not use AI to create their works (to include their books, artwork, or social media presence).

   1. To create their author page, they create an account on BookHeart, log in, go to the “authors” tab, scroll down to “claim author page”, complete the required inputs, and then their page goes into review. Once review is completed, their author page is live. If an author is interested in retail listings, they can send an email to theteam@bookheart.com to be granted access to this after they’ve built their author page. This is our measure to prevent AI works from being uploaded on BookHeart.

4.  If you are looking to purchase directly from an author, next to the “Marketplace” tab up top, the “New Books” tab are where you’ll find books sold directly by authors.

What’s coming next… we’re hosting an event! The BookHeart Book Festival is taking place on October 31 in Charlotte, NC at Distro Beer Hub 11:00am-4:00pm. 30 authors, 10 bookish vendors, tattoos, tarot readings, an aerial performance, and costume contest. It is free and open to the public to attend. BookHeart will have its first official booth! So surreal. Please come join us to celebrate stories, authors, the joy of reading, and perhaps the most magical day of the year - Halloween!

With fire and ink,

C

P.S. — I'm currently reading The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig. About halfway through and it's a lovely, beautiful close to the Stonewater Duology. I got to see Rachel last night in conversation with North Carolina author Lauren Blackwood at NC State, hosted by Quail Ridge Books. Lauren moderated beautifully, and it was heartwarming to hear Rachel talk about her craft, The Knave and the Moon, and what we as Rachel Gillig fans can look forward to next.