Sudden Fiction - Castle Rock, CO

Sudden Fiction, Castle Rock, CO

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There are some bookstores I visit that are situated in an area with little or no other businesses nearby (I'm not talking about neighborhood bookstores which are totally different and usually established).  These are the ones I might have some concern about because it always helps bookstores to be around other businesses.  For Sudden Fiction in Castle Rock, CO, nothing could be further from that challenging picture.  Even though Sudden Fiction is downtown, it feels like a newly developed condensed area of businesses and retail absolutely everywhere.  This town would make a great shopping destination.  On the weekday of my visit the town was packed.  Parking is plentiful but on this day it was hard to find.  Sudden Fiction has been here for three years and things are going great.  And I predict things are only going to get better for them in this community.  

Sudden Fiction is in an old church that has been divided up into several businesses called the Ecclesia Marketplace.  You'll find a combination of new and used books that are split approximately 2/3 to 1/3.  Many of those used books are donated but customers can receive store credit for their books if they choose.  There are few sidelines of note here so it is quite impressive that their success is based mostly on book sales.  Although, an additional part of the business includes draft beer and coffee.

The thing that pestered my mind was the store name, Sudden Fiction.  Did that mean they only carried fiction and nothing else?  Maybe some token non-fiction?  I'm happy to say that shortly after entering the store I found a well-marked and well-stocked non-fiction section.  Good news for those readers.

On the day of my visit I met 66% of the ownership team.  I didn't get to meet Gina but I had a great time talking to Christi P. and Joe D. who were fantastic to welcome me to the store.  Unsurprisingly, on the day of my visit the store was very busy, just like every other business in town.

If you're in Castle Rock or visiting, this is the place to be.  A vibrant, energetic business district with a bookstore poised for a great future.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Council Of Animals, Nick McDonnell.  A council of animals convenes after The Calamity to decide the fate of the remaining humans.  Eat them or let them live.  The leader of the council of animals is an orange baboon.  Convening after The Calamity.  I see some parallels.  Recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Power Of The Dog, Thomas Savage. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Carry On, Jeeves, P. G. Wodehouse.  The Love Songs Of W. E. B. DuBois, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers.  

Sudden Fiction is located in the Ecclesia Marketplace, a large old church that houses several businesses.

I love the stores' slogan, "Bookmarks Are For Quitters."

The bookstore is located on the lower level so its window display space is minimal. 

Beautiful mural on the inside entryway. 

Trade policy. 

Looking into the store toward the right from the entrance.  Once inside, the space is deceptively large. 

Looking around the corner and to the left from the entrance.  Head this way for the children's section. 

My kind of chair.  Settle yourself in and sample a book. 

Beautiful display of new releases. 

Book tote bag from Captain Obvious. 

I can confirm that in addition to sudden fiction, the store also has sudden non-fiction. 

Just a tiny portion of Colorado themed material. 

The chair pictured up above was just the warm-up.  This would be my main event. 

One of my favorite things here were the candles used to light some of the book nooks.  Very cool. 

Talented artists can create anything from a slab of wood.  Impressive. 

There were some great bargain books on this spinner. 

Looking for cute book lights?  Here they are!

It's always fun to see what the book clubs are reading. 

The store carries lots of books by local authors and local interest. 

Overview of the store looking across the space from the checkout counter. 

Creative packaging. 

Partial view of the children's area. 

Another reason to visit the bookstore. 

A few of the journals available.  Some of the most unique journals offered can be found in bookstores. 

I always love seeing the staff picks displays. 

With Christi on the left and Joe in the middle, two of the fine co-owners you'll meet at Sudden Fiction.  Thanks for a great visit.