Black Tree Books

Interview with Michael Konze of Black Tree Books

When did you get started in bookselling?

In 2019, upon the completion of a literature degree, my mother asked me if I thought it a good idea to purchase a bookshop. We could not envision the months to come but we respect the irony in purchasing a brick and mortar bookshop only to have everything change within the year. We took the few months off to begin building our family homestead (another one of the things I'm passionate about.)

What drew you to bookselling?

I love literature. The endless worlds books can bring us to. The catharsis in engaging with the art form. The ways which the written word can bring us closer to one another. My degree is centered on 19th century literature.

Did you have any mentors in becoming a bookseller?

There are many in the industry who have taken the time to share pointers but mostly the very talented English department at my alma mater, Hartwick College.

What are your specialties as a dealer?

I specialize in boiled mysteries, weird fiction, 19th century American Literature and the Noir thriller.

What's the most amazing book you've ever sold?

They're all pretty amazing. We've found some pretty remarkable collections in the past.

What is your favorite part of being a bookseller?

As a student of literature, I think I tend to become bogged down with the mechanics of the whole process and through the shared experience of hand-selling books. I can better experience the emotions and feelings with others.

Do you have an open storefront or have you in the past?

When we first opened, we had a store front in a local shopping mall. After years of struggling, we moved our collection onto the family farm and began building that out to be a new brick and mortar. The goal, to expand our online presence, meet by appointment and rent one of our cabins out as a bookish bed and breakfast.

If so, do/did you have any bookstore pets?

Our bookshop cat, Harper Lee, made the move with us and can usually be found guarding the books from rodents or napping by the fireplace.

What is the funniest / strangest / scariest thing that ever happened in your store?

I don't know. Every day in public is sort of weird. There were many funny things that have occurred over the years. I suppose once there was a young man asking for advice on winning the heart of someone he admired. He asked for a book recommendation and ended up with a copy of Cyrano de Bergerac.

What is your favorite bookshop (other than your own)?

Easy. The Mysterious Bookshop. Also, The Hennicker Book Farm. And Pro Libris bookshop in Bangor Maine.

What do you personally like to read? Collect?

I'm a huge fan of Cornell Woolrich and Harlan Ellison

What's your favorite book you personally own? Would you sell it, if the price were right?

I love them all the same. I've had to do this in the past and it's always the same. Painful.

What one book would you buy if price were no object?

I waver between quantity as a reader but then I think it would be so cool to have certain special releases from time to time. I'm sort of a completist.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring three books, what would they be?

Dandelion Wine, Gentleman Junkie...Travels with Charley... Is there any way to pay for an extra bag like the trains?