Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Lagrone.
Hi Cameron, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been an avid reader since childhood. I was the typical kid who fell asleep listening to books on tape – flipping the tape in my boombox each night to continue to the next part. My dad always tells a story about how when I started studying for my driver’s license at 15, I didn’t know what double yellow lines were because I’d spent my whole childhood with my nose buried in a book in the backseat of the car. Books and stories have always been important to me and have served as a point of comfort, escape, and connection throughout my life.
In the last couple years, like so many folks around me, I discovered the absolute JOY to be found in romance books. What I once thought of as outdated regressive stories have instead been a place where I’ve found stories that celebrate love and pleasure in all their forms. And as a queer woman, I continue to be delighted with the ever-expanding catalog of queer love stories that celebrate that love is love.
I was so lucky a couple years ago to find an online book club with a small group of women who want to read and talk about these books as much as I do, and truly embody the spirit of “we listen and we don’t judge.” Through them I have expanded my reading to include romance stories from contemporary to fantasy to the most unhinged stories out there and we’ve enjoyed every single one. Well, at least we enjoyed reading them together, even when we didn’t enjoy the book.
When I set out to create Finney’s Books, I wanted to create a space where others could find the community and belonging that I have been lucky enough to find online, but I wanted to create that community in person. My goal was to create a welcoming and safe space. I’ve always said the only judgment allowed is Finney’s signature side-eye; never for what you read, your preferred spice level, your favorite tropes, or your guilty pleasures (because at Finney’s, pleasure is never guilty!).
The store features books from contemporary romance with glimpses and kisses to high fantasy romance to monster romance to sentient object romance and erotica. I wanted to build a community where romance readers could come together over the books that make them laugh, cry, or beg for more.
Six months in, I am so humbled to see that goal coming to life before my eyes every week. Every time I sit in on one of our five monthly book clubs, I am loving the conversations our folks are having about storytelling, writing styles, plot devices, how sex is represented and used within these stories, and what these stories mean to each person individually. Everyone interacts with the books we read differently and it is really an honor to get to see folks connect over those experiences every week. Reading can be a solitary hobby, but I’ve continuously said it’s so much better with people to talk with about the stories you are reading.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course there have been a few expected bumps along the way – missed pre-orders or challenges navigating the complicated world of ordering books (publishers, wholesalers, direct from authors…). But, what I have struggled with the most over the past six months is making decisions for myself and the business that are in alignment with my values.
Those struggles have manifested in tangible ways like my continued decision not to offer shipping from my store – only pick up for online orders. Bookstores make a lot of sales, particularly for pre-order campaigns, when they offer shipping across the country (and sometimes internationally!). But, I do not have the capacity currently to offer shipping and I knew going in that would not be something I was able to offer or cash in on. I think that decisions has allowed me to focus in locally and make sure that what I’m offering and advertising online is focused on my customer base local to Austin, rather than getting swept up into the race of whether I have the best social media content or the most followers or whether random folks in Washington State know anything about me. I get to focus on the experience folks have at my store when they come to pick up their order.
This has also showed up for me personally in how I allow this new venture to impact my life. I still have a full-time 9-5 job during the week, which is why the bookstore has only been open on the weekends for the first six months. I am intent on not burning myself out with this new challenge, knowing that I won’t be able to provide the environment I want to provide for my customers if I am not present and happy to be there. For me this has meant really trying to lean into the mom-and-pop-shop model of providing service when I can, and making time for myself, as well. I closed for a couple weekends in January and February – for the economic blackout and for a personal vacation. I also closed in May for a work trip for my day job. I have let myself have these days off, rather than stress about finding coverage or hiring employees too soon. I was able to wait until that felt financially viable and personally sustainable, while also recognizing that I couldn’t keep going at the pace I’d been operating at for the past 6 months. That model has worked well for me and I finally hired my first employees in late May and opened the store 6 days a week starting in June!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Finney’s Books?
Finney’s Books is first and foremost a welcome and open space for queer readers. I curate a selection of reads that platforms all types of love, where everyone who walks into the store will be able to find themselves and their love on the page. Or, if they are looking to escape this world completely, we can help them find that. as well.
We offer community space for gathering, with comfy chairs and free coffee and tea. We offer fun events to include craft nights, show watch parties, book discussions, vendor pop-ups, and author signings.
We have five book clubs each month – queer romance, contemporary romance, dark romance, romantasy, and a Game Changers (Heated Rivalry series) book club. These clubs are open to the public and take place every Tuesday night at 6:30.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have found several great mentors over the years. I always try to approach folks with humility and thankfulness, recognizing that you are asking them to give up their valuable time, energy, and well-earned knowledge. I always recommend entering spaces with curiosity, rather than assuming you already have any answers or that their solutions will always work for you, just focus on what you may be able to learn from someone and be grateful for their willingness to welcome you in and share with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.finneysbooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finneysbooks/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/finneys-books-austin
