Open Up Lawn Gnome Publishing!
Donation protected
In late February 2020, Lawn Gnome Publishing found a new home for our poetry slams, open mics, storytelling showcases, art, music, and books. Since 2012, Lawn Gnome Publishing publishes local authors, hosts the Phoenix Poetry Slam, and sells used books. We were named Best Used Bookstore by Phoenix New Times in 2013. Lawn Gnome Publishing hosted the Individual World Poetry Slam in Phoenix in 2014. Many performers that graced our 'stages' gone on to be featured on popular podcasts, radio and television programs. We are thrilled to return back to where it all started, on 5th Street and Roosevelt. However, with the recent events, we are struggling to pay the costs to survive and open our doors to the public.
In order to make it work, I am living in the back of the bookstore with my daughter. The shop is ready, all the licenses are acquired, the walls painted, the plumbing redone, the books on shelves, and stage set up to open with social distancing guidelines in place. Each contribution, no matter the amount, means the world to me, my family, and the community that we serve.
As the economy opens back up, the rent is due, and the summer months begin. We need your help in order to be able to open our doors and help put books in our community's hands.
Perks of Contribution
$5 – Buy a writer a coffee!
$10 – Buy a local poet's book!
$15 – Buy a high school student a poetry slam ticket!
$25 – Sponsor a weekly poetry slam!
$30 – Happy hour prices for a month ($1 off coffee drinks)!
$35 – Lawn Gnome Publishing T-shirt
$50 – Lawn Gnome Gift Card!
$75 – Sponsor a book club!
$85 – Happy hour prices for 3 months!
$125 – Sponsor a brick commemorating one of the past tenants of the space we are occupying (Of The Earth, Nachobot, Missconstrued Boutique, RezBot, Melt, Doctor Joe, Wayward Gypsy, Black Raven Tattoo, Buried Treasures)!
$135 – Sponsor a food truck!
$149 – Buy a zip file of every book Lawn Gnome Publishing has published (over 100 titles including poetry from Michael C Ford, Jimmie Ware, Jesse Parent, and Aaron Hopkins-Johnson, a couple of graphic novels by Tommy Cannon, many classics, and up-and-coming writers from Phoenix).
$175 – Happy hour prices for 6 months!
$250 – Sponsor a weekly storytelling mic for a month!
$365 – Happy hour prices for 1 year!
$450 – Sponsor a free, all-ages open mic for a month!
$945 – Sponsor a poetry slam team's participation in a regional event!
$995 – Lifetime Happy hour prices!
$3000 – Sponsor a new mural!
$36000 - Title Sponsor "Lawn Gnome Publishing brought to you by Silicon Valley Investor" for one year.
What is Lawn Gnome Publishing?
Lawn Gnome Publishing was founded in 2004 by Cortez High School and Northern Arizona University Alumni, Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.
Our first physical bookstore was in a 9 ft by 9 ft room inside of The Firehouse Gallery on 1st Street and Roosevelt, in 2010.
Our first home on 5th Street and Roosevelt was started from a successful Kickstarter back in 2012. Our goal was $2000. (Note from Aaron - I had $200 in my pocket, no car, and built the shelves using construction scraps that I moved with a grocery cart).
Lawn Gnome Publishing is a Preferred Partner with Eventbrite, using the platform for ticketing since their beginning in 2012.
Hosted an all-ages open mic every Monday from 2010 until 2016.
Hosted the first weekly storytelling mic in Phoenix from 2012 until 2016.
Hosted the Phoenix Poetry Slam from 2012 until 2014 and then 2016 until 2020 (at Megaphone PHX and The Lost Leaf).
Lawn Gnome Publishing on 5th Street and Roosevelt is the nearest bookstore to Sky Harbor Airport.
Invented an original recipe for a bar of soap that some people LOVE.
Gave many books a new home with Blind Date Books.
Hosted over 1000 different performers in the past 10 years.
Facilitated book release parties for over 100 local authors.
Worked with local promoters to bring incredible performers to Phoenix such as Saul Williams, Michael C Ford, CR Avery, Ed Mabrey, S.A. Griffin, Nik Turner of Hawkwind, Jesse Parent, Rachel McKibbens, Robbie Telfer, Megan Falley, Buddy Wakefield, Derrick Brown, The Slow Poisoner, Alice Bag, FMLY Fest, Scarub, The Darts, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Porsha Olayiwola, Damien Flores, Paulie Lipman, Belly Belt, Ceschi, Open Mike Eagle, Sole, and Christopher Michael.
Serve other local businesses with promotional materials such as website builds, hosting, Facebook and Instagram advertising, local directory listing updates, ebook conversions, printing, publishing, (for prices that are reduced to over half of what other local advertising agencies are charging while using better tech most of the time).
Sold art for many local artists including Hector Fernando Garcia, Joe Gonzalez, Buzza Wuzza, Jez Craig, and Banding Hendrix.
Hosted the Underground Publishers Convention with Jacki O.
Distributing zines through mail and online since 2004.
Produced many infamous community events such as Poechella (with The Lost Leaf), 24 Hour Poetry Open Mic (with David Tabor), PEP Rally (with Matt Storrs and Hattie Jean Hayes), Flannel Ball (with Bud's Glass Joint and Growhouse), The Bill Murray Crashpad (with Paul Horner, Provocatease, Mobile Karaoke Unit, Arizona Ghostbusters and more), The Mustache Party (with Jobot Coffee and Bar), the 4/20 Spoken Word Showcase (with NORAZ Poets), The Alzheimer's Poetry Project (with Gary Glazner and NORAZ Poets), Live at The BBQ (with Mike Cause and DJ Catalyst), The 2012 End of The World Party, Strange Features Cult Movie Night, and the International Busking Festival .
We help local schools fill their libraries with reading lists
We have donated over 50,000 books to local schools and businesses in the past 10 years.
In order to make it work, I am living in the back of the bookstore with my daughter. The shop is ready, all the licenses are acquired, the walls painted, the plumbing redone, the books on shelves, and stage set up to open with social distancing guidelines in place. Each contribution, no matter the amount, means the world to me, my family, and the community that we serve.
As the economy opens back up, the rent is due, and the summer months begin. We need your help in order to be able to open our doors and help put books in our community's hands.
Perks of Contribution
$5 – Buy a writer a coffee!
$10 – Buy a local poet's book!
$15 – Buy a high school student a poetry slam ticket!
$25 – Sponsor a weekly poetry slam!
$30 – Happy hour prices for a month ($1 off coffee drinks)!
$35 – Lawn Gnome Publishing T-shirt
$50 – Lawn Gnome Gift Card!
$75 – Sponsor a book club!
$85 – Happy hour prices for 3 months!
$125 – Sponsor a brick commemorating one of the past tenants of the space we are occupying (Of The Earth, Nachobot, Missconstrued Boutique, RezBot, Melt, Doctor Joe, Wayward Gypsy, Black Raven Tattoo, Buried Treasures)!
$135 – Sponsor a food truck!
$149 – Buy a zip file of every book Lawn Gnome Publishing has published (over 100 titles including poetry from Michael C Ford, Jimmie Ware, Jesse Parent, and Aaron Hopkins-Johnson, a couple of graphic novels by Tommy Cannon, many classics, and up-and-coming writers from Phoenix).
$175 – Happy hour prices for 6 months!
$250 – Sponsor a weekly storytelling mic for a month!
$365 – Happy hour prices for 1 year!
$450 – Sponsor a free, all-ages open mic for a month!
$945 – Sponsor a poetry slam team's participation in a regional event!
$995 – Lifetime Happy hour prices!
$3000 – Sponsor a new mural!
$36000 - Title Sponsor "Lawn Gnome Publishing brought to you by Silicon Valley Investor" for one year.
What is Lawn Gnome Publishing?
Lawn Gnome Publishing was founded in 2004 by Cortez High School and Northern Arizona University Alumni, Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.
Our first physical bookstore was in a 9 ft by 9 ft room inside of The Firehouse Gallery on 1st Street and Roosevelt, in 2010.
Our first home on 5th Street and Roosevelt was started from a successful Kickstarter back in 2012. Our goal was $2000. (Note from Aaron - I had $200 in my pocket, no car, and built the shelves using construction scraps that I moved with a grocery cart).
Lawn Gnome Publishing is a Preferred Partner with Eventbrite, using the platform for ticketing since their beginning in 2012.
Hosted an all-ages open mic every Monday from 2010 until 2016.
Hosted the first weekly storytelling mic in Phoenix from 2012 until 2016.
Hosted the Phoenix Poetry Slam from 2012 until 2014 and then 2016 until 2020 (at Megaphone PHX and The Lost Leaf).
Lawn Gnome Publishing on 5th Street and Roosevelt is the nearest bookstore to Sky Harbor Airport.
Invented an original recipe for a bar of soap that some people LOVE.
Gave many books a new home with Blind Date Books.
Hosted over 1000 different performers in the past 10 years.
Facilitated book release parties for over 100 local authors.
Worked with local promoters to bring incredible performers to Phoenix such as Saul Williams, Michael C Ford, CR Avery, Ed Mabrey, S.A. Griffin, Nik Turner of Hawkwind, Jesse Parent, Rachel McKibbens, Robbie Telfer, Megan Falley, Buddy Wakefield, Derrick Brown, The Slow Poisoner, Alice Bag, FMLY Fest, Scarub, The Darts, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Porsha Olayiwola, Damien Flores, Paulie Lipman, Belly Belt, Ceschi, Open Mike Eagle, Sole, and Christopher Michael.
Serve other local businesses with promotional materials such as website builds, hosting, Facebook and Instagram advertising, local directory listing updates, ebook conversions, printing, publishing, (for prices that are reduced to over half of what other local advertising agencies are charging while using better tech most of the time).
Sold art for many local artists including Hector Fernando Garcia, Joe Gonzalez, Buzza Wuzza, Jez Craig, and Banding Hendrix.
Hosted the Underground Publishers Convention with Jacki O.
Distributing zines through mail and online since 2004.
Produced many infamous community events such as Poechella (with The Lost Leaf), 24 Hour Poetry Open Mic (with David Tabor), PEP Rally (with Matt Storrs and Hattie Jean Hayes), Flannel Ball (with Bud's Glass Joint and Growhouse), The Bill Murray Crashpad (with Paul Horner, Provocatease, Mobile Karaoke Unit, Arizona Ghostbusters and more), The Mustache Party (with Jobot Coffee and Bar), the 4/20 Spoken Word Showcase (with NORAZ Poets), The Alzheimer's Poetry Project (with Gary Glazner and NORAZ Poets), Live at The BBQ (with Mike Cause and DJ Catalyst), The 2012 End of The World Party, Strange Features Cult Movie Night, and the International Busking Festival .
We help local schools fill their libraries with reading lists
We have donated over 50,000 books to local schools and businesses in the past 10 years.
Organiser
Aaron Johnson
Organiser
Phoenix, AZ
