The last two blog posts have had references to the amazing Nerdy Book Box, an indie book box subscription service. Today, I have the pleasure of featuring NBB, and I am so excited for y’all to learn more about this awesome small business!
Q) What inspired you to create Nerdy Book Box?
A) I have always been a fan of book boxes. I have been subscribed to some of the bigger ones for years (and still am!). The more I delved into the Bookstagram world, the more I found books that were so fantastic and well-written, but nothing that would bring more attention to them. One book in particular really set it in stone for me. I read an advanced reader’s copy of The Stone of Sorrow by Brooke Carter and fell in love with it. When I tried to find more people interested in the book, or products themed on the book…there was nothing. That moment when I realized that a book may not flourish as it should because it wasn’t ‘popular’ enough made me take the dive into the world of book boxes. I wanted to do something different, something I hadn’t seen before. Indie books were very important to me, and thus the creation of Nerdy Book Box.
Q) What are your goals with NBB?
A) I want NBB to grow and spread the word of indie authors. I want smaller authors to feel like they have a chance to grow in a world that is led by popular writers. Their stories, worlds and amazing writing should be spread to wider audiences. Knowing that each box goes to someone that will love that book is worth it. Even if we stay small, just being able to see the love these books and small businesses get is what matters the most to me.
Q) What do you enjoy about working with indie authors?
A) I absolutely love their excitement and enthusiasm. They love the idea of people reading their books and getting to see their labor of love. It’s that passion that drives me every month to work with new authors. Seeing their reaction when they get the email from us is amazing. Absolutely adore their ideas and suggestions. I wish they knew how much I love them being so pumped to work with us!
Q) What is one of your favorite bookish items you have featured in a past box?
A) My absolutely favorite thing we have been able to offer is the enamel pins! Our very first pin was in the December 2020 box and it is BEAUTIFUL. I’m so thankful for our designer, Sandie, from Celestial Woods Shoppe. She is so talented and amazing.
Q) Are you willing to share any hints about what subscribers can expect in the year ahead?
A) Definitely! We really want to theme our boxes every month. We started in January with Crowns and Roses. February’s theme is Dark Whispers. March will feature an amazing dark fantasy by one of our reps. April will bring on spring time, and we’ll be featuring a nature-laden book from an international author. Think of lush, green forests as the theme!
Q) What is most rewarding about running NBB?
A) I absolutely love the creative photos, love, support and excitement for and from indie authors. Their enthusiasm really makes this all an amazing experience. It’s a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding. I hope to keep bringing more to the indie community and becoming a staple in the community. Another added bonus is being able to show my kids the meaning of hard work. They have seen me bring this business from the bottom up, and they are so inspired to follow in my footsteps in the future. That makes this all worth it.
Q) Do you have any advice for others who want to start their own small business?
A) Do. Your. Research. It’s one thing to have an idea, and it’s another thing to bring that idea into fruition. My husband helped me a lot with getting everything off the ground. It is helpful that he is an attorney, so he helped me with a lot of budgeting and technical aspects that I would not have been able to do on my own. There are so many great articles out there that will take you step by step, and a lot of amazing resources if you’re starting from the bottom up. Reading and research is the best way to start. It will give you an overview of everything. That information is invaluable.
Q) Can you tell us about you, the face behind NBB?
A) I’m pretty much a nerd, haha. My name is Tamara and I’m in my mid-thirties. I live in Southern California with my husband and two littles (who are turning out to be bigger book worms than me!). We are working on saving to buy a house in Washington state. I work full-time as a property manager (work from home), homeschool my kids, and manage my personal Instagram (@nerdybookmama) and Nerdy Book Box. I am the type of person that needs to keep busy, so my plate is always full. In my free time (when I have it, haha), I am an absolute gamer. Some of my favorite games are Skyrim, Fallout, Dragon Age, and Dead by Daylight. I haven’t found an absolutely favorite author, but I love anything and everything sci-fi and fantasy. I’m trying to read more contemporary, mysteries and thrillers. One of the series I really got into the most is The Raven Cycle. My best friend (@ccbooksleeves) actually got me into it!
Be sure to follow Nerdy Book Box on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok! Check out their website here.
New subscribers can use my code UNICORN10 for a 10% percent discount for a limited time! Be sure to tag me in your photos on Instagram so I can see how much you love your NBB! 🙂
I would so buy this if I lived in the US
I’m still short on cash from the holidays, but this is definitely something I’m saving for later. Thank you for posting this interview.
Thank you so much for your comment! 🙂 If you do get a NBB in the future, let me know how you like it!
Interesting! Thanks for the tip!