Best Independent Bookstores in Arizona

As one of the top professional editing, ghostwriting and marketing companies in Phoenix, Arizona, Midnight Publishing is a huge supporter of local, independent (“indie!”) bookstores in our home state. Independent bookstores are fantastic establishments to support, as they invite a variety of authors for signings and talks, offer goods and merchandise from local vendors, and the best part—many of them will partner with self-published authors in the area to sell their books on consignment! (Find our managing editor Ashley R. Carlson’s YA steampunk fantasy novel, The Charismatics, at Changing Hands in Tempe)! As editors and ghostwriters, the staff at Midnight Publishing loves our local bookstores because they give readers want they want, offering a wider variety of titles, used books for affordable prices, and an overall feeling of reverence and love for the written word. Here are some of the best independent bookstores in Arizona:

Changing Hands Bookstore- Tempe Location

An Arizona hub and famed bookstore, the Tempe location of Changing Hands opened in 1974 on Mill Avenue, outgrowing their space to open the current 15,000 square-feet location on McClintock and Guadalupe in 1998. With the vision of bringing a huge offering of books and providing a social gathering place where booklovers could unite, Changing Hands also made it their mission to support local and national charities and vendors, while listening to readers’ requests and insight on which titles to carry. Visit the Tempe Changing Hands location for a variety of author signings from big-names like Lisa McMann, Suzanne Young and even celebrities like Ozzy Osbourne, and for lots of other fun activities including book clubs and writers’ workshops.

Changing Hands Bookstore- Phoenix Location

The central Phoenix Changing Hands location offers something most other bookstores cannot—their very own bar and restaurant! Yes, that’s right: the First Draft Book Bar is a part of the Phoenix Changing Hands bookstore and serves local craft beers, wines, artisanal coffee, baked goods and small bites to booklovers around the city. Join the First Draft Book Club to discuss a new book every month chosen by Arizona Republic reporter Barbara VanDenburgh!

The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, Arizona

This local bookstore in Old Town Scottsdale is celebrating its 25^th year of providing a variety of local and nationally published fiction to Arizona residents and prides itself on offering many autographed first edition copies of beloved books. With a focus on crime and mystery fiction, The Poisoned Pen has hosted many award-winning authors for signings and events (just check their ceilings, which are draped with signed headshots by famed authors, speakers, and celebrities!). Join one of their many book clubs for signed first editions in a variety of genres, and stop by the many local restaurants nearby in the Old Town Scottsdale’s Arts District for a great meal afterward.

Barefoot Cowgirl Books in Flagstaff, Arizona

This adorable bookstore in mountainous Flagstaff is a huge support of local authors, especially those who have written non-fiction about Arizona’s vast history with Native American tribes, settlements, and the Wild West. Barefoot Cowgirl Books also carries local art, jewelry, clothing and stuffed animals to cater to all ages, and participates in many of Flagstaff’s events like First Friday Artwalks, book signings and more. Stop by for their regular apparel discounts, book specials and ever-changing jewelry and art offerings. Find a list of their local authors’ books here.

Whether you’re in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson or in between, there are so many local and independent bookstores that you can support and that want to provide you with carefully curated books! Ready to get your own book on their shelves? Then contact Midnight Publishing’s professional editing and ghostwriting staff today for a complimentary edit of your first 1,000 words! We can’t wait to get your manuscript publish-ready and onto a bookstore’s shelves!