How To Sell 100,000 Sci-Fi Books

Inside Austin’s beloved bookmobile, Fifth Dimension Books

Lydia Pyne Blocked Unblock Follow Following Oct 24, 2016

Fifth Dimension Books, the Austin-based sci-fi bookmobile, is proof that the modern bookscape is a vibrant, diverse ecosystem.

Four years ago, the owners of Fifth Dimension Books, Sukyi and Patrick McMahon, purchased a collection of 100,000 science fiction books from the estate of family friend, Dr. John N. Marx. They bought a 1987 library-system bookmobile from Craigslist, spent months putting the books in storage, and bringing it up to snuff. In 2013, they opened their mobile bookstore in Austin’s hipster Hyde Park neighborhood.

They bought a 1987 library-system bookmobile from Craigslist, spent months putting the books in storage, and bringing it up to snuff.

“We knew that we couldn’t compete with something like Amazon,” Ms. McMahon said. “And we knew we didn’t want to. But we also knew that we had to translate being ‘science fiction aficionados’ into ‘successful business owners’ if we wanted Fifth Dimension Books to work. So we have to be creative and we’re always looking for new ideas to try out.”

Their niche? Expertise. They knew their sci-fi and they love to talk about it. They also know how to connect readers with the genre. From neophytes (“I’m not sure science fiction is really my thing — all those robots”), to connoisseur collectors (“You have signed copies of rare books?!?”), to niche fans (“I’m looking for something in early diesel punk”), Ms. McMahon believes that there is a science fiction book for everyone. Fifth Dimension’s motto is Used & Collectable Books For All Ages; Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Other Fringe Books. And they have those books by the shelf-ful.

Every month, Ms. McMahon stocks the shelves with new and different books, curating special shelves featuring less-read authors and various subgenres. She offers children’s puppeetering and a free, outdoor, award-winning story hour near in.gredients neighborhood grocer. The story hour is so popular that dozens of kids and their parents find their way to the Fifth Dimension’s child-sized bookshelves and to meet Octavia the puppet — named in honor of Octavia Butler. If you email Ms. McMahon, she’ll compile a personal “must read” sci-fi list for you.

“Sukyi and her weird wandering book mobile were a wonderful addition to our grounds every Monday morning for nearly a year,” said Josh Blaine, owner of local grocer in.gredients. “She attracted families from all over Austin with her free children’s story time, which included puppets, songs, and dance. It’s a beautiful sight: 20–30 parents and kids gathered on our lawn every Monday morning enjoying old-fashioned entertainment offered by a passionate and caring member of our community.”

The very, very young bookmobile patrons love lying on the floor, utterly absorbed in shelf of sci-fi for kids.

On its surface, Fifth Dimension Books appeals to the nostalgia of the thirty-plus and older crowds — readers that can remember bookmobiles from their childhoods. Younger book-goers love its “shop local” vibe. The very, very young bookmobile patrons love lying on the floor, utterly absorbed in shelf of sci-fi for kids. The store touts itself as a “mighty, yet miniature mobile mover of literature.”