Meet Anna Lyon | Horror bookseller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Lyon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, how does your business help the community?
I was really passionate about creating a sustainable business. The climate crisis is always on my mind, and I’m so inspired by the many businesses out there who are dedicated to secondhand and sustainable practices. I’m also just a passionate thrifter, and love giving an item another life. All of our books are secondhand or publisher’s overstock. That means they may not be in perfect condition, but most of our books are in great shape. All of our packaging is made out of recycled materials. Our gifts are sourced from other small businesses and independent artists. I even bought a refurbished shipping label printer. We are an online store, and the entire business is run out of my very old basement. I really tried my best to make the business a positive, or at the very least neutral, for the planet. That doesn’t mean I’m perfect at it, but I do try to lead with intention. The other benefit of secondhand books is that my prices are affordable for people. I completely recognize how expensive books can be, and I hope to offer people great books at an accessible price.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I run a secondhand bookstore and gift shop called Wicked Basement Books. While we are based in Denver, Colorado, we are an online only business that ships everywhere in the U.S. I run everything out of my 119-year-old basement, but I have started doing vendor markets and hope to continue making more in-person appearances around Denver. What sets me apart is my dedication to sustainability and offering a diverse selection of horror stories. I want to find a horror story for everyone, even if someone thinks the genre is not for them, and I want to connect them with something truly special.

It’s important to note that I never thought I would open a business in a million years. The idea really didn’t seem to align with my personality. An unbridled passion for horror got me here, and I can say that it was easier than I thought it would be — mostly because the logistical aspects seemed overwhelming. With the support of my community, it ended up being a lot easier than I anticipated, but there were certainly challenges along the way, and times when it seemed like more work than it was worth. Luckily, I was wrong, because the experience has exceeded my expectations, and has been so rewarding.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite places to eat are La Diabla, Ace Eat Serve, The Bindery, Bang Up to the Elephant, Potager, Blue Island Oyster Bar, Tacos Selene, and Birdcall, just to name a few. RIP Denver Ted’s Cheesesteaks. As someone who grew up in Tennessee, I must shoutout Blazing Chicken Shack for offering the most incredible Southern food that tastes like home. Food is one of my three personality traits, so I love this question.

As far as drinks, I love going to The Crypt, Gold Point (they also have great food), and Yacht Club (ALSO great food).

My favorite bookstores in town are Kilgore Books, Petals and Pages, and Mutiny Information Cafe. I love shopping for records at Wax Trax and Twist & Shout. My favorite store in town is Horrid, and I absolutely love taking fellow horror friends there. I’m a big thrifter, and my favorite thrift stores are Atomic Salvage, Strawberry Mountain, and Goldmine Vintage. I’m also obsessed with Odditorium.

My favorite coffee shops are Thump and MiddleState Coffee. Cheesman Park is one of my favorite places on earth. When I have friends in town, I try to visit as many of these places as possible. I’m such a huge lover of the city of Denver, but these are my all-time favorites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to shoutout my mom for fostering my love of horror, Ira Levin for writing the world’s greatest horror novel (Rosemary’s Baby), and the many small business owners out there who made business ownership look accessible for someone who never thought of themselves as the business owner type. I must shoutout my best friend, Cait, who owns a small business herself (Tuck & Wild) and answered so many logistical questions for me. Lastly, I’d love to shoutout my husband who offered me nothing but immediate support when I told him I wanted to open a horror business out of our basement.

Website: https://www.wickedbasementbooks.com

Instagram: @wickedbasementbooks