Q. So what is it you want, exactly?

A. I want Americans to consider using their stimulus rebate to invest in my project: an independent bookstore in Brooklyn.

Q. What kind of bookstore?

A. A mid-sized general bookstore, with books on every subject (including kids books), and a space for author readings and other events. The store will eventually include a café and wine bar, and will tailor its book selection to the needs of the community. Oh, and it will be staffed by trained booksellers who really want to help people find the books they want to read, not to show off their literary cred. If you're really interested, email me and ask to see a portion of my business plan.

Q. And who are you?

A. I'm Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, an independent bookseller in New York City, and a passionate Brooklynite. I'm also on the executive board of the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association, the chair of the Emerging Leaders Project, a member of the ABA Digital Task Force, a literary blogger, and an occasional speaker at book industry events on the subjects of graphic novels, author events, and online marketing.

Q. Does anyone think this bookstore is a viable idea?

A. Yep. My bookstore won first prize in a Brooklyn-based business plan competition. I'm working with a Brooklyn community organization that has devoted a committee to bringing my bookstore to their neighborhood. I have support from independent booksellers and publishers in Brooklyn, and from the American Booksellers Association.

Q. How do I invest?

A. Using the options on the donation page, choose how much of your stimulus rebate you want to contribute to the bookstore startup costs. In return, you'll get a piece of swag, and some buying power at the bookstore when it opens.

Q. Are you a nonprofit? Is this a tax-deductible donation?

A. NO. Your contribution to Stimulating Reading is not tax-deductible, and I am creating a for-profit business. The only reason to contribute is because you think this project is worthwhile enough to support with your stimulus rebate, and you're interested in getting in on it.

Q. How do I know I'll get to cash in on my gift certificate or discount card?

A. It's kind of an act of faith. Your card will be activated as soon as the bookstore opens; if it never opens, it never gets activated. But I've got every confidence it will open within the next year, and I hope you will too.

Q. But I heard no one reads books anymore. Why would you start a bookstore?

A. Reports of the death of the book have been greatly exaggerated. The successful, growing bookstores I've worked in are one proof. But here's just one statistic: The U.S. Census recently reported that bookstore sales were up 11.4% in February 2008 –that's the 8th month in a row bookstore sales have been up over last year. That's faster growth than the retail sector overall, and that doesn't even count online sales or used books. You can email me for more data if you're not convinced.

Q. Do you honestly expect to raise all of your startup costs with this project?

A. No. I'm working on some other fundraising campaigns locally, seeking private investors, and approaching banks for a small business loan. I'm just hoping that folks who want to make an economic impact with their stimulus rebate can help reduce the amount of money I need to raise through other means.

Q. Why is giving you my rebate better for the economy than spending it on stuff I want?

A. Good question! Through supporting the creation of a new business, you're pumping money into the economy not just one time, but over the life of the business –potentially many years. And since it's an independent business, a larger percentage of the profits circulates back into the local economy than with a chain or corporate store, where a large part of the profits go back to corporate offices and into executive paychecks. Plus, you'll be putting more books in a community, increasing the neighborhood's (and the country's) overall literacy, which leads to better educated citizens who earn higher wages.

Q. What if I'm not into giving you my stimulus rebate? Any other suggestions?

A. Yes! Buy whatever you want, but spend your rebate (or part of it) at independent, locally owned businesses in your community. Those businesses put so much more back into your local economy –up to three times more, according to some economic studies– that you'll be doing a lot more good with your dollar. Here's a link where you can find independent bookstores near you. You can also support your local record store, hardware store, clothing boutique, or pharmacy. You might even meet your neighbor, and talk about what they're doing with their stimulus rebate.