Miranda Culp (she/her) grew up in Los Angeles among artists, booksellers, actors, and teachers. She got her B.A. in radical thought from Goddard College in Vermont and enjoyed her salad days in the Bay Area working at bookstores by day and singing in dive bars by night. She authored a short story collection entitled “The Brunt” and a local history book called ”Becoming the City of Citrus Heights.” Miranda co-owns Amatoria Fine Art Books in Sacramento, and she’d like to thank you for not shopping at scamazon.
By this person
![The writer Miranda Culp, left, and her business partner Laurelin Gilmore became the owners of Richard L. Press, Fine and Scholarly Books in November 2020 and renamed it Amatoria Fine Art Books. (Photo by Andrew Calisterio)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0424_opinion_bookstores_calisterio.png?1713294603)
The Great Circle of the Book
OPINION: Independent bookstores are the secret lifeblood of local culture
Independent Bookstore Day is April 27 this year. The owner of one of Sacramento County’s many independent bookstores lets us in on the unique purpose they serve in their respective neighborhoods.
![Topstitch owners Mallory Maupin and Samuel Rose teach workshops, fulfill custom orders, consult on product development and work on their own projects in their new Midtown shop. (Photo by Miranda Culp)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/img_0838.png?1685654956)
Getting to Know: Mallory Maupin and Samuel Rose
Local fashion duo launches Topstitch, a production house for education, design and manufacturing in Sacramento
In their brightly lit, smartly appointed shop in Midtown, Topstitch owners Mallory Maupin and Samuel Rose teach workshops, fulfill custom orders, consult on product development and work on their own projects.
![Davis-based artist Betty Nelsen is planning to move to a Buddhist community after a lifetime devoted to art. (Photos courtesy of Betty Nelsen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/betty_at_show.png?1684549320)
Art Exposed: Betty Nelsen
On the art of how to look in the mirror
In revisiting her early self-portraits, Betty Nelsen has zeroed in on the strongest elements, cropping the drawings into pages that will go into a series of handmade books.
![Beti Masenqo is a singer and songwriter who was born in Ethiopia and now lives in Sacramento. (Photo by Miranda Culp)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/img_0582.png?1681832493)
Art Exposed: Beti Masenqo
The musician-singer-songwriter blends folk and rock with the Ethiopian songs of her childhood
When she performs, singer and songwriter Beti Masenqo leaves this earthly plane in a way that seems entirely effortless.