This week, Black Dog & Leventhal announced the winners of its “Why My Bookstore Matters” Winter Institute scholarship contest, launched in September in celebration of this month’s publication of “My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read, and Shop.”

William Kuhn, author of “Mrs. Queen Takes the Train,” a featured title in the multi-publisher Thanks for Shopping Indie promotion beginning November 24, talks about Queen Elizabeth, his writing process, and the public’s fascination with powerful people.

Jennifer Bigelow has resigned as executive director of the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association, effective December 31, 2012.

American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression President Chris Finan will be honored at the National Coalition Against Censorship’s Annual Celebration of Free Speech & Its Defenders on November 12 in New York City.

World Book Night U.S. has hired two new staff members: Laura Peraza, to manage social media platforms; and Erin Cox, to handle fundraising. Both will also work with Executive Director Carl Lennertz on customer service, web content, and marketing materials. 

As booksellers head to the fall regional trade shows, World Book Night U.S. has been posting video highlights of this past April’s celebration in different regions of the country on YouTube. Added this week is video of celebrations in California, just in time for the Northern and Southern California trade shows this month.

Award-winning broadcast journalist Bill Moyers discusses book banning and the harms of censorship in a new video essay commemorating the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week (September 30 – October 6).

ABA has announced the presenters for the Events Specialty Institute’s four breakout sessions and three roundtable discussions. The institute will be held on October 3 at The Depot in Minneapolis.

Award-winning broadcast journalist Bill Moyers and Judith Davidson Moyers, president of Public Affairs Television, have been named honorary co-chairs of Banned Books Week (September 30 – October 6).

A new Steering Committee has been meeting weekly this summer to set strategies and priorities for the 2013 celebration of World Book Night in the U.S. The Media Strategy sub-committee has also begun setting key publicity goals for year two.