Harper Creates State by State Essay Contest for Booksellers

HarperCollins is soliciting entries exclusively from booksellers for regional versions of Ecco's State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America (edited by Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey), which is on sale now in stores around the country.

Carl Lennertz, HarperCollins' vice president of independent retailing, explained the genesis of the idea for regional versions of the book: "After a few of us saw the screening of the Powell's film of State by State, Josh Marwell of Harper said to me that the book is 'heartland hip,' and then my assistant Marcus Opsal, formerly of Village Books in Bellingham, Washington, suggested, 'How about a booksellers' writing contest?'"

Interested booksellers are encouraged to send Lennertz an essay about any state they desire, and Harper will pick the best and publish all-bookseller regional versions in paperback in the next year. A percentage of the proceeds from sales of the books will be donated to the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE).

Chris Finan, the foundation's executive director, told BTW: "We're delighted that HarperCollins has invited ABFFE to be a beneficiary of this project. We really appreciate the support."

Essays of about 2,500 words should be submitted in Word format by e-mail only to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2009.

Lennertz' instructions to booksellers: "Take a look at some of the pieces in the book now to see the flavor of what we're looking for, okay? Warm up your Corona or #2's before the holiday season hits.

"As you'll see, some authors once lived in the state they wrote about, or do now, but some were sent to the state for a first, fresh look. I don't think you have time for the latter, but really, anything goes -- including drawings!"

Questions about the essay contest should be directed to Lennertz.