Literacy/Reading

World Book Night U.S. Executive Director Carl Lennertz urges booksellers to act now as two crucial World Book Night deadlines are just around the corner. Lennertz also shares some promotional ideas for right now.

Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize winner announced; $1.5 million gift will support literacy

Carol Chittenden of Eight Cousins has launched an initiative to help Bellevue Hospital in New York City rebuild its Reach Out and Read program, which lost thousands of books in Hurricane Sandy. The program serves approximately 11,000 underprivileged children a year.

Bookstores that wish to participate in the 2013 celebration of World Book Night in the U.S. must return a Host Store Marketing Agreement by Saturday, December 1.

Stores that wish to participate in the 2013 celebration of World Book Night in the U.S. must return a Host Store Marketing Agreement by December 1.

Authors Ann Patchett and James Patterson will be co-chairs of the 2013 celebration of World Book Night in the U.S. Also announced today were the 30 titles to be given away during the April 23 campaign as well as the opening of the online application process for volunteer book givers.

Plans for the next celebration of World Book Night, on April 23, 2013, are well underway, and World Book Night U.S. Executive Director Carl Lennertz is encouraging stores to return their 2013 Host Store Marketing Agreement “before the holidays heat up.”

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. 

Bestselling author James Patterson’s third annual essay contest for college-bound high school seniors has awarded 235 gift certificates ranging from $250 to $1,000 for use at IndieBound-affiliated bookstores.

In her bimonthly letter, ABA President Becky Anderson encourages booksellers to take a look at some new programs and intiatives available to all member stores; however, she notes, deadlines are approaching soon.

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.

This week a crucial first step opened for indie bookstores wishing to take part in World Book Night U.S.’s second annual celebration of reading, giving, and community. Bookstores are being asked to complete a 2013 Host Store Marketing Agreement.

On the eve of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance trade show in Naples, Florida, World Book Night U.S. has posted its second regional video on YouTube.

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.

As schools across the country adopt initiatives to better prepare children for the future, booksellers are facing new challenges as well as opportunities to work more closely with teachers and school librarians.