Book Sense Book of the Year Balloting Begins in Revamped Style

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The American Booksellers Association has launched a new, streamlined balloting process for the 2005 Book Sense Book of the Year Awards. In a break from the past, the initial round of voting to choose five finalists in each category has been eliminated, and voting is now open to all booksellers from every regular member bookstore. In addition, Book Sense Book of the Year winners and honor books will be announced in late March, and their authors will be invited to attend the Book Sense luncheon and the Celebration of Bookselling at this June's BookExpo America (BEA).

About the changes, Book Sense Marketing Director Mark Nichols explained, "We're seeking inclusiveness in voting. We want as many booksellers to have a voice in the choice as possible.

"It is also our hope that an early announcement of the winners will enable more of the honored authors to attend both the Book Sense Author Luncheon and the Celebration of Bookselling on Friday, June 3, at the Javits Center. We're seeking to create the most meaningful BEA experience ever as authors and the booksellers who have enjoyed recommending and handselling their works come together to acknowledge and celebrate one another."

The 2005 Book Sense Book of the Year Ballot includes titles most often nominated by booksellers for the Book Sense Picks lists in 2004 in the categories of Adult Fiction, Adult Nonfiction, Children's Literature, and Children's Illustrated. There is also space for write-ins in each category.

The title receiving the most votes in each category will be designated the Book Sense Book of the Year. The next four titles with the highest number of votes in each category will be designated Book Sense Honor Books.

Multiple ballots from each ABA member store will be accepted. Stores do not have to participate in Book Sense to vote for the Book of the Year. Only one ballot per person will be accepted, and only books published in 2004 are eligible.

Booksellers can vote for their handselling favorites via an online form or download the ballot to mail or to fax to ABA by clicking here. A form is also being distributed in the January Red Box (sent to Book Sense stores only).

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by February 21, 2005 and received at ABA by February 28, 2005. Fax and electronic ballots must be received by midnight on February 28, 2005.