Booksellers: It's Not Too Late to Win a Trip to Historic Charleston

Downtown Charleston, SC

It's not too late for Book Sense member bookstores to participate in a national marketing program for the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to historic Charleston, South Carolina. The cooperative promotion, launched last month by Book Sense, HarperCollins, and the History Channel, is designed to tie in with the April 14 and April 26 History Channel broadcasts of a documentary based on Jay Winik's book April 1865: The Month That Saved America (Perennial).

The History Channel's April 1865: The Month That Saved America examines perhaps the most crucial 30 days in the history of the U.S. -- the final days of the Civil War. From interviews with top Civil War historians to historical reenactments of significant events, the documentary brings to television a detailed description of a remarkable time in history.

The promotion offers consumers a chance to "Win a Trip Through History," a trip along the Civil War Trail. Participating bookstores should have received in-store promotional material, including an in-store counter easel and poster. Customers enter the sweepstakes to win the Civil War trip at http://www.historychannel.com/booksense, which has a prominent link to the BookSense.com site.

Already, over 45,000 consumers have flocked to the Web page to enter the contest. As a result, the promotion is raising consumers' awareness of Book Sense and driving traffic and business to BookSense.com.

Participating booksellers can enter an in-store display contest for a chance to win a four-day, three-night trip to beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, or an in-store appearance by author Jay Winik. Photos of April 1865 displays should be sent to Book Sense Marketing Associate Director Meg Smith by April 30, either by mail or by e-mail to [email protected]. A winner will be picked at random. (Photos can be mailed to Smith at ABA, 828 South Broadway, Tarrytown, New York 10591.)

Booksellers with questions regarding the April 1865 promotion can also contact Smith at (800) 637-0037, ext. 1239.