Independent publisher Europa Editions has announced the creation of the Bookselling Without Borders scholarship for U.S. booksellers, which aims to connect American booksellers with the international book community through panels, bookstore tours, and meetings, as well as receptions with international authors, publishers, and booksellers.

In 2018, the scholarship will send booksellers to the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Turin International Book Fair, and the Guadalajara International Book Fair in 2018.

“In this way, they become more informed and enthusiastic advocates for international voices and for meaningful bibliodiversity in the U.S. book market,” Michael Reynolds, editor in chief of Europa Editions, said in a statement.

The scholarship is supported by Catapult, Europa Editions, Graywolf Press, The New Press, and Other Press, which have committed a total of $15,000 to get the project up and running.

The independent publishers have launched a Kickstarter campaign [4] to raise additional funds to finance the travel for the 2018 scholarship winners and to establish a permanent fellowship fund. Donors are eligible for perks such as receiving a bound manuscript or galley or the opportunity to bring an editor to their book club or have dinner with an author.

In 2016, Europa Editions sent bookseller Ariana Paliobagis of The Country Bookshelf [5] in Bozeman, Montana, to Frankfurt Book Fair, where she spoke on panels and met with publishers, authors, and representatives from bookseller associations from around the world.

Earlier this year, Europa Editions and Other Press, the sponsors of the 2017 International Book Fair Scholarship for U.S. Booksellers, took three booksellers to the Turin International Book Fair [6] in Italy: Jonathon Welch of Talking Leaves Books [7] in Buffalo, New York; Jennifer Witte of Skylight Books [8] in Los Angeles, California; and Camilla Orr of Changing Hands Bookstore [9] in Phoenix, Arizona.

Learn more about the Bookselling Without Borders scholarship and donate here [10].