The deadline is Monday, October 21, for booksellers at American Booksellers Association member bookstores to apply for the ABA Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, a new annual honor for booksellers.

The award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of booksellers whose ideas, creativity, and execution have improved their store operations, fostered community relationships, inspired new efficiencies, created a more inclusive environment, saved money, or increased sales.  

The award application process is open to all booksellers from ABA member bookstores who are in good standing; the ABA Entrepreneurial Excellence Award will be given to two booksellers. ABA is also forming an Award Selection Committee, which will be comprised of booksellers who will review the applications and select the winners.

The two winning booksellers will receive a full scholarship to Winter Institute 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland, covering up to five nights in the host hotel; reasonable travel costs; and a stipend of $1,000. Applicants may submit their application as an essay, in a video, or via audio recording to [email protected] [6].

Applications should include the problem or concern the bookseller has recognized, the solution they created, the steps they took to implement the solution, and the results of implementing their idea. Applicants should also provide data to support the success of their innovative idea.

All applications must be received by Monday, October 21, and the winners will be announced on Monday, November 18.