BTW News Briefs

Applications Due June 28 for Drugan Scholarship

Booksellers interested in the New England Independent Booksellers Association's Rusty Drugan Scholarship for Emerging Leaders have until June 28 to submit their applications to Nan Sorensen.

The scholarship, given in memory of NEIBA's former executive director, covers NEIBA trade show expenses, including two nights at the conference hotel and two tickets to each meal event. Booksellers who work at a NEIBA-member bookstore and have at least one year of experience are eligible.

Booksellers may apply directly or nominate someone else for the scholarship. E-mail nan@neba.org to explain why you or your nominee should receive the scholarship. If you are applying directly, include your resume and background information.

Applications Due September 1 for Goldman Scholarships

The Southern California Independent Booksellers Association is now accepting applications for this year's Glenn Goldman Bookseller's Scholarships. SCIBA and Adrian Newell established the scholarships to honor the memory of long-time bookseller Goldman, the founder of Book Soup in West Hollywood.

One scholarship will be awarded for SCIBA's Authors Feast and Trade Show on October 23, 2010, covering registration costs, a one-night stay at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, and transportation costs. The other will be given for the American Booksellers Association's Winter Institute, held in Washington, D.C., from January 19 - 21, 2011, and will cover a three-night hotel stay and transportation costs.

Booksellers who have at least two years of experience and are working at an SCIBA-member store are eligible to apply. The application form is available on SCIBA's website.

Reach Out and Read Aims for 1 Million Books

Reach Out and Read, a nonprofit that partners with pediatricians to promote literacy and distribute books, has announced its “Summer of a Million Books” Campaign. The organization's goal is to give out one million books by Labor Day, and is asking the public to help by donating books or money for Reach Out and Read to distribute.

For the campaign, Reach Out and Read has established partnerships with a number of companies, including Scholastic Book Clubs and Charlesbridge. The organization invites individuals or companies that want to support the campaign to do so by organizing a local book drive, or by making a donation.

Riverhead Plans Donation to Hosseini Foundation

Fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and  A Thousand Splendid Suns can participate in Riverhead Trade Paperbacks' summer fundraiser for the Khaled Hosseini Foundation.

For every picture of a reader posing with one of Hosseini's books that is uploaded to Penguin's website at www.penguin.com/community/hosseini, Riverhead will donate $2 to the foundation, which provides humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

“Very often, the readers of my books send me letters to inquire how they can help people in Afghanistan. Now with the Picture a Book Changing Lives campaign, they can directly impact Afghan lives, particularly those of women and children. I am grateful to Riverhead for launching this wonderful program, and I thank the participants in advance for their desire to make a change in Afghanistan,” Hosseini said in a prepared release.