WNBA Pannell Award Nomination Deadline Extended

The Women’s National Book Association has extended the nomination period of indie bookstores for the WNBA Pannell Award to Thursday, January 31, 2013.

Nominations of general and specialty bookstores that enhance their communities by bringing exceptional creativity to foster a love of reading and books in their young patrons can be submitted by customers, sales reps, store personnel, or anyone else who has been impressed with the work of a particular independent bookstore.

Electronic nominations can be sent to PannellAward@gmail.com and should include the following:

1) Name, e-mail address, and phone number of the person making the nomination

2) That person’s connection to the nominated store

3) A brief statement outlining the reasons that store is being nominated

4) Contact information for the owner/manager of the nominated store.

Nominated stores will be announced shortly after the new January 31 deadline. These stores will then put together an electronic submission with a description of activities, goals, or any contribution to the local community that involves young people and books. Photos, media coverage, letters from customers, and anything else that transmits the degree of contribution can be included in the submission, which will be due by March 20.

The Pannell Award jurors will make their decision by late April, and a phone call will notify the winners, as well as all stores that sent submissions. Each of the two winners will receive a $1,000 check and a framed signed original piece of art by a children’s illustrator.  The presentation of the award will be in New York at the BEA/ABA Children’s Book and Author Breakfast, which draws more than 1,000 attendees.