World Book Night 2013 Bookstore Sign-up Begins

This week a crucial first step opened for indie bookstores wishing to take part in World Book Night U.S.’s (WBN) second annual celebration of reading, giving, and community. Bookstores are being asked to complete a 2013 Host Store Marketing Agreement that affirms their commitment to be a site for individual book givers to both meet and pick up their books, as well as their commitment to be an active promoter of World Book Night in their communities.

During World Book Night, on April 23, 25,000 book givers in the U.S. will each give away 20 copies of specially printed, not-for-resale WBN editions to light or non-readers who are not likely to have the means for or access to printed books.

“The indies came through big-time in year one — I mean huge!” said Carl Lennertz, World Book Night U.S. Executive Director. “We couldn’t have done it without you. And still, as much as we did together to get a half million books to 25,000 volunteers, with great press coverage and online buzz, we know we can do even better in year two. We know we here at WBN can do better with materials, communication, and a website (a new one is in final design now).

“Booksellers will be very pleased by a number of big announcements coming in late October, as well as by the book selection, in the works, which will have a slightly more accessible, commercial tilt, but with the diversity of voice and surprise that we know you and the givers want and expect. You’ll see in the host store agreement and the news in this article that big things are expected of us and all participants, and that big plans are afoot for year two. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. Thank you for all you did in our launch year, and for what is ahead.”

“World Book Night is an incredible opportunity for booksellers to promote books and reading in their local communities, as well as on a worldwide stage, and we encourage all ABA member stores to sign up as soon as possible to take part in the 2013 celebration,” said ABA CEO Oren Teicher, a member of World Book Night Board. “Stores that took part in the first celebration received great publicity, built goodwill as well as sales, and most important of all, helped spread the joy of reading. Now plans are in the works to make World Book Night 2013 even better. ”

The Bookstore Marketing Agreement, available now on BookWeb.org, asks booksellers to actively commit to ensuring that World Book Night U.S. 2013 is even more successful than in its inaugural year. The agreement calls for stores to host a pre-WBN reception for givers, promote WBN via social media and to the local press, set up prominent WBN title displays, and more. The agreement also lays out key dates so that booksellers can begin planning events.

The deadline for Bookstore Marketing Agreements to be returned to WBN is December 1, 2012.

A number of improvements are planned for World Book Night 2013, including: announcement of the WBN titles in early November, at which time the giver application process will open; an easier application process for booksellers who also want to be givers (instead of filling out the online application, they’ll be able to sign-up by sending an Excel spreadsheet to Lennertz); and expanded national and local press coverage, including a $2 million pro bono ad campaign.