The American Booksellers Association and the Authors Guild have launched an initiative to produce events at independent bookstores around the U.S. in support of emerging writers. The events, each of which will include a conversation and a book signing, will pair a debut author with an established author in their home area. The emerging authors have been chosen by indie booksellers for ABA's Indies Introduce list.
Three events are scheduled for this fall, beginning October 24 at the Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Ga., which will feature Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give, Balzer + Bray) and Indies Introduce author Nic Stone (Dear Martin, Crown Books for Young Readers). Subsequent events include Esmé Weijun Wang (The Border of Paradise, Unnamed Press) and Margaret Wilkerson Sexton (A Kind of Freedom, Counterpoint) on October 29 at Book Passage in Corte Madera, Calif.; and Rachel Vail (Well That Was Awkward, Viking Books for Young Readers; Justin Case, Macmillan) and Karina Yan Glaser (The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, HMH Books for Young Readers) on October 29 at Bank Street Bookstore in New York City.
"ABA is pleased to be partnering with the Authors Guild to bring greater attention to debut writers," said Joy Dallanegra-Sanger, ABA senior program officer. "Through the Indies Introduce program, now in its fifth year, independent booksellers have identified many unique, new talents. We look forward to watching the program grow in scope and awareness through the events planned with help from the Authors Guild."
Authors Guild executive director Mary Rasenberger commented: "We are delighted to work with the ABA on this wonderful initiative, which helps debut authors launch their careers and brings new writers to readers. Events pairing debut and established authors are especially important today, as the world of traditional publishing continues to contract and creative work is devalued online. Writers need each other more than ever. And it begins with those just starting out in their careers. As the nation's professional organization for authors, the Authors Guild promotes and supports good literary citizenship among authors wherever and however we can."