Garth Stein Heading Binc Author Fundraising Group

Garth Stein has become Author Leadership Circle Campaign Chair of Binc, the Book Industry Charitable Foundation; along with Binc co-ambassadors Ann Patchett and James Patterson, he will work to make Binc sustainable so it can continue its mission of providing a financial safety net for booksellers for years to come.

In his new role at Binc, Stein will seek financial commitments from fellow writers. Leadership Circle authors (committed contributions in 2019) include Ann Patchett, James Patterson, Judy Blume & George Cooper, Leigh Bardugo, Gregory Maguire, Aimee Cabo Nikolov, Andrea Thome, Jessica Powell, Jonathan F. Putnam, Amor Towles, Gabrielle Zevin, Jeff Kinney, Christopher M. Finan and Susan Sands.

Garth Stein
(credit: Susan Doupé Photography)

Stein is the author of The Art of Racing in the Rain, A Sudden Light, How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, Raven Stole the Moon and four picture books for children. He called Binc "an essential organization that supports those who have always supported writers the most: booksellers. It is important for us, as authors, to reciprocate by supporting our compatriots in the literary ecosphere. I am excited to bring awareness of Binc's mission to my author friends; booksellers are our family, and family is the most important relationship of all."

Kathy Bartson, Binc's director of development, called Stein "well positioned in the industry and he understands how we each have a role to play in sustaining the organization that strengthens the book industry by protecting booksellers. He's a perfect fit for Author Leadership Circle Campaign Chair."

Pam French, Binc executive director, added, "We are grateful for all of our author and illustrator supporters--for their generosity, industry leadership, and creativity. Writers and their publishers are strengthening the booksellers' safety net through virtual author visits, royalty donations, volunteering their time, decorating piggy banks and more. It couldn't be a better time to welcome Garth Stein to Binc. We are seeing an increased need for assistance and need a corresponding increase in support, so booksellers will continue to have a place to call when they need help.”

Over the past year, various authors have developed creative ways to support Binc. Former Google executive Jessica Powell is donating print royalties from her new book, The Big Disruption: A Totally Fictional but Essentially True Silicon Valley Story (Medium). Aimee Cabo Nikolov, author of Love Is the Answer, God Is the Cure (Inspirational Books), and her publisher donated $5 for every copy of the book sold through April 30. For a donation of at least $100 to Binc, Gabrielle Zevin, author of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (Algonquin Books), will speak to book clubs, schools, and libraries for a half hour via Skype or phone. Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and owner of An Unlikely Story Bookstore & Café, Plainville, Mass., hosted a game show-style trivia fundraiser the day before Independent Bookstore Day at the bookstore. And on a recent tour to promote his new book, Final Resting Place: A Lincoln and Speed Mystery (Crooked Lane Books), Jonathan F. Putnam discussed Binc with booksellers and audience members at each stop and donated a portion of his royalties to Binc, which his publisher matched.

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