The Book Industry Charitable Foundation, in collaboration with Sourcebooks and the Denver Publishing Institute, has opened the application process for a scholarship to attend DPI, the four-week-long summer program (July 10-August 5) at the University of Denver. Classes are taught by industry professionals who work for trade, university, textbook and independent publishers throughout the country.
The application process--administered through DPI--is open to booksellers who are currently employed (full- or part-time) at a bricks-and-mortar bookstore, with a tenure of at least 90 days, and are employed by the bookstore at the time of the program. The scholarship, worth up to $7,000, includes tuition, room and board, and up to $2,000 to cover travel and lost wages. Applications will be accepted through February 24.
"The Denver Publishing Institute is an integral part of our publishing community, and several Sourcebooks staffers are proud graduates of their incredible program," said Valerie Pierce, director of marketing, retail & creative services at Sourcebooks. "We are so thankful that Binc is continuing their lovely scholarship program with DPI, because we know it will provide future booksellers and publishing professionals important opportunities to gain knowledge, skillsets, and relationships."
Cassie Duncanson of Wellesley Books in Wellesley, Mass., the 2021 scholarship winner, said: "Receiving the Binc Scholarship for 2021 opened doors that I had long wished I could open. Everyone at DPI--from the students to faculty to the administration were so generous with their time, energy, and knowledge, and still are to this day. I gained insight into all aspects of publishing that I was previously only privy to from the bookseller's side. Being able to see how the whole ecosystem works was so valuable, not just as someone looking for a career in publishing, but also as someone who continues to work in bookstores. I am so excited for what my future holds in the book world, and it's all thanks to Binc, Sourcebooks, and DPI."
DPI director Jill Smith commented: "We are delighted to be able to join Binc and Sourcebooks to support another bookseller's attendance at the 2022 Denver Publishing Institute. Booksellers are vitally important to the publishing community because of their direct relationships with readers. Our goal is to help them grow in their careers, whether they continue to grow their roles in retail or move into different positions within book publishing."
Booksellers can find out more details and apply here.