Continuing its proud history of supporting independent booksellers, Simon & Schuster is joining forces with Bookshop.org, an online bookstore and affiliate network with a mission to support independent booksellers, to raise awareness and facilitate online selling for local independent bookstores during the Coronavirus crisis. Small businesses, including book shops, have been particularly hard hit and Bookshop.org enables consumers to safely purchase books online, while still supporting their local neighborhood book stores.
“Local independent bookstores are a crucial link in the chain that brings authors to readers, and are a vital force in building and maintaining a sense of community in cities and towns across America,” said Simon & Schuster President & CEO Carolyn Reidy. “As it becomes more and more difficult to buy books in person, and the threat to the very existence of bookstores becomes more acute, Bookshop.org offers a way for readers to support their favorite indie bookstore without leaving the house.”
Said Bookshop.org President Andy Hunter: “Supporting local, independent bookstores is always important. Right now it’s essential. Every book lover needs to rally around bookstores and safeguard their future. Many have been forced to close their doors, and the best way to show your support right now is to buy books from them online. Bookshop.org makes that easy.”
Starting today, buy buttons have been added to all Simon & Schuster websites, and the company is encouraging its authors to add the Bookshop.org links to their own websites and social media posts.
In addition, Simon & Schuster will use its many consumer-facing platforms to celebrate and promote the independent bookselling community and encourage shopping at Bookshop.org, including email marketing, social media, websites, blogs, and reading community sponsorships such as LitHub.
Bestselling author Stephen King said, “Independent bookstores are the lifeline of the intellect. They have to remain strong, especially in difficult times like these.”
Award-winning author Jason Reynolds adds, “Indie booksellers have consistently served as bonding agents for our communities. They work tirelessly to make sure we not only have books, but also a base, a place to come and simply be. They are, quite literally, the cover that protects the pages of who we are. And now, it’s time for us to protect them.”
In the coming weeks, many other Simon & Schuster authors will join the campaign including Mary H.K. Choi, Cassandra Clare, Jenny Han, Adam Higginbotham, Christina Lauren, Lisa Jewell, Shannon Messenger, Susan Orlean, Lisa See, Rebecca Serle, Neal Shusterman and J.R. Ward. These writers, and many more, will pledge and share their support of the independent booksellers with their millions of readers, encouraging them to use #readlocal and #supportindies on their own social posts and to shop Bookshop.org.
