London Book Fair 2016The London Book Fair has just issued a press release announcing a search for the world’s best bookstore, as part of its new LBF International Excellence Awards 2016. Online submissions are now open, until January 15th, 2016.

According to the release, the LBF International Excellence Awards 2016, launched in association with the UK Publishers Association (PA), “are back for a third year to celebrate publishing success across the world and across sectors, with categories including Academic, Education and Trade publishing. Companies or individuals can enter for the awards via the LBF website by 15 January 2016. Publishers are also encouraged to nominate companies or individuals who they feel deserve to be recognised for outstanding achievement in publishing this year.”

By and large, I am admittedly very sniffy about the London Book Fair, and its devotion, alongside the PA, to the interests of publishers above those of readers, writers, bookstores, and even books. But I do believe that good bookstores are an invaluable cultural asset worth recognizing and celebrating.

Richard Mollet, Chief Executive of the PA, said in the release: “Our focus this year on finding the world’s best bookstore aims to highlight the absolutely vital role bookshops play worldwide in not only promoting new titles but also advising readers on the many excellent books already published but yet to be discovered.”

Ten out of the Awards’ 13 categories are open to entrants outside the UK. “The shortlist will be announced in March 2016. The winners will be announced at an invitation-only ceremony on Tuesday 14 April 2016, at LBF, Olympia, London.” Full details on entry criteria can be found on the LBF website at www.londonbookfair.co.uk/awards.

Why not head on over there and nominate your favorite bookstore now?

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