ASA, ABA promote ‘shop local, read local’ campaign for CBCA Book Week
The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) are promoting a ‘shop local, read local’ campaign for Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week 2021, which runs from 21 to 27 August.
‘We know that Book Week is an important time for authors and illustrators, not only for the thrill of being able to share stories and a love of reading with young students, but also as a significant source of events and book sales income,’ said the ASA and ABA in a statement.
‘With lockdowns and travel restrictions affecting parts of the country, we know that Book Week will be impacted for many authors and illustrators with cancelled or postponed events, or in-person events moved online.’
The two industry bodies said the campaign would encourage readers to buy ‘Australian books from Australian booksellers’, use the hashtags #shoplocal #readlocal on social media, and share posts ‘about your favourite Australian books and/or the Australian stories that have helped to sustain you throughout the pandemic!’
The 75th CBCA Book of the Year Awards will be announced online on August 20 at noon. After moving Book Week in 2020 from August to October, the CBCA this year decided to keep the traditional August timing of the event to coincide with the winner announcement.
‘Last year, we found that despite moving it to October, many schools and libraries still chose to celebrate in August,’ said the CBCA National Board. ‘This showed schools adapt to local needs and are flexible.’
‘We feel it is important to keep CBCA Book Week aligned with our Book of the Year Awards, and they have already been locked in for August 20,’ said the CBCA. ‘We sincerely hope members, and the community as a whole, will support our writers and illustrators during this tough time (having a lot of work cancelled across the country).’
‘While we have decided to stay with the August dates, we encourage our community to keep the party going and celebrate in their own way when it is safe to do so.’
The ABA and ASA have supplied downloadable tiles for Instagram and Facebook and Twitter.
Category: Local news
