Category: Press Release

Ann Arbor, MI ­– Binc announced today that Garth Stein has been named Author Leadership Circle Campaign Chair. Along with Binc co-ambassadors Ann Patchett and James Patterson, Stein will help Binc become sustainable so that the foundation can continue to fulfill their mission of providing a financial safety net for booksellers for years to come.

On why Stein is joining Binc, he said, “Binc is 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.”

Stein is the author of The Art of Racing in the Rain (Harper)—which has sold more than 6 million copies, been translated into 35 languages, and spent more than three years on the New York Times bestseller list. He has also written A Sudden Light (Simon & Schuster), How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets (Soho Press), Raven Stole the Moon (Pocket Star Books), and four picture books for children. His new role at Binc will focus on increasing awareness and strengthening the booksellers’ safety net through securing financial commitments from fellow writers.

Kathy Bartson, Binc’s Director of Development, commented, “Garth is so 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.”
Leadership Circle authors (committed contributions in 2019) also 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.

Pam French, Binc Executive Director, said, “We are delighted to welcome Garth Stein as our inaugural Author Leadership Circle Campaign Chair and are eager to welcome more authors to our incredible community of supporters. 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, authors have developed innovative ways to support the booksellers’ safety net. 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). Author of Love is the Answer, God is the Cure (Inspirational Books), Aimee Cabo Nikolov with her publisher, donated $5 for every copy of the book sold through April 30^th. For a minimum donation of $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 series Diary of a Wimpy Kid and owner of the independent bookshop An Unlikely Story Bookstore & Café, hosted a gameshow-style trivia fundraiser on the Friday before Independent Bookstore Day at An Unlikely Story.

Writer, Binc supporter and volunteer, and author Jonathan F. Putnam wrote to Binc saying, “When I first learned of Binc and its mission, I was immediately drawn to the organization and wanted to know how I could help. I’m very proud that Binc has appointed me to its Finance and Governance Committee as one of the first authors to serve on the organization’s oversight committees.” On a recent book tour to promote his new book Final Resting Place: A Lincoln and Speed Mystery (Crooked Lane Books), Putnam discussed Binc with booksellers and audience members at each stop on his tour. He also donated a generous portion of his royalties to Binc which his publisher matched.

On why #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo donates to Binc she wrote, “At every stage of my life, I’ve benefited from the work booksellers do and the communities they build. Donating to Binc gives me a chance to turn my gratitude into something worthwhile and to make sure readers know there’s an easy way to make sure their local booksellers thrive.” Bardugo’s publisher, Macmillan Publishers, matched her generous donation.

Anyone interested in learning more about contributing to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation can contact Kathy Bartson at 734-471-0201 or kathy@bincfoundation.org.