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Binc and Macmillan Diversity Scholarship Returns

Nine scholarships will be awarded in 2018

The Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship, a program sponsored by the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation and Macmillan Publishers to provide professional development to booksellers traditionally underrepresented within the industry, is returning for 2018. The application period will begin on June 1, 2018 and will end on July 1.

The Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship was introduced as a pilot program in 2017. The success of the 2017 program led to the continuation of the scholarships in 2018. The program is intended to encourage a greater number of individuals from underrepresented groups to choose and/or continue careers in bookselling by offering up to a maximum of $500 for a bookseller from a traditionally underrepresented group to attend a regional trade show.

“We were delighted by the response to the scholarships last year and are so pleased to be able to offer them again in 2018. Judging by the responses we received from last year’s participants, this is a worthwhile and rewarding program, which opens up a valuable experience to booksellers who would otherwise find it out of reach,” said Macmillan Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chairs Monique Patterson, Editorial Director, St. Martin’s Press and Angus Killick, VP, Associate Publisher, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Since 2013, Binc has worked to strengthen the book industry by providing booksellers with professional development scholarships. The Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship was the first industry-sponsored scholarship in Binc history and the Foundation is thrilled to see it continue for a second year. Each scholarship will cover the cost of travel, lodging, and meals for one bookseller to attend their regional trade show. Nine scholarships are available – one for each regional independent bookseller association.

To be eligible to apply for a scholarship, a bookseller must have worked in a bookstore as a regular full or part-time employee for a minimum of 90 days. The bookstore must be a member in good standing of one of the regional trade associations. The applicant will answer three brief essay questions and the winners will be selected by a panel composed of Binc board members, booksellers, bookstore owners, and publishers.

Binc Executive Director Pam French said the Foundation is excited to continue programming that strengthens the bookselling industry by providing support for the diverse booksellers already working hard to make their communities great.

“The Binc Foundation exists to help booksellers thrive,” French said. “By working with Macmillan Publishers to bring diverse voices to regional trade shows, we’re enriching conversations and improving the story of the bookselling industry.”

Booksellers can find out more details and apply at https://bincfoundation.submittable.com/submit. Applications must be completed by July 1, 2018.

Eligibility:

Applicants must fall into one of the following categories
People of color, defined as people of African/African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latin American, Middle Eastern, or Native American/Indigenous descent
People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer
People with disabilities (includes but is not limited to physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental illnesses).
Applicant’s store must be a member of one of the regional IBA organizations.
Applicant must be a regular part-time or full-time employee of the bookstore.
Applicant must be currently employed and have 90 days of continuous employment with the bookstore.

About The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that coordinates charitable programs to strengthen the bookselling community. Established in 1996, the core program provides assistance to bookstore employees who have a demonstrated financial need arising from severe hardship and/or emergency circumstances.

Since its inception, the organization has provided over $6.5 million in financial assistance and scholarships to more than 7,300 families. Support for the Foundation’s programs and services come from all sectors of the book industry. The Book Industry Charitable Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the bookselling community through charitable programs that support employees and their families. The Foundation was imagined and built by booksellers and proudly continues to be their safety net. It is our vision to be a caring community of book people. Additional information can be found at https://www.bincfoundation.org.

About Macmillan Publishers

Macmillan Publishers is a global trade book publishing company with prominent imprints around the world. Macmillan publishes a broad range of award-winning books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

US publishers include Celadon Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Picador, St. Martin’s Press and Tor Books. In the UK, Australia, India and South Africa, Macmillan publishes under the Pan Macmillan name. The German company, Holtzbrinck Deutsche Buchverlage, includes among its imprints, S. Fischer, Kiepenheuer and Witsch, Rowohlt and Droemer Knaur.

Macmillan Publishers is a division of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned media company headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. www.macmillan.com