This is a Saturday in August to go to your local bookshop as a sign of support and appreciation -  this year’s day will be held on Saturday 10 August.  This event began as an initiative of the Australian Booksellers Association and this concept has since expanded to take in the idea of “IndieBound” so that communities can support their hard working “indie” businesses and retailers.

Indiebound is a community-oriented movement begun by the independent bookseller members of the American Booksellers Association and adopted into Australia by the Australian Booksellers’ Association in 2011.  It brings together booksellers, readers, indie retailers, local business alliances and anyone else with a passionate belief that healthy local economies help communities thrive.  Supporting local, independent businesses means that dollars, jobs, diversity and choices stay local, creating strong, unique communities.

Independent bookshops are increasingly a destination of choice, especially for consumers who want to be part of their community.  Very often bookshops are already at the heart of a community and a place where customers discover their next great book and where they meet someone to talk with about it.  Independent booksellers are uniquely placed to talk to their customers about independence and about sustaining a healthy high street.

Consumers in Australia today are aware of the importance of independent businesses and the health of a high street.  The growth of farmers’ markets and many other campaigns show how important it is to consumers to shop locally.  We want IndieBound to be a key part f the booksellers connecting with these community-aware customers and taking the positive message outwards to other indie retailers and businesses.

Why shop indie?  When you shop at an independent locally-owned business, your entire community benefits.

The Economy:

• Based on US research, for every $100 spent at a local store, $68 of that stays in your community.  Spend the same $100 at a national chain and your community only sees $43.
• Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for our neighbours.
• More of your taxes are reinvested in your community – where they belong.

The Environment:

• Buying local means less packaging, less transportation and a smaller carbon footprint.
• Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance and more money to put back into your community.

The Community:

• Local retailers are your friends and neighbours:  support them and they will support you.
• More independents mean more choice, more diversity and a truly unique community.

The prize, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008 after launching in 1969, aims to promote the finest in fiction by rewarding the best novel of the year written by a citizen of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland.  The maintain the consistent excellence of the Man Booker Prize, judges are chosen from a wide range of disciplines, including critics, writers and academics, but also poets, politicians and actors, all with a passion for quality fiction.

This is seen as the most prestigious literary prize for any author and it’s winners are much read and talked about.  The important dates for this are 23 July for the longlist, 10 September for the shortlist and the winner will be announced on 15 October.