WE'VE MADE THE SHORTLIST: NEW FUTURES IN BOOK SELLING

“The New Futures Initiative - launched at the end of September and announced in The Bookseller - is a scheme to reach out to individuals from underrepresented groups and encourage them - through mentoring and tangible support - to open a bricks and mortar bookshop.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Booksellers Association (the trade body that represents booksellers) and Bookshop.org (the ethical online retailer supporting independent bookshops.)”

Receiving 32 application from all over the UK, the shortlisted entrants include Black collectives, indie publishers, mental health advocates, visually and hearing impaired individuals, trained nurses, PhD students, members of the queer and transgender community, bilingual lovers of literature in translation, and more.

The New Futures full shortlist and their vision:

Jacaranda – Brent, London

A shop in which the work of Black, Brown and marginalised people whether by gender or sexual orientation are centred and exalted.

Black Feminist Bookshop – South-east London

A bookshop, events and social space built on the works and legacies of Black feminist writers.

The Otaku Project – Cardiff, Wales

A welcoming space for those keen to discover and connect over Manga and graphic novels from a neurodiverse bookseller.

GCL Books – Alton, Hampshire

A bookshop that seeks to be a catalytic force in their community to support mental health – particularly for young people.

Yellow Bird Book Club – Beeston, Nottingham

A bookshop drawing inspiration from Afro-Caribbean heritage to help children find unique and inclusive books.

Atypicalreader – Edmonton, London

A plan for a children’s bookshop in one of the most ethically-diverse areas of London.

Source: https://opencountrymag.com/bookshop-org-announces-shortlist-for-new-futures-programme/