BTW News Briefs

Free Promotional Materials Available to Promote National Book Award Finalists

On Wednesday, October 15, the 20 finalists for the 2008 National Book Awards will be announced by author Scott Turow at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater, and bookstores, libraries, and bloggers will be able to link to a web video of the event at the National Book Foundation (NBF) website, www.nationalbook.org, at noon ET.

To help promote the event, NBF has a limited supply of complimentary posters and bookmarks that booksellers, libraries, and teachers can use to promote the authors and their books, which it will mail upon request. The poster and bookmark are also available for download from the foundation's website, along with a list (in PDF format) of National Book Award winners and finalists from 1950 to the present.

Libraries and bookstores that would like to receive a poster and a batch of 25 bookmarks should e-mail Sherrie Young at syoung@nationalbook.org. Gold and silver medallion stickers to affix to National Book Award winners and finalists, respectively, are also available for purchase. Information about medallion stickers is available from haugenbraum@nationalbook.org. All proceeds from sticker sales go to support NBFand its educational outreach programs.

New Software to Help Booksellers Claim & Track Co-op

Booklog and Paz & Associates have announced the launch of a new software program that will make it easier for bookstores to claim and track publishers' co-op monies. The software, Co-op Manager Pro, is available as a stand-alone program for any bookstore, regardless of what inventory management system they use, though the program fully integrates for booksellers with existing Booklog systems.

"The holidays are a critical time for generating profits for the year, and marketing during this period -- especially now, when the economy is so bad -- is more crucial than ever," said Ann Christophersen, owner of Women & Children First and a consultant to Booklog. "Since many co-op funds expire at the end of the year, we are pleased to have the software ready to help booksellers get financial support for their marketing plans and claim co-op before those funds are lost for 2008."

Booklog said that it is offering special terms for the purchase of Co-op Manager Pro to help booksellers fully utilize 2008 co-op funds before the end of the year, and payments for the software can be deferred until 2009. Free assistance is available from Christophersen at (800) 977-8212, ext. 247 or via e-mail at ann@booklog.com.

Small Business Administration Introduces Online Resource for Baby Boomer Entrepreneurs

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently unveiled a new website, geared to the 50-plus entrepreneur who is looking for useful information, links, and resources about starting, growing, and expanding a small business. The new website features links and interactive information about the benefits and rewards of business ownership to help prospective entrepreneurs make informed choices.

"The SBA is working hard to increase opportunities for small businesses of the baby boomer generation at every stage of their business development through better technology tools and effective services through the agency's district offices and resource partners," said SBA Acting Administrator Sandy K. Baruah in a statement. "We believe 50-plus entrepreneurs will drive significant new business growth in the coming years."

Components of the new site include a self-assessment feature to help the aspiring entrepreneur determine his or her business readiness, information on borrowing and credit, and inspirational success stories from baby boomer entrepreneurs. The site will help users evaluate the reasons for business ownership after age 50, the risks involved, and how to devise a plan of action at every phase of business development.