During the last lockdown, bookshops had to show incredible initiative to stay operational – taking orders online, or over the phone. They now face a second lockdown in the build-up to Christmas, their busiest sales period.
#SignForOurBookshops is a national show of support from UK authors, urging people to keep buying through bookshops by offering exclusive signed bookplates to stores and customers. Over 200 authors are taking part so far, including Holly Bourne, Matt Haig, Dolly Alderton, Malorie Blackman, Michael Rosen, David Nicholls and so many more.
The former Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell, has designed bespoke bookplates for the campaign. Buying a #SignForOurBookshops book is buying a slice of positive history in a challenging year. What better Christmas present idea than that?
WHAT’S A ‘BOOKPLATE’?
It’s a signed label that can be stuck into the front page of books, so it’s like having a personalised, signed, copy. In the lead-up to Christmas, authors usually travel around bookshops signing stock for the holiday trade, but obviously can’t do that this year. A bookplate makes a book into a individualised, signed copy 🙂
HOW CAN I BUY AN EXCLUSIVE #SIGNFOROURBOOKSHOPS BOOK?
Check out the hashtag and see which authors are involved, and how you can buy their signed copies. Some authors are sending out personalised notes to any customer who gives them proof-of-purchase from a bookshop, where others have nominated their favourite bookshops to send signed plates to. Lots of fabulous authors are taking part. Please do get online, and start supporting bookshops. They are amazing pillars of our community.
WHAT AM I PLEDGING?
If you want a signed Claire Culliford book, here is what I’m currently pledging as part of the campaign:
- I will send signed, personalised, bookplates the first two books in my ‘The Little Helpers’ series (Hector Helps Clean Up The Park and Penny Helps Protect The Polar Ice Caps) bought through a bookshop during lockdown. You can buy both and I’ll send out a bookplate for each.
- I will send signed bookplates to my local Waterstones and children’s specialist bookstores.
HOW CAN I GET A CLAIRE CULLIFORD BOOK?
I’m offering bookplates on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you are interested in the above, please email me at: claire@claireculliford.com
Please do not buy the book first! Email first to reserve one, so I don’t overcommit to numbers. I will then email back to let you know all is OK, then you can buy and send me proof-of-purchase. I’ll make up your personalised bookplate and pop it in the post.
IS THIS UK ONLY?
I’m afraid this is currently only a UK campaign. Although Irish authors are pledging for Irish customers too, so check out the hashtag to see who’s involved.
AND PLEASE SUPPORT BOOKSHOPS!
Please try and buy other books while you’re shopping with that the bookstore where you buy my book. Books make brilliant Christmas, signed or not!
Thanks for helping our bookshops!