James Patterson Receives Book Expo America's Industry Ambassador Award!

JAMES PATTERSON RECEIVES BOOKEXPO AMERICA'S INDUSTRY AMBASSADOR AWARD

Author is Acknowledged for Work on Behalf of Industry and Fostering Literacy

CHICAGO, May 12, 2016:  BookExpo America (BEA) is pleased to announce that James Patterson has received this year's Industry Ambassador Award.   This will be the sixth annual Industry Ambassador Award which is administered by BEA and which has recognized major innovators and creative business leaders in the book industry.  Mr. Patterson is being recognized for his support of reading, booksellers, librarians, teachers and others who encourage readers. Brien McDonald, BEA Event Director, accepted the award on behalf of Mr. Patterson.

Over the course of his lifetime Mr. Patterson has donated more than $40 million to various academic institutions, libraries, and bookstores supporting literacy. He founded ReadKiddoRead, a non-profit, pro-reading website designed to help parents, teachers, and librarians get kids excited about reading. This site features thoughtful book reviews from a variety of genres and age ranges, a large and lively Facebook community, and contributions from other authors.

In May 2015, Patterson launched a new children's book imprint at Little, Brown, called JIMMY Patterson, that is focused on one goal: turning kids into lifelong readers. This imprint also provides resources, strategies, and programs to serve teachers, parents, librarians, and booksellers. Mr. Patterson will also be investing proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books in pro-reading initiatives.

“Mr. Patterson is a true standout in the cause to promote literacy and a love of reading," notes McDonald.   "It’s hard to believe one individual can have such an impact, but Mr. Patterson has proven to be superlative in all he does."  

BEA, North America’s largest gathering of book industry professionals from around the globe, and BookCon, the consumer extension of the show, combine to make the ultimate event destination for the publishing industry and book lovers worldwide. BEA is widely known as the leading business event for publishers, booksellers, digital content creators, traditional and self-published authors, media, rights professionals, and movie and television executives who attend to discover new voices, learn about trends shaping the book industry, and network with those who have a passion for books and reading. BookCon is the ultimate fan event where storytelling and pop culture collide – offering fans unprecedented access to authors, publishers, celebrities and creators of content that influence everything we read, hear and see.

For more information about BookExpo America please visit:

http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/

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ABOUT BEA

BookExpo America (BEA) is North America’s largest gathering of book trade professionals attracting an international audience. The event is widely known as an ideal place for content creators, media, booksellers, rights professionals, and movie and television executives to meet new authors, discover new books, learn about trends shaping the book industry, and network with those who have a passion for books and reading. BEA is foremost a gathering place for creative writers and thinkers and the commerce they create. It is recognized for the media attention it brings to upcoming books as well as for the notable authors it attracts to the convention itself. BEA is organized with the support of association partners including the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the American Booksellers Association (ABA).