Well-known authors take action to support bookstores. Simone van der Vlugt, Tommy Wieringa and Paulien Cornelisse, among others, are participating in the ‘Support your bookshop’ campaign of the Collective Propaganda of the Dutch Book Foundation (CPNB).
Due to the corona measures, the bookshops have been closed. They are also not allowed to have a pick-up counter at the door. “But inside your bookseller is eager to deliver fantastic books to your home,” can be read on the campaign website.
With full-page advertisements in the newspapers, radio spots and messages on social media, the CPNB wants to make it clear to people that they can still order from physical bookstores. And that it is important that they do so now, especially now that the lockdown has been extended by three weeks.
“Don’t wait to buy your new books until you can browse through the titles again in the bookstore, because you may not get that chance again.”
Writer Ronald Giphart, among others, supports the campaign:
According to the foundation, hundreds of well-known writers are making “an important appeal” today. Photos and videos are shared on social media in which authors call for a book to be ordered from a local bookstore today. Hundreds of other colleagues from the book trade also support the campaign, the CPNB writes.
Children’s book writer and illustrator Annet Schaap also participates:
Earlier today, Trouw reported that publishers are waiting to publish new books. Many of the books to be released this month are being postponed as bookstores will be closed at least until February 9.
Publisher Balans yesterday put all seven new publications on hold. And Atlas Contact is also waiting with the release of new books, such as Adriaan van Dis’s KliFi. Only two poetry collections will be published, just before the Poetry Week. They then go to Belgium, where the bookstores are open.
Trouw writes that the delay does not seem very harmful for the time being. “The danger is that all new books will soon be published at the same time, so that they still receive little attention.”