The Booker Prize Indie Bookshop Spotlight: A competition for independent booksellers

Last year we launched the inaugural Indie Bookshop Spotlight competition – and it was a hit! Six indie bookshops across the UK and Ireland were chosen for their creative, innovative and curiosity-piquing displays, and we showcased each of their shops across our social media channels and website.

We’re delighted to say we’re bringing the competition back this year  – our ambition is to help readers discover their next great book, which we know is the aim at the heart of independent bookselling. Once again we’ll be showcasing and celebrating SIX indie bookshops from across the UK and Ireland who are hand-selling the prize’s nominated books to their customers.

Would you like an Indie spotlight from the Booker Prize? If your bookshop is chosen, you’ll get:

• A post about your shop across all Booker Prize social media channels (Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok) (reach: 1.2 million)
• Your bookshop included in an editorial feature on the Booker Prizes website
• Links to your shop’s website, Bookshop.org page or alternative e-commerce platform included in the feature
• 25 x limited edition Booker Prize 2024 tote bags to give away to customers after the winner announcement
• 25 x signed book plates from the winning author of the 2024 prize

What’s more, ONE of the six winning bookshops will be selected at random to receive two tickets to the award ceremony and dinner on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024 at Old Billingsgate in London, including an overnight stay and travel expenses*. 

• The Booker Prize will select six shops from across the UK and Ireland which have, in their opinion, used their POS to create particularly creative and original displays, and notify them by 12pm BST on Tuesday, 8 October, 2024 to arrange a time within the following week to organise their contribution for the Indie Bookshop Spotlight feature. 
• The Booker Prize Indie Bookshop Spotlight feature and social posts will be published at thebookerprizes.com and on our social channels @TheBookerPrize ahead of the winner announcement on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024. 
• The winner of the tickets to the award ceremony and dinner will be notified by 12pm BST, on Friday, 25 October, 2024.
• Tote bags and signed book plates will be posted within one week of the winner announcement on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024.

The competition is governed by our general rules for competitions, available here, but the following specifics also apply (and take precedence should there be any contradiction or ambiguity): 

The competition is open to Independent Bookshops based in the UK and Republic of Ireland. 

By entering the competition entrants warrant that all information submitted by them is true, current, and complete. Entrants also warrant that they are the copyright owners of any copyright works submitted, for example photographs and videos, and the Booker Prize Foundation’s use of such works will not infringe the rights of any third party.

Six winners of the Booker Prize Indie Bookshop Spotlight will be selected by the Booker Prize Foundation editorial team from eligible entrants. They will be notified by email no later than midday BST (UK time) on Tuesday, 8 October, 2024. They must promptly confirm they are happy to accept their prize and re-confirm their postal address for delivery and provide their availability for an interview in the following 10 days. If we have not received this confirmation and information within 48 hours of us notifying a winner, we will have no obligation to deliver the prize and at our sole discretion, we may select a further winner to receive the prize concerned or simply decide not to give it. 

We will aim to post the prize of 25 x tote bags and 25 x signed book plates to the postal address provided by each of the six Indie Bookshop Spotlight winners within one week of the Booker Prize 2024 winner being announced on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024. However, this is reliant on the winning author being present in the UK. If there are any changes to the delivery schedule we will keep the bookshops informed by email. 

Winners are responsible for any taxes or duties they may have to pay in order to take receipt of their prize.  

No responsibility can be accepted for prizes that are delayed or lost.

We are not responsible for any damage to the prize in the course of delivery; while we will consider a request for a replacement (if available) if the prize arrives in a seriously damaged state, this is solely in our discretion depending on the particular circumstances. Any damage to or loss of the prize must be reported immediately by email to [email protected]

*One overall winner will be chosen by a random draw from the six selected for the Booker Prize Indie Bookshop Spotlight and notified by email no later than midday BST (UK time) on Friday, 25 October, 2024. They must promptly confirm they are happy to accept their prize and liaise with the Booker Prize Foundation team around travel and accommodation arrangements. If we have not received this confirmation and information within 48 hours of us notifying a winner, we will have no obligation to deliver the prize and at our sole discretion, we may select a further winner to receive the prize concerned or simply decide not to give it.  

The one overall winner will receive two tickets to the Booker Prize 2024 award ceremony and dinner held at 6pm, Tuesday, 12 November, 2024 at Old Billingsgate in London, one overnight stay for two guests on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024 in up to two standard rooms at a minimum 3*  hotel in London of the Booker Prize Foundation’s choice, and up to a total of £300 of travel expenses (incurred to attend the ceremony) paid on the email of receipts to [email protected]. Receipts must be received within one month of the award ceremony. Attendees of the Booker Prize 2024 ceremony and guests at the hotel must be aged 18 or over. No additional expenses incurred during the trip will be paid. The winner must be available to travel on the date specified.

We will in due course and at our sole discretion publicise the names of the winners and their location on our website and social media channels and by entering the competition an entrant agrees to this publicity should they be a prize-winner.  

These terms and conditions are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England & Wales, and the courts of England & Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation determining any question or issue in relation to them. 

The Booker Prize Foundation may cancel or amend any competition, competition information, or these terms and conditions without prior notice. Any changes will be posted either within the competition information or these terms and conditions.