Schedule a Book Talk
Busboys and Poets Bookstore regularly hosts authors to speak on a wide range of topics for diverse audiences. Our author events are a collaboration between the Busboys and Poets Events Team and the Teaching for Change Bookstore. Some of the most celebrated authors of our times have appeared at Busboys and Poets, including Howard Zinn, Edwidge Danticat, Naomi Klein, Octavia Butler, Alice Walker, Cornel West, and more. We feature authors from independent, progressive publishers such as Haymarket Books, Rethinking Schools, The Feminist Press, PM Press, Interlink Books, and The New Press.
If you are an author or publisher interested in having your book(s) carried in the Teaching for Change's Busboys and Poets Bookstore and/or would like to inquire about a sponsored book reading and signing, please read the Frequently Asked Questions below:
BOOK SELECTION CRITERIA AND REVIEW PROCESS
Q: What criteria do you use to determine which books you will carry?A: We use a combination of criteria to determine what titles we will carry. Books must be:
1) Be in line with the mission of Teaching for Change, a non-profit organization that promotes social justice starting in the classroom. The Teaching for Change's Busboys and Poets Bookstore is Washington, DC's best source for books that encourage children and adults to question, challenge, and re-think the world beyond the headlines. We carefully select every title to ensure access to:
• Progressive politics, poetry and literature
• Young adult fiction with real-world themes
• Multicultural titles for pre-K-12 teachers and parents
• Independent publishers
• Works detailing a "people's history" - including that of African Americans, Latinos/as, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Native Americans, labor activists, international populations, and women.
2) High-quality, in terms of both literary craft and the research/scholarship.
3) Books with sales potential. As a small non-profit organization, we cannot afford to stock titles that will not sell.
Q: Why is my book not in your store?
A: It could be that:
1) We do not know about it. We get most of our titles from a group of trusted independent publishers and their distributors. The sales reps and catalogs from these sources keep us up-to-date with new titles. If your book is self-published or from a corporate publisher, there would not have been a rep or catalog to introduce us to the book.
2) It did not meet our criteria (see above).
Q: What do I need to do to get my book carried by Teaching for Change's Busboys and Poets Bookstore?
A: Have your publisher send a review copy of your book to this address:
Attn: Teaching for Change/Book Buyer
Busboys and Poets
2021 14th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Note that the review process may take four to six weeks. If we decide that the book is a good fit with our mission, we would prefer to buy the book directly from a book distributor or wholesaler, so please include the distribution information along with the book. We will accept review copies of books directly from authors, but we rarely buy books directly from them, preferring instead to use vendors in the publishing industry. If we decide to stock the book, we will contact the distributor directly. Also note that review copies will not be returned.
SCHEDULING BOOK EVENTS AND READINGS AT BUSBOYS AND POETS
Q: How do I set up a book signing and/or reading?A: Busboys and Poets regularly hosts authors for readings and signings at all four Busboys and Poets locations. Depending on subject matter, availability, prospects for sales, and distribution of the title, we may invite an author to speak about and sign their books as a service to the community. Additionally, many authors have rented space here to host their own events, such as book release parties or private readings. Unlike most other events at Busboys and Poets, author events are decided on in collaboration between the Busboys and Poets Events Team and the Teaching for Change Bookstore. If you are interested in scheduling a book-related event, the first step is to provide a copy of your book for review (unless you know it is already in stock in the bookstore). All titles should be sent to:
Attn: Author Events/Teaching for Change
Busboys and Poets
2021 14th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Allow two to four weeks for review. The review copies will not be returned.
To rent any of the private event rooms at all Busboys and Poets locations, please read Plan an Event and/or Submit Your Event Inquiry.
Q: What factors determine whether or not we will host a book event?
A: First, we determine if your book is one that we would carry in the bookstore. We look primarily for titles that promote peace and social justice in classrooms, communities, and the world.
In education and children's books, we look for anti-bias titles with an emphasis on multicultural viewpoints.
For sections on activism, peace, and the environment, we look for titles by authors with strategies to create a just and sustainable world.
In politics and literature we look for progressive titles that are based on people's histories and perspectives.
Note: Books representing information that is readily available through the corporate-dominated mainstream media are not likely to be carried, as the Teaching for Change Bookstore strives to provide materials that go beyond the headlines.
After determining whether the focus of your book fits our guidelines, we try to ascertain whether the book's topic will draw a sizeable audience. More often than not, an author's name recognition is not enough. In most instances, we ask that authors and publishers provide a publicity plan before we schedule an event. We strongly suggest that book event proposals include one or more sponsoring organizations. The sponsoring organization must be willing to promote actively the event on their website, through their newsletter/email list, and by word of mouth. In exchange we will add the organization to all of our outreach: email blasts, press releases, in-store displays, and websites. Other important elements in the publicity plan include book reviews in major media and appearances on radio/TV where possible. Once a review copy of the book has been sent, email a publicity plan to dallen@teachingforchange.org.
Q. Can I have you sell books at a conference/event we're holding? Do you do book sales outside of the physical bookstore?
A: Yes, we do. Teaching for Change's Busboys and Poets Bookstore is open to invitations to sell books at both D.C.-area and national progressive author events and conferences. Please include the following information when making a request:
• Date and time of event (Generally, we prefer six to eight weeks notice to ensure we can order the book in time and coordinate staffing.)
• Event location
• Author(s) and book title(s)
• If and when author(s) are available for book signing
• Expected attendance at the reading
• Flyer, invitation, or website (if available)
Send requests to:
Lauren Cooper - lcooper [at] teachingforchange [dot] org and
Don Allen - dallen [at] teachingforchange [dot] org
For more FAQs, please visit the
Teaching for Change’s Busboys and Poets Webstore!
