Thorpe-Bowker Industry Awards 2008

On the opening day of the 2008 Booksellers Conference on Sunday, the Thorpe-Bowker Industry Awards were given out.

The awards are a chance for industry peers to acknowledge those whose commitment, creativity and hard work sets them apart from the rest.

Publishers vote for the best bookshops, and bookshops vote for the best publishers.

Congratulations to the 2008 winners and a big 'lucky you!' to those bookies who live nearby the winners and can browse these bestest book shops.

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The Thorpe-Bowker Independent Bookshop of the Year

Winner
Unity Books, Wellington

Runners-up
The Children's Bookshop, Wellington

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The Thorpe-Bowker Group Bookshop of the Year

Winner
Dymocks Newmarket

Runner-up
Dymocks Wellington

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The Thorpe-Bowker Regional Bookshop of the Year (North Island)

Winner
Hedleys Booksellers, Masterton

Equal Runners-up
Books A Plenty, Tauranga
Bruce McKenzie Booksellers, Palmerston North***
The Village Bookshop, Matakana

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The Thorpe-Bowker Regional Bookshop of the Year (South Island)

Winner
Page & Blackmore Booksellers, Nelson

Runner-up
The Children's Bookshop, Christchurch

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The Thorpe-Bowker Award for Agent/Distributor Representing Overseas Publishers

Winner
Random House New Zealand

Runner-up
HarperCollinsPublishers New Zealand

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The Thorpe-Bowker Award for Promotional and Sales Support

Winner
Random House New Zealand

Runner-up
Penguin New Zealand

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The Thorpe-Bowker Award for New Zealand Publishing

Equal Winners
Gecko Press
Random House New Zealand

Runner-up
Craig Potton Publishing

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The Thorpe-Bowker Award for SALES REP OF THE YEAR

Winner
Anna Applin

Runner-up
Ross Lorimer

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***This is one of my favourite bookshops ever - located on George Street in my old home town of Palmerston North. Full of both popular and more obscure titles with friendly staff who are very knowledgeable, it is an excellent place to lose yourself.

And because of its wonderful location in the heart of Palmy's cafe district, you are but a moment's walk away from caffeine refreshments.