Search begins for Rising Stars 2017

The Bookseller today (12th April) is issuing a call for entries to its Rising Stars, the annual celebration of the industry’s up and comers, once again backed by the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF).   

The 2017 list will salute around 40 talented, innovative book trade professionals whose actions have caught the eye and who have been singled out as possible leaders of the future. The Class of 2017 will be revealed on 5th June.  

The now much-imitated initiative is in its seventh year with 220 honourees to date. Past Rising Stars include Trapeze publisher Anna Valentine (Class of 2011), CaskieMushens co-founder Juliet Mushens (2012), Bookouture founder Oliver Rhodes (2012), Waterstones head of PR and events Sandra Taylor (2013), Scribe UK m.d. Sarah Braybrooke (2015) and author/campaigner Nikesh Shukla (2016).  

The Rising Stars will again feature a “Shooting Star”, an individual who judges feel deserves just that little bit more recognition than others on the list. The Shooting Star 2017 will win a free trip to this year’s Frankfurt, which will also include a complimentary Business Club ticket (worth €1,050) and a one-to-one consultation with an industry leader, all courtesy of FBF.

The Bookseller features and insight editor Tom Tivnan, who founded the Rising Stars programme, said: “I’m always astounded at the depth and breadth of the talent which come forward for inclusion in our Rising Stars. It's a difficult task winnowing it down, but the calibre of the entries show that the future of the book trade will be in capable hands.”

Though the Rising Stars is aimed at future leaders, it is not necessarily an age-based list, with past recipients ranging from newcomers bringing expertise from other industries or trade veterans who have shifted gears to explore new opportunities.

To nominate a colleague, or yourself, send a testimonial outlining their/your accomplishments and any supporting documents to tom.tivnan@thebookseller.com. Entries must be received by 5th May.