Published:
Romance Writers of America (RWA) Honors Sue Grimshaw, Borders Group Romance Buyer, with Major Industry Award
ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sue Grimshaw, who has been the
Romance book buyer for Borders Group, Inc. for the past seven years, has
received the prestigious Vivian Stephens Industry Award from the Romance
Writers of America (RWA) for 2008. The award recognizes a professional in the
romance-publishing industry who is not a writer, and whose accumulated body of
work has contributed to the genre in a significant and continuing manner.
Grimshaw joins past winners such as Amazon.com Chief Executive Officer Jeff
Bezos (2000) and more recently, Avon Books Executive Editor Lucia Macro (2006)
and Linda Marrow, Vice President/Editorial Director, Ballantine (2007) in
winning the award, which will be presented to her August 1 at the RWA annual
national conference inSan Francisco.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO )
"All of us at Borders are extremely proud of Sue and pleased that she has
received this much-deserved recognition," said Borders Group Executive Vice
President of Merchandising and Marketing Rob Gruen. Throughout her seven years
as Romance Buyer, Sue has exhibited an authentic passion for the category and
is clearly one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. Our company,
our customers, and the publishing industry have benefited from her love of the
category, her critical eye, and most of all her willingness to share her
expertise without holding back -- whether advising first-time authors or
guiding established publishers on important issues. Sue has played a key role
in the growth of our Romance business over the years. We are fortunate to have
her at Borders and are thrilled that the industry has recognized her many
contributions in this very special way."
Grimshaw, who has been with Borders Group since 1995, previously served
for the company as a children's book buyer and buyer for the medical,
reference/test preparation and fitness/nutrition categories for Waldenbooks.
In 2001, after becoming enthralled with historical romance books, Grimshaw was
named romance buyer for Waldenbooks, and in 2004, her role was expanded to
include Borders as well as Waldenbooks.
Highly active in sharing her knowledge of the romance genre with others,
Grimshaw has spoken to thousands of romance writers and others over the years,
holding workshops and giving her advice. Each year, she participates in
several meetings and conferences everywhere fromAtlanta toWashington, D.C.
and fromDallas toSan Francisco. She is already scheduled for 2008 to speak
or hold workshops at six major meetings including the Romantic Times
Convention in April, and the national RWA convention in August. She is
frequently consulted as an expert by publishers on issues such as cover design
and which titles will sell the best and has consulted with some of the genre's
bestselling authors.
Grimshaw has been a guest blogger, appeared on a Bravo TV documentary and
has served as a judge for various writing competitions including the "First
Chapters" contest sponsored by Borders, Gather.com and Pocket Books. In
addition to the 2008 RWA Industry Award, Grimshaw has in the past received
other honors such as becoming an honorary member in 2007 of the Harpers Ferry
RWA chapter-only one of two individuals to receive such a distinction. In
addition, she has received the 2006 Ellora's Cave Award, the 2005 Colorado
Romance Writers of America bookseller of the year, and the Romance Times Book
Club appreciation award in 2005, among others.
Not surprisingly, Grimshaw is a voracious reader of romance as well as
general fiction and mystery. She devours a minimum of three to five romance
books per week, most days enjoying an hour of reading before arriving at work
in the morning and then reads a few hours more each night during the week and
several hours on the weekend.
Defonce, who was named RWA's Bookseller of the Year, is a member of the
staff at the Borders store inFairfield, Conn. She has been working at the
store since it opened in 2001, and before that, she worked as registered
nurse. An avid reader, and a longtime fan of the romance and mystery genres,
she changed careers and became a bookseller when she learned she could share
her passion for reading with others at Borders. Defonce, when she's not on the
sales floor helping customers, hosts monthly roundtable discussions with
up-and-coming romance authors. To prepare for these sessions, she reads 14 to
16 books each month. In addition, she leads three monthly reading groups,
which she has done for over five years. In 2005, Defonce was honored with
Borders Group's David H. Carpenter Award, which recognizes employees who
exemplify the mission, vision, and values of Borders Group.
About Borders Group, Inc.
Headquartered inAnn Arbor, Mich., Borders Group is a $3.8 billion
retailer of books, music, movies, periodicals, and gift and stationery items.
Through its subsidiaries, Borders Group employs more than 30,000 and operates
over 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R)
brand names. The company's mission is to be a headquarters for knowledge and
entertainment. For more information, visit www.bordersgroupinc.com .
SOURCE Borders Group, Inc.
Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
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