Publishers Weekly has released the shortlist for the 2016 PW Bookstore and Sales Rep of the Year Awards, which highlight singular achievements in the bookselling industry.

“This year’s nominees for the 2016 PW Awards reflect the growth and vitality of independent bookstores,” said PW senior v-p and publisher Cevin Bryerman. “They are coming off a strong holiday season, and several just opened, or are about to open, second or third locations.”

The 2016 PW Award winners will be named in late March and will be featured in the pre-BEA edition of Publishers Weekly on April 18. The awards will be presented at an authors breakfast at BEA.

This year’s bookstore finalists represent a broad range of general independent bookstores, both big and small. Two sales representatives are affiliated with Simon & Schuster, including a telephone sales rep, one with Hachette, and two with independent rep groups.

2016 PW Bookstore of the Year Shortlist

  • Books Inc. (San Francisco)
  • Brazos Bookstore (Houston)
  • Greenlight Bookstore (Brooklyn)
  • Phoenix Books (Essex Junction, Vt.)
  • Village Books (Bellingham, Wash.)

2016 PW Sales Representative of the Year Shortlist

  • Toi Crockett (S&S)
  • Judy DeBerry (Hachette)
  • Tim Hepp (S&S)

  • Kurtis Lowe (Book Travelers West)
  • Lise Solomon (Karel/Dutton Group)