Books Are My Bag has today unveiled its first plans for the 2018 campaign.

Iconic pop art artist, Sir Peter Blake, has been revealed as this year’s designer of the collectors’ edition Books Are My Bag tote bag. The BAMB tote has been created by Blake in his signature pop art style and will be available in bookshops up and down the country from Bookshop Day on 6th October.

Books Are My Bag’s Alan Staton commented: “We are absolutely thrilled that Sir Peter has given his support to booksellers and the campaign in this way. His wonderful design will be loved by booksellers and their customers.”

Bookshop Day will return on Saturday 6th October for its third year. Bookshops across the UK & Ireland will host author talks, book signings, special events and much more, with details to be announced later in the year.
The Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, the only book award curated by bookshops and voted for by book lovers, which launched in 2016, will take place on 13th November. Bookshops will again curate a shortlist of books across a range of genres, with public voting opening on Bookshop Day.

Meryl Halls, MD at the Booksellers Association, added: “Bookshop Day and the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards have both really captured the public’s imagination since they were launched in 2016, and they’ve both already become key dates in the publishing calendar. We’ve got lots of exciting things instore for this year’s Books Are My Bag campaign – watch this space!” 

Now in its sixth year, Books Are My Bag highlights and celebrates the vital role of high street and campus bookshops. Over the last five years, over a million people have worn a Books Are My Bag canvas bag in support of the campaign.

Full details of the Books Are My Bag 2018 campaign will be unveiled later this year.

Booksellers can order the Peter Blake limited edition bags by visiting www.booksaremybag.com and logging into the BA member area – ordering will be available from 10th April and the BA will be contacting all members to let them know about the bags and how to order.  The order deadline for the Peter Blake bags is 8th May.