ANN ARBOR, MI—Ann Patchett, the inaugural ambassador for the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation and best-selling author, has passed the baton to fellow author Amor Towles. Over the next year Towles will help to raise awareness and support for the only nonprofit in the country committed to assisting booksellers in need.
“Amor Towles is the perfect person to step in as Ambassador of Binc,” said Patchett. “Booksellers love him, publishers love him. He’s a natural diplomat, as well as being a wonderful writer and a very nice guy. I plan to stick around and be helpful to Amor in any way I can. Binc’s mission is so important.”
Since its inception, Binc has provided over $11 million in financial assistance and scholarships to more than 10,000+ families. Thanks to the generosity of stores, authors, publishers, booksellers and others, the foundation is funded 100% by donation.
“When Ann Patchett asked me to takeover for her as Binc Ambassador, I didn’t hesitate,” said Towles. “Booksellers are unsung heroes of American cultural life and Binc provides them with a unique source of support when they need it the most.”
Towles is the best-selling author of Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway. His short stories have appeared in the Paris Review, Granta, British Vogue and Audible Originals. Later this month an eight-hour miniseries of A Gentleman in Moscow starring Ewan McGregor will air on Showtime and Paramount+, and a new collection of six short stories and a novella—Table for Two—will go on sale April 2.
Patchett is the author of nine novels, including Bel Canto, State of Wonder, The Dutch House and Tom Lake, and has written four books of nonfiction–Truth & Beauty, about her friendship with the writer Lucy Grealy, What Now? an expansion of her graduation address at Sarah Lawrence College, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage, a collection of essays examining the theme of commitment, and These Precious Days, essays on home, family, friendship, and writing. The owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, she knows firsthand the joys and struggles of being a bookseller.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of authors like Ann and Amor to ensure we can continue to serve as the safety net for booksellers and comic retailers in hard times,” said Binc Executive Director Pam French. “Catastrophes come in all shapes and sizes every day of the year, and Binc is proud to help ensure stores remain open and booksellers can continue hand-selling all the books they believe in. Thank you for your years of service to Binc Ann, and welcome Amor.”