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| Alissa duBois | |
Alissa duBois, bookseller at The Otto Bookstore in Williamsport, Pa., has won the 2018 Joe Drabyak Handseller of the Year Award. Sponsored by the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association and named in honor of the late NAIBA president, the award recognizes the "elite booksellers" who find "the right books for their community as well as the right book for each person who walks in the door."
"I am honored to be recognized by my peers in our beloved industry," said duBois. "I would not even begin to be worthy of this without the faith of Betsy Rider [Otto Bookstore's former owner], my beloved customers, my incredible publishing reps and our fabulous new owners, Katie Nassberg and Isak Sidenbladh. I must acknowledge our Williamsport community, for they have supported The Otto Bookstore for all these years; to them, I am especially grateful."
NAIBA recognized duBois for her "keen observatory knack and an elegant and humorous personable style." In addition to loving the act of handselling, duBois enjoys designing new displays and "creating a welcoming environment for one and all, especially the tiniest readers."
Tim Hepp, sales rep at Simon & Schuster, said duBois, "takes the time to learn each customer's reading preferences, yet is always willing to recommend titles that stretch their minds and often their souls." He noted too that duBois "often takes money out of her own pocket to help customers purchase titles of which she is especially fond."
Alissa duBois will be honored at the Awards Banquet at NAIBA's Fall Conference on Sunday, October 7, in Baltimore, Md.