Dear Independent Bookseller,

We designed the "I Love My Independent Bookstore Because..." contest to remind readers that there are intangible, subtle elements that neither the chains nor the web can provide. The feel of cozy corners. The knowledgeable but unobtrusive guidance of book-loving owners. The aroma of good, well-loved books.

Each month, we're going to give a $50 gift certificate (good for your bookstore) if you uncover the winning answer, the best customer response to "I Love My Independent Bookstore Because..." (One new national winner every month, starting in April.)

It's an easy contest to do. You don't even need to sign up with us. Just display the contest poster. Harvest the names and responses any way you like -- have your customers write their response on their business cards, on small scraps of recyclable paper, whatever. Each month, pick a finalist in your store. (Have fun with it!) Then mail/email/fax/carrier pigeon us your selection for finalist. From the pool of finalists, we'll select a monthly national winner. (Then next month, start over again!)

We'll send out a press release to all the national media announcing each month's winner, and mentioning the independent bookstore involved. (If you want, you can get an updated contest poster each month from the website -- it will list all the previous winners, winning responses, & bookstores.)

We hope you have fun with it. We hope it generates a lot of interest and brings in some new customers. And we look forward to meeting all of you -- at the BEA, and local tradeshows this year.

Best wishes,

Alyza Harris, publicist

Peanut Butter and Jelly Press

P.S. If you'd like to stock our bestselling nutritional approach to infertility, "The Infertility Diet: Get Pregnant and Prevent Miscarriage" you can order it from Ingram, Baker & Taylor, BookPeople, New Leaf, NutraBooks; or directly from Peanut Butter and Jelly Press at (800)408-6226. (It's the sort of book people are too embarrassed to ask about, but it does fly off bookshelves.) (And if you'd like to nominate us for a BookSense mention, we'll nominate you for a Pulitzer!)