New Brunswick’s publishing community has declared September 19 the first annual “I’m Buying an NB Book!” day. Booksellers, authors, and publishers in New Brunswick are encouraged to contribute their own creative marketing to the event, which will be supported on social media using the hashtags #September19, #myNBbook, and #IReadLocal.

The idea was lead by Moncton’s Frye Festival, inspired by similar Francophone events in Quebec and Ontario. The Frye Festival also contributed a one-time financial gift to launch the campaign in the hopes that New Brunswick’s provincial government will see the economic benefit of supporting the local industry and contribute in the future.

Ellen Pickle, owner of Tidewater Books & Browsery in Sackville, plans to support the event with a window display of New Brunswick authors such as Beth Powning, Donald Savoie, and Riel Nason, who tweeted, “I think I have a new favourite day of the year (except Halloween of course).”

Um, yes times 1000. I think I have a new favourite day of the year (except Halloween of course 🎃👻🎃👻🎃). #canlit #ireadcanadian #myNBbooks #explorenb #nbalways #newbrunswick #amwriting #books https://t.co/yqZcPHW5ij

— Riel Nason (@RielNason) September 3, 2020