Romance Writers of America (RWA) Honors Sue Grimshaw, Borders Group Romance Buyer, with Major Industry Award

ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sue Grimshaw, who has been the Romance book buyer for Borders Group, Inc. for the past seven years, has received the prestigious Vivian Stephens Industry Award from the Romance Writers of America (RWA) for 2008. The award recognizes a professional in the romance-publishing industry who is not a writer, and whose accumulated body of work has contributed to the genre in a significant and continuing manner. Grimshaw joins past winners such as Amazon.com Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos (2000) and more recently, Avon Books Executive Editor Lucia Macro (2006) and Linda Marrow, Vice President/Editorial Director, Ballantine (2007) in winning the award, which will be presented to her August 1 at the RWA annual national conference in San Francisco.

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"All of us at Borders are extremely proud of Sue and pleased that she has received this much-deserved recognition," said Borders Group Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing Rob Gruen. Throughout her seven years as Romance Buyer, Sue has exhibited an authentic passion for the category and is clearly one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. Our company, our customers, and the publishing industry have benefited from her love of the category, her critical eye, and most of all her willingness to share her expertise without holding back -- whether advising first-time authors or guiding established publishers on important issues. Sue has played a key role in the growth of our Romance business over the years. We are fortunate to have her at Borders and are thrilled that the industry has recognized her many contributions in this very special way."

Grimshaw, who has been with Borders Group since 1995, previously served for the company as a children's book buyer and buyer for the medical, reference/test preparation and fitness/nutrition categories for Waldenbooks. In 2001, after becoming enthralled with historical romance books, Grimshaw was named romance buyer for Waldenbooks, and in 2004, her role was expanded to include Borders as well as Waldenbooks.

Highly active in sharing her knowledge of the romance genre with others, Grimshaw has spoken to thousands of romance writers and others over the years, holding workshops and giving her advice. Each year, she participates in several meetings and conferences everywhere from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. and from Dallas to San Francisco. She is already scheduled for 2008 to speak or hold workshops at six major meetings including the Romantic Times Convention in April, and the national RWA convention in August. She is frequently consulted as an expert by publishers on issues such as cover design and which titles will sell the best and has consulted with some of the genre's bestselling authors.

Grimshaw has been a guest blogger, appeared on a Bravo TV documentary and has served as a judge for various writing competitions including the "First Chapters" contest sponsored by Borders, Gather.com and Pocket Books. In addition to the 2008 RWA Industry Award, Grimshaw has in the past received other honors such as becoming an honorary member in 2007 of the Harpers Ferry RWA chapter-only one of two individuals to receive such a distinction. In addition, she has received the 2006 Ellora's Cave Award, the 2005 Colorado Romance Writers of America bookseller of the year, and the Romance Times Book Club appreciation award in 2005, among others.

Not surprisingly, Grimshaw is a voracious reader of romance as well as general fiction and mystery. She devours a minimum of three to five romance books per week, most days enjoying an hour of reading before arriving at work in the morning and then reads a few hours more each night during the week and several hours on the weekend.

Defonce, who was named RWA's Bookseller of the Year, is a member of the staff at the Borders store in Fairfield, Conn. She has been working at the store since it opened in 2001, and before that, she worked as registered nurse. An avid reader, and a longtime fan of the romance and mystery genres, she changed careers and became a bookseller when she learned she could share her passion for reading with others at Borders. Defonce, when she's not on the sales floor helping customers, hosts monthly roundtable discussions with up-and-coming romance authors. To prepare for these sessions, she reads 14 to 16 books each month. In addition, she leads three monthly reading groups, which she has done for over five years. In 2005, Defonce was honored with Borders Group's David H. Carpenter Award, which recognizes employees who exemplify the mission, vision, and values of Borders Group.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group is a $3.8 billion retailer of books, music, movies, periodicals, and gift and stationery items. Through its subsidiaries, Borders Group employs more than 30,000 and operates over 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names. The company's mission is to be a headquarters for knowledge and entertainment. For more information, visit www.bordersgroupinc.com .

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