THE PITCH is a 2026 writing contest created by Chatter on Books that puts independent bookstores at the center of the process, elevating books they know deserve a wider audience. Each participating bookstore nominates one author. Those authors join the Chatter on Books podcast so listeners can follow along as the contest unfolds. One author wins $5,000. The nominating bookstore receives $500.
Episodes featuring independent bookstores and their nominees :
Tom Lin
Nominated by Left Bank Books
Soman Chainani
Nominated by Left Bank Books
KD Blade
Nominated by Black Pearl Books
Rae Alexandra
Nominated by City Lights Books
James Cleary
Nominated by Arcadia Bookstore