Indigo prepares for one of the biggest literary moments of the year: The release of Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman

Almost 55 years in the making, Harper Lee's second novel, Go Set a Watchman, will be released at all Indigo, Chapters and Coles locations across the country on July 14^th, 2015.

TORONTO, July 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Indigo (TSX: IDG), Canada's largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer, is pleased to announce that Harper Lee's second novel, Go Set a Watchman, will be available for sale at all Indigo, Chapters and Coles locations on July 14^th, 2015.

The sequel to Harper Lee's award-winning To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman explores how familiar characters like Atticus and Scout respond to the turbulent affairs of the mid-1950s. Although more than 50 years separate the release dates of Lee's first and second books, Go Set a Watchman was written years in advance of To Kill a Mockingbird.  In fact, it was the first manuscript Lee ever sent to publishers.

"This was one of the biggest, and best, surprises of the year so far," said Bahram Olfati, Senior Vice-President of Print at Indigo. "We could never have imagined that Harper Lee would release a new novel, nearly 55 years after her first. As the transcript has been kept a tightly held secret, our entire team is eagerly waiting to get our hands on a copy, along with everyone else, on July 14th. We, along with the millions who have read and loved To Kill a Mockingbird, are looking forward to seeing how the amazing and influential characters turned out."

To celebrate the launch, Indigo has been looking back in time to Lee's classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Earlier this year, Indigo's CEO and Chief Booklover Heather Reisman announced To Kill a Mockingbird as a Heather's Pick, and the novel was also highlighted as Indigo's World's Biggest Book Club pick for June. The World's Biggest Book Club is a monthly Twitter party that brings booklovers together to discuss great reads in 140 characters or less.

With the release of Go Set a Watchman quickly approaching, Indigo is pleased to host the biggest plum® rewards contest in the history of the program. Upon purchase or pre-order of the book between now and August 1st, all plum® rewards members will be automatically entered to win one prize of 1,000,000 bonus plum points. For more information and complete contest rules, please click here.

Indigo has also partnered with HarperCollins and Cineplex to present a special cross-Canada screening of To Kill a Mockingbird in five select theatres. The cities participating are Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. At each screening, audiences will enjoy a special viewing of the new 30-second commercial spot for Go Set a Watchman.

To pre-order your copy of Go Set a Watchman now, visit https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/harper-lee/.

SOURCE Indigo Books & Music Inc.

Katie Gregory
Manager, Public Relations
Indigo Books & Music