The owner of Kelowna's Mosaic Books is being recognized by his peers.
Michael Neill is the 2019 recipient of the Gray Campbell Distinguished Service Award. It's given by the Association of Book Publishers of B.C.
"It's quoted as an individual who has made a significant contribution to the book publishing industry in the province," says Neill. "We've worked with them over the years through my book manager program and all of the independent book stores across Canada."
Neill developed the the Book Manager Program with his son Trevor.
"We do data collection as one of our services," he says. "Through that we are able to work with them [other book stores and publishers] and pull together all of the books that are being published in B.C. and sold in B.C. stores. We provide best seller lists and catalogues of new releases and other information."
As for the award, Neill says he's pretty excited about it.
"Usually it's the publishers right, that are in this," he says. "This time around they wanted to recognize somebody in the industry that working not directly with publishing. Pretty cool award."
Neill receives his award in Vancouver next month.