Box Mailings

When planning promotions, publishers are asked to be aware of our commitment to antiracism, inclusion, representation, and diversity as outlined in our ends policies.

Descriptions, Criteria, Rate Cards, Deadlines

Bi-Monthly Box Mailings, Quarterly Kids’ Box Mailings

These mailings offer publishers an easy and cost-effective means of communicating information to all IndieBound stores.

The Bi-Monthly Box Mailing, currently sent to 750 ABA member stores, contains the stores’ initial allotment of the latest Indie Next List flyers as well as any other timely materials from ABA, point-of-purchase materials from publishers such as shelftalkers, easelbacks, bookmarks, or posters; other marketing materials, including sell sheets and catalogs; as well as galleys or Advance Reading Copies (ARCs) that publishers wish for booksellers to read and consider stocking, handselling, and nominating to the Indie Next Lists. Stores “earn” their bi-monthly box mailing through participation by regularly reporting to the Indie Bestseller List and nominating titles to the various Indie Next Lists. This is an excellent and cost effective way to reach the independent bookstore market, and by collating, packing and shipping all these materials from one warehouse, we are able to offer publishers substantial savings in time, labor, and postage over individual mailings done on their own. Mailings are scheduled for January, March, May, July, September and November.

The Quarterly Kids’ Mailing offers publishers the opportunity to participate in a mailing dedicated solely to materials of interest to children’s-only stores, members of the ABC Children’s Group, as well as those general stores with active children’s sections. Mailings are scheduled for mid-February, mid-May, mid-August, and mid-November, and carry galleys, ARCs, F&Gs, and other materials that a publisher wishes to make available to this target audience (babies & toddlers through YA.) The mailing is sent to currently 750 stores.

Criteria for Boxed Mailing

• Books previously published are not included as the box is intended to offer booksellers a preview of upcoming books.
• ABA supports free expression and a publisher’s right to choose and to market directly what it publishes. Similarly, we choose to not send hate speech to our members. Books with content that meets the United Nation’s definition of hate speech are not included. 
• Sell sheets may be submitted for approval and inclusion in the box, subject to screening for hate speech per the United Nation’s definition

RATES

Bi-Monthly Box Mailing Rate Card

The Bi-Monthly Box Mailing is shipped within the first half of the designated month to approximately 750 ABA member stores. The mailing is prioritized, based on the level of a store’s participation in ABA programs. The minimum quantity for inclusion in any mailing is 450 pieces.

Standard pricing for inclusion in all 750 Monthly Boxes is as follows: 

For galleys and ARCs, cost of inclusion is dependent on size and weight. Standard pricing typically ranges from $1.60 to $2.75 per piece. Upon receipt of the dimensions and number of pages, we are happy to provide a custom quote for any proposed inclusion.

There is an additional charge for the insertion of any bounceback cards, letters, or any other collation done in our warehouse. Charges for collation will be custom quoted. 

IMPORTANT: Please contact Linda Ford ([email protected]) to reserve a place in a Monthly Box mailing.

All materials should be shipped to:
Transport Specialties International, Inc. (TSI)
Attn: Nancy Johnson
9 Joanna Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816-2108
Phone: 732.698.0988, x 114

Please mark all cartons and/or packing slips: “FOR ABA [month] BOX MAILING”.

Early shipments are possible, but must be pre-approved.

Kids' Box Rate Card

Four times a year, a box is sent to each of the approximately 750 stores, including members of the ABC Children’s Group and general stores with active children’s sections. By collating, packing and shipping all these materials from one warehouse, we are able to offer publishers substantial savings in time, labor, and postage over individual mailings done on their own.

For galleys, ARCs and F&Gs, costs for inclusion usually range between $1.60 and $2.75 per piece, dependent on size and weight. The minimum quantity for any item is 450 pieces. There is an additional charge for the insertion of any bounceback cards, letters, or any other collation done in our warehouse.

IMPORTANT: Please contact Linda Ford ([email protected]) to reserve a place in a Kids’ Box mailing.

All materials should be shipped to:
Transport Specialties International (TSI)
Attn: Nancy Johnson
9 Joanna Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816-2108
Phone: 732.698.0988, x 114

Please mark all cartons and/or packing slips: “FOR ABA [season] KIDS’ BOX”.

Early shipments are possible, but must be pre-approved.

DEADLINES

Bi-Monthly Box Mailing

Please mark all carton and/or packing slips: "FOR ABA [month] BOX MAILING”.

Kids Quarterly Box Mailing

Please mark all cartons and/or packing slips: "FOR ABA [season] KIDS' BOX"