BookExpo

Last month’s BookExpo America included a reception and signing in the ABA Lounge that put a spotlight on the summer and fall 2014 Indies Introduce titles. After the booksellers on the Indies Introduce Committee presented each title, the authors that were honored at the reception took time to express their appreciation to booksellers and sign copies of their books.

Expert panelists gathered last month at BookExpo America to discuss both how the Common Core State Standards will affect booksellers, librarians, and publishers and what opportunities this change presents for the book industry.

UPS survey shows support for shopping local; BEA releases preliminary attendance figures; Children’s Book Council offers summer reading lists; Lambda Literary Awards winners announced; Jack Covert retires from 800-CEO-READ; Penguin Random House reveals new branding; De Gruyter to distribute Princeton University Press; Bookmasters to distribute h.f.ullmann

All education documents from the IndieCommerce upgrade sessions at BEA are now available online. Within the next two weeks, stores in Group 1 will be receiving detailed instructions to begin their site transitions.

ABA’s Meet the Editor and One-on-One Publisher meetings at BEA provided new opportunities for booksellers, editors, and publishers to network and share information about how they operate on a day-to-day basis.

Once again this year, booksellers from ABC Children’s Group member stores took advantage of the unique opportunity to tour children’s illustrators’ studios in Manhattan and Brooklyn during BookExpo America.

Nine speakers took to the stage at the inaugural BookCon to discuss the absence of diverse characters in modern literature and the role booksellers can take in the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement.

Among the good news presented at the ABA Annual Membership Meeting is that for the fifth year in a row association membership has grown and for the first time since 2005 member bookstores are operating in more than 2,000 locations. In addition, a number of established stores are expanding and opening in new locations, and a whole new generation of younger booksellers is continuing to join the ranks.

Industry professionals discussed the spirit and strength of the independent bookselling community, the continued power of the buy local movement, and the balance between print and digital content at the Wednesday education session “The Future of Brick-and-Mortar Retailing.”

On Thursday, May 29, booksellers gathered at ABA’s 14th annual Celebration of Bookselling and Author Awards Luncheon at BEA to recognize the authors and illustrators that –– over the course of the past year –– have provided inspiration, empowerment, and ultimately, the tools to change a reader’s life.

At Wednesday’s BEA session “Helping Bookstores, Saving Lives,” author James Patterson announced the second round of grant recipients in his campaign to give $1 million to independent bookstores over the course of the year.

Deadline nearing for Vonnegut display contest; Keywords Press to publish YouTube stars; Fifteen new countries exhibiting at BEA; Christopher Award winners celebrated; Burmese bookseller and publisher to be honored at BEA; S&S e-book backlist now on Oyster, Scribd; Ingram grows MyiLibrary offerings 

Dozens of original works will be up for bidding at the 20th annual Children's Book Art Auction and Reception at BEA. Tickets for the event, which will feature a special tribute to Dr. Seuss, as well as a variety show, can be purchased online or at the door.

A limited number of seats have just become available for the ABA Celebration of Bookselling and Author Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 29, at BEA.

An annual tradition continues: A suggested itinerary  for booksellers to get the most out of BookExpo America 2014.