Industry News

ABA bookstore members are strongly encouraged to participate in the eighth annual post-holiday survey, which aims to find out how independent businesses are faring, what their key challenges are, and whether the localism movement has had a positive impact in their communities.

Here, NetGalley highlights10 titles to be featured in Winter Institute 11’s Galley Room that are available as e-galleys right now to all ABA member booksellers.

With the official 2016 Independent Bookstore Day catalog going live on Friday, January 15, booksellers are encouraged to start planning their orders, displays, and celebrations for the April 30 event. 

FedEx is giving ABA members enrolled in the PartnerShip Shipping Program the chance to win a grand prize of $10,000 or one of 100 other prizes in the $25,000 Get Ready Sweepstakes, underway now.

ABA issued a statement on January 7 expressing “extreme concern” over the fate of five employees of a Hong Kong publisher and its bookstore who have apparently been taken into custody by Chinese authorities and taken to the Chinese mainland.

The first-ever Winter Institute app for iPhone, iPad, or Android went live on January 6. A link tot the app, which is designed to enhance their experience at this month’s ABA education event in Denver, was sent in an e-mail to all registrants.

ABA is encouraging member stores to complete the eighth annual post-holiday survey conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Advocates for Independent Business. A link to the survey was sent via e-mail on Tuesday, January 5.

Popularity of print books tops LA Times list of 2016 book trends; Ann Patchett’s WSJ article heralds “The Return of Bookstores”; Penguin Random House sells Author Solutions; Authors groups pen open letter calling for fairer terms from publishers; The Nation names new assistant literary editor

Indie booksellers who spoke to BTW reported an energetic and prosperous holiday season and strong overall sales in 2015, spurred by creative store promotions during the holidays, popular local and regional titles, and in-demand nonbook items.

ABA is offering members not currently using the IndieCommerce program a chance to win a free year of the e-commerce platform for indie booksellers.

To celebrate the appointment of Gene Luen Yang as the fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, First Second Books has made downloadable shelf-talkers, sell sheets, and signs for his titles available through Edelweiss.

A provision in the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on December 18, 2015, makes it more affordable for small businesses to buy up to $500,000 worth of equipment per year.

Booksellers planning to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on April 30 can begin placing orders for exclusive, literary-themed merchandise on January 15. Orders are due by February 1. 

All Winter Institute registrants — booksellers, publishers, and guests — are encouraged to bring a copy of their backlist favorite to swap with a colleague at the Backlist Book Swap, to be held on Saturday night, January 23. Those planning to participate are also asked to share their favorite now via a form on BookWeb.

Northshire Bookstore owner Chris Morrow’s response to a customer who yelled at staff and threatened to put the store out of business for displaying an illustrated copy of American Qur’an has received widespread support.