Dear Booksellers,

Thank you to everyone who has been writing to ABA to share their appreciation for these updates, share their ideas, and ask us questions. Today’s update is a response to some of the more frequently asked questions:

Have you seen any great new ideas from bookstores?

A book hotline at Deep Vellum Books in Dallas, Texas: “A Bookstore That Closed During the Pandemic Started a Literature Hotline. Now People Are Calling in for Life Advice” (Thank you, Vellum, for recommending Poso Wells by Gabriela Alemán!)

Collecting donations to support mask-making for healthcare workers at Big Blue Marble Bookstore in Philadelphia: “While we don’t have the capacity to make masks to sell, our store’s second floor has become Mask Making Central, with machines for both our owner, Sheila Allen Avelin, and her daughter, Zivia. The masks are going to any healthcare providers who ask, and we’re asking our customers to donate to help cover the costs of the material. I’m attaching a photo of the two of them hard at work. The store is completely closed to customers, of course, and we have one staff member at a time downstairs to take phone orders and do receiving and shipping,” says Outreach Coordinator Elliott batTzedek.

Partnering for curbside delivery at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, New Hampshire: “We teamed up with our neighbors at Warner Public Market to provide safe curbside delivery. They have the most wonderful groceries from our local farmers, using the utmost precautions. And you know we have, well, everything else!” says owner Katharine Nevins.

Celebrating National Poetry Month virtually with Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts: “Join some of your beloved Porter Square Books booksellers at Poetry Karaoke! We’re celebrating National Poetry Month by sharing a few of our favorite poems with you all. Tune in to see some familiar faces reading their favorite poems (written by someone else). You’re welcome to join in pajama attire, as only the readers will be on-screen.”

Selling store-branded merchandise at San Francisco's Green Apple Books as part of a fundraising campaign through Bonfire. “Every purchase allows us to keep the books flowing (online, of course) and the lights on (figuratively, of course) during our shelter-in-place forced closure. Thank you, as always, for your love and support.”

Are there any new grants or financial help ABA has heard about?

For women-owned bookstores.
For black-owned bookstores.
For Mailchimp customers. 


How can I better understand the profitability of my Consumer Direct Fulfillment e-commerce orders being fulfilled by Ingram? How does that differ from Ingram Direct to Home?

Try ABA’s Ingram Fulfillment FAQ


I’m still confused about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Any other resources to help me understand it better?

Watch the Small Business Administration’s PPP Webinar


How long will it take for businesses to receive PPP funds?

The Treasury released guidance yesterday. There are requirements that money needs to get into the hands of borrowers within 10 days of approval.


How long will it take to receive Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grant funds?

The infrastructure wasn’t in place at first to distribute funds within three days as intended. In discussions with legislator leaders, however, we’ve heard that the money will go out in the next few days. 


How do we sustain this level of stress?

Check out this TED Talk on “How to Make Stress Your Friend”


How can I help with the #SaveIndieBookstores campaign?

Grab some digital assets and social media ideas to share with followers and encourage donations.

Spread the word about the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association’s matching gift of up to $25,000 when donors use this link. 


I don’t have the time or energy to create content or do virtual events right now. How can I stay connected to my customers? 

Take advantage of these author-hosted virtual events and digital event kits. 


My insurance company says my business interruption insurance won’t cover the pandemic. Do I have any chance of winning this battle?

A Massachusetts bill is aiming to change that. 


How do I lobby for an “essential” designation?

Here are some recommendations. 

 

ABA is here for you. Please reach out if there is anything we can help with. We are an incredibly creative, resilient, supportive industry. We’ll get through this, together.

Best,
Allison

American Booksellers Association
333 Westchester Ave., Suite S202 
White Plains, NY 10604 | 800-637-0037 
[email protected] • www.BookWeb.org

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