Stay up to date with the world of independent bookselling.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
The Right to Read Toolkit is Here!
 

The ABA Right to Read Toolkit is here just in time for Banned Books Week! This toolkit is full of How-Tos, resources, and case studies to help you deal with challenges in your day-to-day work. It's also a great training resource. The kit is designed to be easily navigated, so you can read it in full or skip to the sections you need! 

Remember, next week is Banned Books Week! 

If you haven’t already, check out our Banned Books Week assets for posters, handouts, and social media posts. 

You can find our Banned Books merch at our Bonfire store. Pick up the classic “I Read Dangerously” design or our new design, “FREADOM!”

And don’t forget to participate in our Banned Books Week Display contest. 
 
Check Out the Toolkit
A Letter from ABA’s Advocacy Associate Manager, Philomena Polefrone

Between attending fall shows and building the Right to Read Toolkit, Philomena Polefrone took a moment to share her origin story with BTW.

In this heartfelt letter to booksellers, Philomena shares her history and commitment to advocating for our members and for the right to read.  
Read the Letter
FTC Sues Amazon for Illegally Maintaining Monopoly Power

Yesterday, the FTC and 17 state attorneys general reported that they are suing Amazon.

“Dave Grogan, ABA’s Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, Ray Daniels, ABA’s Chief Communications Officer, and I met with the FTC last week in D.C. and were struck by the intense level of engagement and commitment,” said ABA CEO Allison Hill, “ABA applauds the FTC and its state partners for their efforts to restore a fair marketplace.”
Read the CEO's Letter
 
Save the date for these upcoming events:
 
 
Visit the Events Calendar
 
Question of the Week
 

Does BookScan hold sales data they receive early and then report it with the on sale date?*

*This question was received at ABA’s September Open House. 

Unless there are special instructions from the publisher, BookScan does not publish pre-sales as they come in. Instead, those preorder sales are held and rolled into the title’s Week One sales. Most publishers prefer this as it helps with bestseller charting.

As long as a title has at least one sale from at least one retailer in their panel, BookScan captures that sale. However, those sales are not published to BookScan until the title reaches its on sale date. 
 
ABA Staff Changes
 

Join us in welcoming ABA’s newest team members!

Kamilah Clarke (she/her) is the Member Relations and Engagement Manager at ABA. Before joining the Membership team, she was at the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. At the foundation, she worked in event coordination and digital content creation before becoming the Production Coordinator for the communications and development departments. For several years, she also managed special events for the BlackStar Film Festival. Kamilah is a fan of documentary films, nonfiction literature, animals, and keeping her many houseplants as healthy as possible. Are you having a plant issue? She might be able to help!

Starting October 2, Emma Shah is ABA's new Member Relations Manager and Special Projects Assistant. Emma comes to us with a background in Higher Education and Community Engagement. She has a deep appreciation for the unique journeys of individuals and is passionate about mental health education. Most recently, Emma served as an AmeriCorps member with Reading Partners, a national nonprofit dedicated to children's literacy.
Indies First Assets and Specials

This year’s Indies First assets are now available!

Spread the word about Indies First on November 25 with these downloadable posters and social media assets. 

And don't forget to take advantage of the Indies First publisher specials!
Get the Assets
A Q&A With Melissa Broder, Author of October Indie Next List Top Pick “Death Valley”

Independent booksellers across the country have chosen Melissa Broder’s Death Valley as their top pick for the October 2023 Indie Next List. Here, Bookselling This Week and Broder talk about Death Valley.
Read the Interview
National Hispanic Heritage Month: Featured Stores

For National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15–October 15, we’re highlighting our Hispanic-owned member stores. Thank you to these amazing Hispanic bookstore owners who told us about their stores. 

We'll update this list as the month goes on! If you would like your store to be featured, please email [email protected] with a few photos and tell us about your store.

Check out these featured bookstores from all across the United States!
See the Featured Stores
National Hispanic Heritage Month: Book Lists

Looking for books to carry for National Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond? Check out these book lists put together by publishers.

You can also enter a few giveaways!
ABA and Booksellers Met with Lawmakers in DC

Last week, ABA's Advocacy division traveled to Washington, D.C. and met with lawmakers in regards to two key issues: antitrust and swipe fee reform.

Joining ABA on the Hill on Wednesday, September 20, to talk swipe fees, were booksellers Ally Kirkpatrick of Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia; Emily Liner of Friendly City Books in Columbus, Mississippi; Sarah Pishko of Prince Books in Norfolk, Virginia; and Rachel Wood of Scrawl Books in Reston, Virginia.

The booksellers and ABA also participated in a Fly-In lobbying day in support of the Credit Card Competition Act, which was organized by the Merchants Payments Coalition. 

Thank you to all the booksellers who joined us in D.C.!
IndieCommerce Alert

A bookstore in Texas is reporting that a large number of online purchases for expensive Bibles are resulting in chargebacks. 

What to watch out for:

  • These Bible purchases are all from new online customers
  • The Bibles being purchased are all around the $70 range
  • The buyers are all out of state
  • Buyer calls the store and asks for their order's tracking number around 48 hours after their online purchase
  • Shortly after giving the tracking number the buyer disputes the purchase with their credit card company resulting in a chargeback for the store.

These purchases have all occurred over the past week. Keep an eye out for these red flags when processing online orders.
Learn More
The Black Bookselling Conference

Scholastic announced The Black Bookselling Conference, a free virtual conference, will be held November 1.

This initiative aims to support Black-owned bookstores, Black booksellers, and advocates by creating a curated space for dialogue and action. The Black Bookselling Conference will showcase a rich collection of books centering the histories and present-day realities of Black people in children’s literature while prioritizing Black stories, storytellers and the communities they serve and reflect.
Learn More
 
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