Winter Institute 2019

Join us for an inspiring and informative look at the book industry through the combined experiences of ABA past presidents still actively engaged in the management of their stores. As booksellers, their innovation and leadership not only grew their individual businesses -- often in challenging times -- but also helped bring about the resurgence of indie bookselling that we have seen over recent years. This expert panel will share lessons learned from a lifetime of bookselling and discuss their thoughts on the current state of the industry.

Oren Teicher moderates this session with past presidents Becky Anderson, Anderson's Bookshops (Naperville, IL); Betsy Burton, The King's English Bookshop (Salt Lake City, UT); Mitchell Kaplan, Books & Books (Coral Gables, FL); Gayle Shanks, Changing Hands Bookstore (Tempe, AZ): Michael Tucker, Books Inc. (San Francisco, CA)

Indies Introduce is about what independent booksellers do best: Discovering exciting debut authors and sharing the best with readers across the country. You will hear about the title selection process from the bookseller panelists who curated the list, which, according to Destenie Fafard of Cellar Door Books (Riverside, CA), provides panelists with "the privilege of reading debut authors’ work and giving a spotlight to those who perhaps wouldn’t be seen without our platform." Many of this season’s debut authors will be present to read a short passage and answer a question posed by one of the panelists.

Booksellers will be entertained by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, the hosts of the hit true crime/comedy podcast My Favorite Murder, and enjoy some lively tunes from a local mariachi ensemble. In addition to hosting My Favorite Murder, Karen and Georgia are the authors of Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How To Guide, a Winter/Spring 2019 Indies Introduce debut selection to be published by Forge Books in May 2019.

Dorothy Massey, owner of Collected Works of Santa Fe, moderates a session with New Mexico authors William de Buys, Denise Chavez, Anne Hillerman, Layli Long-Soldier, Mary Oishi, and Doug Preston, focusing on New Mexico as the inspiration for the work. The authors will discuss the land, the people, the energy, and the culture of the state.

Close out Wi14 to the sounds of mariachi music, signings with the Salute to New Mexico authors plus Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark (Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How To Guide), and a fun, fast round of the Binc Heads or Tails Fundraiser.

You met some great booksellers in your Bookseller Discussion Groups. Join them again for a self-guided exploration of your Wi14 educational experience. This capstone session will help you set achievable goals and create actionable steps for improving your business.

The Consultation Station offers booksellers the opportunity to meet with representatives from ABA’s business solution partners, POS vendors, and other service providers. The full list of Consultation Station participants and contact information is visible here.

Booksellers have the opportunity to meet with small and mid-size publishers for informal conversations. These publishers, many of which are first-time ABA event sponsors, will have sample copies of their books, as well as additional copies for giveaways at their discretion. See the list of Meet the Presses participants here.

Enjoy lunch and meet an additional lineup of authors and illustrators from Winter Institute’s sponsors, who will be on hand to chat with booksellers and autograph their new and forthcoming titles.

The Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association is pleased to host the Hospitality Suite at this year’s Winter Institute. Stop by for a chance to decompress, grab a beverage, and refuel before heading back out to join your peers. Open to booksellers from all regions.

IndieCommerce and IndieLite are ABA’s online platforms for marketing events and author appearances as well as selling books and other merchandise. Both users and non-users of IndieCommerce and IndieLite are invited to schedule a one-on-one time with a program specialist from the IndieCommerce team. Space is limited, but walk-ins are welcome. Sign up here.

Booksellers have the opportunity to meet with small and mid-size publishers for informal conversations. These publishers, many of which are first-time ABA event sponsors, will have sample copies of their books, as well as additional copies for giveaways at their discretion.

The Consultation Station offers booksellers the opportunity to meet with representatives from ABA’s business solution partners, POS vendors, and other service providers. The full list of Consultation Station participants and contact information is visible here.

Immediately following their breakfast presentations, reps from participating publisher sponsors will be available to meet with interested booksellers for further discussion. The following publishers will be available:
Arcadia Publishing
Blair
Creston Books
DC Entertainment
Granity Studios
Greystone Books
Harvard University Press
Holiday House
Manga Classics
Patagonia Books
Phaidon
Poisoned Pen Press
Restless Books
University of Minnesota Press
University of Texas Press

The Quiet Room is intended to provide a quiet, calm space where conference attendees can spend time away from noise, lights, and other stimuli of conference spaces. The quiet room is not available for conversations or meetings.