Introducing Anne Caldwell: ABA’s New Industry Relations Assistant

Earlier this month, Anne Caldwell joined the staff of the American Booksellers Association as the new Industry Relations Assistant. Caldwell will be working with Senior Program Officer Joy Dallanegra-Sanger and Development Officer Mark Nichols as a liaison between publishers and member booksellers.

Originally from California, Caldwell completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she received degrees in history and Middle Eastern studies. While in the U.K., she worked as a part-time bookseller at Waterstones in St. Andrews and in events, marketing, and merchandising at Blackwell in Oxford. After completing school, Caldwell returned to the U.S. and joined the staff at Tempe, Arizona’s Changing Hands Bookstore. She also interned for six months at the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) with a focus on marketing and data entry.

While Caldwell’s work experience introduced her to ABA and gave her insight into day-to-day bookstore operations, her time at ASBA was equally critical in illustrating the range of resources that small business associations provide their members.

“Associations are very important in lobbying for the rights of particular groups,” she said. “I’m happy to be joining ABA, since it is a voice for booksellers, as well as a network of support.”

Caldwell also hopes to learn a lot in her new position. “I want to learn more about indie bookstores — their importance to the economy and their communities — so that I can help others learn these things, too,” she said.