Winter Institute 8 will feature several opportunities for booksellers to learn more about the ABA/Kobo program and plans in the works for 2013. In addition, Kobo representatives will be available to talk to booksellers directly.

BTW’s spotlight on current and upcoming eBook promotions that booksellers can choose to highlight on their IndieCommerce websites returns this week with 15 promotions, including three free samplers, a selection of cookbooks and home organizers, great titles for Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Ash Wednesday, and more.

This week, Publishers Lunch released Buzz Books 2013: Spring/Summer, a free e-book of pre-publication excerpts from 28 highly anticipated books set to go on sale between March and July. Close to half of the excerpts (11 titles) will also be featured at this month’s Winter Institute.

Customers looking to pre-order upcoming eBook releases can now do so from stores participating in the ABA/Kobo partnership.

On January 31, IndieCommerce stores that do not participate in the Kobo eBook program will no longer be able to sell e-books. That’s the date set by Google for the end of the Google eBooks reseller program worldwide. Stores that would still like to offer e-books to their customers should sign up as soon as possible for the ABA/Kobo program.

Kobo is launching a national promotional event on Kobo Mini eReaders and Snapbacks leading up to Valentine’s Day. Beginning January 25 and ending February 14, the promotion consists of a Kobo Mini for $59.99 and a free Snapback.

From now through Wednesday, January 23, Kobo will be offering readers the opportunity to win prizes in a “Guess the Character Trivia Contest.”

ABA is asking member stores to direct all Kobo-related e-mails to a new address.

The Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that it had reached a settlement with Penguin Group (USA) in the antitrust suit brought in April against Apple and five major publishers with agency model pricing for e-books.

To help stores catch last-minute holiday shoppers, Kobo is sponsoring a  $49.99 Kobo Mini promotion this weekend. There are no restrictions on when stores can begin publicizing the December 21, 22, 23 sale, and promotional resources, including banners and posters, are now available on the Booksellers DIY Kobo page.