Independent Bookstore Day Author Ambassador Revealed, Order Deadline Approaches

This year, author Lauren Groff will serve as Independent Bookstore Day’s first-ever Author Ambassador. Groff is the author of the number-one Indie Next List pick for October, Fates and Furies (Riverhead).

“Bookstores are vital. I’m thrilled to be the Author Ambassador for 2016 Independent Bookstore Day,” tweeted Groff.

Booksellers planning celebrations for this year’s Independent Bookstore Day (IBD), Saturday, April 30, should place their orders now for the exclusive literary-themed merchandise created especially for the event. The catalog can be viewed here; all orders are due by February 1.

Booksellers must order at least 15 pieces from the catalog, and all items are nonreturnable. All merchandise orders will be fulfilled by Ingram, with orders shipping by April 15. Booksellers without an Ingram account can sign up here.

Booksellers can also promote Independent Bookstore Day with free bookmarks, courtesy of Candlewick, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and the American Booksellers Association. Bookmark orders can be placed via the online catalog.

As IBD items arrive in stores they can be used for display, but no items may be sold in-store until April 30, the day of the event. Stores can sell remaining items on their own websites beginning May 8, but booksellers are asked not to sell the items on third-party websites.

Questions about ordering or catalog items should be directed to IBD Program Director Samantha Schoech or NCIBA Executive Director Calvin Crosby.