There is still time for stores to sign up for this fall’s Indies Introduce Debut Authors promotion, which features 22 titles chosen by a panel of 13 booksellers from more than 50 galleys and manuscripts. Three titles that  stood out from the rest have been designated Jury Picks. Bookseller quotes and author videos are now available along with a range of marketing materials.

The American Independent Business Alliance’s 11^th Annual Independents Week will be celebrated from July 1 through July 7. Bookstores will find a wealth of resources on the AMIBA website for use in organizing Independents Week events in their communities.  

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has joined the ACLU, the American Library Association, more than 80 civil liberties, government reform, and digital advocacy groups, and several companies in protesting the National Security Agency’s surveillance of the telephone records and Internet activity of American citizens.

Philipp Meyer has earned the number one spot on June’s Indie Next List with his bold and compelling novel The Son. Meyer recently spoke to BTW about his research process and the experiences he lived in order to write what Scott Kinberger of Books Inc. called “the best kind of historical fiction.”

ABA will be offering an IndieCommerce Institute on September 18 and 19, just prior to the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Fall Show in New Orleans, and on October 1 and 2, before the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association Trade Show in San Francisco.

With the implementation of additional sections of the Affordable Care Act now less than six months away, it’s a good time for booksellers to start considering their insurance options under the new health care law. Here is a look at some recent developments with helpful links.

At ABA’s education session “How to Plan for a Second Location” at BEA, a panel of experienced booksellers shared their experiences of starting a new venture, including determining when to expand, arranging startup capital, finding a location, coordinating staff, managing inventory, and handling POS and store logistics. 

Simon & Schuster’s new Customer Portal for booksellers went live on Tuesday morning, June 11. The portal consolidates crucial resources — including marketing/coop information, order tracking, invoices, digital catalogs, and promotional information — in one place.

Members of the ABC Children’s Group at ABA participated in Illustrator Studio Tours, sponsored by the ABC Group and the Children’s Book Council, on Wednesday, May 29, at BEA. Illustrators including You Byun, Tad Hills, Paul Hoppe, Kate Yamasaki, and Betsy and Ted Lewin welcomed booksellers into their studios.

Word Up to reopen; Covered Treasures to celebrate 20 years; Forbes notes Prairie Lights’ vitality