Stay up to date with the world of independent bookselling.
Wednesday, January 18, 2023  
Find Waldo Local is Back!
 

Find Waldo Local is a community-wide Shop Local scavenger hunt hosted by ABA member bookstores with participation from dozens and dozens of merchants in their towns. In July 2023, Waldospotters, young and old, are eligible for prizes throughout the month. The hunt culminates with a celebratory party held at your store. Find Waldo Local 2023 is co-sponsored by Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association. 

Pre-registration closes on February 17, 2023 and is capped at 300 ABA member bookstore participants. Access a brochure with complete details and register.
 
Register for Find Waldo Local
ICYMI: 33 Days Until Winter Institute 2023

Earlier today, registered booksellers received an email from [email protected] with the subject line, “HealthShield Vaccination Verification and Appointment Scheduling Reminders.” Refer back to that email about the following information:

  • How to submit your HealthShield Vaccination Verification (or submit via an alternative)
  • Sign-up link for Publishers by Appointment
  • Sign-up link for IndieCommerce one-on-one’s

Continue to keep an eye on your inboxes leading up to Winter Institute 2023 for emails from [email protected]. You’ll receive other actions you’ll need to take, including downloading the event app and building your itinerary.

Questions about Winter Institute can be directed to [email protected]. 

Registered booksellers who are no longer planning to attend Winter Institute are asked to notify ABA as soon as possible so waiting booksellers can be offered a chance to attend. Booksellers on the waitlist will be notified if cancellations are received. All cancellation requests should be e-mailed to [email protected].
Action Items
Announcing the 2023 ABA Board Director & Officer Candidates

The ABA Board of Directors met last week and approved the ABA Nominating Committee’s recommendation of three candidates to stand for election to three-year terms as directors on the ABA Board, as well as the slate for ABA Board Officers.

Read the full announcement. A ballot for 2023 Board Elections will be sent to ABA members via email the week of March 1.
Nominations Open for ABA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (DEIC)

The DEIC is currently accepting nominations for booksellers and bookstore owners to join the committee. The DEIC acts as a sounding board and advisory council on issues related to antiracism, equity, access, and representation facing the bookselling community and ABA. Booksellers are invited to nominate themselves or another bookseller!
Opportunity to Attend Irish Book Trade Conference 

RISE Bookselling will cover flights and hotel for selected U.S. booksellers who apply to attend the Irish Book Trade Conference taking place on February 27–28, 2023, at the Clayton Hotel in Cork, Ireland. This is a wonderful opportunity for booksellers to gain new insights into the book trade, as well as a chance to meet their international colleagues. The programme includes various keynote author speakers, practical bookselling sessions on topics such as stock & margin management or digital marketing & events, a bookshop tour of Cork, a conference drink reception and dinner, and a trade show featuring publishers and other exhibitors.

Booksellers can send their filled-in application to [email protected] by January 27, 2023.
Virtual Wi2023 Registration Opens This Friday

On Friday, January 20, registration opens for Virtual Winter Institute 2023! This one-day digital experience on March 23, 2023 includes:

  • Virtual Galley Room: Request ARCs of upcoming titles!
  • Bookseller-to-Bookseller Discussion Groups: Discuss takeaways from recorded keynotes with colleagues.
  • Breakout Sessions and Idea Exchanges: Hear from panelists and engage with fellow attendees through a range of topics.

And more!

For $35, this is a great opportunity for booksellers unable to attend in person in Seattle or to share with your staff the best of the best from Winter Institute, along with other fresh programming built for the virtual environment.
Save the Date

Save the date for these upcoming events:

For 2023:

ShopTalk and ShopTalk Subsets will be combined. Sessions will occur every other month. The majority of each session will be set aside for smaller breakout groups, with the last 15 minutes of the hour reserved for a larger group discussion.

Board Office Hours and ABA Open Houses will also be combined to create an opportunity for members to connect and engage in discussion with both Board members and the ABA team. Members of the ABA Board of Directors, the ABA CEO, and other members of the ABA staff will be in attendance.
What to Know
2022 Online Holiday Shopping Results

Did you know online sales on IndieCommerce and IndieLite websites for the 2022 holiday shopping season were over 158% higher than pre-COVID holiday sales? The IndieCommerce Team has compiled the major takeaways from the 2022 online holiday shopping season on BookWeb.

ABFE Resources Updated

The American Booksellers for Free Expression's (ABFE) update on its recent work is now available on BookWeb. This update covers ABFE's work from October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. ABFE updates its work quarterly and booksellers can find the quarterly updates under the "Free Expression Work" header on the ABFE page. Questions can be sent to ABFE Director David Grogan at [email protected]. 
30% Off QuickBooks for 6 months

Not an accounting expert? Simplify everyday accounting with ABA's QuickBooks partnership. ABA members who are new to QuickBooks receive 30% off for 6 months (that's 20% more than the standard new member discount). Track income and expenses, send invoices, run reports, and more with QuickBooks various products and plans. To learn more please see ABA's QuickBooks partnership page.
Fly-In on February 1 to Support Credit Card Competition Act

Booksellers in the DC, Virginia, and Maryland area should look for an email with information about an upcoming fly-in in support of the Credit Card Competition Act. The Fly-In (an advocacy term for taking a trip to Washington), which will be Wednesday, February 1, is being organized by the Merchants Payments Coalition, of which ABA is a member. ABA is looking for bookstore owners in the DC area who might wish to attend the fly-in. Bookstore owners who are interested can contact David Grogan at [email protected]. 

Healthy Living Bestseller List

Here is the Indie Healthy Living Bestseller List, based on sales at independent bookstores nationwide for the eight-week period ending January 15, 2023.
 
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