Stay up to date with the world of independent bookselling.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Place Your Vote for the ABA Board of Directors Election
 

Voting is underway for the ABA Board of Directors election! Only the store owner of an ABA Member Store, or their designated principal, may vote. The designated voter will need a BookWeb.org login to access the ballot and the store’s ABA Member ID number in order to vote. (If you don’t know your ID number, please contact ABA’s Membership Team.) If you’re the designated voter, head over to the ballot now! But before you do, learn more about this year’s candidates.
 
Place Your Vote
A Call for a Board Appointment

In July 2020, ABA’s bylaws were changed to institutionalize seats on the ABA Board for BIPOC directors and for Black directors. The ABA Board has 13 seats and a minimum of four of those 13 seats are to be held by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) booksellers, of which a minimum of two shall be Black booksellers. This change was part of ABA’s commitment to antiracism, equity, access, and representation that was added to ABA’s Ends Policies to help guide the organization.

With Melanie Knight’s departure from the ABA Board, the Board is looking to appoint a Black bookseller to serve on the Board from April 2023 – May 2024, at which time the appointed person could run for their first three-year term in the March 2024 election.

Black booksellers or bookstore owners who are interested in being considered can find out more by emailing Jake Cumsky-Whitlock, the chair of the ABA Board Nominating Committee, no later than April 1, 2023.
Question of the Week
Book prices have started to increase at an alarming rate across publishers in frontlist orders and in backlist titles, particularly hardcovers. With Amazon and Barnes and Noble already receiving higher discounts and undercutting indie bookstores on price, is ABA willing to help negotiate for book price freezes or higher discounts for indie bookstores with publishers?* 
 

*This question was submitted ahead of time for the Community Forum at Winter Institute, but was not addressed due to lack of time.

Book prices are indeed increasing with inflation and the higher retail prices are concerning in terms of how much readers can or will pay for a book. Another view is that the higher retail prices help bookstores keep up with stores’ rising costs. As a trade association it’s illegal for ABA to suggest book price freezes, but ABA regularly discusses the need for better terms and discounts for independent bookstores with publishers. (We encourage members to participate in the 3rd annual publisher survey going out to members this month.) ABA is also currently lobbying the FTC to investigate Amazon to ensure a level playing field when it comes to discounting.

— Allison Hill, ABA CEO
Action Items
Join us in Cincinnati for Wi2024!

Missing Winter Institute already? Mark your calendars!

Winter Institute 2024 will be held February 11–14, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio!

Look for more news in BTW as Wi2024 gets closer!
Last Call for DEIC Nominations

ABA’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DEIC) is accepting nominations and self-nominations for new members. If you know a bookseller who would be an excellent addition to this committee, you’re invited to nominate them (or yourself)!

All nominations must be in by Sunday, March 12, at 11:59 pm ET.
Nominate a Bookseller
Update Your Indie Next E-newsletter Info

If you have recently changed e-commerce platforms AND your store is signed up with ABA to send out the Indie Next e-newsletter to your customers, please contact ABA's partner Gwyn at Matchbook Marketing so she can update your newsletter links. This will ensure your customers don’t get broken links!
Email Gwyn
Iowa and Arizona Want Small Businesses Held Liable for Vaccine Injuries

ABA recently sent emails to Iowa and Arizona booksellers regarding bills that look to make small businesses liable if they require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and an employee subsequently suffers a vaccine injury. The Arizona bill would hold an employer liable for damages of anywhere from $1 million or more; the Iowa bill would allow an employee to bring a civil claim against an employer and the onus would be on the employer to prove the employee was not injured by the vaccine. ABA is urging Iowa and Arizona booksellers to demand that their lawmakers oppose these bills.
Learn More
Two weeks until Virtual Wi2023!

Don’t miss out on Virtual Winter Institute 2023! 

Featuring these sessions and more:

  • The Art of Giving Great Service
  • Harnessing the Power of Small Data 
  • How Publishers Use Edelweiss Grids and Best Practices for Booksellers 
  • Best Practices for Efficient Operations 
  • Serving Communities by Creating Space
  • Bookstore and School Partnerships

Virtual Winter Institute is Thursday, March 23, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm ET. Registration is $35. 
Register for Virtual Wi2023
Save the Date

Save the date for these upcoming events:
What to Know
March 8 is International Women’s Day! 
 

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women’s achievements!

Here are just a few recent and upcoming titles by international women that embody the spirit of IWD.
An Indies Introduce Q&A with Tove Danovich

Tove Danovich is the author of the memoir Under the Henfluence, a Winter/Spring 2023 Indies Introduce Adult selection. Here, Danovich and Tanya Mills of The Book Bungalow in St. George, UT, discuss Under the Henfluence.
Women's Prize For Fiction Longlist

The Women’s Prize for Fiction has announced the 16 titles selected for this year’s longlist. These books were chosen by a panel of judges as exceptional examples of fiction written by women.

Check out the Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist!
Scholastic’s Read with Pride Campaign

Scholastic’s annual Read with Pride Campaign is back! If you’re already prepping for Pride month, Scholastic has put together a list of featured titles and Read with Pride Kits. 
The Basics of Local SEO 

The American Independent Business Alliance is hosting a webinar on Local SEO Thursday, March 9, at 1:00 pm ET.

AMIBA hosts webinars every second Thursday; check out their upcoming events for more information!
AMIBA on St. Patrick’s Day 

The American Independent Business Alliance encourages shoppers to Keep the Green in Your Community this St. Patrick’s Day. They shared graphics and St. Patrick’s Day spending data to help encourage shoppers to choose local businesses. 
 
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