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Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Last week for Membership Renewal
 

Monday, March 20 is the deadline for membership renewals! Renew now to avoid interruption in members-only resources! Review membership benefits or email questions about dues renewal to the Membership Team.
 
Renew Membership
10 Years of Independent Bookstore Day: An Instagram Display Contest
 

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day by creating a captivating Independent Bookstore Day display!

Create a display for the theme “10 Reasons to Celebrate 10 Years of Indie Bookstore Day” and post it on your store’s Instagram. Tag @americanbooksellers and use #IndieDisplayContest to enter.

The contest runs from April 24 to May 1, 2023.

Entries will be judged by the Regional Executive Directors. The store with the most thematic and creative display will be awarded $500! Two runners-up will be awarded $250 each!

We can’t wait to see your amazing displays!
 
Read the Contest Rules
Dr. Erica Atkins and Birdsong Books: Keeping the Legacy Alive

Dr. Erica Atkins’, owner of Birdsong Books in Locust Grove, GA, untimely death is a heartbreaking loss and the circumstances are tragic and troubling. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Atkins’ children and friends. She was part of our bookselling community and we mourn her loss and commit to supporting her daughter, Jasmine, in keeping her mother's legacy alive. 

Jasmine has said: “My mother started the bookstore because her parents met at a bookstore. She's always had a fascination with books and it was just something that stuck with her. My mother was the smartest woman I know. She wanted to get children to start reading again and put down the phones after the pandemic because she knew that was important.”

To add your name to SIBA’s list of mentors for Jasmine, please email SIBA Board Member, Julia Davis. To continue Dr. Atkins’ legacy, please donate to the Erica Atkins Memorial GoFundMe campaign. You can also offer support by shopping at Birdsong Books.

ABA is offering Jasmine (or her designee from Birdsong Books) a Children’s Institute and Winter Institute scholarship to support her ongoing bookselling education and to offer her the support of our community.
Action Items
Next Week is Virtual Wi2023!

Booksellers who have registered for Virtual Winter Institute should expect to receive their unique link to access the event in their email on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 22. The email will come from [email protected].

If you have not registered yet, you still have until tomorrow (March 16) to do so!

Virtual Winter Institute is Thursday, March 23, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm ET. Registration is $35. 
Take Our Publisher Survey!

This year’s Publisher Survey is live! Your feedback helps us better advocate on your behalf to publishers.  

The deadline to submit your answers is Sunday, April 9, at 11:59 pm ET.
Take the Survey
The Q2 Calendar is Here!

Save time with our Q2 calendar! These handouts are filled with ideas and copy you can use in your bookstore!
Download the Handouts
ABFE Submits Testimony Opposing ND Bill

On Tuesday, March 14, ABFE submitted testimony in opposition to North Dakota Senate Bill 2360. The bill would make it a Class B misdemeanor if a bookstore displays a book that can be viewed by minors where the exposed cover or contents contains “depictions or written descriptions of nude or partially denuded human figures posed." In his written testimony, David Grogan, Director of ABFE, stressed: “It would simply be impossible for bookstore owners to know everything in every book and materials that a store sells — meaning any given book on the shelf of the store represents a potential Class B misdemeanor.” Read the full testimony. 

The hearing concluded without a committee vote. North Dakota booksellers are urged to reach out to legislators in opposition to the bill.
Take Action
Save the Date

Save the date for these upcoming events:
What to Know
An Indies Introduce Q&A with Melissa Coss Aquino

Melissa Coss Aquino is the author of Carmen and Grace, a Winter/Spring 2023 Indies Introduce Adult selection. Here, Coss Aquino and Emerson Perper of Curious Iguana in Frederick, MD, discuss Carmen and Grace.
Biography & Memoir Bestseller List

Here is the Indie Biography and Memoir Bestseller List, based on sales at independent bookstores nationwide for the eight-week period ending March 12, 2023.
Spring Reading Group Guide Preview

The Spring Reading Group Guide is now available! This guide includes the following categories: Dazzling Debuts, Family and Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Nonfiction & Memoir, and Small Bites.
“Ella Scott’s Banned Book Club”

Created by students in Maryland, “Ella Scott’s Banned Book Club” is a short video that explores the ways kids in Texas are fighting back against censorship in their schools. 
IndieCommerce 2.0 Feature Update

Here are some highlights from the latest IndieCommerce 2.0 update!

  • For Tier 1 and Tier 2, Google Analytics 4 is now available.
  • A visually updated events calendar, and the added ability to create and edit events with past dates.
  • For Tier 2 only, we are now offering integration for both Basil and Anthology POS systems.
  • Tier 2 stores now have the option to sell subscription products on their website.

See the full IndieCommunication for more.
Books Across Borders Application Deadline Extended

The Books Across Borders application deadline has been extended! You now have until April 1 to apply. The selected applicants will receive a scholarship to an international book fair!

Visit the Independent Publishers Caucus to learn more.
 
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