ABA is looking for book influencers to help spread the word about the 10th Independent Bookstore Day on April 29! We have a list of BookTokers, Bookstagrammers, and Book Bloggers, but would love to hear who you think we should reach out to for this opportunity. We want each region to be represented, and especially need recommendations for influencers in California and states in the South. 

Email [email protected] with the name and social media account of recommended influencer(s).

In response to an overwhelming amount of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, booksellers and readers alike are joining the Trans Rights Readathon from March 20 to 27. 

This readathon encourages readers to read books by trans, genderqueer, and nonbinary authors (or books featuring trans characters) and to donate to their local trans advocacy groups. Founded by author Sim Kern, the Trans Rights Readathon has received a staggering amount of support.

It’s not too late to join in! Read the full article to learn more.

Yesterday, the Ci2023 hotel block opened! If you have already registered for Ci2023, check your inbox for the subject line “Ci2023 Hotel Block Opens Today!” and you’ll find the link to reserve your hotel room.

The email also includes instructions for what to do if hotels sell out. You can contact [email protected] with any questions.

Not registered yet? Check out our Ci2023 schedule and register now.

Ci2023 will be held June 5–7 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Join other bookstore managers and owners to discuss selected management books, share best practices in staff management, solicit advice on staff development, and grow your skills as leaders in your stores. The Management Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 3:00 pm ET. The April selection is: Essentialism by Greg McKeown (9780804137409).

Registration for the Management Book Club is only required once per year. Those who register will have access to upcoming sessions through the rest of 2023.

Help make our campaign efforts more impactful. Let us know the best way to contact you (email or text) and if you have any relationships with current lawmakers.

Unite Against Book Bans (UABB), a coalition of organizations including ABFE, has created a comprehensive kit with information on grassroots organizing, talking points on how to discuss book bans, and social media tools. Please be sure to check it out and share!

Also, if there is a book challenge occurring in your community, please be sure to contact Dave Grogan at [email protected].

ABA is thrilled to announce the 35 booksellers who have been awarded Ci2023 scholarships!
These scholarships cover the registration fee, hotel stay, and up to $500 in travel expenses for each winner.

Easter and Passover will be here soon! Depending on your community, you may have customers looking for appropriate holiday gifts.

This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 9. Customers may be looking for children’s books, gift books, chocolates, or other items to fill their Easter baskets. 

Passover will be celebrated April 5–13. Although Passover is not a traditional gift-giving holiday, customers may want Passover cookbooks, kosher candy and nuts, and/or gifts for their Passover Seder host/hostess.

Kweku Abimbola is the author of Saltwater Demands a Psalm: Poems, a Winter/Spring 2023 Indies Introduce Adult selection. Here, Abimbola and Nikita Imafidon of Raven Bookstore in Lawrence, KS, discuss Saltwater Demands a Psalm.

Justine Pucella Winans is the author of Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything, a Winter/Spring 2023 Indies Introduce Kids selection. Here, Winans and Rebekah Shoaf of Boogie Down Books in the Bronx, NY, discuss Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything.

In light of increasing ransomware attacks, among other cybersecurity issues, the ABA team has put together a list of tips to help you keep your store safe.
Read the full article.

Keep an eye out for this quarter’s BTW: Board Edition, going out on March 31. Featuring a letter from the Board President, this newsletter offers updates on the Board’s latest actions and efforts.