Nominations for the 2023 Duende-Word BIPOC Bookseller Awards are open August 7–September 8! Duende District and The Word’s annual BIPOC Bookseller Awards celebrate and uplift the BIPOC booksellers whose dedication to indie bookstores and their BIPOC colleagues and communities have touched and influenced countless lives. 

Awards are issued in three categories: Activism, Leadership, and Innovation. 

All BIPOC booksellers who work in U.S. independent bookstores are eligible for nomination. The winning booksellers are honored during #MarginsBookselling Month and receive a plaque + $1,000 prize.

It’s important for stores to have an AI policy. A policy ensures staff are on the same page, and sets clear guidelines for those interested in utilizing AI in their work.

Set aside time with your staff to develop and discuss an AI policy. If you're not sure where to start, check out this BookWeb article on AI and your store for things to consider. You can refer to LinkedIn and AI Guardian for some example AI policies, or you can check out this AI policy generated by ChatGPT.

For Black Business Month we’re highlighting our Black-owned member stores. Thank you to these amazing Black bookstore owners who reached out to tell us a little about their stores. 

We'll update this list as the month goes on! If you would like your store to be featured, please email [email protected] with a few sentences about your store.

These featured bookstores range from online-only, to pop-ups, to brick-and-mortar locations all across the United States.

Here is a preview of the titles on the September/October 2023 Kids’ Indie Next List flier, arriving at stores in the upcoming Kids’ Box mailing. Top pick? The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass.