Stay up to date with the world of independent bookselling.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
The ABACUS Report is Now Available
 

Thank you to everyone who participated in ABACUS!

Those who participated received a customized report comparing their store to the overall data, along with detailed regional data and comparisons by cost of living (minimum wage). 

For those that did not participate, this high level report will provide some insight into the full benefit of participation. We hope anyone who did not participate this year will be able to do so next year. The more participants we have, the more beneficial the results to the industry.

If you need help understanding your personalized reports, ABA is hosting two ABACUS Workshops. Here’s your chance to discuss your report in detail with ABA Chief Financial Officer (and former bookseller) PK Sindwani! We’ll discuss key takeaways, how to identify opportunities for improving your store's profitability, and ways you can use ABACUS in advocacy efforts for your store.

Two workshops are available:
 
Check Out the ABACUS Report
 
Save the date for these upcoming events:
 
 
Visit the Events Calendar
 
Election Day: Get Out the Vote

Major issues don’t just come up in the major elections — local elections can have a huge impact on your business. For example, your school board determines how book challenges are handled. 

Encourage your customers to vote this upcoming Election Day! Here are a few social media assets we've created to help remind everyone to vote on November 7.
Get Out the Vote Assets
Follow the New ABFE Instagram

American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) now has its own Instagram! 

Follow @ABFEFreeExpression to stay up to date with ABFE’s latest advocacy efforts and learn about new resources and opportunities for advocacy!
Follow ABFE
National Native American Heritage Month: Featured Stores

November is National Native American Heritage Month, so we’re highlighting our Native-owned member stores!

Thank you to these amazing bookstore owners who told us 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 photos and tell us about your store.

Check out these featured bookstores from all across the country!
See the Featured Stores
Best Books for Young Readers Catalog

ABA members can now order additional non-imprinted Best Books for Young Readers catalogs on BookWeb while supplies last. 

Copies are available in quantities of 250 per carton. The cost per carton is $12 for Children's Group members and $18 for non-members, shipping included.
Order Now
Indies First Publisher Specials

The 11th Anniversary of Indies First on Small Business Saturday is just a few weeks away.

Don’t forget to take advantage of these publisher specials!
Check Out the Specials
Indie Politics & Current Events Bestseller List

Here is the Indie Politics & Current Events Bestseller List, based on sales at independent bookstores nationwide for the eight-week period ending October 29.
See the Bestsellers
November/December KNL Q&A with Ali Hazelwood

Independent booksellers across the country have chosen Ali Hazelwood’s Check & Mate (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers) as their top pick for the November/December 2023 Kids’ Indie Next List. Here, Bookselling This Week and Hazelwood talk about Check & Mate.
Read the Interview
December Indie Next List Preview

Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the December 2023 Indie Next List flier. Top pick? The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose. And, to mark the start of a new month, November Indie Next List and November/December Kids’ Indie Next List social media assets are live on BookWeb.
Check Out the List
Show Us Your Diwali Displays

This year Diwali falls on Sunday, November 12.

If your store has put together a Diwali display, we’d love to see it!

Send pictures of your Diwali display to [email protected] and we’ll share them in a future BTW.
Email BTW
Health Insurance: Open Enrollment is Here

Open enrollment for health coverage is here. Here are some key health insurance deadlines and details about informational webinars from ABA’s health coverage partner, LIG Solutions.
Learn More
Advocacy Updates
 

Track Book Challenge Activity in School Boards Around the Country with ABFE

American Booksellers for Free Expression systematically monitors book challenges in school boards across the country and gathers issues of concern in a spreadsheet. Starting today, this spreadsheet is accessible to our members. Check in regularly to see if there is activity in your area!

ABA Goes to Washington

The ABA Advocacy team was in Washington, DC last week, meeting with senators. They participated in a fly-in for the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), representing the financial challenges faced by independent booksellers and all small businesses. They also had a productive meeting with the Office for Civil Rights about ways ABA members can demand equality of intellectual freedom when it is challenged in their community. Watch this space for the results of these meetings.
 
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