If you haven’t already done so, sign up to participate by March 31, 2024*. You must be a logged-in ABA member** to access the form. If you do not know your login credentials please email us at [email protected].

*If you have already ordered exclusives, you do not need to complete this form.

**Independent Bookstore Day is open to those who are members of ABA, as well as their regional booksellers association.

What's New:

Bookseller Lightning Talks: Independent Bookstore Day Edition Now Available

Yesterday, three booksellers from across the country shared more about what they have planned for Indie Bookstore Day in February’s Lightning Talk. Recordings are now available through the following links:

• Bookstore BINGO and #BookHaul Photo Booths: Ryan Clark of Gibson’s Bookstore (Concord, NH)
  • Bingo and Photo Booth Slide Deck
• Bookstore Crawls: Erin Ball of Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park, WA) 
• Partnering with Community Organizations: Eileen McCormick of Green Apple Books (San Francisco, CA)
  
  • Community Partnerships Handout

February To-Do’s

We recommend checking out the Planning Guide regularly for upcoming to-do’s! Now is a good time to:

• Line up authors, illustrators, and other guests (local artists, community organizations, etc.). 
• Put the finishing touches on your event plans. Check out the ideas shared from last year’s events from participating bookstores! 
• Keep your staff informed and on board.
• Create and finalize your marketing plan.
• Check out this article: Your Guide to Planning Marketing Campaigns.
• Start teasing Indie Bookstore Day in newsletters, online, and/or on social media. (See How to Spread the Word in the Planning Guide for social media ideas and tips.)
  • Photos and descriptions of 2024 exclusives are now available!

Ingram's Discounts on Previous Exclusives

Ingram has extended their Indie Bookstore Day promotion for leftover exclusives from previous years. See below for the promo code and discount details:

Promo Code: IB2
Run dates: Now until 5/1/24
Additional discount: +40%
Additional discount can be applied to the following EANs:

             EAN 2300803987439 — 10 pack of 2022 Indie Bookstore Day tote bags
             List Price per 10-pack: $90.00
             Cost after 80% discount: $18.00
             Currently 126 units/10-packs available to order

             EAN 9780063324435 — The Poet X Exclusive
             List Price: $15.99
             Cost after 80% discount: $3.20
             Currently 11 books available to order

Reminders:

Check For Your Ingram Orders

For those who ordered exclusives, you can view them under backordered items in Ingram’s ipage. Orders will not begin shipping until early April.

Last Call For Your Favorite Content Creators

ABA is looking for content creators to help spread the word about Independent Bookstore Day on April 27! We've started 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 content creator(s).

Key Dates to Know:

• February 2024: Blackwing Pencil order follow-ups
• March 31, 2024: General Participation Form closes
  • If your store is in multiple locations, you must fill out a form for each store location or RDC.
• April 5, 2024: Indie Bookstore Day Searchable Map goes live on IndieBound
• Early- to mid-April: All exclusives ship to bookstores
• April 22–26, 2024: Indie Bookstore Day Spirit Week
• April 27, 2024, the last Saturday in April: Independent Bookstore Day

Stay tuned for future updates via our newsletters. Missed an issue of the Indie Bookstore Day Newsletter? Catch up on them all on BookWeb.

Questions? Contact Courtney Wallace, Independent Bookstore Day Program Director at [email protected].