Independent Bookstore Day is Saturday, April 25, 2026!

Mark your calendar: Independent Bookstore Day is back and bigger than ever for its 13th anniversary on Saturday, April 25, 2026! This nationwide celebration is all about honoring our cherished independent bookstores both in-store and online, and you're invited to join the party!

Over the next few months leading up to Independent Bookstore Day, you’ll receive communication to prepare for the day and keep up-to-date with important details. To kick things off, you can view the planning guide and save it as an additional resource. 
EXPLORE GUIDE

A key part of the experience is offering exclusive, limited-edition books and book-related items, crafted specifically for this special day. Each year, we collaborate with publishers, vendors, and the Indie Bookstore Day Advisory Committee — made up of booksellers from around the country — to offer unique books and bookish merchandise available in-store or online.

Here is a sneak peek at what will be offered this year:

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper Exclusive Edition
  • Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America Indie Exclusive Paperback
  • Fight Evil Read Books Mini Tote
  • Crowntide (The Lightlark Saga Book 4) Exclusive Edition
  • Indie Bookstore Day Blackwing Pencils

Please note that many items in the catalog have limits on how many your store can order so that as many stores as possible can offer exclusives. The full catalog will be made available on September 29, the week before ordering opens. 

The exclusives function as “rewards” to customers who shop indies and give stores a focus point for Indie Bookstore Day displays and marketing. 

Key Dates to Know:

  • September 29, 2025: The Independent Bookstore Day catalog opens for preview on the Indie Bookstore Day Website 
  • October 9, 2025: Indie Bookstore Day 2026 Order and Participation Form goes live
  • November 13, 2025: Indie Bookstore Day 2026 Exclusives Order Form closes
  • March 31, 2026: Indie Bookstore Day 2026 General Participation Form closes
  • April 3, 2026: Indie Bookstore Day Searchable Map goes live on IndieBound
  • Mid-April, 2026: All exclusives ship to bookstores
  • April 20–24, 2026: Indie Bookstore Day Spirit Week
  • April 25, 2026, the last Saturday in April: Independent Bookstore Day

How to Participate:

There are two ways to participate in Independent Bookstore Day:

  • To purchase exclusives, AND be included on the searchable map, receive marketing materials, and be included in publicity, sign-ups are open October 9–November 13, 2025. You must purchase a minimum of 20 items (individually or bulk packaged — a bulk packaged item counts as one) in order to receive the freebies like bookmarks and stickers. Blackwing pencils and T-shirts do not count towards the 20-item minimum.
  • To only be included on the searchable map, receive marketing materials, and be included in publicity, without any purchases, sign-ups are open October 9, 2025–March 31, 2026. By completing the General Participation Form, your store is signing up to participate in Independent Bookstore Day. Booksellers must be a logged-in ABA member to access the form. If you order exclusives, you do not need to complete the form again.

 

Important Reminders:

  • Lock in your orders before November 13; changes won’t be possible due to supply chain issues.
  • Independent Bookstore Day is open to stores who are members of ABA, as well as their regional booksellers association.
  • Make sure to have an Ingram Account number ready to order exclusives. Set up your account at Ingram Onboarding.

Stay tuned for future updates via our newsletters, offering sneak peeks, marketing assets, and much more. 

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

Independent Bookstore Day
American Booksellers Association
Copyright 2025
[email protected]

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