If you haven’t done so already, your store can still be included on the IndieBound Indie Bookstore Day searchable map without any purchases if you sign up through your Member Dashboard by March 31, 2026*. 

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 or signed up already, you do not need to complete this form again.

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

Check out the Independent Bookstore Day BookWeb page for additional details as well as the planning guide for an additional resource. 

To Dos:

Put the finishing touches on your event plans.

• Determine your displays, merchandising, food/drink, games, and events. Check out the ideas shared from last year’s events from participating bookstores! 
• Need some tips and ideas from fellow booksellers? Watch the replay of yesterday’s ShopTalk: Making the Most of Indie Bookstore Day.

Create and finalize your marketing plan.

• Determine your displays, merchandising, food/drink, games, and events. Check out the ideas shared from last year’s events from participating bookstores! 
• Check out this article: Your Guide to Planning Marketing Campaigns.

Start teasing Indie Bookstore Day in newsletters, online, and/or on social media. We’ve added logos and assets for exclusives to BookWeb.org.

Check your ipage account.

• Track your order by locating the “Find My Order” button at the top of ipage in your Ingram account and enter your Purchase Order Number or EAN/Product Code. Stores whose accounts are not in good standing with Ingram will not have their order completed or shipped.

Look for an invoice from Blackwing Pencils.

• Stores who have ordered from Blackwing will be hearing from them in February. Each store will receive a phone call and email from a member of the sales team. They will be confirming the order and shipping address along with notifying stores on what to expect (i.e., invoice, shipping, timeline). Blackwing orders must be paid prior to shipping.
• If your store was unable to order Blackwing pencils in the fall, contact [email protected] to be added to a waitlist for any extra sets available. 

Work with Bonfire on a free custom design.

• ABA members can claim a free custom design (a one-time offer in your store’s history) from Bonfire, a free online platform where you can design, sell, fundraise with, and order custom products to build your bookseller brand. Email Taylor Soignoli at [email protected] to get started with your design and have your shirts ready to wear and/or sell before Independent Bookstore Day! Stores can choose to incorporate the Indie Bookstore Day logos if they wish. If you are interested in using the Tom Gauld illustration from the T-shirt and tote bag, contact [email protected] for permission.
• If wanting the general design, purchase the Indie Bookstore Day 2026 shirt directly from our Bonfire page.

Keep your staff informed and on board.

Key Dates to Know:

• March 31, 2026: Indie Bookstore Day 2026 General Participation Form closes through your Member Dashboard. (Stores that didn’t order exclusive items can sign up to participate until this date.)
• 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

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, Senior Marketing Manager at [email protected].