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Wednesday, June 24, 2026
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TLDR: This Week's Action Items:
 
 
Children's Institute 2026
ABA Staff Head to Children’s Institute
 

As you read this, many of the ABA staff members will be in the air, on their way to meet up in Schaumburg and start preparing the venue for Children’s Institute 2026!

If you’ll be joining us at Ci2026 in a few days, we wish you safe travels. We can’t wait to see you there.

If you can't make it to Children’s Institute this year, don’t worry! Audio recordings of select sessions will be made available after the event.

Please note that due to Children’s Institute and staff travel, the July 1 issue of Bookselling This Week will be shorter than usual.
 
Shop Small for a Big Impact
Shop Small for a Big Impact
 

There’s still time to take advantage of our Shop Small for a Big Impact campaign. 

Designed to run during Pr*me Day and remind customers that shopping for a new book can be so much more than the recommendations of an algorithm, the Shop Small for a Big Impact campaign features assets as well as suggested language that you can use in your store and on socials.

And, we heard your requests: the Shop Small for a Big Impact design is now available on a shirt! Head over to Bonfire now to order one.
 
Download Now
 
Save the date for these upcoming events:
 
 
Visit Events Calendar
 
Winter Institute 2027
Winter Institute 2027 Scholarship Applications Open Soon

Mark your calendars! The application form for Winter Institute 2027 (Wi2027) scholarships will open on Wednesday, July 1.

Wi2027 will take place February 10–14 in Minneapolis, MN.

Scholarship recipients will receive waived registration fees to Winter Institute 2027, a comped hotel room during the Institute, and up to $600 reimbursement for travel to and from the Institute. 

Check BTW next week for the link to the application form!
Learn More
Summer Reading Adventure
Join the National Book Foundation Summer Reading Adventure!

The National Book Foundation’s third-annual Summer Reading Adventure is already underway, but it’s not too late to join in! 

Readers can complete activities to receive a Bookshop.org discount code and free audiobook from Libro.fm. They’ll also be entered to win additional prizes, including the grand prize trip to the 77th National Book Awards Ceremony! 

Bookstores nationwide are encouraged to share the Adventure and to invite their customers to join in. Check out the Summer Reading Adventure toolkit for assets, sample copy, and FAQs.
Learn More
CO—100
Apply Now for CO—100 Awards Program

Applications are now open for this year’s CO—100!

The CO—100 is the US Chamber of Commerce’s awards program that recognizes the top 100 small businesses in America.

The top businesses will receive several benefits, including a monetary award ($25,000 for top businesses and $2,000 for honorees). 

The deadline to apply is July 23. Visit the CO—100 webpage to learn more and submit your application.
Learn More
Love and Legends Books
Love & Legends: Brooklyn's Magical Science Fiction and Fantasy Bookstore

Love & Legends Books in Brooklyn, NY, is an enchanting store that specializes in fantasy and science fiction.

Love & Legends co-owner Savanna Sturkie sat down with us to share more about the decision to open a genre-specific store, how she created the space, and how the store has grown in just a short span of time.
Read Interview
Indies Introduce author Ari Koontz
Indies Introduce Q&A with Ari Koontz

Ari Koontz is the author of Just Ask Elsie, a Summer/Fall 2026 Indies Introduce selection. Here, Koontz and Allie Cesmat of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ, discuss Just Ask Elsie.

You can also visit the ABA podcast, BookED, to listen to this interview.
Read Interview
Indies Introduce author Wendy Lu
Indies Introduce Q&A with Wendy Lu

Wendy Lu is the author of Casting April, a Summer/Fall 2026 Indies Introduce selection. Here, Lu and Angela Whited of Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, MN, discuss Casting April.

You can also visit the ABA podcast, BookED, to listen to this interview.
Read Interview
Advocacy Updates
Advocacy Updates
 

New Hampshire: Demand a Book Ban Veto

Congratulations and thank you to the New Hampshire independent bookstores who banded together to ask Governor Ayotte to veto SB 434, the latest New Hampshire book ban bill, in an open letter in The Concord Monitor.

We think a high volume of messages to the governor’s office could make a difference in encouraging her to veto the bill, as she has for similar bills in the past. Will you add your voice in the ask for a veto?
 
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