ABA’s President on BEA, DOJ, Why Indies Matter & More

ABA President Becky Anderson of Anderson’s Bookshops in Naperville, Illinois, writes to members about last week’s BEA, the Children’s Institute, Why Indies Matter, the Department of Justice’s agency model lawsuit, and more.

To All of My Buds in Books! 

Summer is just about here, officially as of next week.  But in many ways it feels like it’s already been here for many of us around the country for a couple of months!  Along with summer, there is a feeling of cautious optimism in the air among booksellers— but this is something we know we have to fight for, to ensure that this breeze turns into a permanent weather pattern.

That feeling could not have been more palpable than it was at BookExpo America last week in New York City.  The mood was definitely more upbeat, and that was apparent out of the starting gate with Richard Russo and Lynn Sherr having a conversation on “Why Indies Matter” at the start of ABA’s Day of Education on Monday at the show. 

“Why Indies Matter” is also the name of ABA’s newly launched video campaign that captures unscripted and impromptu testimonials about independent bookstores from authors, customers, and indie supporters around the country. We’re confident that this is a campaign that can tap into a powerful current of grassroots support, but only if we can play our part. So, please go to indiebound.org/why_indies_matter  and contribute videos of your customers, booksellers, authors, and fans on why we matter.  YouTube is waiting! 

On Monday at the show, there was also a very insightful panel moderated by our CEO, Oren Teicher, with bookselling industry professionals from Germany, France, and the U.K.  The topics discussed included selling non-book, localism, World Book Night, online sales, sales taxes that are (or are not) collected on books, and how fixed pricing helps create a robust marketplace for books and bookstores.  In contrast to Germany and France, the U.K. abandoned fixed pricing and, as a result, many indie bookstores closed, unable to compete with huge discounts.  The speakers noted that in Germany and France a robust physical place for books continues to benefit many communities. 

The upbeat mood was definitely in full swing during the 12th annual ABA Celebration of Bookselling & Author Awards Luncheon, featuring the presentation of the 2012 Indies Choice Book Awards and the E.B. White Read Aloud Book Awards.  All the authors present expressed their love and admiration for Independent bookstores and our essential role in our communities and in their success.  Quoting from memory a speech from Henry V, Ann Patchett, winner of The Most Engaging Author of the Year, called us to arms to fight the good fight!  “This is the very best example I know of the little guy winning,” she said.

During the Annual ABA Membership Meeting it was reported that our membership has grown by 77 store locations, the third year in a row that we have seen an increase.   In addition, membership numbers in all other categories increased as well. 

Our BookScan numbers have also shown a healthy increase for the year, and there was a big jump for the Mother’s Day week.  So, if you don’t report to BookScan yet, I cannot urge you more strongly to do this simple thing.  We are stronger together, and as more of us report to the weekly Indie Bestseller List our numbers together will carry more weight.  So sign up today!

The first ABC Children’s Institute that took place the entire day on Wednesday at BEA was a sold-out event.  Starting with the BEA Children’s Breakfast and ending with the crowd-pleasing ABC Children’s Art Auction and reception, it was a day full of great conversations, education, authors, and pure fun.  Kelly Gallagher from R.R. Bowker presented “Understanding the Children’s Book Consumer in the Digital Age.” It was another reaffirming presentation of the robust environment for all of us in children’s independent bookselling. 

I personally would like to thank the staff of ABA for all of their hard work, passion, and creativity in making BEA what it was!  The ABA Booksellers Lounge was hopping the entire time!  Also, I’d like to throw out a huge thanks to the ABA Board and the Booksellers Advisory Council.  Your time, talents, and insights are so valued by all of us in this big family of indie bookselling!

And now I am asking for you, your author friends, even your customers to write to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make your views known regarding the agency model for the sale of e-books.  DOJ needs to hear our voices loud and strong. You have 11 days to get your letter mailed and also e-mailed. I suggest you do both. Also, please send a copy to Dan Cullen at ABA.  If you have already written, THANKS so much!  All the letters sent to DOJ will be read and taken into consideration, so numbers do count!  Please, don’t assume that someone else will do it — WE NEED YOU!  The agency model provides diversity, competition, and a fair marketplace for e-books.  We need to be players in this marketplace!

You can send your comments to:

John Read
Chief, Litigation III Section
Antitrust Division
U.S. Department of Justice
450 5th Street, NW, Suite 4000
Washington, DC 20530

His e-mail address is: [email protected].

Let’s keep this momentum going. We are in this for the long haul, and we will win if we stand together.  So, let’s keep sharing, collaborating, voicing our opinions, and building the communities where books and stores like ours remain at the heart of home.

Becky Anderson
ABA President
Anderson’s Bookshops
Naperville, Illinois