Independent Bookstore Day Invites Publisher Support, Submissions

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Publishers have a variety of opportunities to participate in the second annual Independent Bookstore Day (IBD), to be celebrated on Saturday, April 30, 2016.

The event’s organizers are inviting publishers to support Independent Bookstore Day by proposing ideas for unique merchandise, sponsoring a nationally distributed IBD bookmark, making their authors available for store appearances on April 30, and sharing information about the event through social media and other publicity outlets.

Through September 1, publishers can submit proposals for limited-edition, word-based items — merchandise with literary and artistic value that would inspire readers to line up outside of their local indie bookstores on April 30. Full details, as well as tips for successful merchandising ideas, are available in the 2016 Publisher Information packet.

A committee of booksellers will review the proposals and select the final items by September 30. The IBD merchandise catalog is scheduled to go live on January 15, and orders will be accepted through February 1. Booksellers will have the opportunity to see the merchandise at Winter Institute 11 in Denver, from January 24 to 26, 2016.

Ingram is returning as the official wholesale and distribution partner for IBD for the next two years, working to coordinate shipping and invoicing and to keep booksellers informed about the specially curated merchandise.

“Ingram has worked with us from the beginning to build IBD and manage all shipping and wholesale logistics, and we are very happy that they have made the commitment to helping IBD and its participating stores in this way,” said IBD Program Director Samantha Schoech, who is coordinating the event with the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association.

More information about opportunities for Independent Bookstore Day sponsorship and participation is available in the 2016 Publisher Information packet. Inquiries can be directed to Schoech via e-mail or at (415) 846-6131.