Indies First: Take Advantage of Publishers’ Specials Now

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This year’s celebration of Indies First on Small Business Saturday (November 26) is only six weeks away, so stores should already be developing their plans for hosting and promoting guest authors and for making the most of special offers that are available from an array of publishers.

Ordering on specials from more than dozen publishers opened on October 1 and more specials are rolling out in the coming weeks. For the first time, this year’s offers include three university presses.

Promotional codes for the special offers are available on BookWeb (a username and password are required to log in). A downloadable Excel spreadsheet listing the publisher offers is also available.

Stores that have already lined up visiting authors for Indies First on Small Business Saturday should add their event details to the Indies First Activity Registry so that they can be publicized on the Indies First Map on IndieBound.org.

Booksellers who are still looking to arrange for visiting authors are encouraged to reach out to their local favorites and to check the Indies First Author and Illustrator Registry for a list of those who have indicated a willingness to participate.

Digital files of Indies First logos and poster designs, as well as the letter from this year’s Indies First spokesperson, Lena Dunham, are available in BookWeb’s Bookseller DIY. Newly added are two press release templates that stores can adapt to promote their events. One template is for stores hosting authors; the other for stores doing other kinds of activities.

To make November 26 the greatest Indies First celebration yet, stores should publicize their plans via press releases, in store newsletters, and on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets using the hashtags #indiesfirst and #shopsmall. Booksellers should ask their author guests to do the same.