Preorder Calendar

Pre-orders are an increasingly important way in which books are now sold and marketed, and indie bookstores can and should take part in this growing business. Heavily influenced by television and social media, the months before a title’s publication are critical, and pre-orders are a growing component of a book’s ultimate sales. By working with publishers to take full advantage of pre-order opportunities, indie bookstores can avoid lost sales, lost PR, and lost market share. Booksellers who would like to learn more about pre-orders can check out the presentation from the 2019 ABA Spring Forums: “ABACUS and Pre-Orders: Two Programs You Can’t Do Without.”

Below are some suggested titles that may have good pre-order potential and/or have added value to entice customers to pre-order from their local indie. The list will be updated on a regular basis. When available, titles will link to a page with downloadable digital assets. The list is also available as an Excel Download at the bottom of the page, along with ABA-created "Keep It Local" Pre-Order shelftalkers and web assets. 

Booksellers and publishers are welcome to send pre-order suggestions for this list to preorders@bookweb.org. Publishers should also attach any digital marketing assets available for booksellers to use. ABA has final approval over which titles are included on this list.

Stores should be sure to note "Limited Supply" or "While Supplies Last" in promo to customers.

* Updated 2/1/22 *

FEBRUARY 2023

- On Sale Date 2/7/2022:

• *Added 1/24/2023* Three Hens, a Peacock, and the Enormous Egg by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Henry Cole (Margaret Quinlin Books / Peachtree, 9781682633748, Hardcover, $18.99) Added Value: Peachtree is coordinating a consumer pre-order campaign. Indie bookstore and Bookshop.org customers who email marketing@peachtree-online.com with proof of pre-order purchase and fill out this google form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZLAQsmoRbSeiEQP9o__ke9-MWnNkj2qDOuHXUpy_ixGGHAg/viewform) will receive a special surprise plushie. Available while supplies last. Digital assets available for booksellers to use to promote the pre-order campaign.

MARCH 2023

- On Sale Date 3/28/2022:

• Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (Dog Man #11) by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic, 9781338801910, Hardcover, $14.99, **Strict On Sale Date**) 24-COPY SOLID FLOOR DISPLAY (9781339003962, $359.76); Added Value: INDIE EXCLUSIVE: ALL NEW DAV PILKEY WALLY'S WORLD COMIC ONLY AVAILABLE AT INDEPENDENT STORES!! Stores will receive a 16-page Wally’s World comic by Dav Pilkey as a giveaway for pre-order customers (comics received will match the number of books ordered). NOTE: This all-new comic is ONLY available at INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES. Orders due by 2/21/2023. Exclusive comics will ship by early March 2023. Reach out to your Scholastic sales rep for more details.

• Garden Wonders: A Guidebook for Little Green Thumbs by Sarah Grindler (Nimbus Publishing Limited, 9781774711439, Hardcover, $15.95)

JULY 2023

- On Sale Date 7/11/2022:

• The Skull by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press, 9781536223361, Hardcover, $19.99) Added value: INDIE EXCLUSIVE 5-pack of prints of interior illustration, hand-signed by Jon Klassen and suitable for framing. (5-pack signed print ISBN: 9781536233360). Limited quantities are available while supplies last, publisher will do their best to fulfill demand; Store promo should include "limited supply" notice to customers. This item is to be used an incentive for customers who preorder THE SKULL through your store. Please limit the number of prints you order to the number of books you project to presell. Please reach out to your Candlewick rep for more details.

"Keep It Local" Pre-Order Shelftalkers (multiple designs)