Just six short weeks ago, author Sherman Alexie launched Indies First [6], a grassroots movement that calls on authors [7] to show their support for independent bookstores by signing up to work at their favorite bookshops on November 30, Small Business Saturday [8]. In the time since, more than 285 authors have signed up to try their skills at handselling books and 225 bookstores in states across the country will be hosting them. And the numbers continue to climb.

As the hugely positive response [9] for Indies First grows, authors and bookstores are pairing up not only to celebrate their unique bonds but also to bring special attention to independent bookstores and to help increase sales during the crucial holiday season.

Among the latest additions to the list of participating authors are James Patterson, who has signed up to work at Classic Bookshop [10] in Palm Beach, Florida; Garth Stein, who will appear at five stores around Seattle; Jess Walter at Auntie’s Bookstore [11] in Spokane, Washington; Robin LaFevers at Curious Cup Bookstore [12] in Carpinteria, California; Jim Lynch at Edmonds Bookshop [13] in Edmonds, Washington; Wiley Cash at Pomegranate Books [14] in Wilmington, North Carolina; Martin Cruz Smith at Book Passage [15] in Corte Madera, California; and David Small at Lowry’s Books and More [16] in Three Rivers, Michigan.

There is still plenty of time for authors and bookstores to sign up on the Indies First [6] webpage. Because this is a grassroots movement, authors are asked to reach out to their chosen bookstore after signing up; likewise, bookstores are encouraged to reach out to authors in their communities who may be interested in participating.

IndieBound.org [17] will soon feature a map of participating Indies First bookstore locations and authors. To be listed on the map, booksellers are encouraged to sign up and include the list of authors they will be hosting.

Booksellers can find the Indies First logo [18] in BookWeb’s Designs and Downloads for use in their marketing efforts. The Indies First movement can also be followed at #IndiesFirst [19] on Twitter.