Booksellers now have until July 3 to register [7] for the American Booksellers Association’s virtual Children’s Institute [8] (Ci8), which will be held July 15–16 in the Eastern time zone. Furloughed booksellers are also welcome to register (note the separate registration form [9]).

This year, a number of programs will feature American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services from Handwriter Ink. See last week’s BTW article for details [10].

Newly added to the schedule is a session featuring bestselling and award-winning authors Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft. Other program highlights include:

• A bookseller panel on “Representation in Science Fiction and Fantasy Young Adult and Middle Grade Books [11]”
• A presentation of the Indies Introduce the Best Middle Grade and Young Adult Debuts [12], featuring bookseller panelists and authors
• A workshop on “White Anti-Racist Allyship: What Is our Role in the Struggle? [13]” led by Cultures Connecting (get on the waitlist here [14] but please be sure to register for Ci8 first)
• A panel on “Store Voice, Online Sales, and Profitability [15],” during which bookstore owners and social media managers will share how they developed their store’s voice, got loud, and captured new customers and drove online sales
• A keynote [16] featuring author and bookstore champion Isaac Fitzgerald
• A virtual hangout [17] with colleagues (at which booksellers may see a guest appearance by Fitzgerald)
• Virtual Rep Picks [18], where booksellers will meet with publishing reps and have access to a virtual galley room
• IndieCommerce and IndieLite virtual one-on-ones [19]

The virtual Children’s Institute is open to all ABA member booksellers and costs $20; visit BookWeb.org now to register [7]. Registration closes July 3.

Children’s Institute will resume in person on June 16–18, 2021, at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona. Questions about the institute should be directed to [email protected] [20].