Indie Bookseller Recommendations Featured on NBC's Today Show

February 28, 2008 Today Show once again featured a segment highlighting the reading TABLE OF CONTENTS: recommendations of independent booksellers. Returning to the • Indie Bookseller Recommendations Featured show were Marva Allen of Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe in New York City, Jamil Zaidi of Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle, on NBC's Today Show ...... 1 and Roberta Rubin of The Book Stall at Chestnut Court in • New York Booksellers Urged to Contact State Winnetka, Illinois. The trio, along with Roxanne Coady of R.J. Legislators on E-Fairness ...... 1 Julia Booksellers in Madison, Connecticut, first appeared on the • BookExpo America Announces Stellar Special Today Show in December to present their picks for holiday gifts. Events Lineup ...... 2 For the morning's "Cover to Cover" segment, the booksellers were • Northshire & Powell's Offer Free Random asked to focus on books for readers on the go, titles to share with friends, and great bedtime reading. In addition to title House Download ...... 3 recommendations, the Today Show website 1 also features brief bios • Green Press Initiative Sets Goals to Improve of the booksellers. Book Industry's Ecological Footprint ...... 3 For readers on the go, Allen recommended: • Wanted: Indie Recommendations for a Green • Song Yet Sung by James McBride (Riverhead) List ...... 4 • The Darkness: A Vampire Huntress Legend (Vampire Huntress • Story Prize Winner Announced ...... 4 Legends) by L.A. Banks (St. Martin's) • BTW News Briefs ...... 4 • The Duppy by Anthony C. Winkler (Akashic) • Take the Risk by Ben Carson (Zondervan) • Study Indicates Procurement From Local Supplier Provides Greater Economic Benefit to To share with friends, Zaidi recommended: Community ...... 5 • Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm • Reminder! ABA Booksellers Forum in During the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish (Bantam) Minneapolis Next Week ...... 6 • Night Train to Lisbon: A Novel by Pascal Mercier (Grove Press) • Book Sense Book of the Year Awards: Last • The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss (Houghton Mifflin) Chance to Have a Say ...... 6 • Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara • Turn Tax Prep Into a Positive: Join the Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp (HarperCollins) ABACUS Survey ...... 6 • Petition Deadline for ABA Board Candidates For by the bed, Rubin's picks were: March 12 ...... 7 • Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan (Ballantine) • Bank of America Offers Special Promo on • Gambit by Karna Small Bodman (Forge) • The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Credit Card Processing ...... 7 Whole Family compiled by John Lithgow (Grand Central) • An Uncommon Reader: A Novella by Alan Bennett (FSG) BOOK SENSE THIS WEEK For more on books featured on TV, the radio, and in print, check • March Book Sense Notables Fliers & out BTW 's Media Guide 2 . Shelf-Talkers Now Available ...... 7 • Think Spring: Nominations Needed for May New York Booksellers Urged to Contact and Reading Group Picks Lists ...... 7 State Legislators on E-Fairness • Down the Stairs and Between the Covers ...... 8 February 28, 2008 -- On Wednesday, February 27, the American Booksellers Association called on member bookstores in New York MARKETPLACE State to voice their support for the Internet Sales Tax provision in • Classifieds ...... 8 Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposed budget by writing to both their state • Other Advertising ...... 9 senator and assemblyperson. If the budget is approved with the provision, out-of-state online retailers selling products in New York State will be required to collect state sales tax. The budget, which is due by April 1, will be debated by legislators throughout Indie Bookseller Recommendations March. Featured on NBC's Today Show To help in this important advocacy outreach, ABA's e-mail to New York bookstores included links to template letters that booksellers February 28, 2008 -- On Thursday morning, February 28, NBC's

3 4 can adapt and send to their assemblyperson and senator . Friday, May 30 "With debate over the budget in full swing over the next few weeks, the time for New York booksellers to act is now," said ABA 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: CHILDREN'S BOOK & AUTHOR COO Oren Teicher. "We have a great opportunity to effect change BREAKFAST (Concourse Hall) and level the playing field for New York State businesses -- we Presented in cooperation with the Children's Booksellers and must not let it slip away. We strongly urge all of our New York Publishers Committee [A cooperative committee of the American members to adapt and send the letters we have provided." Booksellers Association (ABA), the Association of Booksellers for The letter-writing effort is just the start of a multifaceted campaign, Children (ABC), and the Children's Book Council (CBC)] said Teicher, and he urged New York booksellers to reach out to • Sherman Alexie, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time other independent retailers in their communities to join the effort. Indian (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) In addition, he noted that the New Atlantic Independent • Judy Blume, Going, Going, Gone! With the Pain and the Great Booksellers Association 5 , which has played an important role in One (Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers) the campaign for e-fairness, is once again providing vital assistance • Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book (HarperCollins) in this current letter-writing initiative. • Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox (Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Book Group) will be the Master of Gov. Spitzer is seeking legislative approval to clarify what Ceremonies constitutes nexus for online retailers selling to New York State • Introductory Remarks by Jon Scieszka, National Ambassador for residents. The provision, which is contained in the state's Executive Young People's Literature Budget-Briefing Book , stipulates that online retailers such as Amazon.com that have certain selling activities in the state should General Admission: $15. Breakfast Admission: $35. be required to collect and remit sales tax for sales made in New York State. At present, Amazon.com is lobbying New York Saturday, May 31 lawmakers to drop the provision from the budget, so it is important for in-state retailers to contact their legislators in support of the 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. SATURDAY BOOK & AUTHOR legislation as soon as possible. BREAKFAST (Concourse Hall) • Magic Johnson, Magic Moves: 32 Lessons on How to Be an In November, ABA and New York booksellers wrote Gov. Spitzer All-Star in Business (Crown Business) to call for the equitable collection of sales tax. Only two months • Philippa Gregory, The Other Queen (Touchstone/S&S) later, the governor announced that the Internet Sales Tax provision • Andre Dubus III, The Garden of Last Days: A Novel (Norton) was in the proposed budget. • Alec Baldwin, A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey Through To make the greatest impact, ABA recommends that booksellers Divorce and Fatherhood (St. Martin's) will be the Master of mail the letter on store letterhead to the offices of their Ceremonies assemblyperson 6 and senator 7 . General Admission: $15. Breakfast Admission: $35. ABA also asks that booksellers notify David Grogan, ABA public policy liaison, via e-mail to [email protected] 8 , when their Noon - 2:00 p.m. SATURDAY BOOK & AUTHOR letters have been sent. This will help ABA compile information to LUNCHEON (Concourse Hall) 9 support its sales tax lobbying efforts. --David Grogan Focusing on political and social issues will be: • Richard Engel, War Journal (S&S) BookExpo America Announces Stellar • Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, Taking on the System: Rules for Special Events Lineup Radical Change in a Digital Era (Celebra) • Jon Krakauer, The Hero (Doubleday) February 28, 2008 -- 10 BookExpo America (BEA) today • Michael Moore, author of an as yet untitled work (Grand announced the roster of speakers for the trade show's popular Central) Author Breakfasts and Luncheon programs. This year's lineup • Christopher Buckley, Supreme Courtship: A Novel (Twelve) will brings together top names from the diverse worlds of literature, be the Master of Ceremonies children's books, politics, sports, and Hollywood. Among the participants are Sherman Alexie, Neil Gaiman, Christopher Admission: $50. Buckley, Richard Engel, Azar Nafisi, Alec Baldwin, Michael 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. THE HEARD WORD: BEA'S Moore, Magic Johnson, and Ted Turner. AUDIOBOOK & AUTHOR TEA (Room 403) Noting the array of talent that will be featured at this year's show, Discussing their recent and upcoming audiobooks and the BEA Vice President and Show Manager Lance Fensterman said, experience of hearing their works translated into audiobook format "We're very lucky to be able to showcase these writers at our will be: convention and to provide a forum where they may speak their • Robert Crais, Untitled Elvis Cole Novel (Brilliance Audio) minds." • T. Jefferson Parker, L.A. Outlaws (Brilliance Audio) Tickets for BEA's 2008 special events will be available for • Michael Connelly, The Brass Verdict (Hachette Audio) purchase through the BEA website, www.bookexpoamerica.com 11 , beginning Wednesday, March 5. Hosted by the Audio Publishers Association. Admission: $20.

Registration for the American Booksellers Association's Day of Sunday, June 1 Education, which will be held on Thursday, May 29, at Hotel ABA, will also open on the BEA website on March 5. 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY BOOK & AUTHOR The lineup of BEA's special events to date includes: BREAKFAST (Concourse Hall)

• Ted Turner, Call Me Ted (Grand Central) offer our customers everything we can, keep them in the loop, and • Azar Nafisi, Things I've Been Silent About: A Memoir of Family let them decide." He added, "It's a great way to sample an author (Random House) you've never read before, but who's getting a lot of buzz." • Dennis Lehane, The Given Day (Morrow) Random House is supporting the free download with national print • John Hodgman, More Information Than You Require (Dutton) advertising, targeted college newspaper and blog advertising, and a will be the Master of Ceremonies viral e-mail campaign. -- Karen Schechner 15 General Admission: $15. Breakfast Admission: $35. As BEA previously announced 12 , three-time Pulitzer Prize winner and National Book Award recipient Thomas L. Friedman ( Green In other news, Random House Audio has announced that it will begin selling audiobooks without DRM (digital rights management) encryption beginning Is the New Red, White, and Blue , FSG) will be this year's 2008 March 1. In September, Random House Audio made 500 DRM-free titles keynote speaker. Friedman will appear at the convention on Friday, available on eMusic and concluded that none of the titles ended up on May 30, at 11:00 a.m. at a non-ticketed event open to all BEA file-sharing networks as pirated material. badge-holders. One benefit for consumers is that audiobooks will now be easily transferable In addition, bestselling author and Daily Show regular Lewis Black from one digital device to another, something that has been difficult in the past. will perform exclusively for trade show attendees at BEA's annual fundraising event to benefit the American Booksellers' Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the Association of American Green Press Initiative Sets Goals to Publishers' Get Caught Reading campaign. The Book Industry Foundation Benefit will be held at the Orpheum Theater in Improve Book Industry's Ecological downtown Los Angeles, near the convention center. Tickets for Footprint Black's performance cost $35. February 27, 2008 -- 16 Many bookstores have gone green both in their title selection and store practices, but what about the Northshire & Powell's Offer Free environmental impact of the books themselves? Paper shipments to Random House Download U.S. publishers each year are estimated to average one million tons, equaling about 20 to 30 million trees. The nonprofit Green Press February 27, 2008 -- From 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, February 27, Initiative 17 (GPI) is working with publishers, authors, and other until midnight on Friday, February 29, Northshire Bookstore in industry stakeholders to change paper use to better conserve natural Manchester Center, Vermont, and Powell's Books in Portland, resources and preserve endangered forests. Towards that goal, GPI Oregon, are offering customers free downloads of Random House's has developed a " 18 Book Industry Treatise on Responsible Paper Beautiful Children by Charles Bock via their websites 19 13 14 Use" for publishers to pledge their commitment to "improving the www.northshire.com and www.powells.com , respectively. The social and ecological footprint of the book industry." publisher, which is also offering the free download on its own website, invited both chain and independent online retailers to The Initiative, which is based in Asheville, North Carolina, was participate. Others featuring the download are Amazon.com and founded in 2001. Since then, its efforts have spurred a number of Barnesandnoble.com. conservation innovations within the publishing industry, and the number of publishers 20 signed on to the "Treatise on Responsible "By making it available for free, we're introducing [ Beautiful Paper Use" has grown exponentially. Children ] to new readers who may decide to buy a copy after sampling it," said Avideh Bashirrad, deputy director of marketing "There are 180 publishers, printers, and mills who either have at Random House. "Building consumer awareness for the book will signed the treatise and/or taken the next step, which is to develop likely drive more business to booksellers, many of whom have an internal paper policy with goals and targets in line with those of supported the book and contributed to its early success. We're the treatise," said Erin Johnson, associate director of the Green really pleased that Powell's and Northshire Bookstore are Press Initiative. "In the past year and a half, Random House, demonstrating their continued support by making the free Scholastic, and Simon & Schuster, three of the largest and most download available to their online customers." well-known publishers in the world, have implemented their own environmental policies." Chris Morrow, general manger of Northshire, which features information about the download front and center on its website, The treatise serves as more than an outline of best practices. "The considered participating in the Random House three-day web event point of the treatise and policies is to reduce impacts," said a "learning opportunity," as well as a chance to take advantage of Johnson. "For example, when the goals of the treatise are realized, any buzz generated by the offer. "It adds to the perception amongst the book sector will conserve the equivalent of over five million our customers that we are trying new things to generate interest in trees and 500 million pounds of greenhouse gases each year. In the books and reading." Morrow noted that shortly after Northshire near future, we will also begin to match the shifts in paper use to made Beautiful Children available, a customer thanked him for the impacts in the forests." free download. Johnson also noted that the Book Industry Study Group 21 and GPI Dave Weich of Powell's considered the collaboration an intriguing will jointly release a brand-new "Environmental Trends Report" in experiment with digital downloads and a chance to follow their March 2008. The study will outline carbon footprint measurements effect on sales. "I'd be curious to see how many downloads are for books, as well as the footprint for their shipment. requested," he said. Pointing to the significant increase in the use of recycled fiber, Powell's primary objective in participating, however, was customer Johnson said, "We have reached about 40 percent of the publisher service. "If there's something our customers want, we're happy to market-share formally committed and taking measurable steps to make it available to them. The whole philosophy of Powell's is to advance environmental transformations. Research findings indicate

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 3 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK February 28, 2008 positive trends-with a six-fold increase in the use of recycled fiber February 27, 2008 -- Broad consumer interest in our environment in the past three years from approximately 2.5 percent to 13.3 has never been higher. Not surprisingly, this is translating into percent by reporting mills, in addition to 94 percent of publishers increased activity on the part of publishers. and printers setting targets for FSC certified paper use." To compile a selection of notable titles dealing with the Booksellers can participate in improving the book industry's effects environment -- everything from how to modify personal and on the environment in a number of ways, said Johnson. Besides business practices to conserve resources and cut carbon emissions becoming familiar with the "Treatise on Responsible Paper Use," to titles focusing on public policy -- the American Booksellers she suggested that they highlight titles that were responsibly Association is asking booksellers to recommend books for a "Green produced. She cited efforts by Portland, Oregon's Powell's, which List." created a "green aisle" to include those titles that follow the Modeled after the successful "Shop Local" list of notable titles 28 , environmentally sensitive paper-use guidelines established by GPI. which was compiled from the recommendations of indie Johnson also recommended GPI's various educational booksellers, the Green List will be a selection of titles -- new and programming, including two sessions that will take place at backlist, hardcover and paperback -- that booksellers believe are of BookExpo America this spring (dates and times to be announced): both immediate and lasting value. • Environmental Trends: Where Does the U.S. Book Industry Booksellers are asked to e-mail nominations for the Green List to Stand Today? Dan Cullen, ABA senior director of editorial content, at This session will explore findings from the groundbreaking and [email protected] 29 and include the words "green list" in the recently released "Environmental Trends" report. Topics covered subject line. The deadline for submissions to the Green List is will include the industry's calculated carbon footprint, trends in Friday, March 28. environmental policies, three-year shifts in recycled fiber use, the industry's connection to Endangered Forests, best practice recommendations, and more. Story Prize Winner Announced • Climate Change and the Book Industry February 27, 2008 -- On Wednesday, February 27, the Story Prize Many U.S. publishers, large and small, are responding to held its fourth annual awards presentation recognizing books of environmental challenges in innovative and successful ways. short fiction. The winner of this year's prize is Jim Shepard, for the This session will focus on these innovations and how leading 2007 collection Like You'd Understand, Anyway 30 (Knopf), which industry pioneers have conducted their own carbon audits, was also a National Book Award finalist. calculated the average carbon output from the lifecycle of a Runners-up were Tessa Hadley for Sunstroke and Other Stories 31 book, and taken simple steps to reduce climate impacts, use (Picador) and Vincent Lam for Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures 32 renewable energy, and more. (Weinstein Books). All three authors read from their work at the well-attended event at the New School's Tishman Auditorium in New York City.

AAP Offers "Handbook on Book Paper and the Environment" Like You'd Understand, Anyway is a collection of 11 short stories set in disparate places and times, including the Soviet Union in the Another initiative to help reduce the ecological footprint of the book industry is wake of the Chernobyl disaster and Paris post-French Revolution. 22 led by the Association of American Publishers (AAP), which has created a The $20,000 award Shepard received, in addition to an engraved "Handbook on Book Paper and the Environment," a practical guide that it hopes will assist publishers in navigating issues relating to the development of silver bowl, is the largest first-prize amount of any annual U.S. environmental sustainability practices within the book publishing industry. book award for fiction. The other two finalists, Hadley and Lam, each took home $5,000. Developed by AAP's Paper Issues Working Group, the handbook is based on more than two years of consultations and discussions with organizations representing a broad spectrum of interests, including environmental advocacy BTW News Briefs groups, forest certification and standards bodies, environmental industry February 27, 2008 -- consortiums and associations, economists, paper mills, and others, covering a host of governmental, commercial, and environmental issues as they relate to book paper production and the environment. Dutton's Brentwood Closing Its Doors This week, Dutton's Brentwood Books announced it would be The handbook is intended as an informational tool for book production closing on April 30. An e-mail release from Dutton's noted: "The professionals, their staff, and their executive management who are interested in past year for the store has been one of upheaval and turmoil. Hard creating workable independent sustainability programs, providing up-to-date information to assist in efforts to balance economic and ecologic realities. on the heels of the closure of the Dutton's Beverly Hills location came word that the Brentwood property had changed ownership, "Handbook on Book Paper and the Environment" and an Executive Summary and the new owner, Charles T. Munger, announced plans to are available on AAP's website 23 or by request to AAP's Tina Jordan redevelop the property. The multiple uncertainties of the ([email protected] 24 ). Requests for additional information about the bookstore's future, combined with the encumbrances associated handbook or the Paper Issues Working Group should be addressed to Jordan or with the closure of the Beverly Hills store have crippled the store's 25 Ed McCoyd ([email protected] ). ability to provide the kind of immediate service and depth of inventory that our customers have come to rightly expect." Read more 26 about booksellers' and publishers' efforts to become more environmentally friendly. -- Karen Schechner 27 Regarding plans to reopen, the statement said, "At present, any plans to reopen or relocate will have to await a real offer in a real situation, combined with a sober assessment of the realities of the Wanted: Indie Recommendations for a book world." Green List © 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 4 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK February 28, 2008

New Indie Coming to South Padre Island, Texas Life-Cycles of an Independent Publishing House," will feature A new independent bookstore is coming to South Padre Island, Morgan Entrekin, president and publisher, Grove Atlantic; George Texas. On February 21, the Port Isabel-South Padre Press covered Gibson, publisher, Walker & Co., a division of Bloomsbury USA; the groundbreaking ceremony for the Paragraphs on Padre and Charlie Winton, chief executive officer and publisher, Boulevard bookstore. Owner Joni Montover is hoping to have the Counterpoint Press. They will share insights and anecdotes on a new store completed by August and opened by September, the range of topics, from handling a bestseller to finding capital and Press reported. labor, dealing with mergers and acquisitions, distribution, and more.

Oak Park, Illinois' The Book Table to Expand The full program to-date can be found at the AAP web site at www.publishers.org 36 or the BEA web site at The Oak Park, Illinois, Wednesday Journal 33 featured the www.bookexpoamerica.com 37 . Registration for the program will expansion plans of The Book Table, owned by Rachel Weaver and be available shortly at www.bookexpoamerica.com 38 . Jason Smith, in a front-page article on February 19. The bookstore is moving to a new space that doubles its current size. Weaver and Smith will begin preparing the new space in April and expect to Waynick Book Group Launches Three New Imprints complete the move in July. Waynick Book Group, the parent company of gardening publisher The newspaper credited The Book Table's success in part to "its Cool Springs Press, is launching three additional imprints: CPO owners knowledge and superior service." And Downtown Oak Park Publishing, C Guides Media, and Common Thread Media. The Executive Director Pat Zubak told the newspaper, "They're very imprints will publish nonfiction titles respectively geared toward good merchants, and I wish I could clone them. I really do." life events, college campus living, and ethics and morality, according to Roger Waynick, president of Waynick Book Group. The Wednesday Journal 's editorial/viewpoints page 34 called Book CPO Publishing will release the first title among the new imprints, Table's expansion plans "good news for people who love books, Just Ask Mom, in April. Waynick Book Group plans to launch admire the profession of bookselling and look forward to the future more than 70 new books in 2008 under its four imprints. of independent retailing in Oak Park." Further the newspaper added, "In this day of electronic tablets, Amazon, and talk of Target on Lake Street, this story resonates with us as a major Oak Park Study Indicates Procurement From success story." Local Supplier Provides Greater New Owners for The Valley Bookseller Economic Benefit to Community Minnesota's Pioneer Press 35 has reported that The Valley February 27, 2008 -- A recently released Civic Economics study 39 Bookseller in downtown Stillwater will soon have new owners. commissioned by Local First Arizona reveals that public Joci Tilsen and Jim Bour are selling the bookstore after nine years procurement from a local supplier generates "dramatically greater to focus on their grandchildren and other career opportunities. The local economic activity" than procurement from a chain business. new owners, Molly Rice and Dan Priebe, both of Stillwater, will Previous Civic Economics studies examining the economic impact take over April 7. of locally owned independent versus chain stores have found similar results. The LFA study, "Procurement Matters: The Economic Impact of Local Suppliers 40 ," compared the local Random House Acquires Monacelli Press economic impact of Wist Office Products, a local supplier and LFA On February 25, Random House, Inc acquired the Monacelli Press, member, with Office Max Contract, a division of Office Max, after a visual arts book publisher. The purchase was completed earlier the state of Arizona dropped Wist from its stable of office this month and the terms of agreement between the two privately suppliers. held companies were not disclosed. Established in 1994, the "We had been ... looking for the right study with Civic Economics Monacelli Press has published more than 250 books on for three or four years," said Kimber Lanning, LFA's executive architecture, the fine arts, interior design, landscape architecture, director. Then, last year, Lanning heard that the state had dropped photography, and graphic design. Wist. "Wist had part of the state contract; they had 100 percent The Monacelli Press will be an independent imprint within full-time employees with benefits.... It's a family-run business, Random House, maintaining its editorial identity and publishing against Office Max." When Lanning broached the idea of studying direction under publisher and founder Gianfranco Monacelli. He Wist's economic impact against Office Max, "Dan [Houston] of and his staff will be based at Random House's Manhattan offices. Civic Economics loved the idea. It's a perfect way to look at Random House will assume sales and distribution of all Monacelli things," she explained. Press titles, currently handled by Penguin, effective July 1. LFA Board member Cindy Dach of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, told BTW , "I think to be able to do a study AAP Announces 10th Anniversary Smaller and Independent showing the importance of states and cities choosing local suppliers Meeting Program lets [officials] know that they can make an impact in their own city in an easy way. The study conveys the economic impact of the The Smaller and Independent Publishers (SIP) Committee of the choices we make." Association of American Publishes has announced its 10th Anniversary Annual Meeting program. The event, which this year Although funding for the study was provided by Wist Office will be held to coincide with the BookExpo America, will take Products, Civics Economics determined the scope of work and set place on Thursday, May 29, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. broad requirements for the data to be provided by Wist. Additionally, under the terms of the contract, Wist had no right to The opening keynote session, "How to Successfully Navigate the

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 5 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK February 28, 2008 reject the study or refuse payment based on findings. February 27, 2008 -- Voting online 48 and via fax 49 for the 2008 Notably, the study found that "of total revenue at Wist, 33.4 Book Sense Book of Year Awards ends at midnight on Monday, percent remains in the local economy. Of total revenue at Office March 3. Everyone working at an ABA member store is urged to Max Contract, only 11.6 percent remains." cast a ballot to help choose independent booksellers' handselling favorites in the categories of Adult Fiction and Nonfiction and Calling Wist Office Products "a solid example of the true local Children's Literature and Illustrated. supplier," the study further noted that "the company maintains all operations in the Phoenix area, including warehouse, distribution, The Book Sense Book of the Year ballot includes titles appearing and administration. All Wist employees reside in the region. All on the 2007 Book Sense Picks lists, as well as space for write-ins in Wist property resides locally. All Wist owners reside in the region. each category. Only books published in 2007 are eligible. The title And all Wist charitable contributions are made in the region." receiving the most votes in each category will be designated the Book Sense Book of the Year. The next four titles with the highest Civic Economics stated that the study findings provide a "strong number of votes in each category will be designated Book Sense economic rationale for reevaluating procurement policies and Honor Books. screening bidders with an eye toward enhancing the local or regional economy at no additional cost to the purchaser." The winners and honor books will be announced in late March. The awards will be presented at ABA's Celebration of Bookselling on Lanning stressed, that upon receiving the study, it was important Thursday, May 29, at BookExpo America. All of the winners and that LFA not allow the results to turn into a negative media story. finalists will also be invited to participate in the Book Sense Author Instead, the group has used the results to help support legislation, Luncheon at BEA. Arizona SB 1233 41 , which would ensure the state uses local suppliers as long as the price and product is of similar value. Turn Tax Prep Into a Positive: Join the "Right now, [Arizona's] procurement process doesn't have to weigh ABACUS Survey local business," Lanning said, adding that Arizona is currently only one of three states that does not have legislation similar to SB February 26, 2008 -- Gathering your business' financial data for tax 1233. For LFA, it's crucial that legislators are educated on the local time? Well, then, now's also the perfect time to provide 2007 economic impact that locally owned businesses offer. "You may be financial data to the 2008 ABACUS Survey. saving five cents today [by buying from a chain], but you're Using a secure, confidential electronic survey form 50 on exporting wealth, and shortchanging your fire departments and 42 BookWeb.org, ABA member bookstores can become a vital part of schools," concluded Lanning. -- David Grogan this year's study in just about one hour's time. In return, each participant will receive a customized analysis of the business' Reminder! ABA Booksellers Forum in financial results that can be used to evaluate and improve store Minneapolis Next Week performance. Individual store reports include comparisons with other businesses based on more than 20 different criteria; an February 27, 2008 -- This year's first American Booksellers executive summary of the study's key findings; key insights into the Association Booksellers Forum program is being held on Saturday, drivers of independent bookstore profitability; year-to-year trends March 8, in conjunction with the Midwest Booksellers Association data; and opportunities to participate in ancillary studies. 43 (MBA) Spring Meeting, during the weekend of the Minneapolis Data from all ABACUS participants is also used in the aggregate to Spring Gift Show. The owners and staff of ABA and MBA member 51 stores are invited to participate in the program, which will be held produce a yearly Review that is available to all ABA member at the Park Plaza Hotel 44 in the Minneapolis suburb of stores. Insight into average industry spending-per-store across Bloomington (4460 West 78th Street Circle, Bloomington, MN multiple categories -- such as cost of goods, rent, and staffing -- 55435). provides booksellers with a better chance of making sound financial decisions that can help increase the bottom line. Past Participants will have the opportunity to discuss concerns and hear participants 52 , such as Allison Hill of Vroman's, Tony Hill of the latest news about ABA's services and initiatives from CEO Barrington Books, and Brian Sweet of Trail's End Bookstore, have Avin Mark Domnitz, COO Oren Teicher, Chief Program Officer found the ABACUS data extremely helpful in providing a context Len Vlahos, Chief Marketing Officer Meg Smith, and Board for important business decisions. member Collette Morgan of Wild Rumpus. The ABA program also includes two education sessions: "Authorless Events: Enhancing ABACUS findings are also invaluable in helping ABA formulate Experiential Shopping" and "Booksellers at the Tipping Point: the association's education curriculum, offered free to member Leveraging Localism and Independence to Promote Your Store." booksellers at BookExpo America, the Winter Institute, and other Learn more 45 about ABA's Booksellers Forum programming in venues. Minneapolis. As an added bonus, participating stores also receive a $50 rebate. In addition to ABA programming, MBA is offering a full day of For most booksellers, completing the easy-to-use ABACUS Survey activities in Minneapolis. Complete details and registration form 53 will take about an hour. An Excel spreadsheet allows information are available at www.midwestbooksellers.org 46 . booksellers to organize the information from their financial Eight more ABA Booksellers Forums 47 are scheduled for this statements so that it matches the categories on the ABACUS form. spring. Watch for updates in upcoming editions of Bookselling This All information provided to the ABACUS study is kept strictly Week . confidential. The deadline for submission of data for the 2008 study is Friday, August 15. Booksellers with questions about the survey should Book Sense Book of the Year Awards: 54 Last Chance to Have a Say contact ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz at [email protected] .

Paula Kelly, vice president, BA Merchant Services, at Petition Deadline for ABA Board [email protected] 57 or (860) 523-6122. Candidates March 12 Kelly will also be available to sign up booksellers and to answer February 26, 2008 -- In addition to the 2008 Board of Directors questions in the ABA/Book Sense Lounge, at BookExpo America candidates recommended by ABA's Nominating Committee and in Los Angeles this May. approved by the Board, the association's bylaws stipulate that bookstore members can submit petitions to place the names of additional director candidates on the ballot. All petitions must be submitted to the chair of the Nominating Committee by Wednesday, March 12. Candidates for this year's ABA Board of Directors elections, recommended by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Board, are Dan Chartrand of Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, March Book Sense Notables Fliers & New Hampshire; Ken White of SFSU Bookstore in San Francisco; Shelf-Talkers Now Available and current Board member Michael Tucker of Books Inc. in San 58 Francisco, who is eligible for an additional three-year term. February 28, 2008 -- The March 2008 Book Sense Notables flier is now available in a downloadable PDF on BookWeb.org. The If any bookstore member wishes to submit a petition in support of flier includes jacket images, bibliographic information, and additional candidates, the following apply: bookseller quotes. In addition, all 20 Notables titles are featured in • A candidate must be an employee or owner of an ABA member an electronic file of shelf-talkers 59 for in-store use. bookstore. The member bookstore must be in good standing, and the individual candidate must have at least three years' Looking ahead, the deadline for nominations to the May Book experience in a bookstore-member company. Sense Picks is Friday, February 29, and the deadline for the 2008 • Each petition can present only one candidate. Reading Group Picks is Friday, March 7. Nominations to the May • All petitions must be submitted by Wednesday, March 12, 2008, list, including booksellers' quotes, should be submitted as usual, by e-mail to [email protected] 60 or via the online nomination to Beth Puffer, Chair, ABA Nominating Committee, c/o ABA, 61 200 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown, NY 10591. form . • The names on the petition in support of the candidate must The submission process is slightly different for the Reading Group reflect at least two percent of ABA's bookstore members as of Picks. Booksellers are encouraged to send five to 10 of their January 1, 2008; that is, a minimum of 32 signatures. The reading group favorites, especially those that might have been petition must contain original signatures, the names of the ABA published in the past year. There's no need to rank them, or to send member bookstore, addresses, and telephone numbers. in a quote -- just e-mail the titles to [email protected] 62 or use • The names on the petition in support of the candidate must come the Picks online nomination form 63 . from at least five states, with representatives of no one state constituting more than 50 percent of the total number of petition signatures. Think Spring: Nominations Needed for • Upon receipt of a valid petition, the Nominating Committee will May and Reading Group Picks Lists add the petitioned candidate's name to the ballot for Board of February 27, 2008 -- This Friday, February 29, and next Friday, Directors' elections sent to the membership. March 7, are deadlines for nominations to two important Picks lists: the May Book Sense Picks and the Spring Reading Group list, At its January meeting, the Board also selected Gayle Shanks of respectively. Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, as ABA President and Michael Tucker of Books Inc. as ABA Vice Book Sense Picks Editor-in-Chief Dan Cullen is hoping to receive President/Secretary for one-year terms, beginning June 2008. Their a wave of recommendations from new and returning nominators names and those of director candidates will appear on the Board alike. "It's great hearing again from the many booksellers who are ballot, which will be mailed in late March, 60 days prior to the actively nominating titles for the Picks lists on a regular basis," he ABA Annual Membership Meeting, for approval by membership. said. "But we also send out a hearty encouragement to booksellers who have not yet nominated a title that they are especially excited To help BTW 's coverage of the election process, if any bookstore about handselling. The Picks list is a broad, engaging list of titles member is working to circulate a petition, please let us know by each month because of the extended participation of independent sending an e-mail to [email protected] 55 . booksellers nationwide. It's really not hard to nominate -- please, do let us hear from you." Bank of America Offers Special Promo To nominate to the monthly list, booksellers should simply write a on Credit Card Processing recommendation conversationally, as if they were speaking to a February 25, 2008 -- American Booksellers Association affinity customer in the store, and not worry about coordinating their partner Bank of America Merchant Services 56 has announced that it nominations with pub dates. "We have always suggested that as will be waiving the $75 application fee for booksellers who sign up soon as a bookseller finishes a book he or she is excited about, send for its credit card processing program from March 1 through the in a nomination," said Cullen, "While not all the quotes received end of June 2008. can make it into the Picks fliers, they all are indispensable in creating a quality list. And we are very grateful for every one we Bank of America offers competitive rates, which can be as low as receive." 1.82 percent for swipe transactions and 1.62 percent for check cards. Booksellers who would like to learn more should contact May Book Sense Picks nominations, including quotes, should be

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 7 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK February 28, 2008 submitted as usual to [email protected] 64 or via the online "I want everyone at ABA to understand what an amazing, exciting, nomination form 65 . inspirational weekend that was for us, as booksellers and business The submission process is slightly different for the Reading Group people." Picks. Booksellers are encouraged to send five to 10 of their Regentin said she and staff member Judy Cummings attended all of reading group favorites, especially those that might have been the meal functions. "How extraordinary to bring in that many published in the past year. There's no need to rank them, or to send speakers and have every single one of them be an inspiration!" she in a quote -- just e-mail the titles to [email protected] 66 or use added. 67 the Picks online nomination form . When Cummings and Regentin returned from Wi3, they organized Upcoming Book Sense Picks deadlines for 2008 68 are available on a staff workshop based on the "Handselling" session and used the BookWeb.org. related videos available on BookWeb.org 69 . They also plan to give staff store evaluation sheets, provided in the Wi3 handbook, to Down the Stairs and Between the generate a mass of ideas about "making changes to improve placement, add signs, and improve our traffic flow," said Regentin. Covers "We'll be using materials from the 'Self-Audit' session, the February 26, 2008 -- Seven years ago, Jeanne Regentin began her 'Designed to Sell' session, and the 'Getting More Out of Your career in bookselling at Between the Covers, a general independent Children's Section' session." bookstore, which has been serving readers in Harbor Springs, Between the Covers will also be benefiting from a Buy Local Michigan, for close to 25 years. "I did what everyone who wants to makeover. "I got all fired up at the 'Buy Local' talk," said Regentin. work at a bookstore does," Regentin explained about her entree to "Anything we carry that isn't book-related, I'm going to try to pick the book industry. "I thought someone would pay me to read. It up from local sources. We'll get book bags from an area artist, doesn't really work out that way, but the reality has proved to be bookmarks. Any [sideline] we carry will be an effort to promote much more fun than I ever could have imagined." So much fun that local business." --Karen Schechner 70 Regentin went from part-time staff member to owner within two years. Between the Covers was launched by Jeff Brearly in 1983 or '84, said Regentin. The store occupied the ground floor of a 100-year-old building on Main Street. When business dipped in 2001, Brearly moved the business downstairs. In 2003, he presented Regentin with something of an ultimatum. "He wanted to retire. He sort of threatened either you buy it, or this is it. I'll have Classifieds to close. I knew if I wanted a bookstore in my town, I'd have to pony up," she explained. FOR SALE Harbor Springs' winter population is about 2,000, but it quintuples Bookstore closing. Furniture and fixtures available : Franklin in the summer. The area is "a golf mecca," said Regentin. "It's a Fixtures bookshelves, bookshelf ladder and rail, large slatwall very wealthy town and has been for more than 100 years. The panel, ample backroom desk, kids' playhouse, slatwall acessories, Gamble family (of Proctor & Gamble) maintains a house here, the and more. All items available as of March 1, 2008. For pictures and Wrigley Offields (of Wrigley field and chewing gum fame)." more details please contact: Candida Mannozzi, Candida's World of Books, LLC tel. (202) 667-4811, A staircase on Main Street leads down to the 800-square-foot store, [email protected] 79 which opens onto a patio that provides ample natural light. Stone walls, a fireplace, and bookcases installed by Regentin's husband Bookstore closing -- Western Connecticut: Furniture and fixtures create "an incredible space," where every inch is used. ("Paco available : skyline fixtures, wordstock computer, checkout counter, Underhill would have a fit," quipped Regentin.) readers roost. Available February 25. Details & photos on request. Please contact: Charlie Bell, More Good Books, Inc; (203) Between the Covers, which stocks 6,000 titles, specializes in 263-8090; [email protected] 80 . British mysteries, a genre that appeals to Regentin and a number of the store staff. Among their favorites are titles from Felony and Bookstore inventory for sale . Princeton, IL, bookstore closing. Mayhem Press, usually "out-of-print or Franklin fixtures, great condition. Calendar, puppet, or puzzle printed-across-the-pond-but-never-made-it-here titles" that "tend to spinners available. Barcode scanners, cash drawer, miscellaneous be the kind of mysteries that are true puzzles," said Regentin. equipment, and supplies. Everything available April 1. Contact LuAnn Salz (815) 879-0049. Regional titles, including mushroom field guides for Morel season, also get their due at Between the Covers, and a recently expanded Out-of-business bookstore in Edenton, NC selling bookstore children's area has doubled that section's sales. inventory and fixtures . Books, bookcases, check-out counter, chairs, display stands, and other items available. For more A corner baker's rack serves as a permanent Book Sense display. information contact Matt Cowper, Waterside Bookstore, phone: "We made a mobile of the Book Sense logo to hang over it," said (252)-482-2455, e-mail: [email protected] 81 . Regentin. "On it we display this month's Picks titles, usually along with this month's and last month's Picks lists and other Picks lists, like the Children's list and the Year-end list. When possible, we POSITIONS AVAILABLE also put the lists in bags with customer purchases." Bank Street Bookstore in New York City, is hiring a Full-Time Regentin attended last month's Winter Institute in Louisville, Bookseller and a Full-Time Floor Supervisor . The bookseller Kentucky, and called it "the best weekend of her life . " She added, must be extremely knowledgeable about children's books, energetic

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 8 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK February 28, 2008 and hardworking, and willing to work evenings, weekends, and will be responsible for writing and posting content for the many holidays. The Floor Supervisor will perform all of the duties association website and helping to coordinate other sections of the of a bookseller (handselling, cashiering, shelving, etc.), supervise website, including a wiki and blog. The candidate should have the staff, maintain the appearance/organization of the sales floor, strong writing and editing skills, be self-motivated and open/close the store, and fulfill the duties of the manager in self-directed, have excellent computer skills, and be able to work manager's absence. Applicants must be extremely knowledgeable within and contribute to a team-based, deadline environment. about children's books and have retail supervisory experience. Call Knowledge of the retail industry is a plus. ABA, a national (212) 678-1654. not-for-profit trade association located in the suburbs north of New Part Time, In-House Staff Writer : Information department of the York City, offers an excellent working environment, and a American Booksellers Association seeks part time, in-house staff competitive benefits package. Salary commensurate with writer to cover the bookselling, retail, and publishing beat. Strong experience. Interested applicants should send a resume with salary requirements to ABA Information Director, Dan Cullen via e-mail: writing, copyediting, and proofing skills required to meet weekly 85 deadline. Interested applicants should send a resume and clips to [email protected] . ABA Information Director, Dan Cullen via e-mail: [email protected] 82 . All Regular ABA Member Bookstores in good standing may Project Coordinator: Are you forward-looking at heart? Is your have up to four 2-week Classified Ad insertions per year in favorite place to shop the place where everybody knows your Bookselling This Week at no charge (50-word limit). For more name? Oh, and are you organized and personable, familiar with information on booking a classified ad, click here 86 . independent bookstores, and do you have at least five years office experience? The American Booksellers Association seeks all of the above, plus Word, Excel, Power Point, and great telephone skills, and a willingness to travel in the U.S., for a unique opportunity to Other Advertising create and grow a project oversight position. We offer employees a Register Now great benefits package and competitive salary. Interested applicants Spring Book Show should e-mail a cover letter and resume in Microsoft Word format 83 Atlanta - March 28 - 30 to [email protected] . Your Ticket to Bargain & Overstock Books www.springbookshow.com 87 ABA, located in Tarrytown, NY, has been the national trade (865) 922-7400 association for independent booksellers since 1900. ABA offers education, services and products, advocacy, and relevant business information to its members. For more, visit www.BookWeb.org 84 . Web Content Coordinator: The American Booksellers Association seeks a Website Content Coordinator. This position

Links in this document: 1. See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23376251/?pg=1#TDY_C2C_Main 2. See http://news.bookweb.org/mediaguide/ 3. See http://www.bookweb.org/advocacy/salestax/nyletter1.html 4. See http://www.bookweb.org/advocacy/salestax/nyletter2.html 5. See http://www.newatlanticbooks.com/ 6. See http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/ 7. See http://www.senate.state.ny.us/sdlookup.nsf/Public_search?OpenForm 8. See mailto:[email protected] 9. See mailto:[email protected] 10. See http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/ 11. See http://www.bookexpoamerica.com 12. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/5787 13. See http://www.northshire.com/ 14. See http://www.powells.com/ 15. See mailto:[email protected] 16. See http://www.greenpressinitiative.org/ 17. See http://www.greenpressinitiative.org/ 18. See http://www.greenpressinitiative.org/industrytreatise.htm 19. See http://www.greenpressinitiative.org/industrytreatise.htm 20. See http://www.greenpressinitiative.org/publishers.htm 21. See http://www.bisg.org/ 22. See http://www.publishers.org/ 23. See http://www.publishers.org/main/Conferences/conf_Pub_01.htm 24. See mailto:[email protected]

25. See mailto:[email protected] 26. See http://news.bookweb.org/m-bin/by_topic?topic_id=73 27. See mailto:[email protected] 28. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/shoplocal/list.pdf 29. See mailto:[email protected] 30. See http://booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=9780307265210 31. See http://booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=9780312425999 32. See http://booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=9781602860001 33. See http://www.wednesdayjournalonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=10414&TM=54094.34 34. See http://www.wednesdayjournalonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=15&ArticleID=10384&TM=54144.61 35. See http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_8381533?source=email&nclick_check=1 36. See http://www.publishers.org/ 37. See http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/ 38. See http://www.bookexpoamerica.com 39. See http://localfirstaz.com/ 40. See http://localfirstaz.com/downloads/procurement-matters.pdf 41. See http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/48leg/2r/bills/sb1233p.pdf 42. See mailto:[email protected] 43. See http://www.midwestbooksellers.org/ 44. See http://www.parkplaza.com/bloomingtonmn 45. See http://news.bookweb.org/news/5845.html#Minneapolis 46. See http://www.midwestbooksellers.org/ 47. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/5815 48. See http://www.bookweb.org/booksense/bsby/ballot.html 49. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/booksense/bsby/2008_ballot.pdf 50. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/bookstore/files/abacusform/index.htm 51. See http://www.bookweb.org/files//bookstore/pdf/abacus/ABACUS2007Review.pdf 52. See http://news.bookweb.org/news/5434.html 53. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/bookstore/files/abacusform/index.htm 54. See mailto:[email protected] 55. See mailto:[email protected] 56. See http://www.bookweb.org/membership/products/creditcard.html 57. See mailto:[email protected] 58. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/booksense/picks/Mar2008.pdf 59. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/booksense/picks/Mar08_note_talkers.pdf 60. See mailto:[email protected] 61. See http://www.bookweb.org/booksense/picks/nominate.html 62. See mailto:[email protected] 63. See http://www.bookweb.org/booksense/picks/nominate.html 64. See mailto:[email protected] 65. See http://www.bookweb.org/booksense/picks/nominate.html 66. See mailto:[email protected] 67. See http://www.bookweb.org/booksense/picks/nominate.html 68. See http://www.bookweb.org/booksense/picks/deadlines 69. See http://www.bookweb.org/education/member/handselling.html 70. See mailto:[email protected] 71. See mailto:[email protected] 72. See mailto:[email protected] 73. See mailto:[email protected] 74. See mailto:[email protected] 75. See mailto:[email protected] 76. See http://www.BookWeb.org 77. See mailto:[email protected] 78. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/ads/booksellers.html 79. See mailto:[email protected] 80. See mailto:[email protected] 81. See mailto:[email protected]

82. See mailto:[email protected] 83. See mailto:[email protected] 84. See http://www.BookWeb.org 85. See mailto:[email protected] 86. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/ads/booksellers.html 87. See http://www.springbookshow.com