An Open Letter from ABA President Michael Tucker

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July 23, 2009 productive event. ABA again offered a strong, full day of TABLE OF CONTENTS: educational programming. For the first time in several years, that • An Open Letter From ABA President Michael programming took place at the convention center, which allowed ABA members to take advantage of the panels and seminars Tucker ...... 1 organized by BEA and others. • A Report on the ABA Board's 2009 Summer As I hope you have read in some important communications from Meeting ...... 2 the Board, ABA is working to produce a new, updated ABACUS • ABA Board Seeks Bookseller Input on Health study on bookstore operations. A major part of those messages -- Care Reform ...... 3 and I strongly reiterate it here -- is that your participation in this • ABA Announces the Avin Mark Domnitz unique benchmarking study is indispensable. ABACUS is a key to productivity and profitability that has no parallel, and we hope you Scholarship ...... 4 will participate to ensure that it continues. Thank you for becoming • Book Lists Come to IndieBound for iPhone ...... 4 part of this important process; you can find more information here 1 • President Addresses Criticism of Health Care . Reform Efforts ...... 4 At our recently concluded meeting, the Board made some minor • No E-Fairness in California Budget ...... 5 changes to our "Ends Policies," which, as you may know, represent • BTW News Briefs ...... 5 under our form of governance the core statement of what ABA • Securing an Invaluable Resource for New & ought to be focused on. Though the changes are not dramatic, they do reflect a refinement and adjustment that keep ABA in sync with Experienced Booksellers ...... 6 member needs and the rapidly changing business landscape. The • Helping You in New Ways: Book Lists & updated Ends Policies appear at the end of this letter and on Bookseller DIY ...... 6 BookWeb.org 2 . • Author Wins IndieBound Points Contest ...... 7 One of the most discussed issues in the evolving bookselling scene • Reaching the Stratosphere: Titcomb's 40th is the growing importance of digital publishing and e-content, and Anniversary Celebration ...... 7 ABA is taking concrete steps to help members participate in the digital world -- including the soon-to-be launched sale of e-content • The Indie Travel Literature Bestseller List ...... 8 on IndieCommerce websites, discussions with manufacturers of e-book readers regarding hardware sales in indie bookstores, and MARKETPLACE more. • Classifieds ...... 8 There is currently a vigorous national debate regarding both health • Other Advertising ...... 9 care reform and how any reforms should deal with small businesses. At our recent meeting, the Board addressed this issue, and to help inform our ongoing discussion regarding health care reform and how it affects indie booksellers, the Board is asking that An Open Letter From ABA President you participate in the short online survey 3 that you recently received by e-mail. All of the information gathered will be kept Michael Tucker strictly confidential, and no information will be tied to any July 23, 2009 -- Dear Fellow Booksellers: individual store that participates in the survey. Your input is critical, and it will only take a few minutes to participate in the Following the first meeting of the newly elected ABA Board, I survey. Many thanks for your help with this. wanted to take this opportunity to report to you about your association's current priorities and initiatives, especially since our As I'm sure you've noticed, the IndieBoound movement is growing, new management team is now fully in place in Tarrytown. and the increasing number of media stories about the many "Independence Week" promotions and other Shop Local initiatives First and foremost, ABA understands that economic conditions is just one indication that the message that locally owned indie remain difficult, and the Board is fully committed to doing all that businesses help build and maintain strong communities is being we can to help ABA members survive these very tough times. As heard nationwide. IndieBound is creating great new tools -- you recall, we reduced member dues by 50 percent for 2009, and, including the popular IndieBound iPhone app and online book lists we are proud to be able to say, concurrent with that ABA has been -- to help spread the word, and ABA continues to reach out to other able to maintain most of its programming for members. constituencies to build an even stronger network. Most recently, One major initiative is BookExpo America, and, despite some dire ABA CEO Oren Teicher gave a very successful presentation to pre-show predictions, more than 1,600 ABA member booksellers indie music retailers about the potential in greater collaboration attended this year's BEA in New York, and the feedback we have among indie businesses, and these efforts will continue. received is that many found the slightly smaller show a very The fight for E-Fairness has never been more important. Happily,

Rhode Island recently joined New York State in legislating a level • Independent Bookstores will be part of a community of local playing field and ensuring that all retailers obey the law in independent businesses nationwide. collecting sales tax for online sales. We may have additional victories before this legislative season ends in other states, but, no 3 Member bookstores will be vital partners to publishers, matter what happens in the coming weeks, this is in no way the end wholesalers, and vendors. of the fight. ABA will continue to aggressively advocate for • The general bookselling/book publishing community will be e-fairness nationwide, and your help in this cause is critical. aware of matters of concern to independent booksellers. Bookselling This Week will be closely following this issue, and • The wider bookselling and publishing communities will use ABA will be reaching out to you in the future for your help. In the and view the American Booksellers Association as a source of end, the most persuasive voice to lawmakers comes from you. If relevant and timely statistical, research, and marketing you are not already, I hope that you will become engaged in this information. issue and, when the opportunity arises, will let your elected • Members will constitute a vital portion of the U.S. book officials know just where you stand on sales tax equity. market ABA staff are currently planning the association's participation in 4 Member bookstores will be heard on legal and regulatory issues, the upcoming fall trade shows, including our educational offerings. including First Amendment, free expression, and fair trade Both Board members and senior staff will be attending the practices. regionals, which are always stimulating, informative, and fun. We • Member bookstores will be represented within groups of hope to see you there! appropriate allies dealing with issues of literacy, culture, and For all of us booksellers, these have been challenging months. In the development of new readers. times like this, a sense of community and professional collegiality is more important than ever. In addition to its programming and 5 Existing and potential professional independent booksellers will initiatives, ABA is also about connection and support. If you have use programs that facilitate entry into the complex world of questions, concerns, or ideas to share, I very much hope that you independent bookselling. will contact either me or ABA staff. My e-mail address is at the end 4 of this letter, and here's a link to ABA staff. A Report on the ABA Board's 2009 I hope the remainder of the summer brings you both book sales and an opportunity for some rest and relaxation before the holiday Summer Meeting season! July 23, 2009 -- The American Booksellers Association's Board of 6 Sincerely, Directors held its summer meeting in San Jose, California, from Thursday, July 9, through Saturday, July 11. The meeting was Michael Tucker preceded, on Thursday, with an orientation for new Board member [email protected] Betsy Burton of The King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, 5 President, American Booksellers Association Utah, which was led by ABA President Michael Tucker of Books Books Inc. Inc. in San Francisco; Vice President Becky Anderson of San Francisco, California Anderson's Bookshops in Naperville, Illinois; and ABA senior staff. AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION The full Board then convened with ABA senior staff for meetings ENDS POLICIES from Thursday afternoon through Sunday. Over the course of the July 2009 In order of priority: two and a half days, the Board: I. ABA member bookstores will be professionally operated and • Reviewed ABA's Governance Policy Manual to ensure that it profitable, and income derived from regular member’s fees will be accurately reflects the activities of the association. The Board equal to, or less than those of comparable trade associations. asked staff to undertake a further review of the manual and to present an updated version at a future Board meeting; 1 Members will have business skills to be professionally operated and profitable. • Heard a report from ABA President Michael Tucker on his • Members will attend multi-leveled informational and activities, which have centered on ensuring a smooth transition educational programs presented around the country. for both the Board and staff since he and ABA's new CEO, Oren • Members will have multiple networking opportunities that Teicher, assumed their positions at the end of May; foster a constructive exchange of ideas. • Heard a report from ABA CEO Teicher on his wide range of • Members will have access to financial and/or consulting activities, including the institution of a staff task force process services, and access to relevant operating financial models to aimed at evaluating and improving ABA programs and services; use as tools in the operation of their businesses. a series of meetings with publishers to discuss matters of mutual • Members will use multiple access vehicles, made available by interest; a meeting with the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee technological advances, to educational and informational on Small Business and Entrepreneurship to represent the material. interests of independent booksellers regarding health care • Members will be aware of, and have access to, new business reform; a presentation at the National Association of Recording models, systems, technologies, and services. Merchandisers 7 convention to introduce indie record stores to IndieBound and to share examples of how they can work 2 Member bookstores will be the preferred marketplace for collaboratively with ABA members; and a visit to Ingram Book consumers. Group in La Vergne, Tennessee, with ABA President Tucker; • Consumers will recognize the value of independent bookstores to their communities. • Approved the following appointments to the 2009 ABA

Nominating Committee to be chaired by Board member Ken accommodations; White of San Francisco's SFSU Bookstore: Board member Betsy • Heard a report from Jill Perlstein, director of member services, Burton of The King's English; immediate past ABA President on the status of the ABA Gift Card Program and discussed future Gayle Shanks of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona; gift card options; Judy Crosby of Island Books in Middletown, Rhode Island; and Matthew Norcross of McLean & Eakin Booksellers in Petosky, • Discussed the growing importance of digital publishing and Michigan. e-content, and the steps ABA is taking to ensure the place of independent booksellers in the digital world, including the • Approved the following appointments to the Booksellers soon-to-launch sale of e-content on IndieCommerce websites, Advisory Council: Joe Drabyak of Chester County Book & discussions with manufacturers of e-book readers regarding Music Company in West Chester, Pennsylvania; Leslie Reiner of hardware sales in indie bookstores, and other efforts; Inkwood Books in Tampa, Florida; and 8 Andrea Vuleta of Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Book Shop in La Verne, California; • Received an update on the Google Settlement 11 and ABA's conversations with Google, the Association of American • Approved the following appointments to the Governance Publishers, and the Booksellers Association of the United Review Committee, to be chaired by Suzy Staubach of UConn Kingdom and Ireland to better understand the ramifications of Co-op in Storrs, Connecticut: Catherine Weller of Sam Weller's the proposed settlement on ABA members and their book Zion Books in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Mark LaFramboise of industry partners; Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C. The Board also approved the appointment of Board member Steve Bercu of Austin's • Received an update on pending national health care legislation BookPeople to replace Michael Tucker on the Audit Committee, via conference call with Dan Cullen, ABA senior director of to be chaired by Board member Tom Campbell of The Regulator editorial content, and, following a vigorous discussion about the Bookshop in Durham, North Carolina; ramifications of the proposed bills on ABA members, concluded that ABA should conduct a poll 12 to gather more information • Heard a report from ABA President Tucker and ABA COO Len about the issue from member bookstores so that any actions the Vlahos on the Booksellers Advisory Council (BAC) meeting, Board might take in articulating association goals would be in held in May, immediately following BookExpo America. The sync with membership (see related letter from ABA President BAC provided input on the just completed ABA Day of Tucker); Education and other convention activities with a view towards improving future programs; • Received a report on BookExpo America 2009 and an update on plans for the first mid-week show, to be held from Tuesday, May • Heard a report on the joint Association of Booksellers for 25, through Thursday, May 27, 2010 at New York's Javits Children (ABC)/ABA task force, held in San Jose just prior to Convention Center. ABA CEO Teicher reported that the 2009 the ABA Board meeting. The task force, composed of three trade show had exceeded industry expectations, according to members each from the ABC and ABA Boards as well as senior BEA Show Director Lance Fensterman; staff members, began a preliminary dialogue in response to ABC's request to explore a possible merger with ABA; • Reviewed the association's plans for participation in the nine fall regional trade shows, where ABA will be providing an education • Reviewed ABA's investment portfolio, via conference call, with component and staff will be available to meet with members; William King of Merrill Lynch, who reported that, though the association endowment was down for the year, investments were • Had a working dinner with Andrew Pate, senior vice president up for the third quarter (ending June 30) of ABA's fiscal year. In for business development for On Demand Books, who briefed addition, King reported that ABA's investments were performing the Board on the company's experiences with its retail-level better than the industry as a whole. POD product, the Espresso Book Machine. • Received a report on ABA's finances from CFO Eleanor Chang, who noted that the association continues to operate under a ABA Board Seeks Bookseller Input on spending freeze, including a staff wage and hiring freeze; Health Care Reform • Reviewed ABA's Ends Policies 9 and staff compliance reports and approved changes to the Ends Policies to refine and adjust July 23, 2009 -- At its summer meeting, the American Booksellers Association's Board of Directors discussed the ongoing national the association's focus in order to keep ABA in sync with 13 member needs and the rapidly changing business landscape (see debate regarding health care reform, and how ABA might play an related letter from ABA President Tucker); advocacy role on behalf of independent booksellers. Following its discussions, the Board concluded that it needed more information • Heard a report, via conference call, from Mark Nichols, senior from member stores. On Tuesday, July 21, member bookstores director of publisher initiatives, on the efforts of ABA's 10 were sent a communication from ABA President Michael Tucker, E-Catalogs Task Force , which is charged with educating of San Francisco's Books Inc., with a link to a very short online booksellers and publishers about the advent and inevitability of survey regarding health care reform. Booksellers are asked to electronic catalogs in general, and about the need for, and complete the survey, also accessible here 14 , by Tuesday, July 28. efficacy of, a common platform to be used across all publishers, specifically the Edelweiss program, developed by John Rubin All of the information gathered will be kept strictly confidential, and the team at Above the Treeline; and no information will be tied to any individual store that participates in the survey. • Received an update from ABA COO Vlahos on the 2010 Winter Questions regarding the survey should be addressed to Dan Cullen, Institute, to be held from Wednesday, February 3, through 15 Friday, February 5, at the Doubletree San Jose, where the Board ABA's senior director of editorial content, at [email protected] , was currently meeting; the Board expressed its pleasure in the or at (800) 637-0037, ext. 6660.

lists are announced here in BTW , look for them on your iPhone as ABA Announces the Avin Mark Domnitz well. Scholarship Current IndieBound for iPhone users will simply need to visit the July 23, 2009 -- The American Booksellers Association has App Store on their phones and check the "Updates" tab to get the new version. More information about IndieBound for iPhone is announced the establishment of the Avin Mark Domnitz 27 16 available on IndieBound.org . The app can also be downloaded Scholarship to the Fifth Annual Winter Institute to honor the 28 former ABA CEO's wide-ranging contributions to independent directly through the App Store in iTunes. bookselling. As a tribute to Domnitz's work with the ABACUS Survey 17 , the scholarship is open to the owners and regular President Addresses Criticism of Health employees of bookstores that have submitted their 2008 financial Care Reform Efforts data -- via a completely secure and confidential electronic form 18 -- to the ABACUS survey before the August 15 deadline. July 23, 2009 -- As his health care reform initiative lost momentum in Congress and saw an erosion of public support, President Barack "It is a great honor to have my name associated with a scholarship Obama held a press conference last night in hopes of rallying to the premier industry educational event of the year," said support for health care legislation that he stressed is central to Domnitz. "It is even more important to have that scholarship tied to rebuilding America's economy and making it "stronger than a participant in the ABACUS study. There is an absolute link before." Taking his case directly to the electorate, Obama said, "I between participation in ABACUS and increased profitability -- the realize that with all the charges and criticisms being thrown around linchpin of survival in our amazingly competitive marketplace." in Washington, many Americans may be wondering, 'What's in this The scholarship covers attendance at the Winter Institute, aka for me? How does my family stand to benefit from health insurance WiFi(ve), to be held in San Jose, California, from February 3 - 5, reform?' Tonight I want to answer those questions." 2010, travel expenses up to $350, and up to a four- night stay at the At the news conference 29 , President Obama discussed the overall host hotel, the Doubletree San Jose. To apply, booksellers at stores progress of health care reform and where reform fits into his that have submitted their data to ABACUS should send an e-mail administration's broader economic strategy. "The fact is, even with "Domnitz Scholarship" in the subject line to ABA Education 19 before this crisis hit, we had an economy that was creating a good Coordinator Lisa Winn at [email protected] ; the e-mail should deal of wealth for those folks at the very top, but not a lot of include the applicant's name, staff title, store name, and store good-paying jobs for the rest of America," said the president. "It's contact information. an economy that simply wasn't ready to compete in the 21st The scholarship application process is currently open and will close century, one where we've been slow to invest in clean-energy on August 15. The winner will be announced in Bookselling This technologies that have created new jobs and industries in other Week on October 1. (Read more about ABACUS.) countries, where we've watched our graduation rates lag behind too much of the world, and where we spend much more on health care Book Lists Come to IndieBound for than any other nation but aren't any healthier for it. And that's why I've said that even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown iPhone crisis, we must rebuild it stronger than before -- and July 23, 2009 -- 20 Hot on the heels of some great accolades 21 , the health-insurance reform is central to that effort." IndieBound for iPhone app received a major update on Tuesday. The president stressed that health care reform is "not just about the Two frequently requested features have been added. 47 million Americans who don't have any health insurance at all," My Book Lists it's about "every American who has ever feared that they may lose their coverage, if they become too sick or lose their job or change IndieBound for iPhone is now fully integrated with 22 their job. It's about every small business that has been forced to lay IndieBound.org's Book Lists feature . Users can create lists and off employees or cut back on their coverage, because it became too add books to them using either the iPhone app 23 or the 24 expensive.... If we do not control these costs, we will not be able to IndieBound.org website, and changes will be reflected instantly control our deficit. If we do not reform health care, your premiums on both. Users can also remove books and rearrange their lists, all and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket." from within the IndieBound app. New users can even create an 30 account on IndieBound.org directly through the app. In a Rasmussen Reports issued prior to the president's news conference, 53 percent of U.S. voters said they are at least Favorite Store somewhat opposed to the current health care reform bill making its IndieBound for iPhone can now remember a user's favorite way through the House. Rasmussen Reports noted that there is a independent bookstore for repeat online shopping ... even if they're "huge partisan divide on the health care plan": Sixty-eight percent far away. of Democrat voters polled favor the plan, while 80 percent of Republicans oppose it. Moreover, 60 percent of those not affiliated "iPhone users have been asking for a simple 'wish list' function with a particular party oppose it as well. In addition, there is a wage since the app launched," explained Matt Supko. "I think we went divide among those who do and do not support the bill. Most of above and beyond that by offering them the ability to create an those making less than $40,000 a year support the bill; most of unlimited number of lists, and by integrating those lists with their those making more than $40,000 per year oppose the legislation. user accounts on IndieBound.org. Now iPhone owners can set up a shopping list on their computer at work, and take it into their While President Obama charged that some Republicans were favorite bookstore on their iPhone." Also recently added to refusing to compromise on the health care bill in an effort to 31 IndieBound for iPhone, as well as the IndieBound.org website 25 , weaken his presidency, Republican leaders, in their rebuttal , are ABA's specialty Indie Bestseller Lists 26 , which compile sales denied the charge and insisted that that the GOP is unanimously in for books by category over an eight-week period. As new specialty favor of reforming health care. However, they are concerned with

© 2009 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 4 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK July 23, 2009 the costs and issues of access associated with the Democratic plan. Booksellers Association (SCIBA), noted, "SCIBA is very "The administration does continue to mention these unnamed disappointed with the governor's seemingly total disregard for Main people who seem not to want to make progress on [reform], and Street business and the value they add to their communities. The I've been unable to find anyone," said Sen. Mitch McConnell additional tax revenue is needed for crucial programs such as (R-KY). "Not a single, solitary soul, as I indicated, of the education and other basic services." Republican Conference in the Senate is in favor of no action. What ABA CEO Oren Teicher is urging California booksellers to write we do think is that we ought to target the problems. And there are the governor to express their disappointment with his decision, and ways to do that that could be achieved, I think, on a large bipartisan to send copies of their letters to their elected state representatives. basis." "Though this news is discouraging, it is important to remember the Amidst the political jockeying, it became clear that Congress would strong support the e-fairness issue had in the legislature. And, not meet the president's expressed hope of a vote on health care importantly, this fight for fairness and equity is far from over," said reform before the legislative August recess. Today, Senate Majority Teicher. "We expect that it will again become a legislative issue, Leader Harry Reid said that the Senate Finance Committee will not and, so, it is important to let Gov. Schwarzenegger and state act on its portion of the bill before lawmakers' month-long break, as lawmakers know where you stand." reported by A.P. ''It's better to have a product based on quality and ABA, NCIBA, and SCIBA have provided a template letter 36 that thoughtfulness rather than try to jam something through,'' said booksellers can send to Gov. Schwarzenegger, with a copy to their Reid. While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated that she had elected officials. They also asked that David Grogan 37 , ABA the votes to secure passage for a health care reform bill in the public policy liaison, be notified when a letter has been sent, to House, a senior Democratic source said that fiscally conservative help compile information to support future lobbying efforts. "Blue Dog" Democrats are unlikely to vote for the legislation --David Grogan 38 without a number of "structural changes" to the bill, as reported by CNN. A recent report by the Congressional Budget Office BTW News Briefs estimated that the House bill would result in a net increase in the federal budget deficit of $239 billion between 2010 and 2019. July 23, 2009 -- At its summer meeting 32 , the American Booksellers Association's Board of Directors discussed the ongoing national debate regarding Consortium Announces New Distribution Clients Consortium health care reform, and how ABA might play an advocacy role on Book Sales & Distribution has signed distribution arrangements behalf of independent booksellers. Following its discussions, the with five new publishers for the fall 2009 season: Busted Flush Board concluded that it needed more information from member Press, Exterminating Angel Press, Kube Publishing Ltd, Polhemus stores. On Tuesday, July 21, member bookstores were sent a Press, and Tyrus Books. communication from ABA President Michael Tucker, of San Noted Julie Schaper, president and COO of Consortium: "We are Francisco's Books Inc., with a link to a very short online survey delighted to welcome five new publishers, each with a unique voice regarding health care reform. Booksellers are asked to complete the 33 and point of view." Consortium is a member of the Perseus Books survey, also accessible here , by Tuesday, July 28. Group.

No E-Fairness in California Budget Times Blog Features Author's Indie Visits 34 July 23, 2009 -- Earlier this week, the e-fairness provision was The New York Times ' Paper Cuts -- A Blog About Books 39 left on the cutting room floor as California Gov. Arnold recently published a short feature on author Marc Fitten and his Schwarzenegger agreed with state legislators on a final budget quest to visit 100 independent bookstores across the country. As plan, which did not include a provision for sales tax equity. The BTW 40 previously reported 41 , Fitten is blogging about his final plan contains $15.6 billion in spending cuts, about $2.1 billion adventures to promote his novel Valeria's Last Stand . in borrowing, $3.9 billion in new revenues, and about $2.7 billion in "accounting maneuvers," such as moving some paydays into the The Times blog noted that thus far, Fitten has visited "32 stores, next fiscal year, as reported by the New York Times 35 . from A Cappella Books in Atlanta ... to the strangely profuse literary fleshpots of Massachussett's Pioneer Valley to Malaprop's In June, both the California state Assembly and Senate had in Asheville, NC (which Fitten credits with turning the city into the approved a budget containing an e-fairness provision, which would highland hipster haven it is today) to Arundel Books in Seattle." have clarified state law and required out-of-state online retailers But he still has a ways to go to reach his goal of 100. with nexus in the state via online affiliates to collect and remit sales tax. It was estimated that the e-fairness provision would have raised $176 million per year for the cash-strapped state. However, on June Free Webinar to Focus on Google Settlement 30, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed the provision after online giants The Google Library Project Settlement 42 will be the focus of a free including Amazon.com and Overstock.com had threatened to webinar on Wednesday, July 29, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT. de-list their affiliates in the state if the final budget contained the The program, hosted by Publishers Weekly , is a collaboration with e-fairness provision. the organizations involved in crafting the settlement: Google, the Regarding the final outcome, Northern California Independent Association of American Publishers, and the Authors Guild. Booksellers Association (NCIBA) Executive Director Hut Landon The webinar panelists will include: said, "We've been fighting for 10 years, and we're not going away. • Richard Sarnoff, Co-Chair, Bertelsmann, Inc., AAP Board of We have learned from every roadblock that we've faced, and we Directors continue to gather new allies moving forward." Jennifer Bigelow, • John Sargent, Chief Executive Officer, Macmillan, AAP Board executive director of the Southern California Independent of Directors

• Jan Constantine, General Counsel, Author's Guild Books 49 in Berkeley and Oakland, California, Amy Thomas used • James Gleick, Author ABACUS to determine her "rent was too high, but not by much, • Michael Healy, Executive Director Designate, Book Rights and only at one location." And, she explained, she was able to see Registry "my employee costs were much higher than for other bookstores, but our lower cost of goods, attributable in part to our mix of new Registration for the webinar is required 43 . and used, and partly to our taking advantage of nonreturnable discounts, really helped offset the difference. Our advertising New Report Highlights Contributions of Copyright Industries budget could, and probably should, be higher -- perhaps a fun new ad campaign was in order -- and we could afford it." Tom Allen, president and CEO of the Association of American Publishers 44 (AAP) recently joined with other representatives of This invaluable analysis was just the first year. "Every year since I U.S. copyright industries and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke have been not only eager to do my numbers -- a good refresher on to release Copyright Industries in the U.S. Economy: The 2003 - the past year in and of itself -- but have been on pins and needles 2007 Report , prepared under the auspices of the International waiting for the full report that shows how we line up against other Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA). Released at a press businesses, and how our efforts to improve our situation have conference at the U.S. Department of Commerce, the report fared," said Thomas. stresses the continuing and increasingly valuable economic For Allison Hill, president and COO of Vroman's Bookstore 50 in contributions of creative industries. Pasadena, California, ABACUS helps "establish goals, determine Among the report's highlights: areas for potential improvement, and monitor our progress. It offers • In 2007, the value added by the "core" copyright industries was us valuable information and a broader context." Vroman's has also $889.1 billion, approximately 6.44 percent of the U.S. Gross used ABACUS results to help negotiate with landlords, to set Domestic product (GDP). benchmarks for payroll, and to identify overlooked areas where the store could improve profitability. "In the midst of all the business, • In 2006 - 2007, the core copyright industries contributed 22.74 ABACUS gives us the opportunity to stop and look at how we're percent of the real growth achieved for the U.S. economy as a doing. For the relatively small amount of effort it takes to whole. participate, it's a big benefit," concluded Hill. • Nearly 5.6 million workers were employed by core copyright Now, in addition to receiving an invaluable customized report industries in 2007 and the average compensation paid to these analyzing their business' financial results, booksellers at stores that workers ($73,554) exceeded the U.S. average by 30 percent. submit their 2008 financial data to ABACUS by the August 15 deadline are also eligible to apply for the Avin Mark Domnitz • Collectively, the U.S. core copyright industries achieved annual 51 increases in foreign sales and exports of 5.8 percent in 2006 and Scholarship to the Fifth Annual Winter Institute . Created to 8.4 percent in 2007 honor the former ABA CEO's wide-ranging contributions to independent bookselling, the scholarship is also a tribute to The complete report is available at www.iipa.com 45 . Domnitz's work over the years with the ABACUS Survey, which he will once again oversee this year. (Learn more about the Securing an Invaluable Resource for scholarship.) New & Experienced Booksellers With the August 15 deadline for submissions to the 2009 ABACUS study just three weeks away, it's imperative that ABA member July 22, 2009 -- 46 What free tool, available exclusively to ABA booksellers submit their 2008 financial data via the secure and member stores, shows you where your bookstore's operating costs confidential survey form 52 as soon as possible. Completing the are too high and where your budget needs adjustment, can help you easy-to-use ABACUS Survey form 53 takes about an hour. An renegotiate your lease, or help secure funding for a new store or to Excel spreadsheet allows booksellers to organize the information finance an expansion? Here's the resounding answer of Candy from their financial statements so that it matches the categories on Pearson of Apple Blossom Books, Amy Thomas of Pegasus and the ABACUS form. All information provided to the ABACUS Pendragon Books, and Allison Hill of Vroman's. study is kept strictly confidential. Domnitz will be the only person Pearson, who opened Apple Blossom Books 47 in Oshkosh, who will see any individual store's numbers. Wisconsin, in August 2005, said comparison data provided by Questions, suggestions, comments, and other feedback relating to ABA's ABACUS Survey 48 of independent bookstores' financial ABACUS may be submitted here 54 . operations, "has been extremely helpful to me as a newer bookstore in adjusting my annual budgets to be more in line with what Helping You in New Ways: Book Lists & successful stores achieve." ABACUS data was crucial, too, in helping her secure initial funding for the store. "It was also very Bookseller DIY helpful as a tool and reference when speaking to my banker about July 22, 2009 -- the performance of my bookshop and what the bank could expect 55 to see," said Pearson. Catch up with the new tools offered by IndieBound.org and the Bookseller DIY 56 . Our latest developments include expanded book "I have made a lot of headway in making my store profitable as list features, great ways to use those features for book groups, and a quickly as possible using [ABACUS] data. The improvement in the new look for the Bookseller DIY. performance for my store between the first 16 months in business without this data and the next two calendar years with the data is Book Lists for Book Groups very pronounced." Here's a quick rundown of how to use IndieBound book lists for About 13 years ago, as the new owner of Pegasus and Pendragon your book groups:

Create an IndieBound user account under the store's name and card to her local indie bookstore, Spirit of '76 in Marblehead. become a fan of your own store. Create a book list for each reading The contest awarded visitors to IndieBound.org points for creating group (you can create as many book lists as you have groups). All a profile, for contributing to a discussion, leaving a note for another your book lists can be found from the My Book Lists link on your user, becoming a fan of a store, and participating in other activities profile. With each list, you can: on the site. Hahnke's name was selected randomly from the • Send book group members a link to their group's list IndieBound community members who had accumulated more than • E-mail the list to all your members 100 points. • Print the list, including store info, and hand out to members • Export to an RSS, with book descriptions, on your store's In a note on IndieBound.org, Hahnke, who is using her prize to website or blog purchase children's and teen books for a secondary school library in Ghana, explained what independents mean to her: If your store website is e-commerce enabled, purchase links to your Huzzah! to Indies all across the country! It's your energy and store will be next to each title on the book group list. Create a excitement that has fueled The Grey Ghost's success. I'm grateful widget for each list, and add it to your website's book group page or for your enthusiasm, and my question is, what can I do for you? your store blog. Share the code with your book groups for use on their sites. In a scary economy where financial stability is as fragile as a spider's web, it's tempting to let the lowest price drive our purchase Book groups can do all of these things to administer their own lists, decisions. And yet, price isn't everything. In many ways, it's the too. By creating an account on IndieBound.org under the book least thing. group name and adding your store as their favorite, they can create lists and easily share them. When bookstores support authors, when communities support their independent businesses, and when authors support communities, Book Lists Video we create a web of mutual benefit for everyone that's adamantine Check out our new video on all of the new features of the hard. It's all about dreaming and our desire to realize our dreams. IndieBound book lists, and bookmark it to show your customers Our dreams are all different, but if we support others as they strive how to: to realize theirs, we'll find a community of mutual respect and • Add books to their Wish Lists, and add notes to each book gratitude circling around us, helping us realize our own. • Create multiple book lists That's what IndieBound is about -- building and sustaining • Email their lists to friends and family communities one dream and one transaction at a time! • Export their lists to any website • And more I thought it would be appropriate to use my IndieBound gift card to 57 58 help support another community -- one that's far off geographically, See the video here and on IndieBound.org . but very close to my heart. 59 Bookseller DIY My dear friend and illustrator, Marcia Christensen, is the Queen Here's what's new about the Bookseller DIY 60 : Mother to an African village in Ghana. Marcia and her husband, The left-hand menu collapses to display categories and Jim, have been supporting this community for years, building a sub-categories and remembers which menu options you had open church, creating a school, establishing scholarships, and developing no matter what page you're on. Download links are now directly a library at a nearby secondary school for girls. beneath the image for each item. The DIY overview page provides With my IndieBound gift card, I'm purchasing children's and teen handy tutorials, links to useful software, and more. books for the secondary school library in Mawuko, Ghana. I've Three new sections provide quick access to featured items: chosen some of my favorites, picking titles that represent broad • New Arrivals -- Look here first to see what's new cultural diversity for a range of ages. Here's what I'm sending them: • Bestsellers -- a rotating selection of the most popular • The Grey Ghost (Julie Hahnke, PublishingWorks, donated by IndieBound designs Hahnke) • Staff Picks -- favorite items as chosen by ABA staffers • The Book Thief ( Markus Zusak, Knopf Books for Young Readers) And check out the new Bookseller DIY photo gallery 61 of • If Not for the Cat (Jack Prelutsky, Greenwillow) IndieBound in action in stores across the U.S. Do you have any • Under the Persimmon Tree (Suzanne Fisher Staples, Square new photos of IndieBound displays in your store? Send them to Fish) IndieBound Outreach Liaison Paige Poe 62 . • Aleutian Sparrow (Karen Hesse, Aladdin) The Bookseller DIY is available to ABA Members only. A valid • Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (Simon & Schuster BookWeb login and password 63 are required for access. Children's) --J.H. Share IndieBound with your community: Essential getting-started DIY tools are available free-of-charge to anyone at Reaching the Stratosphere: Titcomb's IndieBound.org's IndieBound To-Go 64 . --Paige Poe 65 40th Anniversary Celebration July 22, 2009 -- Titcomb's Bookshop 67 is celebrating its 40th Author Wins IndieBound Points Contest anniversary in 40 different ways throughout this summer and fall. July 22, 2009 -- To mark its first anniversary, IndieBound has From July 1 to November 1, the bookstore is hosting a series of drawn a winner for the IndieBound.org points contest -- Julie author events featuring Richard Russo, Wally Lamb, Mary Oliver, Hahnke of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Hahnke, author of The Jeannette Walls, and others. Also slated are special programs for Grey Ghost , a Summer Kids' Indie Next List 66 pick, won a $50 gift children, a shop local event, and a cross-promotion with a local

© 2009 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 7 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK July 23, 2009 yarn shop featuring author and knitter Ann Hood. 7. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Patricia Schultz, Workman, $19.95, 9780761104841 "We are very, very grateful to the publishers and authors who have supported this celebration and made it incredibly exciting for the 8. 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die community and for us," said Vicky Uminowicz, Titcomb's manager Patricia Schultz, Workman, $19.95, 9780761136910 and daughter of store founders Ralph and Nancy Titcomb. "I can't believe we get to meet these wonderful authors!" 9. I'll Never Be French (No Matter What I Do) Mark Greenside, Free Press, $14.99, 9781416586951 Nancy Ockers, another Titcomb daughter, said, "Opening a bookstore is difficult. Opening a bookstore next to your house with 10. Backcast: Fatherhood, Fly-Fishing, and a River Journey Through the your eight children under age 14 -- that's borderline crazy!" But, Heart of Alaska she added, "It has been such fun to celebrate the 40 years since my Lou Ureneck, St. Martin's Griffin, $13.95, 9780312384890 parents made that leap and opened Titcomb's Bookshop. Planning 40 events ended up being a very concrete reminder of just how big 11. Shadow of the Silk Road a number 40 is. We are so grateful to our community for their Colin Thubron, Harper Perennial, $15.99, 9780061231773 support over the years and we're thrilled that such an exceptional group of authors is coming here to help us thank them." 12. The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious -- and Perplexing -- City Located on Cape Cod, in East Sandwich, Massachusetts, Titcomb's David Lebovitz, Broadway, $24.95, 9780767928885 got its start when Ralph and Nancy Titcomb bought a house in Connecticut and found caches of valuable books and documents 13. The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman's Search for the Meaning of Wife throughout their home and barn. An impromptu business began Janna Cawrse Esarey, Touchstone, $15, 9781416589082 when they sold their finds, then launched a mail-order business, and had their eight children collate and compile a catalog. The 14. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Titcombs founded the bookstore in 1969, when they moved to East Robert M. Pirsig, HarperTorch, $7.99, 9780060589462 Sandwich. Titcomb's Book Shop still trades in antiquarian books, but it is now also a general bookstore, stocking new fiction and 15. A Course Called Ireland nonfiction, games, puzzles, and cards. Tom Coyne, Gotham, $26, 9781592404247

Mid-Cape just off historic Route 6A, the bookstore is attached to 16. The Places in Between the family's 1790 Cape Cod-style house. The current barn-style, Rory Stewart, Harvest, $14.95, 9780156031561 three-story building that houses Titcomb's Bookshop was built in 1989 by two of the Titcomb sons (Paul and Ted). In 1991, the 17. In a Sunburned Country Titcombs' eldest daughter, Vicky Uminowicz, joined the family Bill Bryson, Broadway, $14.95, 9780767903868 business and began expanding the store's inventory of new books. 18. We've Always Had Paris ... and Provence 69 Other events on the 40th anniversary calendar include a Fancy Patricia Wells, Walter Wells, Harper Perennial, $15.99, 9780060898588 Nancy Explorer Extraordinaire Party, story time with a Labrador retriever, and a Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4 (Jeff Kinney, Amulet) 19. The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific book release party. On Sunday, August 2, Titcomb's will have J. Maarten Troost, Broadway, $14, 9780767915304 birthday cake and ice cream with 40 different toppings. -- Karen Schechner 70 20. Assassination Vacation Sarah Vowell, S&S, $14, 9780743260046

The Indie Travel Literature Bestseller 21. West of the West List Mark Arax, PublicAffairs, $26.95, 9781586483906 July 22, 2009 -- For the eight-week period ending July 21, 2009, 22. The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America and based on sales at independent bookstores nationwide. Bill Bryson, Harper Perennial, $14.99, 9780060920081

1. Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race 23. Drink, Play, F@#k: One Man's Search for Anything Across Ireland, the World Has Never Seen Las Vegas, and Thailand Christopher McDougall, Knopf, $24.95, 9780307266309 Andrew Gottlieb, Grove Press, $12.95, 9780802170521

2. A Walk in the Woods 24. Narrow Dog to Indian River Bill Bryson, Broadway, $14.95, 9780767902526 Terry Darlington, Delta, $15, 9780385342094

3. The Geography of Bliss 25. The Best Travel Writing: True Stories From Around the World Eric Weiner, Twelve, $13.99, 9780446698894 James O'Reilly (Ed.), Travelers' Tales, $17.95, 9781932361629

4. Lost on Planet China J. Maarten Troost, Broadway, $14.95, 9780767922012

5. Into Thin Air Jon Krakauer, Anchor, $14.95, 9780385494786

6. That Summer in Sicily Marlena De Blasi, Ballantine, $14, 9780345497666 Classifieds

BOOKSTORE FOR SALE Receive additional discount of 3% on your first order of HOW Book Soup, West Hollywood's landmark, independent general SHALL I TELL THE DOG? And Other Final Musings by Miles interest bookstore on Sunset Blvd. , is for sale. Founded in 1975 Kington (Newmarket Press, July 2009). To take advantage of this by Glenn Goldman, this iconic bookstore hosts almost daily author special offer on 5 copies or more, your order must be placed by events featuring acclaimed literary as well as Hollywood celebrity August 31, 2009. This offer applies to one order only and is authors. Known both nationally and internationally for its fine available only to retailers. Please indicate Promo Code DOGR3 selection of books with specialties in art, photography, pop culture, on your P.O. and do not include other titles on this order. Minimum and literary fiction, the store also maintains a busy newsstand. order 5 copies. Glenn's sudden passing in January necessitates the sale of the store. To learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, please All Regular ABA Member Bookstores in good standing may contact broker Brian Gunshor @ (310) 539-8300, or e-mail have up to four 2-week Classified Ad insertions per year in [email protected] 76 . Bookselling This Week at no charge (50-word limit). For more information on booking a classified ad, click here 80 .

FOR SALE 2400 sq. ft. Retail Bookstore shelving, equipment, and supplies Other Advertising including cash wrap, dump tables, wall units, library carts, pricing guns, book dollies, cash registers, and more. Sold as one unit only. GABBS Pickup in Crosslanes, WV, or take over storage unit. Please e-mail Great American Bargain Book Show [email protected] 77 for details. August 21-22 Hynes Convention Center Liquidation of the Armchair Bookstore in Dennis, MA has resulted Boston in sale of 11 Franklin Fixtures bookcases of varying sizes . All Educational seminar - Gayle Shanks - "Improving store sales in this white and in like-new condition. Purchased 6 years ago. recession" Dimensions and pictures available on request. Prices vary based on New product 75%-90% off retail size. Fixtures currently located in Dennis. Contact Dawn at 81 78 http://www.gabbs.net/ [email protected] . Readers & Sunglasses POSITIONS AVAILABLE 2020 Vision USA BOOKHAMPTON Contributing $1 to ABFFE for every pair of glasses sold to Seeks qualified Bookstore Manager independent bookstores. The great Indie Bookstore Located in the very beautiful "Their styles and prices are terrific, and they offer personal and East Hampton/Sag Harbor area of Long Island, NY exceptional customer service." --Mitchell Kaplan, Books & Books, Position is year-round with benefits Miami, FL You must have deep bookstore experience, Visit online or call 941-925-3093 for a free catalog. as well as a strong literary background and an outgoing personality. http://www.2020visionusa.com/ 82 Please contact: Charline Spektor, BookHampton e-mail: [email protected] 79 .

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Links in this document: 1. See http://www.bookweb.org/education/operations/abacus.html 2. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/govern/ends.html 3. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/bookstore/files/survey_healthcare.html 4. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/contact 5. See mailto:[email protected] 6. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/govern/board.html 7. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6869 8. See https://members.bookweb.org/aba/cencustmast.master_pg?q_cust_id=133769&p_app_context= 9. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/govern/ends.html 10. See http://www.bookweb.org/education/ecatalogs 11. See http://news.bookweb.org/news/6896.html 12. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6948 13. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6942 14. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/bookstore/files/survey_healthcare.html 15. See mailto:[email protected] 16. See http://www.bookweb.org/events/institute 17. See http://www.bookweb.org/education/operations/abacus

18. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/bookstore/files/abacusform/index.htm 19. See mailto:[email protected] 20. See http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=310898838 21. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6931 22. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6886 23. See http://www.indiebound.org/blogs/matt/indiebound-book-lists-your-iphone 24. See http://www.indiebound.org/wishlist 25. See http://www.indiebound.org/indie-bestsellers 26. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound/bestsellers/specialty 27. See http://www.indiebound.org/iphone 28. See http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=310898838 29. See http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/us/politics/22obama.transcript.html?ref=policy 30. See http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/healthcare/july_2009/53_now_oppose_congressional_health_care_reform 31. See http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/07/gop-response-mitch-mcconnell-john-boehner.html 32. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6949 33. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/bookstore/files/survey_healthcare.html 34. See http://www.bookweb.org/advocacy/salestax/ 35. See http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/us/21calif.html 36. See http://www.bookweb.org/advocacy/salestax/CAletter2.html 37. See mailto:[email protected] 38. See mailto:[email protected] 39. See http://papercuts.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/an-indie-bookstore-road-trip/ 40. See http://news.bookweb.org/news/6794.html 41. See http://news.bookweb.org/news/6794.html 42. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6896 43. See https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=156420&sessionid=1&key=7EF08275BD027B4FA08C48D022C8087D&sourcepage=register 44. See http://www.publishers.org/ 45. See http://www.iipa.com/ 46. See http://www.bookweb.org/education/operations/abacus 47. See http://www.appleblossombooks.com/ 48. See http://www.bookweb.org/education/operations/abacus.html 49. See http://pegasus.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp?s=storeinfo&page=79901 50. See http://www.vromansbookstore.com/ 51. See http://www.bookweb.org/events/institute 52. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/bookstore/files/abacusform/index.htm 53. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/bookstore/files/abacusform/index.htm 54. See http://www.bookweb.org/education/operations/abacus/contact.html 55. See http://www.indiebound.org 56. See http://www.bookweb.org/identitymanager/ 57. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnpXsWhxOU 58. See http://www.indiebound.org/wishlist 59. See http://www.bookweb.org/identitymanager/ 60. See http://www.bookweb.org/identitymanager/ 61. See http://www.bookweb.org/identitymanager/gallery.jsp 62. See mailto:[email protected] 63. See http://www.bookweb.org/membership/request/bookwebregistration 64. See http://www.indiebound.org/to-go 65. See mailto:[email protected] 66. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6782 67. See http://www.titcombsbookshop.com/ 68. See http://www.titcombsbookshop.com/authors.html 69. See http://www.titcombsbookshop.com/40events.pdf 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 http://www.bookweb.org/about/ads/booksellers.html 76. See mailto:[email protected] 77. See mailto:[email protected] 78. See mailto:[email protected] 79. See mailto:[email protected] 80. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/ads/booksellers.html 81. See http://www.gabbs.net/ 82. See http://www.2020visionusa.com/