A Report on ABA's September Board Meeting

October 02, 2008 Over the course of the meeting, the Board: TABLE OF CONTENTS: • Received a report from ABA President Gayle Shanks of • A Report on ABA's September Board Meeting Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, on her efforts on behalf of the association, including her participation in the ...... 1 1 • The November Indie Next List & Notables Electronic Catalog Task Force meeting in San Francisco in August and meetings in September at ABA's offices in Preview ...... 2 Tarrytown, New York, to brainstorm plans for the further • ABA Sponsors Emerging Leaders Scholarship development of IndieBound, as well as for discussions with ...... 4 Above The Treeline 2 founder John Rubin. • The October Indie Next List Notables Fliers & • Received an update from ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz on his Shelf-Talkers ...... 4 activities since the last Board meeting, including his • Bookselling in Tough Times: Inventory participation in the Electronic Catalog Task Force meeting and a meeting with leaders of CBA, the Association for Christian Management ...... 4 Retail, to discuss issues of mutual concern. Also received status • Banned Books Week: Store Says It With reports on registration for the upcoming Winter Institute and Pictures ...... 5 member participation in the 2008 ABACUS Study. • Around Indie Bookstores ...... 5 • Heard a report from ABA Chief Marketing Officer Meg Smith • BTW News Briefs ...... 6 on the implementation of IndieBound and discussed plans for • International Trade Associations Condemn future development. Recent Attacks on Booksellers & Publishers ... 6 • Received a status report on the migration of ABA's membership • New Owner for Harvard Book Store ...... 7 database to web-based Association Management Software from • Needed Now: December Indie Next List Senior IT Director Jeff Wexler and Database Manager Barry Sobolewski and previewed some of the new package's Nominations ...... 7 self-service application modules, which will allow members to • Olsson's Closes ...... 7 update their own records. • MBA Show: A Great Mix of Education, Authors • Traveled to New York City on Tuesday in groups of three, & Events ...... 8 accompanied by an ABA staff member, to meet with publisher • SIBA Show Earns Positive Reviews ...... 8 representatives to discuss the recommendations of ABA's • ABA E-Commerce Solution Extends Beta Test Electronic Catalog Task Force. Participating publishers were Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin ...... 9 Harcourt, Macmillan, New York University Press, Penguin • Harcourt Introduces a New Generation to Jim Group, Perseus Books Group, Random House, and Simon & Copp's "Uncommonly Clever Tales" ...... 9 Schuster. (Watch for a further report on these meetings in an • Wanted: Creative Events & Marketing Ideas upcoming edition of Bookselling This Week .) for Graphic Novels ...... 10 • Received a report from ABA COO Oren Teicher on ABA's • October 31 Deadline for ABA Board of continuing efforts to level the playing field for sales tax on Directors Nominations ...... 10 Internet purchases. • Booksellers Challenged to Tell a Friend ...... 11 • Heard updates from ABA Chief Program Officer Len Vlahos on plans for the Fourth Annual Winter Institute 3 to be held in Salt Lake City from Thursday, January 29, through Sunday, February MARKETPLACE 1, 2009, as well as on the status of the migration of ABA's • Classifieds ...... 11 E-Commerce Solution to the open-source platform Drupal. • Other Advertising ...... 11 • Met with William King of Merrill Lynch, the association's financial consultant, who provided a report on the performance of ABA's investment portfolio during the current economic downturn. A Report on ABA's September Board • Reviewed the association's 2008 - 2009 operating budget, Meeting presented by CEO Domnitz, which reflected an anticipated October 02, 2008 -- The American Booksellers Association's Board reduction in investment income based on current economic of Directors held its 2008 fall meeting in Tarrytown, New York, conditions. from Monday, September 22, through Wednesday, September 24. In conjunction with the Board meeting, the ABA Audit Committee,

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 1 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK October 02, 2008 which is charged with oversight and monitoring of ABA's financial In Confessions of an Eco-Sinner , Fred Pearce is determined to find dealings, meet with the association's auditors, Marks Paneth & the truth by following his possessions from the cradle to the grave. Shron LLP, in New York City on Wednesday, September 24. What he learns is sometimes disturbing, occasionally rewarding, and always eye-opening." --Rachel Tavares, Changing Hands The November Indie Next List & Bookstore, Tempe, AZ Notables Preview Conspiracy of Silence by Martha Powers (Oceanview, $24.95, 9781933515182 / 193351518X) October 02, 2008 -- Here's a preview of the November Indie Next "Mystery lovers are in for a treat. Martha Powers' character, Clare List now on its way to ABA member stores in the IndieBound Prentice, a Chicago journalist, begins to unravel secrets of her past movement. ... and discovers that her whole life is a lie. A compelling, I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass fast-paced story set in a small town determined to keep its secrets, (Pantheon, $24.95, 9780375422751 / 0375422757) Conspiracy of Silence is a must-read, not-to-be-missed mystery." "Louisa -- solid, steady, dependable. Clem -- younger, rebellious, --Melissa Wade, Vero Beach Book Center, Vero Beach, FL daring, and the favorite. This is a story, told over 25 years, of two The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens's A sisters -- opposite as night and day, oil and water, yin and yang -- Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday and how they remain connected. In my opinion, this is Julia Glass' Spirits by Les Standiford best book yet!" --Vicki McNeil, Watermark Book Co., Anacortes, (Crown, $19.95, 9780307405784 / 0307405788) WA "Les Standiford gives us the chance to understand Dickens not only The Fire: A Novel by Katherine Neville as an author, but as a person struggling to save his career, who, in (Ballantine, $26, 9780345500670 / 0345500679) the process, reinvigorates the Christmas spirit. Standiford excels at "After reading Katherine Neville's novel The Eight years ago, I had telling the story of historical figures in a way that reads like a high expectations for this sequel. The Fire delivered more than I novel, so we learn almost in spite of ourselves. This is an could have hoped -- history, intrigue, chess moves, fascinating irresistible read for the holiday season!" --Rona Brinlee, The Book characters, and an engrossing plot. A great read that I can't wait to Mark, Atlantic Beach, FL recommend." --Susan Sinclair, Newtown Bookshop, Newtown, PA The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell The Longest Trip Home: A Memoir by John Grogan (Riverhead, $25.95, 9781594489990 / 1594489998) (Morrow, $25.95, 9780061713248 / 0061713244) "As always, Vowell is darkly hilarious and freshly informative. She "John Grogan has another winner in The Longest Trip Home , his pokes fun at the buckle-shoed Puritans who first settled here, but reminiscence of growing up a somewhat reluctant Catholic. It's she also tells a story of how their quirks, foibles, and love of words funny, romantic, and poignant -- an entertaining and worthwhile formed our country's personality. Her distinct and sharply witty read." --Alec Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA voice makes this book an edifying delight." --Laura DeLaney, The Rediscovered Bookshop, Boise, ID The Memorist by M.J. Rose (Mira, $24.95, 9780778325840 / 0778325849) A Mercy: A Novel by Toni Morrison "M.J. Rose does it again with The Memorist , another breathtaking (Knopf, $23.95, 9780307264237 / 0307264238) thriller. She interweaves a multiplicity of themes involving a quest "With an economy of language that is both piercing and fine, Toni to resolve issues from the past, the music of Beethoven, a secret Morrison is a master in full stride as she takes us on a journey, set society, and the threats of terrorism -- bringing all the plot strands in 1680s America, where survival requires trust and dependence together for an incredible denouement." --Mary Alice Gorman, between people, particularly women, of different race and Mystery Lovers Bookshop, Pittsburgh, PA experience. Raising the question of the price of dominion, A Mercy explores the very art of thwarted mercy itself. This is a brilliant and Songs for the Missing: A Novel by Stewart O'Nan flawless novel." --Sheryl Cotleur, Book Passage, Corte Madera, (Viking, $23.95, 9780670020324 / 067002032X) CA "Popular high school student Kim Larsen disappears from her Midwestern home. Yes, it's every parent's nightmare. And, yes, this The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the book pulls you in with its quiet power and alternating moods of Woman Who Ruled It by Tilar Mazzeo hope and doom, as you are drawn into reading it long into the (Collins, $25.95, 9780061288562 / 006128856X) night. Highly recommended." --Nancy Simpson, The Book Vault, "The story of how -- in 1800s France -- this brave and cunning Oskaloosa, IA woman emerged from small-time broker to dominate the international luxury market is intoxicating. Mazzeo's prose is Between Here and April by Deborah Copaken Kogan appropriately effervescent as she explores the secrets and science (Algonquin, $23.95, 9781565125629 / 1565125622) of wine making and the numerous factors that contributed to "I loved Between Here and April , which on so many levels raises champagne becoming the world's most powerful symbol of issues -- memory, facing the past and admitting its impact on the celebration and the good life. A toast to Mazzeo for capturing the present, motherly love, and fidelity -- all in a novel that has a essence of a radical life -- cheers!" --Melba Major, Square Books, suspenseful race to its conclusion. Readers will be satisfyingly Oxford, MS rewarded." --Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA Once Were Cops: A Novel by Ken Bruen (St. Martin's Minotaur, $22.95, 9780312384401/312384408) Confessions of an Eco-Sinner: Tracking Down the Sources of My "If you haven't read any Bruen yet, this gritty noir tale of a wild Stuff by Fred Pearce Irish cop on the loose in the NYPD is a great introduction. There (Beacon, $24.95, 9780807085882 / 080708588X) are twists and turns aplenty is this riveting read." --Rich Chasse, "It's official: Everyone is going green. Sometimes, though, learning The Kennebunk Book Port, Kennebunkport, ME which behaviors really make a difference seems an impossible task.

Hardly Knew Her: Stories by Laura Lippman --Daniel Goldin, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Milwaukee, WI (Morrow, $23.95, 9780061584992 / 0061584991) "It's fair to say that not many know Baltimore and Maryland as The November 2008 Indie Notables well as Laura Lippman, and her latest stories in Hardly Knew Her really delve into the lives of both the under-employed and the Fiction moneyed from every level. A terrific collection by a wonderful The Long Knives Are Crying by Joseph M. Marshall III writer!" --Kathleen Dixon, Islandtime Books & More, Washington (Fulcrum, $24.95, 9781555916725 / 1555916724) Island, WI The Sin Eaters by Andrew Beahrs (Toby Press, $24.95, The Wettest County in the World: A Novel Based on a True Story 9781592642366 / 1592642365) by Matt Bondurant (Scribner, $25, 9781416561392 / 1416561390) Thank You for All Things by Sandra Kring (Bantam, $5.99 "I loved this book -- an effective symbiosis of style, substance, and paper, 9780553591491 / 0553591495) narrative technique. The novel absorbs the reader into its riveting The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks (Orbit, $7.99 paper, account of the 1920s and 1930s Virginia moonshine trade and 9780316033671 / 0316033677) offers a fascinating perspective of American history. I was immersed from beginning to end." --Kristin Kirkham, The When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson (Little University Book Store, Madison, WI Brown, $24.99, 9780316154857 / 0316154857) The Eleventh Man: A Novel by Ivan Doig Nonfiction (Harcourt, $26, 9780151012435 / 0151012431) Descartes' Bones: A Skeletal History of the Conflict Between "A football team that makes the papers in 1941 goes to war in Faith and Reason by Russell Shorto (Doubleday, $26, 1943, its players deployed from Europe to the Pacific -- all but the 9780385517539 / 038551753X) quarterback, who, son of a journalist, is assigned to chronicle their exploits for the wartime propaganda machine he loathes. Indelibly The Edge of Never: A Skier's Story of Fathers and Sons, Life and wrought characters and a plot that mixes love, treason, heroism, Death in the World's Most Dangerous Mountains by William and history make this a blissfully good read." --Betsy Burton, The Kerig (Stone Creek, $15.95 paper, 9780965633840 / 0965633845) King's English, Salt Lake City, UT Holy Roller: Growing Up in the Church of Knock Down, Drag Second Violin: An Inspector Troy Thriller by John Lawton Out; Or, How I Quit Loving a Blue-Eyed Jesus by Diane Wilson (Atlantic, $24, 9780871139917 / 087113991X) (Chelsea Green, $24.95, 9781933392820 / 1933392827) " Second Violin is the work of an accomplished author who draws How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum by you into the story through fully developed characters and plot Keri Smith (Perigee, $14.95 paper, 9780399534607 / 0399534601) twists that keep you engrossed. I'm not sure how I missed Lawton's Mona Lisa in Camelot: How Jacqueline Kennedy and Da Vinci's earlier Inspector Troy titles, but I will make up for it by Masterpiece Charmed and Captivated a Nation by Margaret recommending them to anyone who loves historical fiction, Leslie Davis (Da Capo, $24.95, 9780738211039 / 0738211036) thrillers, or just a good yarn." --Ann Carlson, Harborwalk Books, Georgetown, SC The Search for Spirituality: Our Global Quest for a Spiritual Life by Ursula King (BlueBridge, $24.95, 9781933346144 / The Best American Comics 2008 , edited by Lynda Barry, 1933346140) Jessica Abel, and Matt Madden (Houghton, $22, 9780618989768 / 0618989765) Something for the Pain: One Doctor's Account of Life and Death "Lynda Barry gives us a volume that is an editorial miracle. The in the ER by Paul Austin (Norton, $24.95, 9780393065602 / whimsical, the malicious, the heartbreaking, the surreal, the 039306560X) hilarious -- all the work included testifies to the vibrancy of the Underground America: Narratives of Undocumented Lives by contemporary comic form. This is a collection to convert the Peter Orner (McSweeney's, $15 paper, 9781934781166 / remaining unbelievers and to excite the connoisseurs." --Josh 1934781169) Cook, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA The Unfinished Game: Pascal, Fermat, and the Freeman Walker: A Novel by David Allan Cates Seventeenth-Century Letter That Made the World Modern by (Unbridled, $25.95, 9781932961553 / 1932961550) Keith Devlin (Basic, $24.95, 9780465009107 / 0465009107) "Armed with his 'free' papers and a copy of the Declaration of Independence, seven-year-old Jimmy Gates is sent to England for Mystery/Suspense an education by his owner-father. After his father dies, the Blackbird, Farewell: A CJ Floyd Novel by Robert Greer (Frog schooling ends, as Jimmy becomes an apprentice, learning life's Books, $25.95, 9781583942505 / 1583942505) lessons from prostitutes and revolutionaries. Taking a new name, Freeman Walker grows into manhood on the battlegrounds of the The Draining Lake: A Thriller by Arnaldur Indridason (St. Civil War and his adventures tell us much about freedom and bring Martin's Minotaur, $24.95, 9780312358730 / 0312358733) home the message that 'freedom isn't free.'" --Barbara Theroux, Exposed: A Maggie O'Dell Novel by Alex Kava (Mira, $24.95, Fact & Fiction, Missoula, MT 9780778325574 / 0778325571) Fred Astaire by Joseph Epstein The Night Stalker: A Novel of Suspense by James Swain (Yale, $22, 9780300116953/300116950) (Ballantine, $25, 9780345475527 / 0345475526) "How could a string bean with an oversize forehead, jug ears, and an obvious toupee be one of the romantic leads of movie history? The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson (Vanguard, $25.95, Epstein meditates on this heavenly hoofer from every angle, and 9781593154943 / 1593154941) the results will have you jonesing for a TCM movie marathon." Stealing Trinity by Ward Larsen (Oceanview, $24.95,

9781933515175 / 1933515171) October 02, 2008 -- There is an old axiom that books and booze are recession proof, and, unfortunately, that old saw is being tested. ABA Sponsors Emerging Leaders Wall Street is in turmoil, the economy looks to be heading for a recession, and Alan Greenspan went so far as to call the current Scholarship credit crisis a "once in a century" event. Recession proof or not, October 02, 2008 -- 4 The American Booksellers Association is faced with such economic uncertainty, booksellers, like all smart sponsoring an Emerging Leaders scholarship that will enable an businesspeople, are looking for ways to weather a downturn in up-and-coming bookseller who has never been to a Winter Institute business. 5 to attend the fourth annual education event , which will be held in BTW 's new weekly series aims to help booksellers survive the Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 29 through February 1, 2009. economic crunch: Bookselling in Tough Times will share tips and "Helping to grow and nurture the next generation of booksellers insights from experienced booksellers on a single topic each week. remains an important mission of ABA," said Chief Program Officer In our inaugural column, four booksellers share their thoughts Len Vlahos. "We're delighted to help further that goal by bringing about inventory management in a tough economic climate coupled an emerging leader to Salt Lake City." with the fast-approaching holiday season. Booksellers can apply directly for the scholarship, or store owners Here are their inventory management tips: may nominate their employees. Application is via e-mail to ABA Emerging Leaders liaison Lisa Winn at [email protected] 6 . The e-mail should identify the candidate, the region, and the store in Buying: Choose Quality Over Quantity which she or he works (with contact information). In addition, details should be provided about the candidate's role in the store, When it comes to frontlist buying, think quality over quantity, his or her feelings about bookselling, the candidates potential for a booksellers suggested. Don't overstock by purchasing too much of long-term bookselling career, and how she or he might benefit from any one title. Reduce your overall inventory. the Winter Institute. Applicants should put "ABA EL Scholarship" in the e-mail subject line. "Simply put, we're reducing the inventory," said Bill Reilly of the 2,500-square-foot River's End Bookstore 14 in Oswego, New York. In September, Ingram Book Company/Ingram Publisher Services 7 "We're buying few copies of individual titles, ordering fewer books announced its sponsorship of six Emerging Leaders Scholarships , overall. It's a challenge, given the size of our store. But we do take which are being administered by the Emerging Leaders Council. special orders.... Our shelves are considerably lighter and have been since the beginning of summer." The October Indie Next List Notables Dan Chartrand of Water Street Bookstore 15 in Exeter, New Fliers & Shelf-Talkers Hampshire, concurred. "The first thing I did when it looked bad for the economy was start to cut back on merchandising quantities. October 02, 2008 -- The October Indie Next List Notables flier, in 8 Tens became fives, and fives became threes. Then you just need to PDF format , features jacket images, bibliographic information, figure ways to make the shelves look full. We're using smoke and and bookseller quotes for a great selection of titles to complement mirrors to make fives look like tens." Chartrand acknowledged that the month's Indie Next List selections 9 . Bookseller quotes are also 10 he runs the risk of running out of hot titles, but he believes this currently available in an electronic file of Notables shelf-talkers . purchasing philosophy is acceptable considering the current The October Indie Notables list is a great balance of quality fiction, climate. nonfiction, and mystery titles. The fiction selections include acclaimed debut novel The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway (Knopf) and Two Marriages by Phillip Lopate (Other Press), while nonfiction includes two stellar collections -- State by State: A Returns: Don't Be Sentimental Panoramic Portrait of America 11 , edited by Matt Weiland and Carla Jimenez of Inkwood Books 16 in Tampa, Florida, told BTW Sean Wilsey (Ecco) and This I Believe II: More Personal that, when it comes to returns, now is not the time to be Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women , edited by Jay sentimental. If a book is not paying its share of the rent, it's got to Allison and Dan Gediman (Holt). Mystery titles include Blood go. "In my first couple of years in the business, I'd look at returns, Alone , the latest in the popular Billy Boyle World War II Mystery and I'd be sentimental and hold onto books I thought I had to have. Series by James R. Benn (Soho). But this is not a personal library, we are in a business and that is Notables titles are perfect choices to complement Next List how we need to look at books. Are they paying the rent?" If a book selections in both window and in-store displays. And Notables is not, "it's time to make space for things that pay the rent. We're shelf-talkers are ready-made (they simply need to be printed and looking at this more carefully now." cut) to draw attention to face-outs. Chuck Robinson of Village Books 17 in Bellingham, Washington, Booksellers with comments, questions, and suggestions for the said, "We're a little more deliberate about the returns process." Next List are encouraged to contact Dan Cullen, editor-in-chief of Whereas books used to have a shelf life of about a year, he the Indie Next List, via e-mail 12 . explained, now, if a book hasn't moved in four months, chances are Stores that need more copies of the Indie Next List fliers should it won't. "I mean, they could, but sales are random at that point," he e-mail ABA's Linda Ford 13 . said. Bookselling in Tough Times: Inventory Management Be Flexible

For Robinson, the key to surviving the current economic climate bookstore. and maximizing holiday sales is flexibility. "We've worked hard BTW invites booksellers who are participating in BBW 2008 to over the last three or four years to handle inventory in a send pictures and descriptions of their events and displays to 'just-in-time' manner -- we anticipate what we need and get it in [email protected] 23 . -- Karen Schechner 24 quickly, rather than stocking up in big numbers." Rather than spend your inventory dollars at the beginning of the season, it's better to order on a regular basis throughout the season -- though it's Around Indie Bookstores important to meet minimums, too. "This allows more flexibility," October 02, 2008 -- he said. "If you have a lot of money tied up, you won't have the flexibility to buy books that will move off the shelves." The Learned Owl Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary Hudson, Ohio's The Learned Owl Book Shop 25 will celebrate its 40th anniversary this month. The bookstore and its owner for the Maximize Discounts/Minimize Freight Costs past 25 years, Liz Murphy, were profiled on Wednesday, October 1, in the Hudson-Hub Times 26 . Though you may be ordering fewer copies of each title, you should still do your best to create orders that minimize costs, either "During Murphy's 25 years of business ownership, The Learned through free shipping or volume discounts. Jimenez noted she's Owl has grown from 1,500 square feet on one floor to a three-story, more likely to place larger orders with publishers for frontlist titles 2,300-square-foot business," noted the Times . And a staff of 21 to get a volume discount. It's important, she said, to buy higher full- and part-time employees "now grace shop floors, along with quantities of those frontlist titles that "you know you can get The Learned Owl's third 'book shop dog,' 7-year-old Ruby." behind." In the current economic climate, she explained, people are The number of independent bookstores in Northeast Ohio has more cautious about what they purchase, and that means declined significantly since 1983, when Murphy bought the store, handselling is more important than ever. "People want to hear but Carolyn Konefal, executive director of the Hudson Area recommendations," Jimenez said. "We're finding that more and Chamber of Commerce, said some of the credit for Learned Owl's more people are coming up to the counter with five books and are longevity has to go to Murphy's people skills and business savvy. asking us, If I want to buy three of these, which ones would you "Liz Murphy has always been very well respected," Konefal told recommend? That puts us in a good position." the newspaper. "Her effort as a local owner has been equally as Reilly said he is waiting until he has about 15 special orders before important as the store's presence on Main Street." placing an order to minimize costs. "That's not too difficult for us Learned Owl is hosting a month-long celebration, featuring author on most days," he said. "And we're always looking to take events, giveaways, drawings, face painting, and more. advantage of cash discounts." -David Grogan 18 Banned Books Week: Store Says It With Boulder Bookstore Turns 35 David Bolduc's Boulder Book Store 27 in Boulder, Colorado, is Pictures celebrating its 35th anniversary with two weeks of promotions and October 02, 2008 -- Banned Books Week 19 is in full swing at stores special events, which began on Wednesday, October 1. Arsen and libraries around the country, where events range from First Kashkashien, the store's head buyer and inventory manager, told 28 Amendment panel discussions and Banned Children's Books the Daily Camera : "I think it's a good reflection of all the Storytime to Banned Film Night and readings from banned books. different kinds of things that we do and audiences that we relate to. It's a customer appreciation thing." At Fayetteville, Arkansas' Nightbird Books 20 , the celebration is being documented in photos on the store's website 21 and in-store Boulder has changed a lot during the past 35 years, the newspaper displays. For the second year in a row, store owner Lisa Sharp is noted. "Malls have come and gone, the economy has hit peaks and encouraging customers to make a donation to the American valleys -- but Bolduc's store remains the city's literary heart. The Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression 22 , and in return she opening of the Boulder Book Store was the beginning of a will add their pictures to the store photo gallery. resurrection of Boulder's downtown, and Bolduc, now 62, was active in the creation of the Pearl Street Mall," which breathed new Photos currently on the site include customers with their favorite life into the area. books ("banned or otherwise"), including And Tango Makes Three , Choke , and To Kill a Mockingbird . Sharp noted that her customers Boulder Book Store now covers more than 20,000 square feet on are attuned to censorship issues after a 2005 attempt by a three floors, includes more than 100,000 book titles, and has about Fayetteville resident to ban several books at a local high school. 50 employees. The Camera noted that, in 1998, Bolduc was a founding member of the Boulder Independent Business Alliance 29 , The bookstore is also hosting author Tom Andes, a contributor to and he credits that connection with the community with making it Underground America: Narratives of Undocumented Lives , part of possible for Boulder Book Store to celebrate its 35th birthday. McSweeney's Voice of Witness series, which seeks to shed light on human rights issues through oral history. "Obviously it's not a 30 banned book," said Sharp, but it is still very much an appropriate Annie Bloom's Is 30 choice for Banned Books Week since "it's about people who are Annie Bloom's Books 31 of Portland, Oregon, will mark its 30th marginalized." Following the reading, attendees are all invited to anniversary on Wednesday, October 29, and it's having a yearlong head to a local restaurant to watch tonight's vice presidential celebration, which culminates in a party on Saturday, October debate. 25.The store is also announcing a favorite book on the 30th of each Nightbird is also offering FREADOM gift cards. Ten percent of month that is discounted by 30 percent the following month. money added to these gifts cards will be donated to ABFFE by the

In 2003, on the occasion of Annie Bloom's 25th anniversary, larger houses and small publisher. Plus, we can all feel good about Bookselling This Week 32 spoke to owner Bobby Tichenor 33 about saving more trees and lowering costs in an economically strained the store's origins and her plans for the future. business environment."

Moe's Books Named "Best of Berkeley" Publishers Cheer House Passage of Libel Tourism Legislation The 45-year-old Berkeley, California, institution Moe's Books 34 The Association of American Publishers 40 praised the passage of and its founder Moe Moskowitz, "the brilliant architect behind the legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday, store's success," are profiled as part of the San Francisco Examiner September 27, that would make it harder for "libel tourists" to 's Best Of Series 35 . threaten American authors and publishers with foreign libel suits "Moe's Books is a four-story paradise for any literary junkie," said aimed at undermining their First Amendment rights. the Examiner . "Since its opening in 1963, Moe's Books has been The bill, H.R. 6146, which was introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen revolutionary in both maintaining a healthy inventory and (D-TN), prohibits U.S. courts from recognizing a foreign providing the public with appealing and worthwhile literary events. defamation judgment "based upon a publication concerning a The newspaper encourages readers to "set aside enough time to public figure or a matter of public concern" unless the court wander the four levels of literary Eden. Hunt for a new or used determines that the foreign judgment satisfies the free speech and book. Get lost in their inventory. Relax in the pages of a random free press protections guaranteed by the First Amendment. H.R. book. Moe would have liked that." 6146 is substantially similar to the Libel Terrorism Protection Act adopted earlier this year by New York State. The Senate has yet to Subterranean Books Awarded "Best of St. Louis" take action on libel tourism legislation. Subterranean Books 36 was recently named Best Book Store (Independent) for 2008 by the Riverfront Times Times 37 , St. Louis' Scieszka Awarded First National Ambassador for Young alternative newsweekly. This is the seventh time Subterranean People's Literature Medal Books has won the "Best Of" designation in its eight years of Librarian of Congress James H. Billington presented author Jon existence, said owner Kelly von Plonski. Scieszka with the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Medal in the Montpelier Room of the James Madison From the Riverfront: "It's one of life's greatest pleasures walking 41 into Subterranean Books ... because this is a shop that caters to Building, as part of last weekend's National Book Festival books and the people who love them. No ziggurats of one title celebration. Announced in January, the position was created to loom on tables in the doorway, no racks of impulse buys, no movie raise national awareness of the importance of young people's tie-in toys, no cutouts of Dr. Phil hawking his latest 'tome' occlude literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education, and the your sight..... The upstairs is still an art gallery, but new shelves development and betterment of the lives of young people. allow for a maximization of space so that expanded sections The official National Ambassador for Young People's Literature covering interior design, cooking, and the DIY movement offer website, http://childrensbookambassador.com 42 , aimed at parents, inspiration. The erotica has been moved to the front of the shop for educators, and children, includes background information on the ease of access, a now-close neighbor to shelves devoted to ritual Ambassador initiative, Jon Scieszka, and a schedule of Scieszka's magic, the Beats, and an entire section devoted to Taschen Books' tour stops over the next year. bizarre view of the world. Literature, one of the most evocative The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the Children's words in the English language, is the backbone of the store still, Book Council (CBC) and the CBC Foundation are the twin columns that run the length of the room. The journey of a administrators of the National Ambassador for Young People's thousand years begins here at Subterranean, as soon as you open Literature initiative. your eyes."

BTW News Briefs International Trade Associations Condemn Recent Attacks on October 02, 2008 -- Booksellers & Publishers ForeWord and NetGalley Announce Partnership to Deliver October 01, 2008 -- On Wednesday, October 1, the International Digital Galleys Publishers Association 43 (IPA) and the International Booksellers 44 On Wednesday, October 1, ForeWord 38 magazine announced that Federation (IBF) strongly condemned a series of attacks on it has partnered with NetGalley 39 to make digital galleys from publishing houses and bookshops in Greece and the attempted independent book publishers available to professional readers. firebombing of publisher Gibson Square in the U.K. In a joint Publishers can submit their titles for review to ForeWord in digital statement, IPA and IBF said they "support the freedom to publish form via NetGalley, and they will receive updates about the status without fear of attack or reprisal, and cannot accept attempts by any of their submissions. NetGalley will deliver digital galleys and individual, group, or government to censor through violence and promotional materials to "professional readers" -- reviewers, media, intimidation those who write, publish, or sell on any issue, be it on bloggers, librarians, booksellers, and educators. politics, culture, or faith." The American Booksellers Association is a member of the IBF. "My editors are very enthusiastic about adopting this program into their review process," said Victoria Sutherland, publisher of During the spring and summer, there were a series of politically ForeWord . "The added benefit of streamlining the galleys and motivated attacks on publishers and their bookshops in Athens. IPA ARCs augments our mission of leveling the playing field between and IBF noted that "the publishers and the bookshops concerned

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 6 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK October 02, 2008 seem to hold right-wing political views" and "all of the attacks bookstores, I liked him even more." reportedly lasted some 15 to 20 minutes without police Horne told BTW , "I'm thrilled for Frank that he found somebody interference." who wants to continue the Harvard Book Store tradition as it's This past weekend, the offices of London-based Gibson Square always existed. For him it's a family business -- one that's 76 years were set on fire. Law enforcement officials believe the London old. And I'm really looking forward to working with Jeff." attack is linked to the publisher's plans to release The Jewel of Mayersohn, who described himself as a customer of the store for Medina on October 30. The book by Sherry Jones is a fictional over 30 years, said, "I'm overwhelmed and elated by this account of the Prophet Muhammad's relationship with his favorite opportunity. My wife and I have wanted to own a bookstore for wife, Aisha. Random House's Ballantine Books had planned to many years -- I never imagined that it could be Harvard Book publish the book in the U.S. but canceled publication plans in Store." Mayersohn had attended a Paz & Associates school for August; the book has since been bought in the U.S. by Beaufort prospective booksellers, sponsored by the American Booksellers Books. Association, as well as several national book industry conventions IBF President Karl Pus said: "Freedom of expression and freedom and the New England Independent Bookseller Association's to publish are fundamental conditions for any democracy. These regional conference. freedoms are prerequisites for an informed exchange of A resident of New England for nearly four decades, Mayersohn is a information, views, and values among citizens. They constitute a graduate of Harvard College and has a M.Phil. in physics from right to inform, discuss, and criticize. Religious believers have a Yale. He has worked at several high-tech companies in the region, right not to be discriminated against on the basis of their beliefs [in and for the past 10 years has been an executive at Sonus Networks, that sense, freedom of religion is fundamental], but they cannot a leader in IP communications infrastructure. Noting that Harvard expect their religion to be set free from criticism. Similarly, the Book Store was one of the first independents to adopt holders of a given political view cannot expect their political inventory-control software, in the 1980s, Mayersohn said he would beliefs to be set free from criticism. Reciprocally, freedom of like to use his technological know-how "to find new ways to expression implies a right to contest and protest peacefully against continue the store's tradition of being on the leading edge of any utterance that one dislikes or feels insulted by. It goes without bookselling." saying, violence, including fire bombings, should be banned in all circumstances." Kramer said that he was looking forward to new endeavors, including offering his services as an industry consultant and Ana Maria Cabanellas, IPA president, added: "One must take these spending more time working on the development and growth of attacks very seriously, condemning them firmly and reminding all Cambridge Local First 48 , a shop-local campaign he co-founded in that at the very heart of freedom of expression and freedom to 2005. publish one has the right to debate openly and publicly different positions and views on political, religious, or ethical matters, and to Harvard Book Store is inviting the community to a special event on take opposing views. Governments should ensure that open Tuesday, October 21, to meet the new owners. debates, in particular about controversial issues, must take place in a non-violent form. To quote Heinrich Heine: 'In a place where Needed Now: December Indie Next List they burn books, they will end up burning human beings.'" Nominations Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for 49 Free Expression 45 , called the attack on the home of the British September 30, 2008 -- This Friday is the nomination deadline for publisher of The Jewel of Medina shocking. "People have a right to the December Indie Next List. protest the sale of books they dislike, but there must be no And now is a great time to nominate. ABA has announced the tolerance for violence against publishers and booksellers," said "Tell-a-Bookseller-Friend" Indie Next List Nomination Challenge Finan. 50 , in which booksellers can win an ABA gift card worth $150. There are two additional opportunities for booksellers to help New Owner for Harvard Book Store create Indie Next Lists in October: October 01, 2008 -- Jeff Mayersohn and hsi wife, Linda • Friday, October 10, is the deadline for nominations for the Seamonson, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, are the new owners of Winter Children's Indie Next List; and Cambridge's famed Harvard Book Store 46 , effective Wednesday, • Friday, October 31, is the deadline for nominations for the October 1. Frank Kramer, owner and president of the store for the January 2009 Indie Next List. past 46 years, will act as a consultant for the company, and Carole 51 Horne, who has been with Harvard Book Store for more than 35 Booksellers can use the Indie Next List nomination form , or they years, will continue as general manager. can send their nominations in an e-mail to [email protected] 52 . When the store, which was founded by Kramer's father, Mark, in 1932, was put on the market this past May, Frank Kramer stressed his commitment 47 to maintaining Harvard Book Store as a vibrant Olsson's Closes independent business and to finding a buyer with a vision for the September 30, 2008 -- On Tuesday, September 30, Olsson's Books future that honored the store's unique history. & Records 53 closed its remaining five locations and petitioned the In a statement following the sale, Kramer said, "I couldn't be more U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Maryland, for conversion of its thrilled. Jeff is both a book lover and a businessman who has a current Chapter 11 protection to Chapter 7. In petitioning to tangible affection for Harvard Book Store. When I met him, I liked convert to Chapter 7, Olsson's cited "stagnant sales, low cash him immediately. And when I found out that he and his family plan reserves, and an inability to renegotiate current leases, along with a their vacations around the locations of great independent continuing weak retail economy and plummeting music sales."

Olsson's was established in 1972, and at its height had nine retail Arsenault said MBA's Marketing Programs 101 "was awesome. I locations. The five stores that closed on Tuesday were at Virginia's learned about all the materials available for booksellers from MBA, Reagan National Airport, Old Town Alexandria, Arlington like the catalog. The catalog really helps identify all kinds of Courthouse, and Crystal City, and in Northwest Washington, D.C., Midwest books... which we can use to our advantage." at Dupont Circle. Having learned so much so quickly, and since he considered the In July, when Olsson's was granted Chapter 11 protection, it closed show as "quite possibly one of the best experiences I've ever had," its Lansburgh/Penn Quarter location on 7th Street, N.W. in Arsenault is intent on attending ABA's Fourth Annual Winter Washington. Institute 55 in Salt Lake City this January, and is currently working In a statement on Olsson's website, Stephen Wallace-Haines, the on his scholarship application. store's general manager, said, "In the end, all the roads towards ABA's Teicher and Member Services Director Jill Perlstein reorganization led to this dead end: we did not have the money presented "Connecting to Your Customers and Community With required to pay for product in advance, to collect reserves to buy IndieBound," which focused on the ways IndieBound taps into the for Christmas, and satisfy the demands of rent and operational growing localism movement and how booksellers can use it to costs. We were losing money just by staying open." further communicate their core strengths. Booksellers also shared John Olsson, Olsson's principal owner, said, "Although it is tips for using IndieBound promotional materials within their shops certainly a sad day for us, I can rejoice in all the great memories of and with other local businesses. my life in retail in Washington.... I'm very proud of what we Sue Zumberge of Common Good Books in St. Paul told BTW that accomplished. My love and gratitude to all my employees, and the store's staff are already confirmed "IndieBound people." special thanks to all those thousands of loyal customers." "You could knock your head on our 'Here's What You Just Did' banner as you leave the store," she said. "And we ran an ad for the MBA Show: A Great Mix of Education, Republican Convention that said 'Support Your Independent.'" Authors & Events Zumberge attended the Reps' Picks session at this year's show and September 30, 2008 -- The 28th Midwest Booksellers Association "learned a lot about midlist titles." Along with her own favorite of Hands of My Father: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the 54 (MBA) Trade Show was a "wonderful mix of education, booksellers, authors, and reps," said MBA President Sarah Bagby Language of Love (Myron Uhlberg, Bantam), she plans on stocking of Watermark Books in Wichita, Kansas. "There were lots of Elizabeth McCracken's An Exact Replica of a Figment of My opportunities for booksellers to meet with colleagues, authors, and Imagination: A Memoir (Little, Brown). sales reps, and to get excited about fall offerings as they go into the Zumberge said that, as always, she loved attending the Midwest Christmas season. The book award recipients were inspiring, and Booksellers' Choice Awards, which she noted brings attention to the author dinner and children's breakfast authors gave us a lot to some titles that might not have done nearly as well without regional get excited about." support from independent booksellers. "The awards really highlight The September 25 - September 27 show at St. Paul, Minnesota's the importance of independents." Roy Wilkins Auditorium at RiverCentre drew nearly 1,000 In "Local First Initiatives," ABA's Teicher facilitated a discussion participants, including 400-plus booksellers from 105 bookstores. between Michele Cromer-Poire of The Red Balloon Bookshop in "The MBA Trade Show focused both content and schedule on a St. Paul and Chris Livingston of The Book Shelf in Winona, well-planned progression to our big event -- the trade show exhibit Minnesota, about their local business alliances. -- and we promoted connections and shared information with our booksellers, exhibitors, and authors at every opportunity," said Eileen Fesco of the Book Mouse in Ottawa, Illinois, said the MBA Executive Director Susan Walker. "Education, author events, session gave her some good suggestions for involving customers in bookseller picks, rep picks, and a tremendously popular new the Buy Local movement. These include giving customers copies Midwest Connections booksellers-and-authors workshop gave of the IndieBound flier that lists 10 benefits of shopping locally and everyone the impetus to do business and place orders at the exhibit producing the list with the logo of other local businesses, so they on Saturday. This approach was thoroughly successful for everyone can post it in their windows. "We already have a business alliance, at the show, and we've had high praise from booksellers, vendors, but these ideas will help move it along," she added. and authors alike." Fesco found the whole show to be filled with actionable ideas that As part of MBA's full schedule of education, ABA presented three she could implement at the Book Mouse. "It's always so useful and sessions. "Booksellers at the Tipping Point: Leveraging Localism energizing to attend these local shows. I can meet with other and Independence to Promote Your Store," led by ABA COO Oren booksellers, hear from the publishing houses and finds gems to add Teicher, featured a primer on using localism, independence, and to the holiday list, find sidelines, and get goodies to give to the sustainability to gain traction with consumers. staff.... It's a great way to keep track of what's going on in the industry." -- Karen Schechner 56 New bookseller Tim Arsenault, who recently began working at his parents' store, Central Avenue Bookstore in Faribault, Minnesota, appreciated the bookselling history component in the session, SIBA Show Earns Positive Reviews particularly the section on the evolution of the chains and the ways September 30, 2008 -- Though the gas shortage in the South chains and indies differ. "It gave really good background on the somewhat dampened attendance, the 2008 Southern Independent world of bookselling," he explained. "It helped me understand what Booksellers Alliance 57 (SIBA) Fall Trade Show, which was held we need to do as independent booksellers ... that we need to from Friday, September 26, through Sunday, September 28, at the compete on experience and on having a connection with the Marriott Renaissance and the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention individual customer and the community." Center in Mobile, Alabama, earned high praise from booksellers who spoke to Bookselling This Week . Among the highlights

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 8 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK October 02, 2008 mentioned were the Fire & Brimstone Barbecue, a busy trade show a $100 ABA Gift Card. --David Grogan 58 floor, and ABA's IndieBound session. "It was a relaxed, but energized show," said SIBA Executive ABA E-Commerce Solution Extends Director Wanda Jewell. "When the show moves to the western part Beta Test of the region, we expect attendance to dip." And the gas shortage, she said, impacted onsite registration. "We only had five stores September 30, 2008 -- The ABA E-Commerce Solution's beta test register onsite -- the lowest ever. [The shortage] also caused some of its new open-source platform has been extended, and its release people to leave early because they were anxious about getting is now scheduled for sometime in early 2009. home. But the show floor looked like everybody was energized.... Over the last year, the ABA E-Commerce Solution 59 has been The education programs were good and were very well received." migrating to Drupal, a content management system that will SIBA President Karin Wilson of Page & Palette in Fairhope, provide more robust administrative tools, greater system stability, Alabama, said, "Booksellers found the education extremely helpful, and the ability to roll out new features more quickly. and feedback about the overall show was positive. The schedule A beta test of the new product kicked off in late August with was packed with wonderful authors and events. Some were not able tentative plans to conclude testing in mid- to late-September. to come due to the gas shortage, but the ones who did found that However, while the technology held up very well through the beta the show exceeded their expectations." test, E-Commerce staff also discovered a training gap. Kelly Justice of the Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia, "The new system gives users much more granular control over their thought that, overall, the trade show went very well. At ABA's websites, but many may find that the learning curve to use the IndieBound session, Justice said, she learned about "all of the myriad tools to affect that control is steep," said Len Vlahos, chief customizable PDFs online" and, she added, "The session handout program officer for ABA. "This has been true for our staff and for was very helpful." the booksellers who have been beta testing." "It was a great show," said Sally Brewster of Park Road Books in ABA's goal is to have between 12 to 24 stores participating in the Charlotte, North Carolina. "The convention center was one of the extended beta, Vlahos reported. "We'll use this time to create best we've worked with." fulsome training materials -- including narrated videos on using Among the events earning high marks from attendees was the specific features -- and will hone our other training materials." "Author to Author Interviews With Katherine Neville and Steve Sometime early next year, the E-Commerce Solution will exit beta Berry" on Saturday. Wilson noted to BTW , "I really enjoyed the testing and will begin the migration of all participants to the new two authors, Katherine Neville and Steve Berry, interviewing each platform. other Saturday night. It was casual, natural, and we learned a great Questions about the migration should be addressed to ABA deal about both of them." E-Commerce Solution Director Ricky Leung at 60 Jewell echoed Wilson's sentiments. "They were obviously friends [email protected] . for a long time -- it felt like Old Home Week!" Another trade show hit was the Fire & Brimstone SIBA Barbecue Harcourt Introduces a New Generation featuring Diane Wilson, author of Holy Roller (Chelsea Green) and to Jim Copp's "Uncommonly Clever Frank Durham, author of Cain's Version (Turner Publishing). "The Tales" barbecue was stupendous!" Brewster said. September 30, 2008 -- When Jim Copp died in 1999, the New York Said Justice, "The barbecue was a super format.... I really enjoyed Times called him the "creator of children's records with loony listening to them read." tunes, literate lyrics, occasional dark themes, and wacky characters Both Justice and Brewster also gave thumbs-up to all of the show's like the Dog That Went to Yale." His first record, released in 1958, participating authors. "I thought all the authors went above and was, the Times noted, praised as "deliciously fresh and funny'' by beyond," said Brewster. "They were all wonderful. The Rep the New Yorker ; ''fresh, clever, and inventive'' by Time magazine; Around Breakfast was superb, and at the end everybody had such a and ''funny, sophisticated, uncondescending'' by The Atlantic . good time. That was a big highlight for me." She added: "Rick Copp's nine records, which were all produced between 1958 and Bragg was hysterical." 1971 with business partner Ed Brown, earned legions of lifelong "All the meal sessions were better than normal," Justice said. "I fans. really enjoyed myself. There was a nice area outside the convention 61 Now, Harcourt Children's Books has paired with Playhouse center that lent itself to booksellers talking one-on-one. I did a lot Records and illustrator Lindsay duPont to bring three of these of that." 1950s-era "uncommonly clever tales" to life in Jim Copp, Will You 62 During the show, SIBA introduced the 100,001 Book Project, an Tell Me a Story? , a hardcover book packaged with a CD of incentive program to entice members to insert the SIBA holiday Copp's original recordings. The new release has found favor with Scott Simon and Daniel Pinkwater, whose review on NPR's catalog in local newspapers. SIBA will reimburse booksellers 50 63 percent of their insertion costs up to $500. In return, stores will Weekend Edition "is worth listening to --if even just for their provide SIBA with aggregate sales data. "We want to sell 100,001 giggling," said Harcourt Children's Books Editor Samantha books," Jewell explained. SIBA's holiday catalog will also include McFerrin. a consumer survey. Customers who complete the survey are being Copp described the tools of his trade as "three Ampex tape asked to drop it off at a participating member store, where they will machines, a piano, a kazoo, to say nothing of a celeste, a be entered into a drawing for a free book (courtesy of SIBA). pump-organ, bongo drums (and don't forget the ratchet, the Booksellers will then send the surveys to SIBA for a second Autoharp, the tambourine, tin whistle, castanets, teacher's drawing to choose a grand prize-winner, who will be rewarded with

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 9 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK October 02, 2008 desk-bell) plus myriad reels of tape and editing gear." in love with the whole idea of it myself. I think this is a wonderful Bookselling This Week recently had the opportunity to talk via time to publish a collection like this. The market is interested in e-mail with Lindsay duPont, the illustrator of Jim Copp, Will You and charmed by things vintage. And the music world is Tell Me a Story , and Harcourt's McFerrin, about their efforts to experimenting with older methods of creating music. Jim's low-fi introduce Miss Goggins and the Gorilla, Martha Matilda O'Toole, sound and unique home style of recording to me sounds and other Copp characters to a new generation. contemporary. And his stories and crazy voices are timelessly entertaining -- and fun to imitate. I can do a pretty good Miss Goggins. Illustrator Lindsay duPont BTW: Of the dozens of Copp stories, why did you choose to BTW: How did you become involved in this project? feature "Kate Higgins," "Miss Goggins and the Gorilla," and "Martha Matilda O'Toole"? Lindsay duPont: One afternoon five years ago, I'd just finished listening to the CD Jim Copp Tales , and it occurred to me that the Samantha McFerrin: I wasn't a part of choosing these three stories would be so much fun to illustrate. I e-mailed an address on stories. But when the project came to me, I explored Jim's other the back of the CD with a message saying that I thought Jim Copp's songs to make sure these three were the right ones for the book. I stories would make wonderful picture books. Much to my surprise, think they are. They're some of Jim's most accessible and I got a response from Ted Leyhe, the owner of Playhouse Records. child-friendly songs. And they're some of his fans' favorites. I illustrated the first half of "Miss Goggins and the Gorilla," and BTW: Who would you say is the target audience for this book? Ted liked it. Samantha McFerrin: Old fans and new fans of all ages. Ted With his permission, I pitched the idea to Harcourt and they liked Leyhe continues to run Jim's record label, Playhouse Records, and it. A deal was born. Coincidentally, it was the very method that Ted he has seen a lot of interest in Jim's work over recent years. It Leyhe used in rediscovering Jim Copp. Ted is a record collector makes me think there are quite a few Jim Copp fans out there (among other things) and finding an LP of Jim Copp Tales , Mr. today. But I, for one -- along with my husband and little boy -- am Copp's first record, was always his most important quest. When he a new fan. And that happened very quickly and easily. Jim's work found it, he called the number on the back of the record jacket and is just so unique and funny and his story-songs are catchy. I'm Mr. Copp himself answered the phone. Eventually, thanks to Ted hoping that those who know they're fans will find this. But I also and that phone call, all of the recordings were re-released. hope that those who don't yet know they're fans will get their hands The original stories, which are included on a CD in the book, were on it, as well. The book and CD package turned out so lovely. 64 exclusively audio. This is the first book illustrating these delightful, --Interviewed by Karen Schechner politically incorrect, offbeat tales. BTW: How did you go about creating and drawing characters Wanted: Creative Events & Marketing for the book? Ideas for Graphic Novels Lindsay duPont: I grew up listening to Jim Copp Tales , a September 30, 2008 -- The American Booksellers Association well-worn LP that included the three stories in Jim Copp, Will You would like to hear from members who have hosted creative and fun Tell Me a Story? My brothers and sisters and I (all six of us) would events to promote graphic novels and comics -- including book sit in a circle around the little hat box-like record player and listen clubs, comic slams, mini comic conventions, or similar events. to the record over and over and over again. It became a part of our Booksellers' input will help guide ABA's Education Department DNA. A half-century later we continue to use "Jim Coppisms" as staff as they formulate content for the Fourth Annual Winter in, "How was I supposed to know?," or "I wish I was a frog," said Institute 65 's session "Creative Graphic Novel Events and in a very specific key with very particular word emphasis and Marketing." cadence. The session, aimed at events coordinators, frontline booksellers, Jim Copp liked to draw, too. I studied his drawings of Miss and others involved in marketing a store's graphic novels/comics Goggins, the Gorilla, Kate Higgins, and Martha Matilda O'Toole section, will be held from 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. on Friday, and tried to take his spirit and character and include them in my January 30, at the Winter Institute host hotel, the Salt Lake Marriott own interpretation. For example, in the drawings of students at Downtown. their desks, Mr. Copp would include a wonderfully expressive head sitting on top of a rectangle, every bit as wacky as his stories. I Booksellers interested in sharing their creative marketing ideas for graphic novels should contact ABA Education Coordinator Lisa expanded that image by adding bodies, arms, legs, and clothing 66 while trying to keep the essence of the expression of his students. Winn at [email protected] . The editor and art director expanded it further by requesting chairs. I think our Kate Higginses are very closely related. October 31 Deadline for ABA Board of Directors Nominations Samantha McFerrin, Editor, Harcourt Children's Books September 30, 2008 -- The American Booksellers Association's BTW: What drew you to Jim Copp's work, and what made you Nominating Committee, chaired by Steve Bercu of BookPeople in decide to create this collection now? Austin, Texas, is searching for qualified candidates to serve on the ABA Board of Directors 67 . Any ABA member may submit Samantha McFerrin: I inherited this project after it was acquired nominations for board directors via an electronic form 68 or a and even after the stories were picked and initial sketches were downloadable PDF 69 on BookWeb.org 70 . The deadline for done. I believe it was our publisher at the time, Lori Benton, who nominations is Friday, October 31. saw the potential in this wonderfully quirky project. But I was 71 allowed to decide to take it on or not, so I did have a chance to fall Under the association's bylaws , the terms of three members of

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 10 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK October 02, 2008 the nine-member board expire each year, and at least one of the Frank at (850) 597-2046 or [email protected] 81 for more three nominated candidates cannot have served on the current information. board. Board members are eligible for two three-year terms. Nomad Bookhouse and Cafe in Jackson, Michigan A candidate for the Board of Directors must be an ABA member (www.nomadbookhouse.com 82 ) is closing our doors on October who is the owner or employee of an independent bookstore with a 4th. We will be liquidating September 30 - October 4. We have storefront location that is operated according to sound business over 9,000 new HC & PB books, 3 Booklog stations, shelving principles. In addition, a candidate must have at least three years of galore, kids' area furniture and fixtures as well as full coffee bar recent experience as the owner or employee of a member company. equipment and items. Contact Bridget at (517) 990-0700 or It is desirable that nominees have at least two years of experience [email protected] 83 for more information. Sale will as an active volunteer in ABA or in a regional association or other run September 30 - October 4 (10 - 8 weekdays and 10 - 5 on constituency organization, or possess similar experience. Complete Saturday). If you are interested but will be at the regional show in qualifications are outlined in the "ABA Nomination and Election Dearborn, please call for a private showing. Guidelines 72 ." The Nominating Committee requests that as much information as possible be provided about candidates. All information will be kept All Regular ABA Member Bookstores in good standing may confidential. have up to four 2-week Classified Ad insertions per year in Bookselling This Week at no charge (50-word limit). For more information on booking a classified ad, click here 84 . Booksellers Challenged to Tell a Friend September 29, 2008 -- Booksellers who have nominated titles to the Other Advertising Indie Next Lists in the past are being enlisted to help bring new Selling to Zebras: How to Close 90% of the Business You Pursue voices to the chorus of those contributing recommendations to 85 future lists. The "Tell-a-Bookseller-Friend" Indie Next List Faster, More Easily, and More Profitably Nomination Challenge 73 encourages past contributors to tell Jeff Koser & Chad Koser bookseller friends who have never nominated a title to the lists just Greenleaf Book Group Press how easy it is to do. When the new nominator writes a blurb for a 978-1-929774-57-9 title and submits it online at BookWeb.org, both she and the OverSuccess: Healing the American Obsession with Wealth, bookseller who encouraged her to do so will be entered into a 86 random drawing to each win a $150 ABA gift card. Fame, Power, and Perfection Jim Rubens Nominated titles can be either frontlist or backlist, in hardcover or Greenleaf Book Group Press paperback, and -- as with all Indie Next List nominations -- they 978-1-929774-76-0 should be titles that booksellers are enthusiastically looking forward to handselling to their customers in the upcoming weeks. Getting in the Christmas Spirit 87 Nominations can be fiction or nonfiction, including such categories Tian Dayton as mystery, children's, cooking, or poetry. Emerald Book Company At least one member of the team must be a first-time nominator to 978-1-427626-14-1 the Book Sense Picks or Indie Next List. Both members of the team must be associated with an ABA Regular Bookstore member in Fairmount Books good standing. The Indie Next List nomination page 74 includes a Remainders link to the complete Official Rules. The Indie Next List Great Prices Nomination Challenge runs until Friday, January 2, 2009. All Subjects 5000+ titles 50% discount Visit us at fairmountbooks.com 88

Just what God needs ... an ad agency. The Happy Soul Industry: A Novel 89 by Steffan Postaer HappySoulIndustry.com 90 Classifieds FOR SALE Books & Bytes Bookstore & Internet Cafe in Quincy, FL (www.BooksAndBytes.biz 80 ) is liquidating. We have ~5,000 new & used HC & PB books (priced @ $25K), 2 Anthology stations, and 6 customer computers. Buy all for $30K OBO. Contact Mike

Links in this document: 1. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6247 2. See http://www.bookweb.org/membership/products/treeline.html 3. See http://www.bookweb.org/events/institute.html

4. See http://www.bookweb.org/events/institute.html 5. See http://www.bookweb.org/events/institute 6. See mailto:[email protected] 7. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6291 8. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/indiebound/nextlist/08OctNote.pdf 9. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6256 10. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/indiebound/nextlist/08OctNoteTalk.pdf 11. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6301 12. See mailto:[email protected] 13. See mailto:[email protected] 14. See http://www.riversendbookstore.com/ 15. See http://waterstreet.booksense.com/ 16. See http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/ 17. See http://www.villagebooks.com/ 18. See mailto:[email protected] 19. See http://www.bannedbooksweek.org 20. See http://www.nightbirdbooks.com/ 21. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/25994469@N05/show/ 22. See http://www.abffe.com 23. See mailto:[email protected] 24. See mailto:[email protected] 25. See http://www.learnedowl.com/ 26. See http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/4435762 27. See http://www.boulderbookstore.com/ 28. See http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/sep/29/words-worth/ 29. See http://www.boulder-iba.org/ 30. See http://www.annieblooms.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp 31. See http://www.annieblooms.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp 32. See http://news.bookweb.org/booksense/1790.html 33. See http://news.bookweb.org/booksense/1790.html 34. See http://www.moesbooks.com/moes/index.htm 35. See http://www.examiner.com/x-706-East-Bay-Literary-Examiner~y2008m10d1-Moes-Books-The-Best-Of-Berkeley 36. See http://www.subbooks.com 37. See http://www.riverfronttimes.com/ 38. See http://www.forewordmagazine.com 39. See http://www.netgalley.com 40. See http://www.publishers.org/ 41. See http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/ 42. See http://childrensbookambassador.com/ 43. See http://www.internationalpublishers.org/ 44. See http://www.ibf-booksellers.org/ 45. See http://www.abffe.com 46. See http://www.harvard.com/ 47. See http://news.bookweb.org/news/6115.html 48. See http://cambridgelocalfirst.org/ 49. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound/nextlist/nominate.html 50. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6305 51. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound/nextlist/nominate.html 52. See mailto:[email protected] 53. See http://www.olssons.com/ 54. See http://www.midwestbooksellers.org 55. See http://www.bookweb.org/events/institute 56. See mailto:[email protected] 57. See http://www.sibaweb.com/ 58. See mailto:[email protected] 59. See http://www.bookweb.org/solutions/ecommerce 60. See mailto:[email protected] 61. See http://www.indiebound.org/aff/bookweb1?product=9780152063313

62. See http://www.indiebound.org/aff/bookweb1?product=9780152063313 63. See http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94352775 64. See mailto:[email protected] 65. See http://www.bookweb.org/events/institute.html 66. See mailto:[email protected] 67. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/govern/board.html 68. See http://www.bookweb.org/education/member/nominations.html 69. See http://www.bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/2008_nom_form.pdf 70. See http://www.bookweb.org 71. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/govern/bylaws.html 72. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/govern/election.html 73. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound/nextlist/nominate.html 74. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound/nextlist/nominate.html 75. See http://www.BooksAndBytes.biz 76. See mailto:[email protected] 77. See http://www.nomadbookhouse.com 78. See mailto:[email protected] 79. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/ads/booksellers.html 80. See http://www.BooksAndBytes.biz 81. See mailto:[email protected] 82. See http://www.nomadbookhouse.com 83. See mailto:[email protected] 84. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/ads/booksellers.html 85. See http://www.greenleafbookgroup.com/author.cfm?AuthorID=65 86. See http://www.greenleafbookgroup.com/author.cfm?AuthorID=66 87. See http://www.sweetsymbols.com/Getting-in-the-Christmas-Spirit-excerpts.pdf 88. See http://www.fairmountbooks.com 89. See http://www.happysoulindustry.com 90. See http://www.happysoulindustry.com