Like many booksellers, we are shocked at the news that Baker & Taylor is suspending its retail wholesale operations. We are offering support and resources during this important time of transition. 

Are you a store that has used only Baker & Taylor and aren't sure the best way forward? Please contact us! Publishers are mobilizing their staff to offer direct customer service to help you move forward and they want to know which stores might need outreach. 

Big 5 map

• Very helpful map of the big 5 publishers and their imprints

​
MIBA RESOURCES
Helpline

• Email Carrie Obry, director of MIBA: carrie@midwestbooksellers.org
• Email Kate Rattenborg, MIBA president and owner of Dragonfly Books: kate@dragonflybooks.com 
• Join the Midwest Independent Bookseller Facebook group to pose questions with your Midwestern peers who likely know you and your market better than then national group
• Join the national Indie Bookseller Facebook group where many of these topics are being actively discussed among booksellers across the country

Were you using Books & More, B&T's web hosting solution? Consider switching over to one of ABA's e-commerce/web hosting solutions.

• IndieCommerce bookseller resource: Sarah Krammen, Dragonfly Books, sarah@dragonflybooks.com 
• IndieLite bookseller resource: Sue Roegge, Chapter 2 Books, sueroegge@comcast.net

ABA RESOURCES
If you aren't already a member, join the American Booksellers Association. Their Book Buyer's Handbook is the most up-to-date resource available for navigating direct publisher orders.
Details of every offer announced by a publisher or wholesale distribution company since May 1 have been added to a special page in the Book Buyer’s Handbook on BookWeb.org; the details of any forthcoming offer will be added to this list as ABA is made aware of them.

Scroll down for the following

• Bookazine
• Independent Publishers Group
• Ingram Wholesale

INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS GROUP
Contact: orders@ipgbook.com, 800-888-4741

IPG has launched the Indie Direct program. With the aim of offering independent booksellers another option for ordering directly, the IPG offer provides special terms for one order between May 10 and September 1.

For NEW Accounts

• No prepayment required for first order.
• Automatic credit limit of $1000 for opening a new account - no credit application required.

For ALL accounts

• Order 10 or more units and receive an additional 5% discount.
• Net 60 dating on this order.
• Free freight for 10+ units ordered.
• Qualifying orders placed by 11 a.m. central time will ship by the end of the next business day.
• Contact IPG’s dedicated indie bookstore sales team to assist with ordering.

Specific information, including a promo code and ordering details, will be sent directly to bookstores from IPG’s dedicated indie bookstore sales team. In the meantime, stores can contact customer service at (800) 888-IPG1 or orders@ipgbook.com. Our Midwest stores can contact their rep at Fujii & Associates group, who represents IPG. http://www.fujiiassociates.com/our-people/

INGRAM WHOLESALE
​​Ingram offers special programs designed to fit the unique needs of indie bookstores, including access to a huge inventory of products, and dedicated support. See their overview of independent bookstore services. The Indie Vault (stock set aside for indie stores) is being augmented with a broader selection, and increased quantities.

Read the overview: Read Ingram's statement of support and list of services in Bookselling This Week

Open an account: Find your state below and contact your rep. They will help you open an account and navigate everything you see here. 
​
Increase your credit line:  Ingram is pro-actively working to increase bookstore credit lines and provide attractive offers to manage this transiation. Please contact your rep to discuss your specific needs and ask them what they can offer you.

​Take advantage of BookLove rebates: What is BookLove? An exclusive indie bookstore program that triggers rebates upon reaching a specified annual sales goal. Basically, the more booklove you help spread, the  more money you make. Check out the BookLove rebate program.

MIBA regional contacts: Access all Ingram contacts via the Ingram website or downloadable PDF.
customerservice@ingramcontent.com, 800-937-8200
​
Ron Smithson, Director, Sales
Ron.Smithson@ingramcontent.com
615.613.4778
 
Nancy Rohlen, Wholesale Sales Manager
States: IA, IL, MI, MN, MO, and WI
Nancy.Rohlen@ingramcontent.com
773.682.8305
 
​Frank Domenico, Inside Sales Representative
States: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, and WI
Frank.Domenico@ingramcontent.com
800.937.8222, ext. 28353
 
Trent Shaw, Sales Representative
States: ND
Trent.Shaw@ingramcontent.com
503.764.9259
 
Evan Shaver
Inside Sales Representative
States: ND
Evan.Shaver@ingramcontent.com
800.937.8222 ext. 28322

Scroll down for the following

• Blackstone Publishing
• Capstone
• Chooseco
• Free Spirit Publishing
  
• Hachette Book Group
  
• HarperCollins
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Independent Publishers Group
• Macmillan
• New Harbinger
• Peachtree
• Penguin Random House
• Scholastic
• Simon & Schuster
• Wisconsin Historical Society Press
• Workman

CAPSTONE
 
New Bookstore Account Opening Order Program 

Any new account that meets the Capstone accounting criteria will receive the following:

• First order of 15 or more assorted books will earn a 53% discount plus FF
• Subsequent orders will receive regular terms: 1-249 = 50%; 250+ = 55%. Free Freight on 15+.

Opening order must use promo code: NewAcct2019

TO ORDER: See your Capstone representative or contact the Capstone customer service department, Monday thru Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, central time.

Contact: Trade@capstonepub.com
Toll Free Phone: 1-877-245-4892
Toll Free Fax: 1-888-262-0705
Email: Trade@capstonepub.com
Mail: Capstone Customer Service 
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
Program ends December 31, 2019.

All discounts, prices, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

CHOOSECO
Contact: orders@chooseco.com

Following Baker & Taylor's departure from the retail market, Chooseco, the publisher of Choose Your Own Adventure stories, has announced that its Choose Indies Direct program is eligible for any publishers who do not already have a pre-existing account with Chooseco. The terms are as follows:

• 50% off with no MOQ
• Free freight for orders of 10+ units
• No prepayment
• Net 60 terms
• No credit application or credit check necessary

The code for accessing the program is "CHOOSEINDIES" and the special is valid through October 1. Orders can be sent to orders@chooseco.com or through Edelweiss.

FREE SPIRIT PUBLISHING
Contact: indies@freespirit.com, 612-338-2068
 
In response to Baker & Taylor exiting the retail wholesale market, Free Spirit Publishing is pleased to announce that we will offer special terms for indie bookstores looking to establish direct accounts with publishers. We believe in the importance of our titles and the value of independent bookstores. We are committed to supporting indies during this transition and moving forward.
 
For more than 35 years, Free Spirit Publishing—best known for the award-winning title Hands Are Not for Hitting—has been committed to publishing resources that meet kids where they are (not where we wish they were). Our books support kids’ social and emotional learning and educational needs to help them build resiliency and foster a positive outlook on life to reach their goals. For more information, click here to read Free Spirit’s press release.
 

• Click here to view Free Spirit’s special discounts and terms.

 

• Click here to view Free Spirit’s complete frontlist, backlist, and specialty catalogs on Edelweiss+. Add indies@freespirit.com as a contact on Edelweiss+ to place an order.

 
Please contact indies@freespirit.com for expedited help opening an account or to confirm discounts and terms for existing accounts.

Hachette Book Group
Contact: telephonesales@hbgusa.com, 800-934-5252
​
From Shelf Awareness
Hachette Book Group is launching Indie Direct, which is designed for any indie bookstore that does not already have an account with HBG. (The new account must be set up and first order received by August 30.)

Benefits include expedited account set-up; no minimum quantity on the bookstore's initial order; expedited credit approval; and additional discount for the store's initial order in the program. The program is applicable for all HBG titles and the titles of participating client publishers, which include Abrams, Chronicle Books, Disney Book Group, Hachette UK, Kids Can Press, Moleskine, Octopus, Phaidon, piKids, Quercus/Nicholas Brealey, Quarto Publishing Group and Yen Press.

"Hachette Book Group is committed to independent bookstores and the amazing work they do on behalf of our authors and our books," said Alison Lazarus, executive v-p, group sales director. "With HBG's Indie Direct promotion, we're pleased to extend our support to those independent booksellers who do not currently have accounts with HBG. Our goal is to help onboard these stores with an easy transition plan, and to eliminate any concerns about ordering books from us or our client publisher partners. We're looking forward to establishing relationships with new bookstore partners."
Booksellers with questions about the program should contact HBG's telephone sales team at telephonesales@hbgusa.com or 800-934-5252.

HARPERCOLLINS
Contact: openaccount@harpercollins.com
​
New Indie Account Fast-Track Program
For all bricks and mortar independent bookstores who were ordering all their HarperCollins, Harlequin and HarperCollins Christian titles from Baker & Taylor, we offer fast-tracked credit approval and account set up to help you open a new HarperCollins account.

To apply:

• ABA members can find our Credit Application on BookWeb.org, and you can also access it by clicking on the image on the right. Please fill out and submit to OpenAccount@harpercollins.com
• ​When reaching out please specify that you are a former Baker & Taylor account
• Every effort will be made to expedite the account review and set up process
• No order required to open an account
• Effective through October 1, 2019

​Once you have an account:

• A sales consultant will be assigned to help you with order questions, register you on our
• customer service website and make sure you are maximizing our terms of sale.
• Orders received by 3pm (EST) will ship out the next business day
• All HarperCollins, Harlequin and HarperCollins Christian titles can be combined on orders.
• Our frontlist and backlist catalogs are available on Edelweiss and we encourage all accounts to
• utilize the tools available on Above the Treeline.

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
Contact: indiefasttrack@hmhco.com

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media today announced that it has launched Fast Track, a new program for independent bookstores who are impacted by the recent Baker & Taylor decision to depart the retail wholesale business.

As part of the Fast Track program, HMH offers the following terms on all front and backlist orders:

• Expedited account setup for new accounts that were working with Baker & Taylor
• Special offer on the first order
• Waived minimum order quantities
• Free outbound shipping
• A direct sales representative contact to work closely with accounts on this process
• In addition, HMH has updated its backlist stock offers and is offering the opportunity to order backlist under new terms. Interested stores can contact their rep or reach out via Indie Fast Track.
• Offer until Oct. 1, 2019

“HMH is committed to our independent bookstore partners and to a flourishing retail marketplace,” says Ed Spade, VP, Sales and National Accounts, HMH Books & Media. “We’re glad that we can offer the Fast Track program to streamline new account set up and initial ordering for these valued indie accounts and we’re grateful for the support they provide for our books and authors.” HMH is ready to work quickly with independent partners. Please contact IndieFastTrack@hmhco.com regarding next steps.  

NEW HARBINGER
New Harbinger Publications, the publisher for self-help, psychology and spirituality, is pleased to offer independent bookstores the following direct terms.
 
For accounts that have not purchased direct from us within the last two years or more, we are offering the following “First Order” special.
 
First Order Special

• Expedited Account Set Up (less than two days and in some cases 2 hours!)
• 49.5% of suggested retail price
• Free shipping for orders of 10 units or more

New Harbinger’s Independent Bookstore Terms

• Free shipping for orders of 10 units or more
• 47% off suggested retail price on all products
• Net 30
• Returns accepts
• Field representation across the US, please contact New Harbinger for your rep’s contact info

Visit our Resellers page for our latest catalogs, credit app, and more:
​https://www.newharbinger.com/resellers

PEACHTREE PUBLISHERS will offer a package of special terms to new customers and those who have not ordered from Peachtree for more than a year. Specifically, the company wants to reach those independent booksellers impacted by Baker & Taylor’s recent announcement that it will no longer distribute books to retail accounts. 

For these customers, Peachtree has issued the following incentives (valid until November 1, 2019): 

• A special discount on initial orders;
• A simple online application for new accounts;
• Free freight with low minimums.

Peachtree also confirmed that in addition to ordering directly from the company, booksellers can work with a network of experienced sales representatives serving indie booksellers all over the country. The company partners with Como Sales, Parson Weems Publisher Services, Imprint Group, and Fujii Associates.  

“We understand many booksellers are actively seeking alternative ways to stock their stores,” said Margaret Quinlin, Peachtree President and Publisher.  “We are grateful for their ongoing support of our titles and want to do whatever we can to return the favor.” 

For more information on terms or to open a new account, please email indieoutreach@peachtree-online.com. 

Peachtree Publishing Company Inc. produces award-winning children’s books, ranging from board books and picture books to middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. We create books that educate, entertain, encourage, and endure. 

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
Contact: indiesexpress@penguinrandomhouse.com

If you do not currently have a Penguin Random House account, or if your Penguin Random House account has been inactive for more than a year, you are eligible for our Indies Express program, which includes:

• A streamlined new-account application (now available online) – no opening order necessary
• A streamlined credit-approval process (for Baker & Taylor customers in good standing)
• Special offer on your first order (includes a lower unit-minimum)
• Dedicated PRH sales director with expertise in helping B&T customers transition to ordering directly from Penguin Random House
• Dedicated PRH sales reps (community bookstore specialists) to help you navigate seasonal frontlist ordering and backlist replenishment
• Special offer from Above the Treeline to help with inventory management

 
Many of us are former independent booksellers, so we know firsthand how busy you are, and how important it is for you to be able to focus on running your business and serving your customers. We hope you will contact us soon, and we look forward to working with you more closely in the future.
 
Thank you again for everything you do to support our titles,
The Penguin Random House Sales Team
 
For more information, e-mail IndiesExpress@prh.com
(This offer expires on 10/1/2019)

SCHOLASTIC
Contact: tradescholastic@scholastic.com, 877-624-2767
​
Scholastic Trade Publishing would like to let our indie bookseller customers know that we are here to assist you in the transition from B&T’s exit from the retail business. We know that there are many viable wholesale options for you to order Scholastic books, and want to make this transition as seamless as possible for you so we’re offering the following for direct purchases from Scholastic: 

1. Scholastic will institute our popular HOLIDAY EXPRESS SHIP PROGRAM effective June 1st, 2019! Place your backlist orders directly with Scholastic between June 1st, 2019 and August 30, 2019, and receive express, two-day shipping for the summer!
2. We are extending our Backlist Stock Offer to July 31st, 2019. With this offer, you have the choice of an additional 2% discount, or delayed billing until the extended date of October 15th.
3. Whether you are an existing or new account with Scholastic, we are ready to assist with your order.

• For existing accounts, please contact your sales rep or Customer Service directly with questions or to place your order.
• For new accounts, we have set up a dedicated email and phone number (see below) to take you quickly through the new account set up process, answer any questions you may have and get your opening order on its way – no minimum quantity needed for opening order.
• Our credit department will work expeditiously to ensure your orders are approved and processed quickly.

Customer Service email: TradeScholastic@Scholastic.com 

Customer Service phone #: 877-624-2767 
​
Thank you very much for your continued support of Scholastic’s publishing program, wherever you decide to source the books! 

SIMON & SCHUSTER
Contact: indiebiz@simonandschuster.com, 800-976-1725

Simon & Schuster announced the launch of Indie Quick Start, an enhanced direct purchasing enrollment program designed for any independent bookstore that does not have a current account with Simon & Schuster and that will be impacted by the recent Baker & Taylor decision to cease serving retail accounts. In order to participate, the new account must be set up and have placed orders with Simon & Schuster by August 30.
 
As part of the program, Simon & Schuster is offering to independent bookstores without a current account, or accounts that have been inactive for a year:

• Expedited application and credit approval process
• Quick initial order processing and no minimum for new customer initial orders

• Simon & Schuster’s previously announced promotional terms for new store openings

 
Titles included in the Indie Quick Start program include all of Simon & Schuster’s wholly-owned publishing and the titles of its distribution client publishers.
 
“Simon & Schuster values and is committed to our independent bookstore partners and the overall health of the retail marketplace,” said Gary Urda, Senior Vice President, Sales, Simon & Schuster. “With this Indie Quick Start program we hope to both ease and speed the path to direct ordering for new customers, creating and building new relationships in this important bookselling channel. We are also working closely with all of our demand wholesale partners to insure that they, too, are fully prepared to supply this important marketplace with our titles. In short, we are open for business, ready to welcome new indie accounts, and look forward to providing them with our world-class customer service.”

Simon & Schuster has assigned a dedicated customer service representative to handle the Indie Quick Start process, and has set up a dedicated phone line and email inbox.  For more information booksellers can contact Simon & Schuster at 800-976-1725 or IndieBiz@simonandschuster.com
 
CONTACT:
Adam Rothberg
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
212-698-1132, adam.rothberg@simonandschuster.com

WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESS
From Jen Rubin
608-264-6483
Jen.rubin@wisconsinhistory.org

With Baker and Taylor closing, we wanted to remind you that you can order Wisconsin Historical Society Press books directly through Chicago Distribution Center. Many of you already have accounts, but you can contact the CDC at 800-621-2736/orders@press.uchicago.edu. You can also order books via our sales rep Bruce Miller at bruce@millertrade.com.

WORKMAN
In response to Baker & Taylor’s departure from the retail wholesale business, Workman Publishing Co., Inc., is introducing sweeping changes to address the needs of new and existing independent bookstore accounts. The new terms aim to make it easier for accounts to order both frontlist and backlist titles and are effective immediately.

The terms are applicable for titles published by all Workman imprints, including Workman Publishing, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Algonquin Young Readers, Artisan, Storey Publishing, and Timber Press, as well as distributed partners The Experiment, duopress, and Erewhon Books. Benefits include:

• Lower minimums for free freight

• Changing how backlist is defined to make it easier for indie accounts to reach minimums on backlist stock-up offers
• Extra discount earned on face-out quantities on all frontlist titles
• Easy credit application process for new accounts (now available online) and a New Store Special with no-minimum
  
  

Existing accounts are encouraged to contact their sales representatives for further information. Details will also be available through the American Booksellers Association and regional independent bookseller association. New accounts that complete an online form will receive a response within 24 hours and an expedited credit approval process.

New Account form link: https://www.workman.com/retailer-information/ordering#newaccount
“Baker & Taylor’s transition away from serving retail accounts creates an opportunity to examine our relationship with independent bookstores and redefine it in ways that are good for the health of all of us. Our response addresses the needs of smaller accounts that were previously sourcing exclusively through wholesalers, and existing indie partners as well,” said James Wehrle, executive director of sales, Workman Publishing.

Dan Reynolds, Workman’s chief executive officer, commented: “From the moment of Workman’s founding over fifty years ago, independent bookstores have been critically important to our success as an independent publisher. Indies are open to all the different kinds of books we publish, including the quirkier ones, and have provided a generous home in their sections for our backlist. Given that 80% of our sales by volume is generated by our rich and vibrant backlist, that’s no small thing. We also feel a special kinship with indies because of relationships forged through our own invaluable independent sales reps. As soon as we learned of the Baker & Taylor news, we knew it was time to step up and do what we could to strengthen our partnership with this core segment of our business.”

We're excited to announce we've hired Kate Scott to fill the role of Program Specialist. Kate will be joining us from Dragonfly Books, a member store in Decorah, Iowa, where she worked as Events Coordinator since 2013. Prior to that, she was the director of the Oneota Film Festival, and also worked in marketing at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont.

Additionally, Kate recently helped MIBA execute a very successful program. In March, MIBA hosted our first-ever Spring Roadtrip, which took place in Decorah and in conjunction with Dragonfly Books. Kate planned and hosted the meeting from start to finish, proving her skills in event planning and execution. "I was so impressed by her meticulousness and attention to detail. She went above and beyond all expectations," says Carrie Obry, MIBA's director. 

Kate will be based in Decorah, a vibrant Midwest city with a downtown rich with independent businesses. Dragonfly Books owner and MIBA board president, Kate Rattenborg, says Kate Scott helped Dragonfly cultivate exceptional relationships with publishers. "While we'll miss the talent she has brought to Dragonfly for years, I'm very excited to support Kate as she develops her career in independent bookselling." 

Kate will start acclimating to her new role on June 3 and be fully on board starting June 24. She will specialize in program management, helping us develop and execute exceptional programs and events for all our members, including Midwest Connections, publisher marketing, and event registration. Please visit her at the registration desk at Heartland in Cleveland.

​You can reach Kate at kate@midwestbooksellers.org, so please update your contacts. 

We're getting excited for our Spring Roadtrip to Decorah, featuring education for booksellers, author reception, and many opportunities to hang out with your colleagues and friends while visiting a beautiful, historic Midwestern town.

Please review all the meeting details as you make your plans. As a reminder...

• March 24: Literary Open Mic. Register to read here
• March 25: Meeting at Hotel Winneshiek and Dragonfly Books. Register to attend

Also, have some fun while you're in Decorah and visit some of Dragonfly staff's favorite places! Save some extra time for yourself if you can and inspire yourself by wandering around a town rich with independent businesses. See you there!

Click around below or go directly to the map in full-size view

Primary meeting locations

• Pulpit Rock Brewing Company
• Hotel Winneshiek
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Decorah
• Dragonfly Books

Sarah's Top Decorah Picks!

• Cardboard Robot
• T-Bock's
• Impact Coffee
• The Courtyard & Cellar
• Red-Roxy Quilt Co

Kate R.'s Top Decorah Picks!

• Vesterheim: The National Norwegian-American Museum & Heritage Center
• Ruby's Restaurant & Catering
• Blue Heron Knittery
• Winneshiek County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Kate S.'s Top Decorah Picks!

• Decorah Public Library
• Decorah Hatchery
• Donlon Pharmacy & Toy Jungle
• Magpie Restaurant & Cafe
• Modish

"As you know, the Book World Company closed all of their stores in January 2018.  One of their stores was located in the Junction Shopping Center, DeKalb IL. They left all of their trade fixtures in this store.  The Junction Center tried to market this store as a turnkey bookstore but was not successful in finding a new tenant for this space. In December, we started to liquidate all fixtures in the store. We have sold about 40 % of the fixtures but still have over two hundred available for sale. Most of the available fixtures are the 4 feet bookcases as listed in your January 2018 posting."
 
I thought your members in the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association may have an interest in these fixtures. Please contact me if you have any questions."
  
Richard Finn
Junction Shopping Center
DeKalb, IL 60178
815 761 0830 (cell)
Junctioncenter.com

What a wonderful year! Over the course of 2018, our association enjoyed a new record high: 23 independent bookstores joined our ranks. Of these stores, 11 opened their doors for the first time; 10 were already open; and 2 are prospective stores in the processing of opening. 

What do we attribute this to? Last year, we witnessed the closing of Book World, a family-run chain of more than 40 stores throughout the Midwest. In its wake, a number of single independent bookstores opened in storefronts and towns that previously had a Book World.

In addition, last year we introduced a brand-new program: the Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap, an old-school foldable "roadmap" of Midwest bookstores as well as book-related ads (see photo on the right), distributed for free to consumers across our region. As we've shared before, it was a tremendous success and led quite a few stores our way so they could enjoy a custom Kevin Cannon store illustration and be included in this year's roadmap. Especially fun, the consumer contest organized around the hashtag #BookstoreRoadmap has led to an amazing collection of smiling customer posing outside of our member stores.

In the 2018 calendar year, MIBA welcomed the following stores to its membership. Please get to know them and welcome them to another prosperous year in bookselling. 

Opened in 2018
Canterbury Book Store in Escanaba MI 
Wild Thyme Books in Carbondale IL 
Novel Bay Booksellers in Sturgeon Bay WI 
The Book Deal in Madison WI (used bookstore) 
OtherWorlds Books & More in Sturgeon Bay WI 
Skylark Bookshop in Columbia MO
River Dog Book Co. in Beaver Dam WI 
Dotters Books in Eau Claire WI 
Cream & Amber in Hopkins MN
The Willow Bookstore in Perham MN 
The Irreverent Bookworm in Minneapolis MN 

Opened previously
The Book Store in Appleton WI 
Driftless Books in Wabasha MN 
Corner Books in Minneapolis  
The Sly Fox Bookstore in Virden IL
Whimsy on Main in Milbank SD 
The Book Shoppe in Boone IA 
M and M Bookstore in Cedar Rapids 
The Village Booksmith in Baraboo WI 
EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore in University City MO 
Heritage Store in Pierre SD (opened 1989)

Two additional member stores that are not yet opened are not listed here.

Direct mail
Direct mail (which includes house lists and saturation) are scheduled to start shipping 10/28 with in-home delivery of 11/7 through 11/10
 
E-newsletter powered by Shelf Awareness
Many stores are participating in our new e-newsletter campaign powered by Shelf Awareness. We are releasing four issues of catalog titles with Shelf, with the titles spread evenly across all four. (Note: About 15 titles were sold as print-only ads and won't appear in the e-newsletters.)

• Issue 1: Wednesday, 11/14 (feature title is Red & Lulu, 9780763677336)
• Issue 2: Wednesday, 11/28 (feature title is Virgil Wander, 9780802128782)
• Issue 3: Wednesday, 12/5 (feature title is Narwhal and Jelly Book #1 and Puppet Set, 9780735265349)
• Issue 4: Wednesday, 12/12 (feature title is Born Criminal: Matilda Joslyn, Radical Suffragist, 9781941813188

 
Browsable PDF
Use THIS LINK to share an ad-free version of the catalog online
Long version
https://indd.adobe.com/view/27bd1c21-25a0-4574-8214-d0ae00deedc4
Custom tiny URL
https://tinyurl.com/GiveBooks2018
​
Point-of-Sale
Every store that placed a catalog order will receive a package of printed point-of-sale items to help decorate the store. You can preview the package here, and also print all of the items yourself. Estimated delivery of Nov 5. 

Digital stuff
Banner ads and social media graphics are available now for download. Check them out here. 
 
E-Commerce Landing Page
IndieCommerce and IndieLite stores can link to the holiday catalog by appending this to their website URL: "/holiday/MIBA/holidaycatalog.html"
 
For example, if Common Good wants to link the catalog to their site, it would be
https://www.commongoodbooks.com/holiday/MIBA/holidaycatalog.html
 
When customers click on the 'Buy this Book' button on the catalog, they will be taken to Common Good’s website to purchase the book.
 
Title list
http://www.midwestbooksellers.org/uploads/4/4/1/7/44171411/miba_final_title_list_2018.xls
 
Edelweiss list
https://www.edelweiss.plus/#catalogID=4299483&page=1

Special order
The catalog contains a title that won't be found via customary distribution methods. We chose to work with this author because he is supporting independent business in every aspect of this book.
 
State of Craft Beer (978-0-692-86591-0)
www.stateofcraft.beer
Retails for $45; $30 wholesale
Matt Janzen is the creator and sole distributer. He accepts returns. There are no minimums, and he offers free shipping on orders of (5) or more.
 
Please contact him directly to place an order:
Matt Janzen
(920) 988-7992
matt@stateofcraft.beer
 
From Janzen: "The book is entirely produced in the Midwest — following through on my goal to highlight small businesses that contribute to the local economy. It is also not available on Amazon, which goes a step further to make good on that promise. This is the perfect gift for anyone who's even mildly curious about craft beer."

Running a successful independent bookstore requires an extraordinary level of creativity, commitment, and innovation. The effects of this dedicated work often extend well beyond the walls of any one bookstore and lift up an entire community.
 
We’re celebrating the transformative roles booksellers play by granting our first-ever Midwest Bookseller of the Year award to an independent bookseller who had an extraordinary impact on his or her community within the previous year.
 
We're honored to grant the award to Judith Kissner, founder, owner, and bookseller at Scout & Morgan Books in Cambridge, Minnesota.
 
Our board reached this decision by asking our membership to nominate booksellers, then working directly with community members and industry professionals to create a detailed picture of their accomplishments. The effusive, detailed testimonials we received about Judith’s work are truly inspiring and demonstrate what it means to embody excellence as a bookseller in 2018.
 
“Her little store makes a big impact,” says customer Molly Bernhagen. Customer Tim Nelson says, “She seems to be called to help this community realize its full potential, and to ensure this potential is marked by the empathy and togetherness so often cultivated by reading.”
 
By all accounts, Scout & Morgan is a beacon in Cambridge, a small, rural community of 8,000, an area customers say is an unlikely spot for an independent bookstore store to exist, much less thrive. Nelson says, “At a time when so many people are trying to comprehend the changes happening in communities of the rural Midwest, there are reasons for hope and optimism beaming through the front door of her bookstore.”

Morgan McComb from The Raven Book Store in Lawrence, KS was one of two recipients of BookExpo's scholarship program that sent two booksellers from each region to the show. Thank you BookExpo for the generous program, and Morgan for the excellent review!

"This year was my inaugural BookExpo experience, and as a new bookseller, I felt so welcomed. The opportunity to meet and talk with other independent booksellers around the country was invaluable, and through them I have learned new ways to push our bookstore in Kansas to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The sheer volume of independent bookstores in the country and their various specialties is a testament to why independent bookstores are not only not in financial trouble, but are thriving--and it is all because so many of us take community engagement as a imperative in the work we do.

One of my most memorable experiences was getting to meet the editors of the Catapult/Soft Skull team, a press that we have long loved and supported at the Raven--getting the opportunity to meet the editors I have been exchanging e-mails and galleys with as well as to see an editorial team that takes representation and literature seriously. What I especially enjoyed was hearing about how publishers like Catapult are also engaging with their communities, both a New York City community and a more national and/or global community through their online writing courses. Being able to see first-hand how the publishing world is evolving was a special experience.

BookExpo itself is an overwhelmingly joyful experience, one where I was able to meet the best up-and-coming writers (Tommy Orange, especially!) and meet new writers and publishers who can help us at the Raven better serve the reading interests of our customers and beyond. Though BookExpo is an excellent opportunity to develop essential professional connections and skills in the bookselling world, it ultimately felt like the largest book club I have ever been a part of, and the magic of why we all love books and literature was certainly still the core of all of our reasons for being there."

BookExpo generously sent two booksellers from each region to New York for the 2018 show. In our region, booksellers from The Raven Book Store (Lawrence, KS) and Zenith Bookstore (Duluth, MN) were the lucky recipients.

Here's a review from Beth Burnett, the assistant manager of Zenith.

"Representing Zenith Bookstore, a small local indie bookstore out of Duluth, Minnesota, I had the phenomenal opportunity to travel to NYC for my first Book Expo. Still fairly new in the bookselling world, I had no strong connection with the greater book world nor a solid understanding of it. I was beyond thrilled to hear I would be attending, and even though I was quite nervous to fly into such a big city, I was able to immerse myself in the greater book world with the scholarship and accommodations by ABA & BEA, with the added resource of my mother by my side as a travel partner and an awesome boss, manager, and cohort. 

As a first time attendee of Book Expo, I was warned I could be fairly overwhelmed. However, some awesome coworkers and contacts from the Duluth and regional area prepared me for what was to come. Because of this, I was able to appreciate the Book Expo on a much greater level. While everything was memorable and worthwhile, I found the educational sessions the most helpful in learning about different aspects of bookselling, which I'm sure will help in the continued success of our store. In addition, I connected with so many incredible booksellers.

In all, I found the experience of getting together with other booksellers, librarians, publishers, authors, and representatives incredibly impactful while I establish my own role in the industry. I am so appreciative of many individuals; Book Expo gave me a plethora of valuable connections and allowed me to bring back ideas and tools to help our store continue in its success."