This event is open to association member booksellers only. Pre-registration is required. Approved registered attendees will receive a Zoom link prior to the event.

Heartland is teaming up with the other regional associations to present Reverend Al Sharpton as he discusses his important, timely book RISE UP: Confronting a Country at the Crossroads (Hanover Square Press; 9/29/20), on Tuesday, September 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm CDT.

REGISTER HERE
 
Rev. Al Sharpton is the host of MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation” and the founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), one of the leading civil rights organizations in the world. With over 40 years of experience as a community leader, politician, minister and advocate, the Rev. Al Sharpton is one of America’s most-renowned civil rights leaders. Sharpton also hosts the nationally syndicated radio show, “Keepin’ It Real”, which broadcasts in 40 markets, five days a week.

In RISE UP, Rev. Sharpton revisits the highlights of the Obama administration, the 2016 election, Trump’s subsequent hold on the GOP and his interactions and relationships with other key players in politics and activism. He also amplifies the new voices and movements that have emerged in response to the Trump presidency.

Rev. Sharpton will be in conversation with Ramunda Lark Young of MahoganyBooks, and will take questions from attendees. This virtual event will be held via Zoom, and access will be limited to association member booksellers only. Booksellers may register for free now, via this link. Approved registered attendees will receive a Zoom link prior to the event.

Special thanks to Hanover Square Press/HarperCollins Publishers for their support.

About Hanover Square Press: Hanover Square Press publishes compelling fiction and nonfiction encompassing a broad range of genres—from crime, thrillers, literary and high-concept fiction to narrative history, journalism, science, biography and memoir, including New York Times bestsellers from Dan Abrams and David Fisher, and Rick Ross. www.hanoversqpress.com.

New this year! The Heartland Booksellers Award is a reflection of the powerful influence of independent booksellers throughout the Midwest.

This award was formed when the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIBA) joined forces with the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers (GLIBA) to produce one unified awards program uplifting books with a Midwest angle that independent booksellers loved to sell this previous year. 

Celebrating our book awards as one industry force amplifies the impact of the award for booksellers, publishers, authors, and consumers--as 12 states and more than 300 bookstores throughout the Greater Midwest celebrate these titles. "It's really exciting to watch it all come together," says Carrie Obry, MIBA's executive director. "First, booksellers nominate titles. Next, they vote for their favorites. Finally, we invite all the winners to a big party and celebrate the work of these authors and booksellers. Of course, this year will be different, as we celebrate virtually, but it will still be a fun and rewarding evening. The awards ceremony will be on October 15."

Our award-winning titles often remain on our bestseller lists for weeks, months, and even years to come and reflect the powerful influence of the voice of independent booksellers.

Everywhere You Don't Belong, Gabriel Bump, Algonquin Books, 2/4/2020, 9781616208790
This Tender Land, William Kent Krueger, Atria Books, 5/26/2020, 9781476749303
The Lager Queen of Minnesota, J. Ryan Stradal, Penguin Books, 6/23/2020, 9780399563065
The Lost Book of Adana Moreau, Michael Zapata, Hanover Square Press, 2/4/2020, 9781335010124

Rust Belt Femme, Raechel Anne Jolie, Belt Publishing, 3/10/2020, 9781948742634
​In the Dream House, Carmen Maria Machado, Graywolf Press, 11/5/2019, 9781644450031
American Harvest, Marie Mutsuki Mockett, Graywolf Press, 4/7/2020, 9781644450178
Burn the Place, Iliana Regan, Scribner, 8/4/2020, 9781982157777

El Dorado Freddy's, Danny Caine, Belt Publishing, 3/3/2020, 9781948742627
HULL, Xandria Phillips, Nightboat Books, 10/8/2019, 9781643620084
Homie, Danez Smith, Graywolf Press, 1/21/2020, 9781644450109
​Dear Delinquent, Ann Townsend, Sarabande Books, 5/7/2019, 9781946448347

Beverly, Right Here, Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick, 9/24/2019, 9780763694647
Wink, Rob Harrell, Dial Books, 3/31/2020, 9781984815149
SLAY, Brittney Morris, Simon Pulse, 9/1/2020, 9781534445437
​The Fountains of Silence, Ruta Sepetys, Philomel Books, 10/1/2019, 9780399160318

​Hello, Neighbor!, Matthew Cordell, Neal Porter Books, 4/6/2020, 9780823446186
Wild Honey from the Moon, Kenneth Kraegel, Candlewick, 11/5/2019, 9780763681692
​My Footprints, Bao Phi, Capstone Editions, 9/1/2019, 9781684460007
A Map into the World, Kao Kalia Yang, Carolrhoda Books, 10/1/2019, 9781541538368

MIBA is seeking two BIPOC booksellers (owners, managers, or frontline) to join our board of directors.

Historically, MIBA has been governed by a 7-member board of directors. In the 2020 nomination season, we are expanding to a 9-person board of directors to add diverse perspectives and improve our representation. All of our existing board members are in the middle of their terms and will continue to serve.

Please submit the names of BIPOC booksellers you strongly believe would serve as excellent board members. We also encourage you to nominate yourself.

Eligibility criteria

• Candidates must be the owner or employee of an independent bookstore operating according to sound business principles.
• Board candidates must have enough recent experience as an owner or employee of a member bookstore in order to contribute substantively to furthering our mission.
• Board candidates exhibit qualities of leadership and creativity, have a strong reputation for integrity and character, are willing to carry out various assignments, and are dedicated to the association’s mission and objectives. 
• All candidates must operate within our portion of the Midwest--Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

NOMINATION FORM

Read an overview of MIBA's board of directors nomination process.

The timeline is as follows:

• September 3: Call for nominations
• September 16: Nominations due
• September 29: Voting ballot released
• October 9: Voting ballot due
• October 26: Annual meeting

Important details to note:

• Typically, our board members are eligible to serve two three-year terms. We are willing to consider shorter-term board appointments if it make sense for the candidate.
• Our board meetings have traditionally occurred four times per year: January, March/April, June, and October (during the trade show). Due to COVID, we are conducting virtual board meetings throughout 2020 and intend to host more of our meetings online in 2021 (i.e., not all four meetings will be in person)
• Directors do not receive compensation for their services, but are reimbursed for authorized expenses, including travel and lodging for all of our meetings, which includes the annual trade show
• Arrangements can be made for the association to pay board members’ expenses up front

If you have questions about this process, please email either our executive director, Carrie Obry, at carrie@midwestbooksellers.org, or our board president, Kate Rattenborg, at kate@dragonflybooks.com.