INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES OF THE GREAT LAKES SHIRTS & PRINTS AVAILABLE NOW!

We have had a surge in new bookstores joining GLIBA and we just updated the Independent Bookstore of the Great Lakes artwork to reflect all the new stores. 

At the request of our membership and publishing partners we have made the GLIBA independent bookstore shirts available for purchase in time for Independent Bookstore Day and now we are offering prints!

All proceeds from print sales will be donated to the BINC foundation. 

Shirt orders placed within the next two weeks should arrive to wear in time for Independent Bookstore Day. 

If you would like to print your own shirts or prints with your store's name highlighted to sell or give away please email [email protected] and we will update and send you the custom artwork. 

Each design consists of a state map composed of the indie bookstores in that state! 

GLIBA Regional Newsletter: March 14, 2025

Attention Publishers!

Please use the form below to share your promotions with GLIBA bookstores. At the beginning of each month all promotions will be deleted and a new form will be be emailed to our publishing partners. Thank you!

LAST CALL FOR INDIE SUMMER READING GUIDE ORDERS!

This year's beautiful cover is from Zoé de Las Cases' Paris Colouring Book from Octopus Books/Hachette.

Haven't ordered your RAMP Summer Catalog yet?

Have no fear--there's still two days left!

Order Summer Catalogs Here >>

Just in time for Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, this 8-page square catalog is THE summer resource for readers. Don't miss this high-energy compendium of summer titles!

• Member stores can order 500 FREE catalogs to be shipped direct-to-store at no cost

• Catalogs can be distributed in-store, at curbside, through store order shipments and delivers, at events, AND through neighborhood partners!

• Personalize the catalog back cover with a store stamp or label

• Quantities over 500 may be purchased for $55 per 500

• Catalogs are full-color, 8 pages, 7.125" × 7.125" square on thick paper

Target date for catalog delivery is May 8

Registration is now open for GLIBA's 2025 Spring Forum! We are thrilled to host the 2025 Spring Forum at the legendary Schuler Books in Grand Rapids, MI! We are hosting two days of events! The first is a Grand Rapids bookstore tour and Spring Forum that includes education, author events, reception and special programming at Schuler Books.​

Have questions? Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS 

Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton

187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

(616) 774-2000

Room Rate: $199

Reservation Link

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for March and April 2025:

• March 18th, 10am & 4pm CST: Call for Education Topics!
• April 1st, 10am & 4pm CST: Feedback for Education Sessions & Retreats
• April 28th, 10am & 4pm CST: Education Sessions: General Slate (Feedback, Topics, Panel Leads)

Click here for the Google Meet link for sessions, or click the button below to the Events page on the GLIBA site. For any questions, reach out to Executive Coordinator February Spikener at [email protected].

Twenty-seven Independent Bookstores Ready Their Shelves

for Annual Indy Book Crawl

Indianapolis, IN—MARCH 4, 2025--The Indy Indie Book Crawl (IIBC) will span Central Indiana for its second year on March 20-23, 2025, with 27 independent bookstores and 7 literary organizations participating. This year’s book crawl is generously supported by Indiana Humanities and Butler MFA, as well as local business sponsors Maywright Property Group, Cafe Lending, Pegedo E-Bikes, UVA Wine Tastings, and Bottleworks Hotel, and venue sponsor Maven Space.

For IIBC, Hoosier bookworms visit as many participating locations as possible (no purchase necessary) for chances to win great prizes like a free night at the Bottleworks Hotel, gift cards, and merch from participating bookstores. IIBC welcomes everyone - from casual readers to literary aficionados - to explore the growing independent literary scene in Central Indiana and connect with other story-lovers in their community.

"A bookstore — especially an independent bookstore — is just as much a gathering space for folks to meet and share ideas as it is a place to find their next favorite book. Each of the bookstores on this crawl is a crucial part of our community, and Indiana Humanities is thrilled to be a part of this event to encourage support of local booksellers and connection within the literary community," said Megan Telligman, director of programs for Indiana Humanities.

The format will remain the same as the first IIBC in 2024: visit any of the participating

bookstores and they will stamp your official bookmark (available at all book crawl locations

starting on 3/20). At the conclusion of the book crawl, enter your information into the form linked on the official bookmark and the Indy Indie Book Crawl Instagram page and you will be entered to win one of three prize packs. The more stores you visit - the higher your chances of winning!

New features for this second annual book crawl include four more bookstores participating

compared to the previous year, a new Bookstore Bingo full of activities to complete with local literary organizations to win additional prizes (like UVA Wine Tastings and Pedego bike rentals), and a sold-out Book Crawl Kickoff Party in partnership with Silent Book Club Indy on Wednesday, March 19 at Maven Space.

“I think the success of last year’s book crawl took us all by surprise. It was wonderful to see that level of enthusiasm for our growing Indy lit scene and to introduce the Golden Hour experience to people from far outside our neighborhood’s streets. The book crawl brought in countless new faces, many of whom, a year later, we now consider regulars. We’re so excited to take part in it again,” said Sara Gelston Somers, owner of Golden Hour Books

“The first Indy Indie Book Crawl in 2024 blew away all our expectations - over 2,000 people participated from all over the Midwest. We’re expecting an even bigger turnout for this year’s crawl! It’s incredible to see the Indy literary community in collaboration together - readers, bookstores, and literary organizations, as well as the broader support and excitement from the Indy community. See you in March,” said Jake Budler, co-owner of Tomorrow Bookstore and creator of Indy Indie Book Crawl.

All information about the 2025 Indy Indie Book Crawl – including the participating locations – will be posted to the official Instagram page: @indyindiebookcrawl. For more information or questions regarding the promotion of IIBC, please contact Kasey Upchurch at [email protected].

Batch for Books Expands Partnership Network with Simon & Schuster

NEW YORK (February 23, 2025) — Batch for Books is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Simon & Schuster, marking a major milestone in our mission to simplify invoice and payment management for bookstores and publishers. With this addition, all of the Big Five publishers are now part of the Batch for Books network, reinforcing our commitment to streamlining industry operations with efficiency and ease.

“It is wonderful to announce that Simon & Schuster are going to join Batch, their decision to join Batch is a real commitment to the independent bookstores”, said Fraser Tanner, C.E.O. Batch for Books Inc. “Batch is now central to the US book trade, simplifying the supply chain, reducing overheads for everyone and improving communication.”

Simon & Schuster complements Batch’s existing partnerships with Arcadia Publishing,

Blackstone Publishing, Microcosm, Independent Publishers Group, Gardner’s US, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Penguin Random House.

Simon & Schuster expects to be fully integrated with Batch by June 2025. Bookstores

interested in signing up for Batch should email [email protected] for more

information.

S&S Seeks Field Account Manager

The Simon & Schuster Indie Team is looking for Field Account Manager based in the San Francisco Bay Area to sell their complete list - Wholly-Owned Children’s, Adult, Audio, and Distributed Client titles - to an account base of 40 independent bookstores in the Bay Area. Details and application here.

PBS Bookstore Finances Course Registration Open!

Registration for Bookstore Finances opens Monday, March 10 at 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT.

• Tuition is $400
• Discount Code: GLIBAbf

Register Here Using This Link!

Indie-to-Indie Playlist: Women's History Month

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated a list of titles to help populate and distinguish your Women's History Month displays. View the list in Edelweiss by clicking here!

March is Indie Press Month!

 $500 display contest and a social media campaign to raise awareness

for indie presses and the bookstores that love them!

What You Need To Know:

COMMIT: To creating an in-store display of Indie Press month titles (available on Airtable and Edelweiss). You are welcome to feature titles outside of this list (we want every bookstore to celebrate in a way that is authentic to them) but we ask that 50% of your display include these promotional titles! 

SUBMIT: A picture of your display. All stores, regardless of social media, will be considered for the $500 prize.

PROMOTE: Indie Press Month, your display, and indie presses in general on social media. You can post anytime in March, but the first five posts on March 5 will receive $50 in co-op. (Tag us @indiepubs on Instagram).

Marketing assets for social, email newsletters, and in-store displays are available. 

All of this information and more is available on our Indie Press Month website, so check it out now! We hope you'll celebrate with us and take this opportunity to raise greater awareness for the awesome work indie presses do! 

Books Across Borders 2025-26 applications open 

Books Across Borders (BAB) is accepting applications for the Fall 2025-Spring 2026 season starting Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Booksellers interested in diverse and international literature and in fostering relationships with the international literary community are encouraged to apply. Strong consideration is given to booksellers who demonstrate a history of reading and promoting international literature, and who communicate a kinship with Books Across Borders’s mission and values. Fellows are chosen by the Books Across Borders Board of Directors. The application deadline is May 1, 2025.

Countdown to Independent Bookstore Day 2025

We are just over three months out from Independent Bookstore Day 2025!

Get your store ready with the ABA's To-Do List for January.

Independent Bookstore Day Planning Guide

IBD Key Dates

• March 31, 2025: Indie Bookstore Day 2025 Participation Form closes. (Stores that didn't order exclusive items can sign up to participate until this date.)
• April 4, 2025: Indie Bookstore Day Searchable Map goes live on IndieBound
• Early- to mid-April: All exclusives ship to bookstores
• April 21–25, 2025: Indie Bookstore Day Spirit Week
• April 26, 2025: Independent Bookstore Day

Send us your store's news to be included in our future newsletters!

Professional Booksellers School Links



A Learners' Guide to PBS Independent Study

Basic Bookselling Self Guided

Basic Bookselling Store Subscription

Bookstore Financial Literacy Bundle

Upcoming Courses

BINC Links



Binc Mental Heath Wellness Program

Financial Assistance for BOOKSELLERS from Binc

Scholarship Opportunities

ABA Links

Apply for Winter Institute 2025 Scholarships

Take the Annual Membership Survey Now

Independent Bookstore Day Planning Guide

ABFE: ABA's Free Expression Initiative

Indies Take the Gold Campaign Assets

Current and Previous ABACUS Data

Monthly Marketing Calendars

Nominate Someone for the ABA Board

Download the Bookseller Resources Poster

ABA Event & Program Calendar

Indie Next List Deadlines

Report Sales to New York Times, Indie Bestseller Lists

ABA Affiliate Partnership Offers for Members

GLIBA Regional Newsletter: March 7, 2025

ATTENTION PUBLISHERS! LAST CALL! SUBMIT AUTHORS FOR GLIBA'S

2025 SPRING FORUM! FORM CLOSES TONIGHT!

Registration is now open for GLIBA's 2025 Spring Forum! We are thrilled to host the 2025 Spring Forum at the legendary Schuler Books in Grand Rapids, MI! We are hosting two days of events! The first is a Grand Rapids bookstore tour and Spring Forum that includes education, author events, reception and special programming at Schuler Books.​ Please watch for program announcements with updated author events.

Have questions? Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Grand Rapids Bookstore Bus Tour & Reception Schedule

1:30 pm CT - Bus Pick-Up at The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm CT - Bus Tour

Join us for a special tour of the unique bookstores Grand Rapids has to offer!

The tour will end with a reception.

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm CT - Reception (location TBA)

Bookstores on the Tour

Books & Mortar, Cellar Bird Books, Redux Books, Vault of Midnight

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Schuler's Books

2660 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

10:00 am CT - 3:00 pm CT - Spring Forum Programming 

6:30 pm CT - Live recording of NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me 

Schedule

10:00 am - 12:45 pm ET - Arrivals and Welcome; Education; Tour of Schuler Books

1:00 pm - 1:30pm ET - Lunch with Cookbook Author Presentation

1:45 - 2:45 pm ET - Meet the Authors (author line-up announced soon)

3:00 - 3:45 pm ET - Keynote Author Event (announced soon)

4:00 - 5:30 pm ET - Author Reception

Lunch will be provided on Thursday, 4/17.

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS 

Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton

187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

(616) 774-2000

Room Rate: $199

Reservation Link

About Schuler Books

Schuler Books is an independent bookstore with four locations across Michigan. Husband and Wife Bill and Cecile Fehsenfeld, graduates of the University of Michigan, opened our first store in Grand Rapids in 1982. Our second store opened in Okemos in 1990, and we added our Ann Arbor store, formerly Nicola’s Books, in 2014. Our newest store in West Bloomfield opened in May 2023. Even though our four stores are larger than the average independent bookstore, we’re still small independent booksellers at heart. We value our relationships with the communities we serve and with our local and Michigan authors.

Haven't ordered your RAMP Summer Catalog yet?

Have no fear--there's still one week left!

This year's beautiful cover is from Zoé de Las Cases' Paris Colouring Book from Octopus Books/Hachette.

Ways to use the catalog:

• create a catchy display in-store or in the window
• place at the register
• stuff in bags
• place at community partner locations for cross promotion
• use as basis for a Book Talk with local organizations
• use as book list for summer reading contest (kid and adult titles!)

Order Summer Catalogs Here >>

Just in time for Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, this 8-page square catalog is THE summer resource for readers. Don't miss this high-energy compendium of summer titles!

• Member stores can order 500 FREE catalogs to be shipped direct-to-store at no cost

• Catalogs can be distributed in-store, at curbside, through store order shipments and delivers, at events, AND through neighborhood partners!

• Personalize the catalog back cover with a store stamp or label

• Quantities over 500 may be purchased for $55 per 500

• Catalogs are full-color, 8 pages, 7.125" × 7.125" square on thick paper

Target date for catalog delivery is May 8

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for March and April 2025:

• March 18th, 10am & 4pm CST: Call for Education Topics!
• April 1st, 10am & 4pm CST: Feedback for Education Sessions & Retreats
• April 28th, 10am & 4pm CST: Education Sessions: General Slate (Feedback, Topics, Panel Leads)

Click here for the Google Meet link for sessions, or click the button below to the Events page on the GLIBA site. For any questions, reach out to Executive Coordinator February Spikener at [email protected].

Twenty-seven Independent Bookstores Ready Their Shelves

for Annual Indy Book Crawl

Indianapolis, IN—MARCH 4, 2025--The Indy Indie Book Crawl (IIBC) will span Central Indiana for its second year on March 20-23, 2025, with 27 independent bookstores and 7 literary organizations participating. This year’s book crawl is generously supported by Indiana Humanities and Butler MFA, as well as local business sponsors Maywright Property Group, Cafe Lending, Pegedo E-Bikes, UVA Wine Tastings, and Bottleworks Hotel, and venue sponsor Maven Space.

For IIBC, Hoosier bookworms visit as many participating locations as possible (no purchase necessary) for chances to win great prizes like a free night at the Bottleworks Hotel, gift cards, and merch from participating bookstores. IIBC welcomes everyone - from casual readers to literary aficionados - to explore the growing independent literary scene in Central Indiana and connect with other story-lovers in their community.

"A bookstore — especially an independent bookstore — is just as much a gathering space for folks to meet and share ideas as it is a place to find their next favorite book. Each of the bookstores on this crawl is a crucial part of our community, and Indiana Humanities is thrilled to be a part of this event to encourage support of local booksellers and connection within the literary community," said Megan Telligman, director of programs for Indiana Humanities.

The format will remain the same as the first IIBC in 2024: visit any of the participating

bookstores and they will stamp your official bookmark (available at all book crawl locations

starting on 3/20). At the conclusion of the book crawl, enter your information into the form linked on the official bookmark and the Indy Indie Book Crawl Instagram page and you will be entered to win one of three prize packs. The more stores you visit - the higher your chances of winning!

New features for this second annual book crawl include four more bookstores participating

compared to the previous year, a new Bookstore Bingo full of activities to complete with local literary organizations to win additional prizes (like UVA Wine Tastings and Pedego bike rentals), and a sold-out Book Crawl Kickoff Party in partnership with Silent Book Club Indy on Wednesday, March 19 at Maven Space.

“I think the success of last year’s book crawl took us all by surprise. It was wonderful to see that level of enthusiasm for our growing Indy lit scene and to introduce the Golden Hour experience to people from far outside our neighborhood’s streets. The book crawl brought in countless new faces, many of whom, a year later, we now consider regulars. We’re so excited to take part in it again,” said Sara Gelston Somers, owner of Golden Hour Books

“The first Indy Indie Book Crawl in 2024 blew away all our expectations - over 2,000 people participated from all over the Midwest. We’re expecting an even bigger turnout for this year’s crawl! It’s incredible to see the Indy literary community in collaboration together - readers, bookstores, and literary organizations, as well as the broader support and excitement from the Indy community. See you in March,” said Jake Budler, co-owner of Tomorrow Bookstore and creator of Indy Indie Book Crawl.

All information about the 2025 Indy Indie Book Crawl – including the participating locations – will be posted to the official Instagram page: @indyindiebookcrawl. For more information or questions regarding the promotion of IIBC, please contact Kasey Upchurch at [email protected].

S&S Seeks Field Account Manager

The Simon & Schuster Indie Team is looking for Field Account Manager based in the San Francisco Bay Area to sell their complete list - Wholly-Owned Children’s, Adult, Audio, and Distributed Client titles - to an account base of 40 independent bookstores in the Bay Area. Details and application here.

PBS Bookstore Finances Course Registration Opens & Other Announcement

Registration for Bookstore Finances opens Monday, March 10 at 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT.

• Discount Code: GLIBAbf

Important Information this course:

1. There are 20 seats for active students (doing all the homework, which requires access to a store's financial records) and 20 seats for auditing students.
2. Everyone who enrolls has to have been a store owner or manager for at least one full year. We are checking on this and will cancel and refund anyone who doesn't meet this criteria

Register Here Using This Link!

Indie-to-Indie Playlist: Women's History Month

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated a list of titles to help populate and distinguish your Women's History Month displays. View the list in Edelweiss by clicking here!

March is Indie Press Month!

 $500 display contest and a social media campaign to raise awareness

for indie presses and the bookstores that love them!

What You Need To Know:

COMMIT: To creating an in-store display of Indie Press month titles (available on Airtable and Edelweiss). You are welcome to feature titles outside of this list (we want every bookstore to celebrate in a way that is authentic to them) but we ask that 50% of your display include these promotional titles! 

SUBMIT: A picture of your display. All stores, regardless of social media, will be considered for the $500 prize.

PROMOTE: Indie Press Month, your display, and indie presses in general on social media. You can post anytime in March, but the first five posts on March 5 will receive $50 in co-op. (Tag us @indiepubs on Instagram).

Marketing assets for social, email newsletters, and in-store displays are available. 

All of this information and more is available on our Indie Press Month website, so check it out now! We hope you'll celebrate with us and take this opportunity to raise greater awareness for the awesome work indie presses do! 

Books Across Borders 2025-26 applications open 

Books Across Borders (BAB) is accepting applications for the Fall 2025-Spring 2026 season starting Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Booksellers interested in diverse and international literature and in fostering relationships with the international literary community are encouraged to apply. Strong consideration is given to booksellers who demonstrate a history of reading and promoting international literature, and who communicate a kinship with Books Across Borders’s mission and values. Fellows are chosen by the Books Across Borders Board of Directors. The application deadline is May 1, 2025.

Countdown to Independent Bookstore Day 2025

We are just over three months out from Independent Bookstore Day 2025!

Get your store ready with the ABA's To-Do List for January.

Independent Bookstore Day Planning Guide

IBD Key Dates

• March 31, 2025: Indie Bookstore Day 2025 Participation Form closes. (Stores that didn't order exclusive items can sign up to participate until this date.)
• April 4, 2025: Indie Bookstore Day Searchable Map goes live on IndieBound
• Early- to mid-April: All exclusives ship to bookstores
• April 21–25, 2025: Indie Bookstore Day Spirit Week
• April 26, 2025: Independent Bookstore Day

Send us your store's news to be included in our future newsletters!

Professional Booksellers School Links



A Learners' Guide to PBS Independent Study

Basic Bookselling Self Guided

Basic Bookselling Store Subscription

Bookstore Financial Literacy Bundle

Upcoming Courses

BINC Links



Binc Mental Heath Wellness Program

Financial Assistance for BOOKSELLERS from Binc

Scholarship Opportunities

ABA Links

Apply for Winter Institute 2025 Scholarships

Take the Annual Membership Survey Now

Independent Bookstore Day Planning Guide

ABFE: ABA's Free Expression Initiative

Indies Take the Gold Campaign Assets

Current and Previous ABACUS Data

Monthly Marketing Calendars

Nominate Someone for the ABA Board

Download the Bookseller Resources Poster

ABA Event & Program Calendar

Indie Next List Deadlines

Report Sales to New York Times, Indie Bestseller Lists

ABA Affiliate Partnership Offers for Members