GLIBA Regional Newsletter: August 15, 2025

Important Links & Deadlines



• August is Black Business Month! -- See ABA's list of Black-Owned Indie Publishers
• Heartland Fall Forum Attendee Registration
• Voice of the Heartland Nomination Link
• HFF Hotel Booking Link -- September 20th, 5pm EST

Marquee Author Breakfast Panelist Announcement!

Get your tickets! The Marquee Author Breakfast on Thursday, October 16 will feature FOUR incredible authors in conversation:

• Anika Fajardo with The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore (Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster)
• Jennifer Eli Bowen with The Book of Kin: On Absence, Love, and Being There (Milkweed Editions)
• Terah Shelton Harris with Where the Wildflowers Grow (Sourcebooks Landmark)
• John U. Bacon with The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald (W.W. Norton / Liveright)

Opening Reception Author Announcement!

No tickets needed for the Opening Reception on Tuesday, October 14, featuring a moderated panel of FIVE authors:

• Paige Lewis with Canon (Penguin Random House / Viking)
• Tolani Akinola with Leave Your Mess at Home (Penguin Random House / Pamela Dorman Books)
• Cadwell Turnbull with A Ruin, Great and Free (Blackstone Publishing)
• Michelle Collins Anderson with The Moonshine Women (Kensington)
• Alice Stoehr with Again, Harder (Feminist Press)

Heartland Fall Forum Registration is Now Live!!

Join us in Indianapolis, Indiana for a three-day celebration of independent bookselling, including awards celebrations, author events, bookstore tours, education, networking, and a vibrant trade show floor where booksellers and our industry partners can do business together and get to know one another. Heartland Fall Forum is hosted collaboratively by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. We can't wait to see you all in Indy!

Hotel Booking Information

Heartland Fall Forum has a block of rooms reserved for attendees at the location of the conference:

​The Indianapolis Marriott Downtown:

350 W Maryland, Indianapolis IN 46225

View Heartland's booking link

$239 per night, booking deadline September 20, 2025 at 5pm EST

Subject to availability, our group rate is available to attendees for three days prior to, and three days after the dates of the show. 

Exhibitor Registration is Open!

Thank you for supporting this event! We have lots of info on the way for exhibiting at and/or attending Heartland Fall Forum 2025 in Indianapolis. Click HERE for a full list of exhibitor table cost and options. If you have any questions, please email Larry Law [email protected] or February Spikener, [email protected].

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for August 2025:

• August 5th & 19th, 10am & 4pm CST: Attendee and Exhibitor Registration

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].

It's Time! Renew Your GLIBA Membership!

It's that time of year: Membership Renewal! We have updated our GLIBA membership form so please update your information. Renewal takes less than 5 minutes! Once updated, you'll receive an email invoice from us for your membership dues.

• Bookstore Membership Annual Dues: $150
• Publisher and Affiliate Annual Dues: $200
• Prospective Bookstore Membership is Free!

Click here to read the list of GLIBA membership benefits or opportunities. If you have questions about the form or GLIBA membership, feel free to reach out to February at [email protected].

Pages and Grapes (Wyoming, MI) Featured In USA TODAY!

Every week, USA Today spotlights an independent bookstore on the USA Today Books page! For an opportunity to be featured, ABA member bookstores can fill out this google form and pitch your bookstore to USA Today. Read the profile on Pages and Grapes here and enjoy the preview below!

What’s your store’s story?

In 2023, I was knee deep in classes for my Bachelor's degree. In an entrepreneurship class, we had to create a business plan for our term project. My professor told me to dig deep and use a hobby or passion to start the foundation. I love reading and reminded myself that I dreamed of owning a bookstore years ago. My dream was re-envisioned into a romance bookstore because it is the genre that I read.

From there, I knew that I wanted to create a romantic atmosphere and selling wines seemed like a logical pairing since it has been associated with romance since ancient Rome. As my research progressed, I realized that my dreaded course project had turned into a viable business idea, and at the end of the course, I had a good start to my official business plan. 

Pages & Grapes is a distinctive literary destination that brings together a passion for romance novels and a refined appreciation for fine wines. We are a romance-only bookstore and opened on Nov. 23, 2024. James Jones and I own the 1,676-square-foot bookstore. In addition to its literary offerings, Pages & Grapes features an elegant selection of locally sourced wines, enhancing the overall experience. It is also a community space that embraces romance and celebrates life's finer pleasures in a welcoming and judgment-free environment. We also sell Michigan-made products from wine to bath & body items. 

What makes your independent bookstore unique?

At Pages & Grapes, our mission is to cultivate a community of romantic readers who can connect and discover their next great read in a judgment-free environment. We are dedicated to providing exceptional customer experiences, fostering meaningful relationships and supporting local businesses and products. 

What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?



A Tribute of Fire was my first romantasy book. Sariah Wilson is an amazing writer. I loved the book and cannot wait for the second one to come out this year. 

The Tomorrow Bookstore Launches Cover Prize and Helpful Insight for Customers on Book Covers

Helllloooo! Long time no see ;) 



This month, we're diving deep into the world of book covers. We hear it all the time in the store: "It's so bad, but I often just buy a book based on if I like the cover."



And I ask you: Is it really that bad? When buying a book, you mostly have four things working to sway you: the cover, the blurb, reviews/publicity, and word-of-mouth. So if you're in a store and you're seeing a book you've never heard of before, cover is accounting for 50% of what will or won't convince you to pick up.



So I thought this week I'd give you a little insight into how covers are created, and how best to read them -- so that when you vote for the best covers over on our instagram this month, you'll be ready and well-informed.

Abraham Associates is Hiring a Full-time Field Sales Representative (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana)

Abraham Associates is hiring a full-time field sales representative, to be based in Michigan, Ohio, or Indiana. We are shifting territory responsibilities for some accounts this fall/winter to expand our coverage around the entire Midwest. This will be a new position in addition to our existing team.

Our expectation is that this new sales rep will cover the eastern part of our territory – including key accounts and new accounts. The exact territory boundaries and responsibilities may shift, depending on the best candidate’s location.

Success in this job will involve a steep learning curve about our publishers’ policies and terms, their expansive backlist of titles, a wide array of booksellers across the Midwest, and how we operate in the middle. Abraham Associates is a collaborative work environment with decades of experience and history in this field. The ideal candidate will be stepping into an established rhythm of meetings, reading, service, support, and outreach – with a solid team at their back.

The official job posting is here at Shelf Awareness.

https://www.shelf-awareness.com/jobboard/2025-08-12/sales_representative_(based_in_michigan_ohio_indiana).html

If you have any questions about the position, or want to apply, send an email to John Mesjak, [email protected].

The National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB²), founded on Juneteenth in 2025 as a 501(c)(3), is a membership-based organization dedicated to promoting literacy, amplifying Black voices and preserving Black culture.

More information on the association's founding, mission, and membership opportunities can be found on their website, www.nab2.org.

PBS: Bookstore Year One

The Professional Booksellers School has a great new project in development: Bookstore Year One!

The course will go live in the fall of 2025. Sign up now and you'll be given a private, pre-enrollment period!

Indie-to-Indie August Playlist:

Women in Translation

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated a lists of titles to help populate and distinguish your displays this month. The theme for August is Women in Translation. Click here to View the list in Edelweiss!

Indie-to-Indie September Playlists:

Back to School & Breakout Books

The themes for September are Back to School (click here to view this list in edelweiss) and Breakout Books (click here to view this list in edelweiss), but there’s also a Back to School list specific to the Young Reader’s Edition (click here to view this list in edelweiss)!

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: August 8, 2025

Important Links & Deadlines



• August is Black Business Month! -- See ABA's list of Black-Owned Indie Publishers
• Heartland Fall Forum Attendee Registration
• Voice of the Heartland Nomination Link
• HFF Hotel Booking Link -- September 20th, 5pm EST

Author Announcement!

Get your tickets! The Marquee Author Breakfast on Wednesday, October 15 will feature three incredible authors in conversation:



• Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. with America, U.S.A. (Grove, an imprint of Penguin Random House)
• Kao Kalia Yang with The Blue House I Loved (University of Minnesota Press)
• Shaka Senghor with How to Be Free (Authors Equity)

Heartland Fall Forum Registration is Now Live!!

Join us in Indianapolis, Indiana for a three-day celebration of independent bookselling, including awards celebrations, author events, bookstore tours, education, networking, and a vibrant trade show floor where booksellers and our industry partners can do business together and get to know one another. Heartland Fall Forum is hosted collaboratively by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. We can't wait to see you all in Indy!

Hotel Booking Information

Heartland Fall Forum has a block of rooms reserved for attendees at the location of the conference:

​The Indianapolis Marriott Downtown:

350 W Maryland, Indianapolis IN 46225

View Heartland's booking link

$239 per night, booking deadline September 20, 2025 at 5pm EST

Subject to availability, our group rate is available to attendees for three days prior to, and three days after the dates of the show. 

Exhibitor Registration is Open!

Thank you for supporting this event! We have lots of info on the way for exhibiting at and/or attending Heartland Fall Forum 2025 in Indianapolis. Click HERE for a full list of exhibitor table cost and options. If you have any questions, please email Larry Law [email protected] or February Spikener, [email protected].

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for August 2025:

• August 5th & 19th, 10am & 4pm CST: Attendee and Exhibitor Registration

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].

The National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB²), founded on Juneteenth in 2025 as a 501(c)(3), is a membership-based organization dedicated to promoting literacy, amplifying Black voices and preserving Black culture.

More information on the association's founding, mission, and membership opportunities can be found on their website, www.nab2.org.

PBS: Bookstore Year One

The Professional Booksellers School has a great new project in development: Bookstore Year One!

The course will go live in the fall of 2025. Sign up now and you'll be given a private, pre-enrollment period!

4th Annual Black Lit Weekend

The 4th annual Black Lit Weekend will be held in Newark, NJ from August 14th - 17th, and be a weekend of community building, development, and empowerment. Register today!

Indie-to-Indie Playlist:

Women in Translation

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated a lists of titles to help populate and distinguish your displays this month. The theme for August is Women in Translation. Click here to View the list in Edelweiss!

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

Several bookstores have reported scam emails and calls from groups posing as publishers, demanding immediate payment on fake overdue invoices. Please double check sender details and contact your publisher rep or credit agent directly if anything seems suspicious. 

GLIBA Regional Newsletter: August 1, 2025

Important Links & Deadlines



• Heartland Booksellers Award Winner - August 6th
• Heartland Fall Forum Attendee Registration
• Voice of the Heartland Nomination Link
• HFF Hotel Booking Link -- September 20th, 5pm EST

Vote for Heartland Booksellers Award Winners!

Your vote will help determine the winners of the 2025 Heartland Booksellers Award. Titles were submitted by publishers and booksellers in our region.

The Heartland Booksellers Award is a joint award given annually by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. Please rank each title based on your choice. #1 being your top pick and #4 being your lowest pick.

Celebrate the winners by joining us at the Heartland Booksellers Award Ceremony on Tuesday, October 14th during Heartland Fall Forum in Indianapolis.

Voting deadline is Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Thank you for voting!

Heartland Fall Forum Registration is Now Live!!

Join us in Indianapolis, Indiana for a three-day celebration of independent bookselling, including awards celebrations, author events, bookstore tours, education, networking, and a vibrant trade show floor where booksellers and our industry partners can do business together and get to know one another. Heartland Fall Forum is hosted collaboratively by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. We can't wait to see you all in Indy!

Hotel Booking Information

Heartland Fall Forum has a block of rooms reserved for attendees at the location of the conference:

​The Indianapolis Marriott Downtown:

350 W Maryland, Indianapolis IN 46225

View Heartland's booking link

$239 per night, booking deadline September 20, 2025 at 5pm EST

Subject to availability, our group rate is available to attendees for three days prior to, and three days after the dates of the show. 

Exhibitor Registration is Open!

Thank you for supporting this event! We have lots of info on the way for exhibiting at and/or attending Heartland Fall Forum 2025 in Indianapolis. Click HERE for a full list of exhibitor table cost and options. If you have any questions, please email Larry Law [email protected] or February Spikener, [email protected].

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for August 2025:

• August 5th & 19th, 10am & 4pm CST: Attendee and Exhibitor Registration

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].

Professional Bookseller School: Bookstore Year One

The Professional Booksellers School has a great new project in development: Bookstore Year One!

This will be year-long learning community for new store owners; new members can join any month and stay for the full year. Each month they'll cover a different topic, with videos and other learning materials created by experienced owners, then host meetings via Zoom to ask questions and get advice.

The course will go live in the fall of 2025. By signing up now you are expressing interest and ensuring you'll be the first to get news about costs and registration dates. Sign up now and you'll be given a private, pre-enrollment period!

4th Annual Black Lit Weekend

The 4th annual Black Lit Weekend will be held in Newark, NJ from August 14th - 17th, and be a weekend of community building, development, and empowerment. Register today!

Early bird registration pricing ends on June 30th, and space is filling up fast. Additionally, if you’re planning to book your stay in Newark, be sure to reserve your room under our discounted hotel block at Tryp Hotel by July 23rd. Rooms are first come, first served, and availability is limited. Use Group Name: Black Lit Weekend or code: 081425BLA Read More

Interested in being a sponsor for Black Lit Weekend 2025? This is a fantastic opportunity for brands and organizations to support and gain visibility and build relationship with Black-owned bookstores. For more information on sponsorship, tabling or other activation opportunities, please reach out to [email protected].

Apply for the Sisters in Crime

"We Love Bookstores" $500 Award

Sisters in Crime, an organization of crime writers and readers, has a long-standing commitment to supporting and partnering with bookstores. In addition to publishing the We Love Bookstores Newsletter, the organization also gives six bimonthly $500 We Love Bookstores Awards to bookstores in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Europe, where Sisters in Crime has local chapters. Find the easy online application on SinC's website here.

Please send questions about Sisters in Crime or the WLB Award application to Susan Hammerman, [email protected].

Sign Up Now For Bookstore Romance Day

Bookstore Romance Day is a day designed to give independent bookstores an opportunity to celebrate Romance fiction—its books, readers, and writers—and to strengthen the relationships between bookstores and the Romance community.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 9, 2025 -- the seventh celebration of Bookstore Romance Day! Click here for information and to sign up to participate!

Indie-to-Indie Playlist:

Women in Translation

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated a lists of titles to help populate and distinguish your displays this month. The theme for August is Women in Translation. Click here to View the list in Edelweiss!

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: July 25, 2025

Important Links & Deadlines

• Board of Directors Nomination Voting -- closes July 28th
• Heartland Fall Forum Attendee Registration
• HFF Hotel Booking Link -- September 20th, 5pm EST
• HFF Author Pitch Submissions -- July 31st

Heartland Fall Forum Registration is Now Live!!

Join us in Indianapolis, Indiana for a three-day celebration of independent bookselling, including awards celebrations, author events, bookstore tours, education, networking, and a vibrant trade show floor where booksellers and our industry partners can do business together and get to know one another. Heartland Fall Forum is hosted collaboratively by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. We can't wait to see you all in Indy!

Hotel Booking Information

Heartland Fall Forum has a block of rooms reserved for attendees at the location of the conference:

​The Indianapolis Marriott Downtown:

350 W Maryland, Indianapolis IN 46225

View Heartland's booking link

$239 per night, booking deadline September 20, 2025 at 5pm EST

Subject to availability, our group rate is available to attendees for three days prior to, and three days after the dates of the show. 

Exhibitor Registration is Open!

Thank you for supporting this event! We have lots of info on the way for exhibiting at and/or attending Heartland Fall Forum 2025 in Indianapolis. Click HERE for a full list of exhibitor table cost and options. If you have any questions, please email Larry Law [email protected] or February Spikener, [email protected].

GLIBA Board of Directors Nominates Uriel Perez of Penguin Random House

Please vote to confirm our incoming board member, who will begin their term prior to the annual membership meeting on at Heartland Fall Forum in October 2025 in Indianapolis, IN. Click here for the link to the voting form. 

Monday, July 28th is the last day to vote! If you have any questions, please reach out GLIBA Executive Director Larry Law at [email protected].

About Uriel Perez

Uriel Perez is a native Texan living in Chicago, IL. He has been working in books since 2016, holding various positions at BookPeople in Austin, TX and later in the marketing and events department at the University of Texas Press. He has been serving indie bookstores in the Midwest as a sales rep for Penguin Random House since 2023.

Cover to Cover Children's Books (Columbus, OH) Featured In USA TODAY!

Every week, USA Today spotlights an independent bookstore on theUSA Today Books page!For an opportunity to be featured, ABA member bookstores can fill out this google form and pitch your bookstore to USA Today. Read the profile on Cover to Cover here and enjoy the preview below!

What’s your store’s story?

Cover to Cover Children's Books is one of the oldest children's bookstores in the United States. Founded in 1980, the bookshop has a long history of serving children, families and educators. We are a welcoming bookshop located in a historic, 100-year-old building, and we have hosted many unique events with internationally recognized authors and illustrators.

What makes your independent bookstore unique?

Cover to Cover is proudest of fostering a love of reading over generations. Children who grew up going to Cover to Cover events with legends like Eric Carle and Helen Oxenbury are now parents who instill a love of stories in their children. Customers love our welcoming and inclusive shop, and they appreciate our active involvement in the community through our kindness initiative and events like the Columbus Book Festival, which draws tens of thousands of people.

What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?

We absolutely love "The Green Kingdom" by authors Cornelia Funke and Tammi Hartung with illustrations by Melissa Castrillon. This middle grade novel for ages 10 and up has it all – mystery, history in a contemporary setting, a beautifully diverse cast of characters and a satisfying ending.

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for August 2025:

• August 5th & 19th, 10am & 4pm CST: Attendee and Exhibitor Registration

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].

Professional Bookseller School: Bookstore Year One

The Professional Booksellers School has a great new project in development: Bookstore Year One!

This will be year-long learning community for new store owners; new members can join any month and stay for the full year. Each month they'll cover a different topic, with videos and other learning materials created by experienced owners, then host meetings via Zoom to ask questions and get advice.

The course will go live in the fall of 2025. By signing up now you are expressing interest and ensuring you'll be the first to get news about costs and registration dates. Sign up now and you'll be given a private, pre-enrollment period!

BIPOC BOOKSELLER AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN

The annual Duende-Word BIPOC Bookseller Awards nominations are open through July 31. This award celebrates three booksellers whose dedication to supporting the economic success of storytelling from the margins has positively influenced the industry. Awards are issued in the categories of Activism, Innovation and Leadership. Everyone is welcome to nominate! It doesn't matter whether you are a colleague, a bookseller, a community member, reader, customer, author - all are welcome, including self-nominations. The winners will receive honors during #MarginsBooksellingMonth, a plaque, and a $1000 prize.

4th Annual Black Lit Weekend

The 4th annual Black Lit Weekend will be held in Newark, NJ from August 14th - 17th, and be a weekend of community building, development, and empowerment. Register today!

Early bird registration pricing ends on June 30th, and space is filling up fast. Additionally, if you’re planning to book your stay in Newark, be sure to reserve your room under our discounted hotel block at Tryp Hotel by July 23rd. Rooms are first come, first served, and availability is limited. Use Group Name: Black Lit Weekend or code: 081425BLA Read More

Interested in being a sponsor for Black Lit Weekend 2025? This is a fantastic opportunity for brands and organizations to support and gain visibility and build relationship with Black-owned bookstores. For more information on sponsorship, tabling or other activation opportunities, please reach out to [email protected].

Apply for the Sisters in Crime

"We Love Bookstores" $500 Award

Sisters in Crime, an organization of crime writers and readers, has a long-standing commitment to supporting and partnering with bookstores. In addition to publishing the We Love Bookstores Newsletter, the organization also gives six bimonthly $500 We Love Bookstores Awards to bookstores in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Europe, where Sisters in Crime has local chapters. Find the easy online application on SinC's website here.

Please send questions about Sisters in Crime or the WLB Award application to Susan Hammerman, [email protected].

Sign Up Now For Bookstore Romance Day

Bookstore Romance Day is a day designed to give independent bookstores an opportunity to celebrate Romance fiction—its books, readers, and writers—and to strengthen the relationships between bookstores and the Romance community.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 9, 2025 -- the seventh celebration of Bookstore Romance Day! Click here for information and to sign up to participate!

Indie-to-Indie Playlist:

Women in Translation

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated a lists of titles to help populate and distinguish your displays this month. The theme for August is Women in Translation. Click here to View the list in Edelweiss!

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: July 18, 2025

Important Links & Deadlines

• Heartland Fall Forum Attendee Registration
• HFF Hotel Booking Link -- September 20th, 5pm EST
• HFF Author Pitch Submissions -- July 31st
• Heartland Booksellers Award Semi-Finalist Voting -- TODAY, July 18th

GLIBA 2025 Heartland Booksellers Award

Semi-Finalist Voting Ballot

This is our Heartland Booksellers Award long list. Titles were submitted by publishers and booksellers in our region. Your vote here will help us determine our top finalists from each genre for the 2025 Heartland Booksellers Award.

Please select your top three choices in each category. If you did not read any titles in a category or choose not to vote in a category, you may leave that section blank. Semi-Finalist voting ends Friday, July 18, 2025. 

Heartland Fall Forum Registration is Now Live!!

Join us in Indianapolis, Indiana for a three-day celebration of independent bookselling, including awards celebrations, author events, bookstore tours, education, networking, and a vibrant trade show floor where booksellers and our industry partners can do business together and get to know one another. Heartland Fall Forum is hosted collaboratively by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. We can't wait to see you all in Indy!

Hotel Booking Information

Heartland Fall Forum has a block of rooms reserved for attendees at the location of the conference:

​The Indianapolis Marriott Downtown:

350 W Maryland, Indianapolis IN 46225

View Heartland's booking link

$239 per night, booking deadline September 20, 2025 at 5pm EST

Subject to availability, our group rate is available to attendees for three days prior to, and three days after the dates of the show. 

Exhibitor Registration is Open!

Thank you for supporting this event! We have lots of info on the way for exhibiting at and/or attending Heartland Fall Forum 2025 in Indianapolis. Click HERE for a full list of exhibitor table cost and options. If you have any questions, please email Larry Law [email protected] or February Spikener, [email protected].

Loganberry Books Author Alley is August 2-3

Your Favorite Local Authors at Loganberry!

The official Author Alley lineup is here! Catch your favorite local authors selling and signing their books on Saturday and Sunday, August 2 and 3 from 1-5 PM in the Loganberry Books alleyway. Say hello to some fan favorites and meet new writers who will inspire you. The event is both a general book fair and a chance for writers to network. Scroll down to view the full author lineup. 

Come on down to Larchmere on Saturday, August 2 at 5 pm for the Author Alley Reception, hosted by Dan Chaon! The reception will feature a gameshow-style competition. Authors will compete in a fast-paced Q&A that will provide both a preview to their books and answers to craft questions: every budding writer should attend! Reception includes light refreshments and has a suggested donation of $5 at the door.

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for July & August 2025:

• July 22nd, 10am & 4pm CST: Author Pitches; Registration
• August 5th & 19th, 10am & 4pm CST: Attendee and Exhibitor Registration

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].

BIPOC BOOKSELLER AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN

The annual Duende-Word BIPOC Bookseller Awards nominations are open through July 31. This award celebrates three booksellers whose dedication to supporting the economic success of storytelling from the margins has positively influenced the industry. Awards are issued in the categories of Activism, Innovation and Leadership. Everyone is welcome to nominate! It doesn't matter whether you are a colleague, a bookseller, a community member, reader, customer, author - all are welcome, including self-nominations. The winners will receive honors during #MarginsBooksellingMonth, a plaque, and a $1000 prize.

4th Annual Black Lit Weekend

The 4th annual Black Lit Weekend will be held in Newark, NJ from August 14th - 17th, and be a weekend of community building, development, and empowerment. Register today!

Early bird registration pricing ends on June 30th, and space is filling up fast. Additionally, if you’re planning to book your stay in Newark, be sure to reserve your room under our discounted hotel block at Tryp Hotel by July 23rd. Rooms are first come, first served, and availability is limited. Use Group Name: Black Lit Weekend or code: 081425BLA Read More

Interested in being a sponsor for Black Lit Weekend 2025? This is a fantastic opportunity for brands and organizations to support and gain visibility and build relationship with Black-owned bookstores. For more information on sponsorship, tabling or other activation opportunities, please reach out to [email protected].

Simon & Schuster Seeks Marketing Manager

Simon & Schuster’s Independent Retail Team is looking for a marketing manager for our dynamic, energetic, collaborative team that sells to independent bookstores. This is an excellent opportunity for a book lover and an independent bookstore lover to marry their passions. Details and link to apply

Winter Institute 2026 Scholarship Applications Are Open! 

The Winter Institute 2026 (Wi2026) scholarship application form is now live!

Scholarship recipients will receive waived registration fees to Winter Institute 2026, a comped hotel room during the Institute, and up to $600 reimbursement for travel to and from the Institute. Wi2026 will take place February 23–26 in Pittsburgh, PA. Scholarship applications are due by Thursday, July 24.

Apply for the Sisters in Crime

"We Love Bookstores" $500 Award

Sisters in Crime, an organization of crime writers and readers, has a long-standing commitment to supporting and partnering with bookstores. In addition to publishing the We Love Bookstores Newsletter, the organization also gives six bimonthly $500 We Love Bookstores Awards to bookstores in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Europe, where Sisters in Crime has local chapters. Find the easy online application on SinC's website here.

Please send questions about Sisters in Crime or the WLB Award application to Susan Hammerman, [email protected].

Sign Up Now For Bookstore Romance Day

Bookstore Romance Day is a day designed to give independent bookstores an opportunity to celebrate Romance fiction—its books, readers, and writers—and to strengthen the relationships between bookstores and the Romance community.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 9, 2025 -- the seventh celebration of Bookstore Romance Day! Click here for information and to sign up to participate!

Indie-to-Indie Playlist:

Climate Change

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated a lists of titles to help populate and distinguish your displays this month. The theme for July is Climate Change. Click here to View the list in Edelweiss!

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: June 20, 2025

Exhibitor Registration is Now Open!

Thank you for supporting this event! We have lots of info on the way for exhibiting at and/or attending Heartland Fall Forum 2025 in Indianapolis. ​Our show is all 6 and 8-foot table-tops, meaning: there will be no pipe and drape booth options this year. Our exhibitor space is much larger and is in one single area. Click HERE for a full list of exhibitor table cost and options. If you have any questions, please email Larry Law [email protected] or February Spikener, [email protected].

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for June 2025:

• June 24th, 10am & 4pm CST:
• Heartland Author Pitches, Bookstore of the Year, Voice of the Heartland (Criteria; How and Where to Submit; General Questions)
• Office Hours will only be for 30 minutes this week!

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].

State Representative honors

Vicksburg bookstore

By Chris Kosiba

Vicksburg, MI -- Gilbert and Ivy, the charming independent bookstore located in downtown Vicksburg, recently received a “special tribute” from Matt Hall, state representative for the 42nd district in Michigan, on Independent Bookstore Day held this past April 26th. The tribute details how important the commitment of these locally owned businesses are to the people who live near them, “...our local independent bookstores…foster knowledge, education and curiosity in our community.”

The tribute honors Gilbert and Ivy by saying:

“Thank you for fostering a love of reading and for supporting authors, both big and small, who contribute to the vibrant literary world. Your commitment to curating a diverse and unique selection of books helps ensure that readers of all tastes and interests can find something that speaks to them. You are an essential part of our literary landscape, and we are all grateful to have the Gilbert and Ivy bookstore as a resource and place to turn to.”

“I’m overwhelmed by this honor,” said Kimberly (Kimm) Mayer, owner of Gilbert and Ivy. “It feels good that independent bookstores are being recognized for what they do for the community. And for that, I’m thankful my contributions matter.”

Independent Bookstore Day was started by the American Booksellers Association (ABA) in 2013 across the country. According to the ABA, more than 1,600 bookstores participated in the event nationally this year. The day was created to bring book lovers to the independent bookstores and draw attention away from the big box stores and Amazon. 

Mayer explains that Michigan has participated in Independent Bookstore Day for three years, starting with roughly 39 bookstores. In 2025, there were about 80 booksellers that participated throughout Michigan including ten different regions: North, South, Central, Southeast, West Coast, Detroit, Metro Detroit, Greater Flint, Grand Rapids, and Lansing (Gist, Turn the Page in Davison). The event kicked off in April with a book hop offering bingo cards, encouraging participants to visit and support as many indie bookstores as possible. Bingo winners could get bookstore merch and be entered in a drawing for a $500 gift card to Bookshop.org where books can be purchased from bookstores of choice. The event lapsed at the end of May.

Gilbert and Ivy was established in May of 2022 when Mayer, and co-founder Cathie McGill, opened up in a 410-square-foot space on West Prairie Street in Vicksburg. Prior to that the partners were doing pop-up events, “We were trying to learn the ropes a little bit before going all in,” said Mayer. The bookstore was in that location for approximately 18 months, when the current location on Prairie Street in Vicksburg became available. She said the move to the new location was perfect to grow the small business. Also during that time, Mayer became full owner of the bookstore. So in March of 2024, Gilbert and Ivy opened its doors - after community members joined in a book brigade, transporting books from the old location to the new store at 111 West Prairie Street. The larger space in the new location has given Mayer the opportunity to dive more deeply into offering community events such as book clubs, hosting author events, and providing an educational backdrop for teachers and students, etc. 

Gilbert and Ivy, Vicksburg’s charming independent bookstore, celebrated its three-year anniversary in May with Mayer’s plan to continue to be an important member of the Vicksburg community. 



“The support has been amazing and humbling. I cannot imagine a better community for Gilbert and Ivy,” says Mayer.

ABACUS BENCHMARKING SURVEY

Participating stores will receive:

• Industry-wide reports for 2024, including an executive summary, detailed survey results, and multi-year trend comparison tables,
• Individual company performance reports — confidential, individualized reports shown alongside appropriate industry comparatives (for instance, net sales and profitability, etc) that give stores an easy way to interpret their ABACUS results and provide actionable feedback on the success and/or improvement areas for each respondent.
• Access to interactive online report-generating tools
• Excel data tables of the aggregated ABACUS results for 2023 to which stores can add their data for analysis.
• And, if there is enough participation to ensure a good sample, a regional report to show how your store’s financials compare with others in your region. 

Need help filling out your ABACUS report? The ABA has shared this incredibly helpful video! Please help us help you and complete your ABACUS benchmarking survey by June 24, 2025. Complete your ABACUS and you will automatically be entered into the raffle to win a full scholarship to Winter Institute 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA! If you need assistance, email ABA Chief Financial Officer, PK Sindwani.

Indie-to-Indie Playlist:

Pride Month

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated a lists of titles to help populate and distinguish your displays this month. Click here to View the list in Edelweiss!

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: May 23, 2025

Winter Catalog Orders Now Open!

Orders for the Winter Catalog (formerly the Holiday Catalog) are now open. The deadline to place orders is June 15. Visit the GLIBA website for ideas on how to use the catalog.

In the meantime:

• ​View the GLIBA title list on Edelweiss.​
• ​​Submit Bookseller Recommendations for the Catalog!
• Access the 2025 Winter Catalog Media Kit.

Attention Booksellers!

Do you have a title that you're thrilled to handsell? A book you think would be a perfect gift this year? Recommend titles for the Winter Catalog!

Exhibitor Registration is Now Open!

Thank you for supporting this event! We have lots of info on the way for exhibiting at and/or attending Heartland Fall Forum 2025 in Indianapolis. ​Our show is all 6 and 8-foot table-tops, meaning: there will be no pipe and drape booth options this year. Our exhibitor space is much larger and is in one single area. Click HERE for a full list of exhibitor table cost and options. If you have any questions, please email Larry Law [email protected] or February Spikener, [email protected].

Call For Education Topics!

There will be two days of education at Heartland this year. Job focused retreats will take place on October 14 and General Education will take place on October 15. Our goal is to offer Heartland educational programming that's responsive and relevant to our challenging retail landscape and evolving society. Have a topic or educator in mind that you would like to see an education session focused on? Please fill out the form below. Thank you!

Bookstore of the Year

This award aims to spotlight and applaud independent bookstores that have demonstrated exceptional influence, support, representation, and impact within their communities and their fellow bookselling community. To nominate a bookstore, please use the link below. For more information, please contact Larry Law at [email protected]. 

Author Submissions

Author pitches for 2025 Heartland Fall Forum in Indianapolis are now open! Complete THIS FORM for each individual author. The submission deadline is August 1, 2025. Please reach out to February Spikener at [email protected]​ or Grace Hagen at [email protected] for any questions.

Voice of the Heartland

​​The Voice of the Heartland Award has been awarded to individuals and organizations who uphold the value of independent bookselling and made a significant contribution to bookselling in our combined regions. Please use the nomination form below. Nominations are due by July 30th, 2025. For more information, please contact Larry Law at [email protected].

Heartland Fall Forum Virtual Office Hours

Below are the sessions for April 2025:

• May 27th, 10am & 4pm CST: Heartland Author Pitches, Bookstore of the Year, Voice of the Heartland (Criteria; How and Where to Submit; General Questions)

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].

Read 25 Day

Bookshop.org and author Gretchen Rubin have been running a challenge to encourage people to read for 25 minutes each day. So far, close to 20 thousand people ae participating in the challenge!

You can now sign up to be a meet-up location for June 25th's Read 25 Day event, and your bookstore will be listed on the main homepage for the challenge, which will be promoted to over 1.4 million email subscribers across Gretchen's and Bookshop.org's email lists. Your location will also be mentioned on the Happier Podcast, driving people to your store.

Registration Now Open for PBS Marketing Course!

Your Brand/Your Story: Advanced Display and Marketing Course returns starting June 4th. Co-teachers Lisa Uhrick and Steve Wax help bookstores identify and build their brands, to move beyond a place to purchase products to an engaging customer experience.

• Price: $375
• GLIBA Registration Code: GLIBAmd

Indie-to-Indie Playlist: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Publisher members of the Independent Publishers Caucus have curated TWO lists of titles to help populate and distinguish your displays this month: one celebrating labor and social justice (Edelweiss) and one in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Edelweiss). Click here to View the list in Edelweiss!

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

In these uncertain economic times budgets are tight and we don’t know what the future holds for GLIBA. This has inspired us to rethink how we fund our association. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our newest partnership: the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association is now proudly sponsored by Taco Bell □□

GLIBA has officially partnered with the world’s premier purveyor of late-night culinary innovation and the most electrifying beverage known to humankind, the Baja Blast.

We know this is a bold, unexpected move. But independent booksellers have always been about thinking outside the bun.

To commemorate this historic partnership, we’re offering limited-edition shirts featuring a tasteful rendering of our new logo.

And don’t forget to join us this October for our annual Heartburn Fall Forum.

What We’re Reading:

“There’s Always This Year" by Hanif Abdurraqib is as electrifying and bittersweet as the first sip of a Mountain Dew Baja Blast—deeply nostalgic, unexpectedly poetic, and guaranteed to leave you refreshed.