Wednesday October 18
Detroit Bookstore Tour #1
9:30 am pick-up at the Motor Lobby
9:30 am pick-up at the Motor Lobby
- Book Suey: Arrive @ 9:45am | Depart @ 10:15am
- Source Booksellers: Arrive @ 10:30am | Break for Lunch @ 11:00am
- Break for Lunch near Source Booksellers: Depart @ 12:15pm
- 27th Letter Books: Arrive @ 12:30pm | Depart @ 1:00pm
- John K. King Used and Rare Books: Arrive @ 1:15pm | Depart @ 1:45pm
- Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center: Arrival @ 2:00 pm
Detroit Bookstore Tour #2
9:30 am pick-up at the Motor Lobby
9:30 am pick-up at the Motor Lobby
- Schuler Books: Arrive @ 10:00am | Depart @ 10:30am
- Sidetrack Bookshop: Arrive @ 11:00am | Depart @ 11:30am
- The Book Beat: Arrive @ 11:45am
- Break for Lunch @ 12:15pm | Depart @ 1:00 pm
- Pages Bookshop: Arrive @ 1:15pm | Depart @ 1:45pm
- Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center: Arrival @ 2:00 pm
Can't make the bus tours? Set up your own tour! Check out this map of all the great independent bookstores in the Detroit area.
3:00–4:00 pm ET: Orientation
A session for booksellers new to Heartland. Get your bearings and meet new people before diving in to the Heartland experience.
4:00–5:00 pm ET: Book Awards Celebration
Featuring our ever-favorite host Isaac Fitzgerald, celebrate the award-winning authors of the Heartland Booksellers Award and the Voice of the Heartland award.
Featuring our ever-favorite host Isaac Fitzgerald, celebrate the award-winning authors of the Heartland Booksellers Award and the Voice of the Heartland award.
5:00–6:30 pm ET: Opening Reception
As the grand finale to the Book Awards Celebration, all of the award-winning authors will be joined by a collection of additional authors with exciting forthcoming titles to sign copies of their books. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
View the authors confirmed for the opening reception
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8:30–11:00 pm ET: Opening Night Party at Third Man Records
Multi-grammy winning musician, Jack White
in conversation with NYT bestselling author and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib
Hosted at Third Man Records; a bus will be provided
in conversation with NYT bestselling author and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib
Hosted at Third Man Records; a bus will be provided
Jack White and Hanif Abdurraqib are musical, literary, and artistic icons and great friends to the literary scene of the Great Lakes and Midwest. The event co-stars drummer, journalist, and Third Man Records label executive Ben Blackwell; poet and author Caroline Randall Williams; author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Adrian Matejka; author Ruth Awad and more. The first 150 attendees at the door will receive a tote bag with giveaways
The evening will kick off with a half-hour of poetry readings, followed by the main event: a half-hour in-conversation with Jack White and Hanif Abdurraqib, also featuring Ben Blackwell. A DJ and dance party will follow. Third Man Records is an active vinyl plant, so throughout the night attendees will get to see vinyl records being pressed.
The evening will kick off with a half-hour of poetry readings, followed by the main event: a half-hour in-conversation with Jack White and Hanif Abdurraqib, also featuring Ben Blackwell. A DJ and dance party will follow. Third Man Records is an active vinyl plant, so throughout the night attendees will get to see vinyl records being pressed.
Thursday October 19
7:30–8:30 am ET: Friends of Bill Meeting (private meeting)
8:30–10:00 am ET: Marquee author keynote breakfast BUY YOUR TICKET
A ticketed event featuring Percival Everett and Phillip B. Williams. This event includes author presentation(s), a plated meal, and access to books/ARCs.
8:30–10:00 am ET: Marquee author keynote breakfast BUY YOUR TICKET
A ticketed event featuring Percival Everett and Phillip B. Williams. This event includes author presentation(s), a plated meal, and access to books/ARCs.
10:00 am–1:00 pm ET: Education
Multiple tracks of education are available to pick and choose from.
Multiple tracks of education are available to pick and choose from.
Click here to see track 1 | 10:00 am to 10:50 am
Frontline Bookseller Retreat | Room: Marquette B | Session Lead: Betsy Von Kerens
Attention all vibrant and dedicated frontline booksellers! Join your fellow Frontline Booksellers for an education session tailored just for you. As the vital bridge between books and readers, you hold the key to unlocking the full potential of your store and community. Join us for an upbeat and professionally enriching education panel where you'll learn how much of an impact you have on your store as well as an array of strategies to elevate the store's atmosphere and boost the bottom line. You must be a Frontline Bookseller to attend this session.
Topics Include:
• Dealing with difficult customers
• Fostering customer and community relationships
• Educating yourself on upcoming titles and creating a relationship with publisher reps when you aren't the buyer
• How to advocate for yourself with management and owners
• How to present and advocate ideas that might improve the store and career development
Attention all vibrant and dedicated frontline booksellers! Join your fellow Frontline Booksellers for an education session tailored just for you. As the vital bridge between books and readers, you hold the key to unlocking the full potential of your store and community. Join us for an upbeat and professionally enriching education panel where you'll learn how much of an impact you have on your store as well as an array of strategies to elevate the store's atmosphere and boost the bottom line. You must be a Frontline Bookseller to attend this session.
Topics Include:
• Dealing with difficult customers
• Fostering customer and community relationships
• Educating yourself on upcoming titles and creating a relationship with publisher reps when you aren't the buyer
• How to advocate for yourself with management and owners
• How to present and advocate ideas that might improve the store and career development
Manager’s Retreat | Room: LaSalle A | Session Lead: Carrie Koepke
Educators: Kristen Sandstrom, (Apostle Islands Booksellers, WI), Tim Smith (Schuler Books, MI)
Join us for an exclusive education session designed to ignite your passion, foster connections, and equip you with the tools to thrive as a bookstore manager. As the heartbeat of your bookstore, you juggle roles that bridge the gap between frontline bookselling and ownership. Prepare for an engaging and professionally enriching conversation that will elevate your skills and join the camaraderie of fellow managers. This is a safe space conversation and will remain confidential.
Topics to be Covered:
• Workflow strategies
• Time management
• Creating a productive and harmonious work environment
• De-escalation
• Work/Life balance
• Navigating owner/manager/staff relationships and communication
and more...
Educators: Kristen Sandstrom, (Apostle Islands Booksellers, WI), Tim Smith (Schuler Books, MI)
Join us for an exclusive education session designed to ignite your passion, foster connections, and equip you with the tools to thrive as a bookstore manager. As the heartbeat of your bookstore, you juggle roles that bridge the gap between frontline bookselling and ownership. Prepare for an engaging and professionally enriching conversation that will elevate your skills and join the camaraderie of fellow managers. This is a safe space conversation and will remain confidential.
Topics to be Covered:
• Workflow strategies
• Time management
• Creating a productive and harmonious work environment
• De-escalation
• Work/Life balance
• Navigating owner/manager/staff relationships and communication
and more...
Owner's Retreat | Room: Lasalle B | Session Lead: Nina Barrett
Join fellow bookstore owners in a private space where you can delve into some of the most critical topics store owners must wrestle with in order to succeed in an ever-more challenging retail environment. Using wisdom and best practices gleaned from some of the Midwest’s most successful and long-standing store owners as our jumping-off point, our round-table discussions will tackle tough topics from handling HR responsibilities and navigating living wages, to handling burnout and creating your succession plan. You must be an owner to attend this session.
Join fellow bookstore owners in a private space where you can delve into some of the most critical topics store owners must wrestle with in order to succeed in an ever-more challenging retail environment. Using wisdom and best practices gleaned from some of the Midwest’s most successful and long-standing store owners as our jumping-off point, our round-table discussions will tackle tough topics from handling HR responsibilities and navigating living wages, to handling burnout and creating your succession plan. You must be an owner to attend this session.
click here to see track 2 | 11:00-11:50 am
Bypassing Book Bans: Equipping Bookstores to Protect Literary Freedom
Room: Marquette B | Session Lead: Ashley Valentine
Join us for a critical and time-sensitive educational session focused on safeguarding the fundamental rights of readers and championing the imperative role of representation in literature, specifically within the context of independent bookstores. The escalating wave of book bans constitutes a formidable threat to these rights and values, orchestrated to suppress historically marginalized voices and experiences. Authors, publishers, and booksellers find themselves relentlessly targeted by both random and deliberate book bans, profoundly impacting our literary community.
Experts will share their experiences and impart invaluable insights on effectively combating the pervasive issue of book bans. Leave with actionable strategies to effectively respond to book bans in your community and proactively thwart future attempts at censorship.
Room: Marquette B | Session Lead: Ashley Valentine
Join us for a critical and time-sensitive educational session focused on safeguarding the fundamental rights of readers and championing the imperative role of representation in literature, specifically within the context of independent bookstores. The escalating wave of book bans constitutes a formidable threat to these rights and values, orchestrated to suppress historically marginalized voices and experiences. Authors, publishers, and booksellers find themselves relentlessly targeted by both random and deliberate book bans, profoundly impacting our literary community.
Experts will share their experiences and impart invaluable insights on effectively combating the pervasive issue of book bans. Leave with actionable strategies to effectively respond to book bans in your community and proactively thwart future attempts at censorship.
Excellence in Ecommerce
Room: Marquette A | Session Lead: Zach Matelski
Educators: Sarah High (Bookshop.org), Jeff Spakowski and Dave Walton (Wordstock/IBIDie), Dan Brewster (Prologue Bookshop), Karen Farmer (Libro.fm)
Discover the invaluable insights and strategies to enhance your online sales potential, regardless of your ecommerce platform. Experts will provide you with a comprehensive arsenal of top-tier techniques designed to escalate your conversion rates and foster success in generating online sales. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your ecommerce approach and improve your online sales. This education session will begin with a presentation followed by guided roundtable discussion organized by ecommerce platform.
Room: Marquette A | Session Lead: Zach Matelski
Educators: Sarah High (Bookshop.org), Jeff Spakowski and Dave Walton (Wordstock/IBIDie), Dan Brewster (Prologue Bookshop), Karen Farmer (Libro.fm)
Discover the invaluable insights and strategies to enhance your online sales potential, regardless of your ecommerce platform. Experts will provide you with a comprehensive arsenal of top-tier techniques designed to escalate your conversion rates and foster success in generating online sales. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your ecommerce approach and improve your online sales. This education session will begin with a presentation followed by guided roundtable discussion organized by ecommerce platform.
Edelweiss Advanced Buying Workshop
Room: LaSalle A | Session Lead: Broche Fabian
Take your Edelweiss ordering to the next level. Edelweiss is the ultimate hub for book industry professionals, designed to make frontlist title ordering a breeze! Join experts, in a captivating session packed with advanced ordering practices.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just ready for the next level, this session is tailored to elevate your buying game. Uncover general best practices and expert insights, while learning from common mistakes. This is a working session so please bring your laptop.
Room: LaSalle A | Session Lead: Broche Fabian
Take your Edelweiss ordering to the next level. Edelweiss is the ultimate hub for book industry professionals, designed to make frontlist title ordering a breeze! Join experts, in a captivating session packed with advanced ordering practices.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just ready for the next level, this session is tailored to elevate your buying game. Uncover general best practices and expert insights, while learning from common mistakes. This is a working session so please bring your laptop.
Education Session: Zine Workshop
Room: LaSalle B | Session Lead: Gary Lovely
Educators: Kalen Landow (Microcosm Publishing), more announced soon...
Take a deep dive into the world of Zines in this engaging and interactive workshop. Whether you're an aspiring Zine creator, an enthusiast eager to delve into this unique medium, or you want to take your Zine selling game to the next level. This session is tailored to equip you with actionable skills and insights. Join us to explore what Zines are, learn effective strategies for selling Zines, identify popular Zine genres, master the art of Zine-making, and much more.
What are Zines?
Zines are self-published, small-circulation publications that often focus on niche or alternative topics. They are typically created independently by individuals or small groups and are characterized by their do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos. Zines can take various forms, including handmade pamphlets, booklets, mini-magazines, or even digital formats.
These publications cover a wide range of subjects, including personal experiences, art, poetry, fiction, social and political commentary, music, fan fiction, and more. Zines provide a platform for marginalized voices, enabling creators to express themselves freely without the constraints often imposed by mainstream media.
Zines have a rich history, dating back to the 1930s and 1940s with science fiction fanzines. They gained popularity in various subcultures, such as punk, riot grrrl, and LGBTQ+ communities, during the 1970s and 1980s. The spirit of zine-making continues to thrive in the digital age, where online zines and digital self-publishing platforms have expanded their reach even further.
Room: LaSalle B | Session Lead: Gary Lovely
Educators: Kalen Landow (Microcosm Publishing), more announced soon...
Take a deep dive into the world of Zines in this engaging and interactive workshop. Whether you're an aspiring Zine creator, an enthusiast eager to delve into this unique medium, or you want to take your Zine selling game to the next level. This session is tailored to equip you with actionable skills and insights. Join us to explore what Zines are, learn effective strategies for selling Zines, identify popular Zine genres, master the art of Zine-making, and much more.
What are Zines?
Zines are self-published, small-circulation publications that often focus on niche or alternative topics. They are typically created independently by individuals or small groups and are characterized by their do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos. Zines can take various forms, including handmade pamphlets, booklets, mini-magazines, or even digital formats.
These publications cover a wide range of subjects, including personal experiences, art, poetry, fiction, social and political commentary, music, fan fiction, and more. Zines provide a platform for marginalized voices, enabling creators to express themselves freely without the constraints often imposed by mainstream media.
Zines have a rich history, dating back to the 1930s and 1940s with science fiction fanzines. They gained popularity in various subcultures, such as punk, riot grrrl, and LGBTQ+ communities, during the 1970s and 1980s. The spirit of zine-making continues to thrive in the digital age, where online zines and digital self-publishing platforms have expanded their reach even further.
click here to see track 3 | 12:00-12:50 pm
Edelweiss for Non-Ordering Workshop
Room: LaSalle A | Session Lead: Melissa Weisberg
Are you using Edelweiss to its fullest potential? Gain valuable insights into how publishers leverage Edelweiss to access crucial bookstore sales analytics, strategize author tours, and derive sales estimates tailored to your region and beyond. This session will feature publishers and booksellers highlighting many of the non-ordering tools available in Edelweiss. Additional topics include submitting reviews, section analytics, finding communities, coop, ARCs and more. Leave with actionable tips and best practices. This is a working session so please bring your laptop.
Room: LaSalle A | Session Lead: Melissa Weisberg
Are you using Edelweiss to its fullest potential? Gain valuable insights into how publishers leverage Edelweiss to access crucial bookstore sales analytics, strategize author tours, and derive sales estimates tailored to your region and beyond. This session will feature publishers and booksellers highlighting many of the non-ordering tools available in Edelweiss. Additional topics include submitting reviews, section analytics, finding communities, coop, ARCs and more. Leave with actionable tips and best practices. This is a working session so please bring your laptop.
Talk Nerdy to Me: Mastering the Art of In-Conversation Author Events
Room: Marquette A | Session Lead: Maxwell Gregory
Educators: Pamela Klinger-Horn (Literature Lovers Night Out), more announced soon...
Calling all event coordinators! This immersive session is designed to empower you with expert insights and techniques for hosting captivating in-conversation author events. Unravel the art of creating meaningful and interesting dialogues that leave a lasting impact on your audiences. Learn the best practices for pairing facilitators with authors to guide thought-provoking conversations. From curating engaging questions to setting the stage for enriching interactions, this session promises to elevate your author events to new heights.
Room: Marquette A | Session Lead: Maxwell Gregory
Educators: Pamela Klinger-Horn (Literature Lovers Night Out), more announced soon...
Calling all event coordinators! This immersive session is designed to empower you with expert insights and techniques for hosting captivating in-conversation author events. Unravel the art of creating meaningful and interesting dialogues that leave a lasting impact on your audiences. Learn the best practices for pairing facilitators with authors to guide thought-provoking conversations. From curating engaging questions to setting the stage for enriching interactions, this session promises to elevate your author events to new heights.
Abookadabra: The Magic of Handselling and Genre Roundtables
Room: LaSalle B | Lead: Shane Mullen, Session Assistance: Tim Smith, Alyson Turner
Handselling is the cornerstone of a successful bookstore. Delight in the company of seasoned bookselling experts as they divulge their handselling strategies, unleash invaluable tips for smarter buying, and reveal dynamic approaches for both active and passive selling. Join us for an engaging two-part session that promises fun and professional growth.
In the first part, you'll be treated to an enthralling handselling presentation that will leave you energized and eager to put your newfound knowledge into action. Then get ready to immerse yourself in genre-based roundtables, skillfully guided by expert booksellers and authors. Gain valuable insights and expert guidance on optimizing sales for genres with untapped potential in your bookstore or take your love of a specific genre to the next level. Hear about top sellers in each genre and embrace the art of creating magical reading experiences for your customers!
Roundtables: Horror, Poetry, Queer, Romance, Sci-Fi, YA
Room: LaSalle B | Lead: Shane Mullen, Session Assistance: Tim Smith, Alyson Turner
Handselling is the cornerstone of a successful bookstore. Delight in the company of seasoned bookselling experts as they divulge their handselling strategies, unleash invaluable tips for smarter buying, and reveal dynamic approaches for both active and passive selling. Join us for an engaging two-part session that promises fun and professional growth.
In the first part, you'll be treated to an enthralling handselling presentation that will leave you energized and eager to put your newfound knowledge into action. Then get ready to immerse yourself in genre-based roundtables, skillfully guided by expert booksellers and authors. Gain valuable insights and expert guidance on optimizing sales for genres with untapped potential in your bookstore or take your love of a specific genre to the next level. Hear about top sellers in each genre and embrace the art of creating magical reading experiences for your customers!
Roundtables: Horror, Poetry, Queer, Romance, Sci-Fi, YA
This is a Fire Drill: Preparing for and Avoiding Crises
Room: Marquette B | Session Lead: ABA Staff
Join ABA staff as we review some of the top crises stores have experienced this past year. From cybersecurity threats to a car driving into the store, we will provide resources and tips to prepare for and, when possible, avoid these crises at your store. Topics will include: fire, flood, and natural disasters; bomb threats; social media trolls; cybersecurity incidents; protesters; bad actors; break-ins, and more. Throughout the session, we’ll explore ways to respond to these crises and ways to mitigate the risk of these events occurring at your store. Think of this session as insurance and take this time to invest in protecting your business.
Room: Marquette B | Session Lead: ABA Staff
Join ABA staff as we review some of the top crises stores have experienced this past year. From cybersecurity threats to a car driving into the store, we will provide resources and tips to prepare for and, when possible, avoid these crises at your store. Topics will include: fire, flood, and natural disasters; bomb threats; social media trolls; cybersecurity incidents; protesters; bad actors; break-ins, and more. Throughout the session, we’ll explore ways to respond to these crises and ways to mitigate the risk of these events occurring at your store. Think of this session as insurance and take this time to invest in protecting your business.
1:00–2:30 pm ET: Rep Picks Lunch SECURE YOUR FREE TICKET
Hear about exciting forthcoming titles from our publishing partners. There will be three Rep Picks sessions going on simultaneously. The lunch free to all attendees, but requires registration. Once Rep Picks have completed we encourage attendees to visit the trade show floor. Please check out our list of participating Reps below.
Hear about exciting forthcoming titles from our publishing partners. There will be three Rep Picks sessions going on simultaneously. The lunch free to all attendees, but requires registration. Once Rep Picks have completed we encourage attendees to visit the trade show floor. Please check out our list of participating Reps below.
Participating reps
Room: Cadillac A&B |
Room: Joliet A&B |
Room: Mackinaw |
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2:30–5:30 pm ET: Day 1 of trade show floor
Meet with our book industry partners to learn about new titles, learn about services designed for bookstores, promote your store and event series, and build lasting relationships.
Meet with our book industry partners to learn about new titles, learn about services designed for bookstores, promote your store and event series, and build lasting relationships.
5:30–6:30 pm ET: Cocktail Hour
The Future of Bookselling featuring Danny Caine and Rockstar Booksellers
The Future of Bookselling featuring Danny Caine and Rockstar Booksellers
Danny Caine is back with a compelling case for the power of small, local businesses in How to Protect Bookstores and Why: The Present and Future of Bookselling (September 2023, Microcosm Publishing). At once an urgent call to action and a sincere tribute to everything bookstores can do, Caine profiles of 13 of the most interesting, creative, and progressive bookstores of today, many of them from right here in the Midwest. A number of booksellers featured in the book will join Danny for a discussion of the future of bookselling. Attendees will engage with each other on the topic and crowdsource a vision of bookselling's future. Books are provided by Microcosm to the first 150 attendees and drinks will be served.
9:30–11:45 pm ET: Quiz Bowl
Join your friends to mount a veritable summit of formidable literary trivia at our annual competition. Join a team of up to 6 at the event or prepare your perfect team ahead of time. All are invited to join and no registration is not required.
Friday, October 20
7:30–8:30 am ET: Friends of Bill Meeting (private meeting)
8:00–9:30 am ET: Multi-Author Keynote Breakfast BUY YOUR TICKET
Ticketed event. This event includes five keynote author presentations, a plated meal, and access to books/ARCs.
8:00–9:30 am ET: Multi-Author Keynote Breakfast BUY YOUR TICKET
Ticketed event. This event includes five keynote author presentations, a plated meal, and access to books/ARCs.
9:30 am–12:30 pm ET - Day 2 of the trade show floor
Meet with our book industry partners to learn about new titles, learn about services designed for bookstores, promote your store and event series, and build lasting relationships.
Meet with our book industry partners to learn about new titles, learn about services designed for bookstores, promote your store and event series, and build lasting relationships.
11:00 am–12:00 pm ET - BINC Auction on the trade show floor
More info coming soon...
12:30–2:00 pm ET: The Moveable Feast BUY YOUR TICKET
Ticketed event. This event includes author presentation(s), a plated meal, and access to books/ARCs. Author announcement to come. VIEW OUR CONFIRMED AUTHORS
2:00–3:00 pm ET: Wrap Up, Galley Swap, and Idea Share
Meet up with friends and colleagues new and old to talk about what you learned at the show while swapping galleys.
More info coming soon...
12:30–2:00 pm ET: The Moveable Feast BUY YOUR TICKET
Ticketed event. This event includes author presentation(s), a plated meal, and access to books/ARCs. Author announcement to come. VIEW OUR CONFIRMED AUTHORS
2:00–3:00 pm ET: Wrap Up, Galley Swap, and Idea Share
Meet up with friends and colleagues new and old to talk about what you learned at the show while swapping galleys.
