Registration and check-in
Registration desk location:
Ontario Foyer (3rd floor) Hours
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Tote bag from St. Martin's Press
Get an advanced copy of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN, along with a gorgeous tote, at the registration desk while supplies last! |
Tuesday, October 17
Pre-Heartand Event at Source Booksellers in Detroit Featuring Danny Caine and Josh Cook
Wednesday October 18
9:30 am–2:00 pm ET: Bookstore Tours | Meet in the Motor Lobby | TICKETED EVENT/SOLD OUT
Detroit Bookstore Tour #1
9:30 am: Depart from the Motor Lobby
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Detroit Bookstore Tour #2
9:30 am: Depart from the Motor Lobby
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Can't make the bus tours? Set up your own tour! Stop by the registration desk to coordinate with other booksellers and set up your own bookstore tour. Check out this map of all the great independent bookstores in the Detroit area.
3:00–4:00 pm ET: Orientation | Room: Marquette A/B (5th floor)
A session for booksellers new to Heartland. Get your bearings and meet new people before diving into the Heartland experience. Attend this event if you've been in bookselling for under a year or have never attended Heartland.
A session for booksellers new to Heartland. Get your bearings and meet new people before diving into the Heartland experience. Attend this event if you've been in bookselling for under a year or have never attended Heartland.
4:00–5:00 pm ET: Book Awards Celebration | Room: Mackinac (5th floor)
Featuring our ever-favorite host Isaac Fitzgerald, celebrate the award-winning authors of the Heartland Booksellers Award and the Voice of the Heartland award. View the award-winning authors! The Book Awards Celebration includes welcome goodies from our Principal Sponsor, Wayne State University Press.
Featuring our ever-favorite host Isaac Fitzgerald, celebrate the award-winning authors of the Heartland Booksellers Award and the Voice of the Heartland award. View the award-winning authors! The Book Awards Celebration includes welcome goodies from our Principal Sponsor, Wayne State University Press.
5:00-6:30 pm ET: Opening Reception | 42 North (3rd floor)
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. Arcadia Publishing/History Press is providing free tote bags to the first 200 attendees.
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. Arcadia Publishing/History Press is providing free tote bags to the first 200 attendees.
8:00 pm–12:00 am ET: Opening Night Party at Third Man Records
441 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
441 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
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, including a copy of There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib.
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, Hanif Abdurraqib and 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.
Important Info:
• PLEASE GET THERE EARLY. We anticipate this event will hit capacity.
• The event is happening at Third Man Records - 441 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
• There will be two buses that will shuttle attendees back and forth between the Renaissance Center and Third Man Records. First departure from hotel at 8:00 pm. Last departure from Third Man Records at midnight.
• The event is open to all registered Heartland attendees.
• Your badge required to get in. Security on site will be checking badges.
• All attendees will receive 20% off purchases at the Third Man Records store. (Some exceptions apply.)
• The first 150 people will receive a goodie bag and a copy of There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib.
• In 100 of the goodie bags there will be randomly placed red tickets. The red tickets will get you a place in the signing. The signing is limited to a 100 people.
• If you want a copy of The White Stripes Complete Lyrics, it must be purchased that night at Third Man Records.
• No books, merchandise, posters, records, CDs, etc are allowed into the venue.
• Cash bar
Third Man Records Party Schedule
• Doors at 8:00 pm, event start at 9:00 pm
• Announcements and welcomes
• Reading from Ruth Awad
• Reading from Adrian Matejka
• Reading from Caroline Randall Williams
• Hanif Abdurraqib, Ben Blackwell, and Jack White discuss The White Stripes Complete Lyrics
• Audience Q and A with Jack and panel
• White Stripes book signing with Jack White, Hanif Abdurraquib, Ben Blackwell, and Caroline Randall Williams
(Please Note: no other items will be signed)
This might be the only time all four contributors will be in one place signing together!!!
• DJ and dance party for the rest of the night
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, Hanif Abdurraqib and 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.
Important Info:
• PLEASE GET THERE EARLY. We anticipate this event will hit capacity.
• The event is happening at Third Man Records - 441 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
• There will be two buses that will shuttle attendees back and forth between the Renaissance Center and Third Man Records. First departure from hotel at 8:00 pm. Last departure from Third Man Records at midnight.
• The event is open to all registered Heartland attendees.
• Your badge required to get in. Security on site will be checking badges.
• All attendees will receive 20% off purchases at the Third Man Records store. (Some exceptions apply.)
• The first 150 people will receive a goodie bag and a copy of There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib.
• In 100 of the goodie bags there will be randomly placed red tickets. The red tickets will get you a place in the signing. The signing is limited to a 100 people.
• If you want a copy of The White Stripes Complete Lyrics, it must be purchased that night at Third Man Records.
• No books, merchandise, posters, records, CDs, etc are allowed into the venue.
• Cash bar
Third Man Records Party Schedule
• Doors at 8:00 pm, event start at 9:00 pm
• Announcements and welcomes
• Reading from Ruth Awad
• Reading from Adrian Matejka
• Reading from Caroline Randall Williams
• Hanif Abdurraqib, Ben Blackwell, and Jack White discuss The White Stripes Complete Lyrics
• Audience Q and A with Jack and panel
• White Stripes book signing with Jack White, Hanif Abdurraquib, Ben Blackwell, and Caroline Randall Williams
(Please Note: no other items will be signed)
This might be the only time all four contributors will be in one place signing together!!!
• DJ and dance party for the rest of the night
Thursday October 19
7:30–8:30 am ET: Friends of Bill Meeting (private meeting) | Room: Monet (4th floor)
This meeting is run by Erika Vanalstine, a Certified Peer Recovery Mentor with CLASS Agency (Changing Lives and Staying Sober), whose mission is to provide strategies and treatment services for families to improve the quality of their lives.
This meeting is run by Erika Vanalstine, a Certified Peer Recovery Mentor with CLASS Agency (Changing Lives and Staying Sober), whose mission is to provide strategies and treatment services for families to improve the quality of their lives.
8:30–10:00 am ET: Marquee Author Breakfast | Room: Mackinac (5th floor) | TICKETED EVENT
Enjoy a presentation featuring Percival Everett, author of James (Doubleday 3/19/24), and Phillip B. Williams, author of Ours (Viking 2/20/24). This event is hosted by Cree Myles, a Milwaukee-based creator and manager of @AllWaysBlack, a platform she curates celebrating Black writers in partnership with Penguin Random House. This event includes author presentations, breakfast, and access to books/ARCs, and an author book signing.
Enjoy a presentation featuring Percival Everett, author of James (Doubleday 3/19/24), and Phillip B. Williams, author of Ours (Viking 2/20/24). This event is hosted by Cree Myles, a Milwaukee-based creator and manager of @AllWaysBlack, a platform she curates celebrating Black writers in partnership with Penguin Random House. This event includes author presentations, breakfast, and access to books/ARCs, and an author book signing.
10:00 am–1:00 pm ET: Education | Multiple tracks and rooms. Click on the yellow bars for detail.
Download Education Handouts >>
Download Education Handouts >>
After attending education please take a moment to take our quick education survey. Your participation is vital in keeping our programming relevant and valuable to our membership. Thank you!
Education Retreat Treats sponsored by Sourcebooks! Attendees attending the Owners, Buyers, Frontline or Managers Retreats will receive a special Retreat Treat from our friends at Sourcebooks. |
TAP to see track 1 | 10:00 am to 10:50 am
Buyers Retreat | Marquette A (5th floor) | Session Lead: Chris
Educators: Johanna Hynes (PGW / Two Rivers / Ingram Academic), Hilary Gustafson (Literati), Kate Schlademan (The Learned Owl, The Thrifty Owl), Victoria Ford (Comma)
Welcome, savvy bookstore buyers! Join us for a motivating education session tailored to elevate your buying game. From maximizing Edelweiss to working with reps, optimizing author event orders, engaging schools and B2B clients, mastering budgeting, collaborating with owners and frontline booksellers and more. You must be a buyer to attend this session.
Educators: Johanna Hynes (PGW / Two Rivers / Ingram Academic), Hilary Gustafson (Literati), Kate Schlademan (The Learned Owl, The Thrifty Owl), Victoria Ford (Comma)
Welcome, savvy bookstore buyers! Join us for a motivating education session tailored to elevate your buying game. From maximizing Edelweiss to working with reps, optimizing author event orders, engaging schools and B2B clients, mastering budgeting, collaborating with owners and frontline booksellers and more. You must be a buyer to attend this session.
Frontline Bookseller Retreat | Marquette B (5th floor) | Session Lead: Betsy Von Kerens
Educators: Anitra Budd (copywriter, editor, educator, and public speaker), Broche Fabian (Sourcebooks, River Dog Book Company), Suzy Takacs (The Book Cellar)
Downloadable Handouts >>
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
Educators: Anitra Budd (copywriter, editor, educator, and public speaker), Broche Fabian (Sourcebooks, River Dog Book Company), Suzy Takacs (The Book Cellar)
Downloadable Handouts >>
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
Managers Retreat | Lasalle A (5th floor) | Session Lead: Carrie Koepke
Educators: Kristen Sandstrom (Apostle Islands Booksellers, WI) and 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 include:
• 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) and 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 include:
• 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
Owners Retreat | Lasalle B (5th floor) | 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.
TAP to see track 2 | 11:00-11:50 am
The Impact of Book Bans | Marquette B (5th floor) | Session Lead: Ashley Valentine
Educators: Cree Myles (Penguin Random House, All Ways Black), Johnathan Pope (Prologue Bookshop), Grace Hagen (The Novel Neighbor), Sabrina Baeta (Freedom to Read, a consultant for PEN America)
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.
Educators: Cree Myles (Penguin Random House, All Ways Black), Johnathan Pope (Prologue Bookshop), Grace Hagen (The Novel Neighbor), Sabrina Baeta (Freedom to Read, a consultant for PEN America)
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 | Marquette A (5th floor) | 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.
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 | LaSalle A (5th floor) | Session Lead: BrocheAroe Fabian
Educators: Jason Gold (Edelweiss), Broche Fabian (Sourcebooks, River Dog Book Company), Andy Holcomb (Fujii Associates), Alex Ness (McLean and Eakin)
Presentation >>
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.
Educators: Jason Gold (Edelweiss), Broche Fabian (Sourcebooks, River Dog Book Company), Andy Holcomb (Fujii Associates), Alex Ness (McLean and Eakin)
Presentation >>
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.
Zine Workshop | LaSalle B (5th floor) | Session Lead: Gary Lovely
Educators: Kalen Landow (Microcosm Publishing), Rosa Ransom (Mac's Backs-Books on Coventry)
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.
Educators: Kalen Landow (Microcosm Publishing), Rosa Ransom (Mac's Backs-Books on Coventry)
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.
TAP to see track 3 | 12:00-12:50 pm
Edelweiss for Non-Ordering Workshop | LaSalle A (5th floor) | Session Lead: Melissa Weisberg
Educators: David Mallman (Norton) Educators: John Rubin (Edelweiss), Jessilynn Norcross (McLean & Eakin)
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.
Educators: David Mallman (Norton) Educators: John Rubin (Edelweiss), Jessilynn Norcross (McLean & Eakin)
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 | Marquette A (5th floor) | Session Lead: Maxwell Gregory
Moderator: Mary Mollman (Madison Street Books)
Educators: Daniel Goldin (Boswell Book Company), Pamela Klinger-Horn (Literature Lover's Night Out (TM)), Keir Graff (Author), Sarah Hollenbeck (Women and Children First)
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.
Moderator: Mary Mollman (Madison Street Books)
Educators: Daniel Goldin (Boswell Book Company), Pamela Klinger-Horn (Literature Lover's Night Out (TM)), Keir Graff (Author), Sarah Hollenbeck (Women and Children First)
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 | LaSalle B (5) | Session Lead: Shane Mullen
Educator: Anitra Budd (copywriter, editor, educator, and public speaker), Denise Williams (author)
Handselling Handouts >>
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
Educator: Anitra Budd (copywriter, editor, educator, and public speaker), Denise Williams (author)
Handselling Handouts >>
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 | Marquette B (5th floor) | 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.
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 | Room assignments are printed on the back of booksellers' badges
Pick up lunch at the table between Mackinac and Cadillac then head to the room assigned to you on the back of your badge. Reps and Moderators please enjoy a private lunch in your assigned room before Rep Picks begins from 12:30-1:00 pm.
Pick up lunch at the table between Mackinac and Cadillac then head to the room assigned to you on the back of your badge. Reps and Moderators please enjoy a private lunch in your assigned room before Rep Picks begins from 12:30-1:00 pm.
Participating reps
Room: Cadillac A&B |
Room: Joliet A&B |
Room: Mackinac |
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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 | Mackinac (5th floor)
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.
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.
9:30-11:45 pm Quiz Bowl | Cartier (4th floor)
Join your friends to mount a vertiable summit of formidable literary trivia at our annual competition. Quiz Bowl consists of 8 rounds of literary questions. 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. If you just want to hang out in the stunning setting, that's OK too. (Past Quiz Bowl Winners)
Join your friends to mount a vertiable summit of formidable literary trivia at our annual competition. Quiz Bowl consists of 8 rounds of literary questions. 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. If you just want to hang out in the stunning setting, that's OK too. (Past Quiz Bowl Winners)
Friday, October 20
7:30–8:30 am ET: Friends of Bill Meeting (private meeting) | Room: Monet (4th floor)
This meeting is run by Erika Vanalstine, a Certified Peer Recovery Mentor with CLASS Agency (Changing Lives and Staying Sober), whose mission is to provide strategies and treatment services for families to improve the quality of their lives.
This meeting is run by Erika Vanalstine, a Certified Peer Recovery Mentor with CLASS Agency (Changing Lives and Staying Sober), whose mission is to provide strategies and treatment services for families to improve the quality of their lives.
8:00–9:30 am ET: Multi-Author Keynote Breakfast | Room: Mackinac (5th floor) | TICKETED EVENT
Sponsored by HarperCollins
Enjoy breakfast with friends and authors as we hear presentations from some of the season's hottest authors. This event includes author presentations, breakfast, access to books/ARCs, and an author book signing.
Sponsored by HarperCollins
Enjoy breakfast with friends and authors as we hear presentations from some of the season's hottest authors. This event includes author presentations, breakfast, access to books/ARCs, and an author book signing.
- Kiley Reid, Come and Get It (1/30/24, GP Putnam's Sons)
- Erik Larson, title to come
- Cristina Henriquez, The Great Divide (3/5/24, Ecco)
- Candice Iloh, Salt the Water (10/3/23, Dutton BFYR)
9:30–12:30 pm ET: Day 2 of trade show floor | Ontario (3rd 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
Auction items are donated by exhibitors and all proceeds go Binc as they help the employees and owners of bookstores and comic shops with unforeseen emergency financial, medical, and mental health service needs.
Auction items are donated by exhibitors and all proceeds go Binc as they help the employees and owners of bookstores and comic shops with unforeseen emergency financial, medical, and mental health service needs.
12:30–2:00 pm ET: The Moveable Feast | Mackinac (5th floor) | TICKETED EVENT
Sponsored by Scholastic
This annual tradition showcases 36 of the season's hottest upcoming authors as booksellers enjoy lunch and hear about new titles directly fromt hese authors. Enjoy hearing about Ticketed event. This event includes author presentations, a plated meal, and access to books/ARCs. View the authors participating in the Moveable Feast.
Sponsored by Scholastic
This annual tradition showcases 36 of the season's hottest upcoming authors as booksellers enjoy lunch and hear about new titles directly fromt hese authors. Enjoy hearing about Ticketed event. This event includes author presentations, a plated meal, and access to books/ARCs. View the authors participating in the Moveable Feast.