Editor's Note: Children's author Corina Vacco, whose debut novel My Chemical Mountain will be released in June, wrote a lovely piece on her blog about independent booksellers and her experience at the Spring Gathering. It's reprinted here with her permission.

 I grew up haunting independent bookstores. I saw them as hidden worlds, filled with magical treasures that could only be uncovered by the somewhat mystical Book Discoverers employed within. When an indie bookseller would hand me a title and say, "You just have to read this. You must," I knew they were right, because they cared nothing for bandwagons and would only recommend the books they themselves loved intimately and found unforgettable. Conversations between indie booksellers and readers are something special to behold; a reading experience is passed along from one book lover to another, face-to-face. And let's not forget the  handwritten shelf-talkers indie booksellers use to turn readers on to a favorite book, for they are love letters through and through.   

I remain a fierce supporter of indie bookstores, because within their walls, Book Discoverers uncover new treasures every day, while injecting humanity into the book buying experience. It feels good to stand inside a unique bookshop that's been nurtured by a steadfast owner, just as it's thrilling to stumble upon a cozy, indie bookstore when I'm traveling in an unfamiliar city. These businesses are magnificent and resilient, true treasures, built upon the labors of love, and they deserve our respect and support.   

Now that you know how much I adore indie bookstores, imagine what a surreal experience it was to be invited to the Northern California Independent Booksellers Spring Gathering in San Francisco. Little old me, afforded a chance to mingle with some of the most important people in the world of books, invited to talk about MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN to the savviest buyers in existence. Suffice it to say...I was ridiculously nervous! True, I've been signing bookplate stickers here and there for some time now, but never before had I signed an actual flesh-and-blood book.

So there I stood with a stack of galleys and a shiny new pen. No cameras around to photograph the moment. No Zen Masters around to help me relax and stop fidgeting. My hand shook uncontrollably as I pressed pen to paper. I almost spelled my own name incorrectly. And it took me a few tries before I realized I was supposed to be signing the title page, not the info page. But I did not fall out the windows situated directly behind me, I did not faint, and with time, the jitters subsided. But what a privilege it was to work through those jitters in the company of booksellers who were kind and eloquent, friendly and vibrant, knowledgeable and interesting, passionate and compelling. What a pleasure it was to connect with people who love books as much as I do, if not
more, to hear their stories, to learn what cities and bookshops they hailed from. I couldn't have picked a better venue for my very first signing, nor could I have dreamed of better company.

To NCIBA and all the amazing booksellers I met yesterday, I want to say thank you-for your interest in MY CHEMICAL MOUNTAIN, for being there with me during my very first signing ever, for the great conversations, and for all that you've done and will do for the countless readers who've come to see you as their guiding stars. Much love and luck to each and every one of you. 

At the Above the Treeline education session at the Spring Gathering, the subject of the cost of Treeline to stores was raised. Because there are different levels of pricing and other potential factors, the issue was not fully addressed.

Since then, the office has heard from several booksellers who were disappointed not to get clearer answers about what Above the Treeline costs. So, we asked Edelweiss representative Joe Foster to provide some more information.
 
Joe sent along a chart that gives a basic overview of the monthly fees. He also noted that pricing changes slightly for multiple stores, ABA stores get their set-up fees waived (covered by ABA), and some POS systems charge set-up fees or require a specific/updated version of their system.
 
That said, here's part of the chart to serve as an example.  ABA Summit refers to ABA stores who are interested in the Summit Subscription Level, which is by far the most common scenario. If you want more details about the services offered, click here.
 

Hi Bookshop Santa Cruz,
Just a quick note to let you know that I had a great time today handing out David Sedaris' Me Talk Pretty One Day at Main Beach.  People were thrilled to get the books.  Some knew Sedaris and wanted to read the book, others were just thankful to get something to read while they were at the beach.  I gave books to a couple of European families who looked startled but were grateful for the gift.  Universally people were awestruck that authors, publishers, bookstores, libraries and volunteers were so willing to engage in such a random act of kindness.  Thanks for being a sponsor and for providing a pickup location!


Owner Christie Olson Day gave away books at local laundromats with her two kids, Collin (12) and Susannah (9).

The office has copies (see below) of a lovely full-color poster (11x17) featuring winners of this year's Northern California Independent Booksellers Book of the Year awards. If you'd like one, email hut@nciba.com.

We are also posting digital promotional materials on our website for some of the winners - you might want to use them to create a Book Awards announcement on your website or newsletter.

Editor's Note: Mrs. Dalloway's co-owner Marion Abbott recently wrote a Letter to the Editor for The New York Times, commenting on an article about self-publishing. Her letter was published and has since received a great deal of attention and generated much online discussion - read the text and you'll see why.

Authors who choose to self-publish as a recourse to rejection from, or frustration with, traditional publishing houses subject themselves to further disappointment when they attempt to publicize and distribute their books themselves. We see this every day in our independent bookstore: writers dropping off unsolicited work in the hopes we will stock books that have had little or no editing, reviews or distribution beyond Amazon (always non-starter). With rare exceptions, it is unrealistic to expect busy booksellers, who conduct business with hundreds of established vendors already, to take them on: reading, evaluating, setting up separate vendors for each title. For us, it's a bookkeeping nightmare yielding very little return. For the novice author, it's a cumbersome process at best to learn how to become a one-person publishing company.

Mr. Mamet notwithstanding, would-be authors might think twice before venturing into a world largely unknown to them.  

Sales rep Nancy Suib has a new email address, and we wanted to pass it along to everyone.

Please delete old email address: nsuib@earthlink.net and replace with nancy.suib@gmail.com

As a member of NCIBA, we would like to extend to non-members of ABA a special offer to join our national association for $50 for your first year. Founded in 1900, the ABA is a not-for-profit trade organization devoted to meeting the needs of its members through education, business products and services, marketing and advocacy.

Now more than ever, whether a new or used bookstore, it is important for indie bookstores to be part of a larger network. And while the economy is still difficult, and the industry ever-changing, we are confident that indies have a profitable future ahead.  

ABA membership includes:

Education and networking, where you can expand your knowledge of the industry through web-based curriculum guides as well as programs like the annual Winter Institute;

The Book Buyers Handbook, a fully-searchable database directory of up-to-date information on publisher's contact information, current promotions and special offers;

IndieBound D.I.Y, with over 100 design files that can be used for in-store and online marketing, all inspired by local first and independent business advocacy;

Online Bookseller forums, where you can communicate with other indies all over the country and post questions and comments;

ABA's website solution, IndieCommerce, and our ebook partnership with Kobo

For a full list of ABA membership benefits, please visit this page.

According to NCIBA executive director Hut Landon, this is an offer that no bookseller should pass up. "One factor that is pivotal to the success of independent booksellers is their association with ABA and their regional organization. Trust me when I tell you that no other category of retailers has access to the kind of education, advocacy, information, and overall support that independent bookstores do. Furthermore, the ABA's influence in bettering publisher terms over the years has positively impacted the bottom line of every member bookstore."

This offer expires on May 15, 2013, so join today using the promo code regional13.

LIVE AUCTION:  INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE LIQUIDATION FEATURING 34' DIESEL BOOKMOBILE

Saturday, May 4th

155 Nardi Lane, Martinez CA 94553

Auction begins at noon, with a preview of the lots at 11:30AM.

Directions - Traveling North on 680: exit Pacheco Blvd west. Nardi Lane is immediately on your right.

Traveling South on 680: Exit Arthur Rd. and head south towards Pacheco Blvd. Turn left onto Pacheco Blvd, and left again onto Nardi Lane.

Items for auction include:

Bookstore supplies, fixtures and cash registers/visa machines, etc.

Heavy duty wooden bookshelves, furnished with shelf clips and shelves.

Complete IBID inventory control system including computer, monitors, cash registers, receipt printers, dot matrix printer, modem, and extra stations.

21,000+ used books - hardcover, trade paperback, mass market. Divided into lots.

Used Bookmobile: This is a fully functional vehicle, 1999 International, 34' long, diesel engine, with 45,000 original miles. Custom built to function as a mobile bookstore.

***This is a CASH ONLY sale (exception may be allowed for Bookmobile.) More information and photos at