As independent booksellers face the challenge of capturing online mindshare and staying competitive with e-books as well as print books, how are regional bookseller associations helping their cause at the annual trade shows this fall?
One new tactic is to invite book bloggers to join the tribal book gatherings happening in nine cities around the country, where they can meet local booksellers and publisher sales reps who can steer them to hot titles, industry buzz, local angles, and (of course) free galleys. For example, the Southern Independent Booksellers Association has created an educational program on how bloggers and booksellers can work together, which we explored in a Q&A with participating blogger Rebecca Schinsky, and in a big, lively #followreader chat last month.
On today’s #followreader chat on Twitter from 4-5pm ET, my two guests will be Steve Fischer (@steveNEIBA), director of the New England Independent Booksellers Association, and Wanda Jewell (@sindies), who directs the Southern Independent Booksellers Association.
So, book bloggers, come with your questions about how you can get involved, and what these trade shows can offer.
Booksellers, let’s hear your questions about what will make these shows move your business forward and wrap your mind around bridging the digital divide.
Publishers and authors – we’d love to hear from you too, since these shows provide an important opportunity for tete-a-tetes with booksellers and bloggers on the front lines of the book trade.
Keep scrolling info on the nine regional shows, and details on how to join today’s #followreader chat:
SOUTHERN (SIBA): September 24–26, 2010, The Plazas, Daytona, FL
NEW ENGLAND (NEIBA): September 30–October 2, 2010, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI
GREAT LAKES (GLIBA): October 8–10, 2010, Hyatt Regency Dearborn, Dearborn, MI
MIDWEST (MBA): October 1–2, 2010, Rivercentre, St. Paul, MN
MOUNTAINS & PLAINS (MPIBA): September 23–25, 2010, Marriott Denver Tech Center, Denver, CO
NEW ATLANTIC (NAIBA): September 21–22, 2010, Trump Marina, Atlantic City, NJ
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (NCIBA): October 14–16, 2010, Oakland Convention Center/City Center Marriott, Oakland, CA.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST (PNBA): October 7–9, 2010, Airport Holiday Inn, Portland, OR
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (SCIBA): October 23, 2010, Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and Spa, Hollywood, CA
To join today’s #followreader conversation from 4-5pm ET, here’s what to do:
- Just before 4pm ET today, log in to Twitter or whatever interface you prefer. (We recommend Tweetchat, which refreshes quickly and automatically loads your hashtag when you are in the discussion.)
- To follow the discussion, run a search for #followreader
- I’ll start by asking a few questions, before opening up the discussion to the group.
- To post a comment to the discussion, make sure that the hashtag #followreader is in each tweet you write.
Looking forward to chatting with you!
I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make today’s discussion– if not, I’ll read it later today.
Last year, I tried to get information on my local show. I didn’t come out of it with the impression that bloggers were welcome. I may have to try again this year.