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02.06.25 CALIBA Publisher News & Information

Date postedFebruary 6, 2025
Publisher Newsletter,

CALIBA Del Mar Spring Forum, May 7, 2025. Call for Authors Submissions due March 7, 2025.
Publisher News & Information

IN THIS ISSUE

LA Wildfires Update

CALIBA Programs:

*RSVP NOW* Golden Poppy Awards on March 6th

*FUNDRAISER LAUNCH* The Golden Poppy Wildfire Fund for Binc: Help SoCal Booksellers Rebuild

Conferences:

*SUBMISSIONS OPEN* Del Mar Spring Forum on May 7th

Oakland Spring Forum: Call for Sponsors, Welcome Bags & Galley Tables Open

Schedule a Meeting with Hannah at Winter Institute

Promotional Opportunities:

Spring Price Drop on CALIBA Homepage and Newsletter Banners

*SUBMISSIONS OPEN* Social Media Promos

Reserve Ad Space in CALIBA's 2025 Summer Indie Reading Guide by March 1st

Shelf Insider Submissions 

Re-Open April 9th

Industry Announcement

2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

Dates and Deadlines

Bookseller Shoutouts

Bestseller Lists

Classifieds

CALIBA Currently Reading

Resources

NEW MEMBER CORNER
Wild Plum Books logo

Welcome to CALIBA, Wild Plum Books!

Owner: Elyse Chambers

Established: June 2024

About Our New Member: Wild Plum Books is a jewel-box store in the middle of Main Street in St. Helena, California. Owned by Elyse Chambers, Wild Plum Books is home to new and noteworthy releases, timeless classics, a perfect little window bench where kids can get lost in a book, mouth-watering cookbooks, excellent merch and a consistently great soundtrack.

CALIBA STAFF

Hannah Walcher

Executive Director

hannah@caliballiance.org

Valentina Moberg

Operations Manager

valentina@caliballiance.org

Alecia Reddick

Supporting Staff

alecia@caliballiance.org

HOUSEKEEPING

HELP US UPDATE THE REP DIRECTORY

Time to update the rep directory! The directory is alphabetized by publisher/rep group and remains keyword searchable. Please check and email Valentina if corrections are needed!

UPDATE YOUR RECORDS WITH OUR NEW BANK INFO

Please update your payment records as we’ve switched to

US Bank. If you need more info to update your records please email Valentina .

LA WILDFIRES UPDATE
CALIBA LA Wildfires Resources: Ways to Help Booksellers Impacted by the Los Angeles Wildfires.

The fires are contained, but the work to rebuild continues. We will continue to update the LA Wildfires Mutual Aid Google document to share ways that you can support bookstores affected by the fires. You can find this document plus resources for booksellers affected by the fire on the CALIBA LA Fires Resource page.

CALIBA PROGRAMS

*RSVP NOW* GOLDEN POPPY AWARDS ON MARCH 6TH

Votes are in from our booksellers. We'll be reaching out to winners in the coming weeks.

Winners will be announced Thursday, March 6th at our star-studded virtual awards ceremony. Register now!

View the Finalists.

Shop Golden Poppy Finalist stickers and merchandise.
The Golden Poppy Wildfire Fundraiser for Binc: Help SoCal Booksellers Rebuild.

*FUNDRAISER LAUNCH* THE GOLDEN POPPY AWARDS WILDFIRE FUNDRAISER FOR BINC: HELP SOCAL BOOKSELLERS REBUILD

The Golden Poppy Awards celebrate California authors and illustrators. We couldn't celebrate our state's amazing creators without acknowledging the tragic effect the wildfires in Southern California have had on our bookstore members and their communities. Therefore, we are partnering with The BINC Foundation to help California booksellers affected by the fires rebuild, heal, and move forward. 

Click here to donate now.

CONFERENCES
CALIBA Spring Forum - Del Mar - May 7, 2025

*SUBMISSIONS OPEN* DEL MAR SPRING FORUM ON MAY 7TH

CALIBA will be at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Del Mar, May 7th, for a day of lively conversation, education, rep picks, and networking.

  • Rep Picks Interest Form and Call for Sponsors, Welcome Bags & Galley Tables to come.

Click here for more information.

Questions? Email Hannah.

DEL MAR SPRING FORUM HOTEL LINK IS OPEN!

Book your group rate for CALIBA's Del Mar Spring Forum here.
CALIBA Spring Forum: Oakland, April 1, 2025

OAKLAND SPRING FORUM: CALL FOR SPONSORS, WELCOME BAGS & GALLEY TABLES OPEN

CALIBA is returning to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, April 1st, for a day of lively conversation, education, rep picks, and networking.

  • Author invitations will be sent starting on Monday, Feb. 3rd.

  • Rep picks invitations will be sent the week of February 17th.

Click here for more information.

Questions? Email Hannah.

OAKLAND SPRING FORUM HOTEL LINK IS OPEN!

Book your group rate for CALIBA's Oakland Spring Forum here.
ABA's 2025 Winter Institute Logo

SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH HANNAH AT WINTER INSTITUTE

Will you be attending Winter Institute? Schedule a meeting with Hannah by email.

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Get your books in front of the most reliable influencers: California's Independent Booksellers
Now through March: $100 Off CALIBA Banner Promotion. Homepage Banner, originally $650, now $550. Newsletter Banner, originally $625, now $525.
CALIBA Social Media Promotions Example Gif

*SUBMISSIONS OPEN* SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOS

We've created a NEW promotion to share your book with our booksellers and their audiences! Take a peek at March's themes below. Have the perfect book for the social media dates?

March themes:

  • March 14: Holi
  • March 18: March Madness
  • March 21: World Poetry Day

Click here to book a social media promotion.

2025 RAMP Indie Summer Reading Guide - Ad Space Available

RESERVE AD SPACE IN CALIBA'S 2025 SUMMER INDIE READING GUIDE BY MARCH 1ST

Curated Print & Digital Catalogs

The essential summer reading catalog (print and digital) for indie readers from Memorial Day to Labor Day, showcasing new releases and timeless favorites. Carefully curated titles, limited space—reserve now! 

BONUS: ALL PRINT ADS INCLUDE FREE DIGITAL CATALOG ADS.

Reserve your ad space by Mar. 1st

Questions? Contact Suzanne Shoger
CALIBA Shelf Insider

SHELF INSIDER SUBMISSIONS WILL RE-OPEN APRIL 9TH

Our seasonal newsletters offer prime space to showcase your books to our engaged booksellers and their audiences. Spring Shelf Insider submissions are now closed and will re-open April 9th for the Summer Shelf Insider (May 14th send). Click here for more info.

Click here to learn more. Questions? Email Alecia. 

INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENT

2025-2026 NATIONAL AMBASSADOR FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE

Children’s book author Mac Barnett has been appointed the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Barnett becomes the ninth author to step into the role, and takes the reins from Meg Medina, who served as National Ambassador from 2023 through 2024.

Read the full article.
Children’s book author Mac Barnett has been appointed the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Barnett becomes the ninth author to step into the role, and takes the reins from Meg Medina, who served as National Ambassador from 2023 through 2024.
Your donations can help rebuild lives and business affected by the wildfires and beyond. Generous donors are currently matching donations up to a total of $45,000. You can help someone today. Double your donation.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

February: Black History Month / Choose Black-Owned Business Month (AMIBA)

Week of February 3: Oakland Spring Forum Author Invitations Sent

*TOMORROW* February 7: Deadline for Spring Forum Rep Picks Interest Form Submissions

February 11: Spring Shelf Insider Send

Week of February 17: Oakland Spring Forum Rep Pick Invitations Sent

March: Indie Press Month 2025

March 1: Deadline to Reserve Ad Space in RAMP 2024 Summer Catalog

March 3: Oakland Spring Forum Schedule Live on CALIBA Site

March 6 @ 7pm PST: 2024 Golden Poppy Awards Winners Announced at Virtual Party

*SAVE THE DATE* April 1: Spring Forum @ Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Hotel link is open!

April 26: Independent Bookstore Day

*SAVE THE DATE* May 7: Spring Forum @ Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/Del Mar, Hotel link is open! 

September 17-18: Fall Fest @ South San Francisco Conference Center, Hotel link is open!
CALIBA Bookseller Shoutouts
1 - Malik Books, in Los Angeles, is featured in the forthcoming book Prose to the People (April 8th), a visual celebration of Black bookstores. 2 - Alibi Bookshop, in Vallejo, had a local author stop by their shop to pick up some copies of his book. 3 - Napa Book Mine, showing off their Black History Month Display - but make it a celebration year round. 4 - Once Upon A Time Bookstore, in Montrose, has set up the perfect Valentine's Day window display for two bears to gather for a romantic dinner. 5 - J. Crawford's Books, in Sacramento, shared a quote to promote their banned books collection. 6 - Green Apple Books on the Park, in San Francisco, has "Know Your Rights Cards" available for all that need them. 7 - Judging by the Cover Books, in Fresno, has a few days left for their Indiegogo expansion campaign, 8 - TEM Books & Blocks, in Cotati, is helping provide rainy day activities for the week of rain in NorCal. 9 - Books Inc. Berkeley, is saying farewell to Berkeley with a closing sale. Their last day of operation is this sunday, Feb. 9th. 10 - Vroman's Bookstore, in Pasadena, is sharing the generosity of a local Burbank business, by giving out bears and books to children who lost their homes and belongings. 11 - Zibby Owens of Zibby's Bookshop, in Santa Monica, launced a campaign to raise $750k+ to rebuild four school libraries that were destroyed in the LA fires. Don't forget to follow and tag CALIBA (@caliba_20) to be featured!

1 - Malik Books, in Los Angeles, is featured in the forthcoming book Prose to the People (April 8th), a visual celebration of Black bookstores.

2 - Alibi Bookshop, in Vallejo, had a local author stop by their shop to pick up some copies of his book.

3 - Napa Book Mine, showing off their Black History Month Display - but make it a celebration year round.

4 - Once Upon A Time Bookstore, in Montrose, has set up the perfect Valentine's Day window display for two bears to gather for a romantic dinner.

5 - J. Crawford's Books, in Sacramento, shared a quote to promote their banned books collection.

6 - Green Apple Books on the Park, in San Francisco, has "Know Your Rights Cards" available for all that need them.

7 - Judging by the Cover Books, in Fresno, has a few days left for their Indiegogo expansion campaign,

8 - TEM Books & Blocks, in Cotati, is helping provide rainy day activities for the week of rain in NorCal.

9 - Books Inc. Berkeley, is saying farewell to Berkeley with a closing sale. Their last day of operation is this sunday, Feb. 9th.

10 - Vroman's Bookstore, in Pasadena, is sharing the generosity of a local Burbank business, by giving out bears and books to children who lost their homes and belongings.

11 - Zibby Owens of Zibby's Bookshop, in Santa Monica, launced a campaign to raise $750k+ to rebuild four school libraries that were destroyed in the LA fires.

Don't forget to follow CALIBA @caliba_20!

BESTSELLER LISTS

Click here for the Los Angeles Times & Southern California Independent Bookstore Bestseller List

Click here for the San Francisco Chronicle & Northern California Independent Bookstore Bestseller List

CLASSIFIEDS
For a complete list, visit our classifieds

CALIBA CURRENTLY READING

Alecia

Supporting Staff
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

Tia Williams

9781538726709

Hannah

Executive Director

She Who Knows

Nnedi Okorafor

9780756418953

Valentina

Operations Manager
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

Ring Shout

P. Djèlí Clark

9781250767028

Resources

Click here for a complete list.
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Hannah Walcher, Executive Director

Livermore CA 94550
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