03.27.25 CALIBA Bookseller News & Information

March 27, 2025

in Bookseller Newsletter,

No newsletter next week, we will hopefully see you at the Oakland Spring Forum!

CALIBA Del Mar Spring Forum: May 7, 2025 - Registration Open!

IN THIS ISSUE

CALIBA Office:

*NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN* CALIBA Board of Directors

CALIBA Programs & Events:

*TUESDAY, APRIL 1ST* CALIBA Spring Forum: Oakland

*REGISTRATION OPEN* CALIBA Spring Forum: Del Mar

Grants & Scholarships:

BINC: The Susan Kamil Emerging Writers Scholarship

SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund Independent Bookstore Grant

2025 Diverse Voices Fellowship Opportunity

Books Across Borders Fellowship

Resources:

Banned Books Week: October 5-11, 2025

*REGISTRATION OPEN* For Professional Booksellers School's Bookstore Finances Course

Become a Participating Bookstore with Little Free Library

Bay City News Partnership

PBS' Independent Bookstore Day Fundraiser

ABA Publisher Survey

Marketing Assets:

Small Indie Press Month

*30 DAYS UNTIL* Independent Bookstore Day

Libro.fm Marketing

Children's Book Week

Dates and Deadlines

Bookseller Shoutouts

Bestseller Lists

Classifieds

CALIBA Currently Reading

Bookseller Resources

NEW MEMBER CORNER

Welcome to CALIBA, Invisible Jet Comics!

Owner: Kris Politopoulos

Establisted: 2023

About Our New Member: Invisible Jet Comics is a woman owned comic book store dedicated to bringing the best in comics, graphic novels, and collectibles to our customers. The store offers a curated selection of new releases, classic issues, indie gems, and a fantastic collection of children’s graphic novels, perfect for young readers discovering the magic of comics. I take pride in our deep collection of social justice graphic novels, showcasing powerful stories that inspire change and amplify diverse voices. As a native of San Francisco, it's important to create a safe place within our community.

LA WILDFIRES UPDATE

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.

*REGISTRATION OPEN*

FOR PBS' BOOKSTORE FINANCES COURSE

Bookstore Finances

Registration is open!

Course begins: April 14, 2025

Tuition: $400

Discount code: CALIBAbf

CALIBA will reimburse booksellers for completion and certification of each live course. For those auditing courses, 1/2 of the cost will be reimbursed with proof of attendance.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

The CALIBA Office will be pairing booksellers interested in learning from each other to help their businesses thrive. Click here for more info.

CALIBA STAFF

Hannah Walcher

Executive Director

hannah@caliballiance.org

Valentina Moberg

Operations Manager

valentina@caliballiance.org

Alecia Reddick

Supporting Staff

alecia@caliballiance.org

JOIN CALIBA'S DISCORD!

Email Valentina to join.

Current CALIBA bookseller membership required.

BOOKSELLERS IN THE NEWS

Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, Calif., Reopens After Flooding Damage (Shelf Awareness)

CALIBA OFFICE

CALIBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

CALIBA’s Board of Directors invites you to join the dynamic team that helps steer the organization to best serve our indie bookselling community.

If you are interested in nominating yourself or another bookseller, email Recruiting Committee Chair, Mark O’Neal.

Nominations to the board will close on April 15th. Ballots will be sent to bookstore principal members on May 1st and voting will close on May 15th.

CALIBA PROGRAMS & EVENTS

2025 CALIBA Oakland Spring Forum Full Agenda

OAKLAND SPRING FORUM: TUESDAY, APRIL 1ST

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

Booksellers, online registration is closed. You are welcome to register at the door.

View the full agenda here: Website | At A Glance PDF

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

DEL MAR SPRING FORUM: REGISTRATION OPEN

CALIBA is meeting at Hilton Garden Inn (Del Mar) for a day of lively conversation, education, rep picks, and networking on Wednesday, May 7th.

FIND A CARPOOL

RESERVE A HOTEL ROOM

Hotel room special pricing ending

on Monday, April 7th.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Binc: The Susan Kamil Emerging Writers Prize

SCBWI IMPACT AND LEGACY FUND INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE GRANT

SCBWI is providing three independent bookstores from around the globe with a $1,000 grant to host a public program or bookstore event featuring a children's book author or illustrator. Applications open on May 15 and close on July 15. Click here for more grant details.

2025 DIVERSE VOICES FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

CABS-Minnesota is committed to diversity in the used and rare bookselling profession and is currently seeking applications for its 2025 Diverse Voices Fellowship. Click here for more details and how to apply.

Books Across Borders 2025-26 Fellowship Application

BOOKS ACROSS BORDERS FELLOWSHIP

Apply now to attend an International Book Fair! The booksellers selected will be treated to customized itineraries at their fairs, including specially developed panels, meetings, and receptions with publishers, authors, booksellers, and more. There are six potential fairs!

RESOURCES

BANNED BOOKS WEEK: October 5-11, 2025

Sign up now to receive a free Banned Books Week kit from the American Booksellers Association! Banned Books Week kits are sent annually to participating stores and include materials to decorate your store and educate customers about the freedom to read. Supplies are limited and will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis only for ABA member stores.

The deadline to request a kit is April 30th

Find details and sign up now!