IndieBound
IndieBound, the marketing movement developed by the American Booksellers Association, celebrates independent bookstores and supports localism. It was founded upon the passionate belief that healthy local economies help communities thrive. IndieBound's unique designs and resources – for in-store, online, and in the community – distinguish indies and provide consumers with curated reading options, newly discovered titles, and a real choice for buying.
Under the IndieBound umbrella booksellers can offer their customers great reads based on indie recommendations from around the country (the Indie Next List); lists of bestsellers based on sales throughout the independent channel (the Indie Bestseller List); spirited marketing messages and images (the Bookseller DIY); an online home for the local, indie message (IndieBound.org); and a national affiliate program for linking to indies for referred book sales (IndieBound Referral Fee Program).
Indie bestseller lists
The Indie Bestseller Lists show the top selling titles in independent bookstores nationwide.
Indie Bestseller Lists are published weekly for hardcover fiction, hardcover nonfiction, trade paperback fiction, trade paperback nonfiction, mass market paperback, "children's interest," children's illustrated, and children's fiction series. Category lists, which focus on a particular genre, are published less frequently. The Indie Bestseller Lists are released by IndieBound as XML feeds.
Indie Next Lists
Before a major new book is published, the publisher will often send out Advance Reader Copies (ARCs--also known as uncorrected proofs) to booksellers to generate interest in the book. Owners and employees of ABA member stores review these ARCs, along with brand-new books when they are released, and nominate their favorites as an Indie Next List great read. The American Booksellers Association handles nominations and voting, and releases monthly lists of what member stores have selected. There are special pick lists from time to time.
Indies Choice Book Awards
Each year, owners and employees of ABA stores have the opportunity to vote for the Indies Choice Book Award, which is issued in four categories. The winning authors are honored at a banquet at BookExpo America.
IndieBound
In June 2008, IndieBound was launched to replace a prior marketing program for independents called Book Sense. Independent bookstores sell online through their own e-commerce sites, many using the ABA IndieCommerce platform. IndieBound.org is store referral site for customers searching for an independent bookstore.
Following its launch in 2018, the US scheme was expanded to the UK, New Zealand and Australia. However, as of 2015 the Australian version appears to be in abeyance, as despite still having a Twitter account, the linked website is unrelated and the Australian Booksellers Association website makes no mention of it.
References
External links
- IndieBound
- Book Sense (archived)
- American Booksellers Association