Fall Regionals
into a position with new responsibilities,” he says. Crosby added that several venerable
NCIBA stores have been able to attract new owners who—though they are in a long-
standing store—may also need education. Accordingly, the show needs to cater to
people with a wide range of experience. “Everyone should feel empowered to participate,
so we try to hold seminars and workshops for a variety of skill levels. That way, when
it comes to a particular issue—social media marketing, for instance—everyone has
the same vocabulary and can be part of the conversation.”
Networking, both in professional and casual settings, is at the heart of the role
regionals play for their booksellers. Exchanging best practices often takes center
stage, with booksellers invited to share what changes they have made to their
respective stores that have resulted in increased sales—or, perhaps, the opposite. And
the ever-popular author signings and cocktail parties offer the chance for booksellers
to mingle with big and small publishers alike. For many regional or niche publishers,
this is the best opportunity for them to get their authors face-to-face with a bookseller,
who, one hopes, will consider booking them for an appearance at the store.Roundtables Replace Panels
In an effort to be more inclusive, several regionals have opted for roundtables, which
imply a more democratic approach than that of panels, which suggest there is a voice
of authority one should heed. NAIBA executive director Dengler explains that the
roundtable format allows everyone “to get their questions answered.” It’s also a very
flexible format that enables organizers to focus conversation on specific topics tailored
to even smaller groups, such as people running pop-up stores. This year, in a twist on
what usually appears on NAIBA badges, alongside an attendee’s preferred pronoun
(something you’ll see at most shows across the country), attendees will also find the
bookseller’s point-of-sale systems—“so they can easily identify each other to ask ques-
tions,” Dengler says. In another nod to inclusivity, booksellers will also likely hear
some events open with a formal acknowledgement of the Native land on which the
event is taking place and honoring the indigenous custodians of that land, a practice
that has become increasingly customary at bookselling gatherings this year.Politics Are Local
Politics, like it or not, are likely to have an impact on bookselling from now through
next year’s election. Historically, election years have not been favorable to bookselling,
because sales typically suffer as people retreat to their preferred medium for political
combat, be it the active battleground of social media or the passive barrage of talkingCOMING OCTOBER 22
THE ODDS ARE
AGAINST THEM.
WILL LOVE AND
TENNESSEE GRIT
BE ENOUGH TO GET
THEM THROUGH?
"FORGET HILLBILLY ELEGY
AND READ THIS GORGEOUS
NOVEL INSTEAD.”
LEE SMITH, Dimestore
and The Last GirlsBooksellers finish the day with trivia and a drink at NEIBA.p h o t ob y
j u d i t hr o s e n