2026 SPRING FORUMS: PITCH YOUR TITLES TO OUR BOOKSELLERS

CALIBA is returning to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (April 1) and the Pasadena Hilton (May 28) for our Spring Forums featuring lively conversation, education, rep picks, and networking.

AND NEW THIS YEAR, Owners' Retreats (Oakland: 3.31 and Pasadena: 5.27): owner-specific education the day before our Spring Forums.

Have a great idea for a panel, presentation, or creative addition to the day? Share your ideas in the forms.

• January 23: Call for Authors Due | Rep Picks interest Forms Due
• February 13: Sponsorship & Promotional Opportunities Due

Winter Institute 2026 program announced. Click here to view the full schedule.

Will you be attending the Winter Institute? Hannah will be attending; if you'd like to schedule a meeting, please email Hannah.

FEBRUARY SOCIAL MEDIA - DUE TODAY

Booksellers have voted - and they would like to promote Love Your Pet Day (2/20/26). Submit your pet-related titles for inclusion in our social media assets by Jan. 15th.

MARCH SOCIAL MEDIA - DUE FEB. 20TH

Booksellers have voted - and they would like to promote International Women's Day (3/8/2026). Submit your International Women's Day titles for inclusion in our social media assets by Feb. 20th.

Limit to 1 title per publisher. Spaces limited. Price: $100

Have more marketing ideas or special events members would find useful? Send in your ideas here.

SPRING 2026 SHELF INSIDER - BOOK SUBMISSIONS DUE FEB. 3RD

Want to maximize visibility for your latest titles? Our seasonal newsletters offer prime space to showcase your books to our engaged booksellers and their audiences. Your book will be included in an email listing with cover art, blurb, and a contact link for ARCs or galley requests. Reaching over 1,000 booksellers, our first Shelf Insider had a 48% open rate. Member Price: $275 | Non-Member Price: $300

RAMP SUMMER READING GUIDE - AD SPACES OPENING SOON

Curated Print & Digital Catalogs

The essential summer 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.

Questions? Contact Suzanne Shoger

Publishers, Sales Reps & Book Industry Professionals (Non-voting)

Individual: $150

Small House & Commission Groups: $250 (up to 3 sales reps)

Large House: $550 (up to 6 sales reps)

Membership Perks:

• Discounted admission/exhibit space to our annual Fall Fest
• Free or discounted rates at education and member programs
• Subscription to our weekly e-newsletter & bestseller list
• Stay up-to-date with industry, association and bookstore news
• Access to our online Rep Directory
• Post your job openings in our classifieds

Click here for more details.

January: #JanuaryinJapan / International Creativity Month / Financial Wellness Month / National Book Blitz Month

Late January: 2026 Golden Poppy Awards Book Submissions Open

January 23: 2026 Spring Forums Call for Authors and Rep Picks interest Forms Due

January 29: 2025 Golden Poppy Virtual Ceremony - RSVP Here

January 30: 2025 Golden Poppy Winners Announced to Public

January 31: Friends of Fantasy Day

February: Black History Month / Ramadan (Feb 17-Mar 19)

February 13: 2026 Spring Forums Sponsorship & Promotional Opportunities Due

February 28: 2026 Golden Poppy Awards Winter/Spring Titles Due

March: Women's History Month / National Reading Month / Indie Press Month / Ramadan (Feb 17-Mar 19)

March 1: 2026 RAMP Winter Catalog Ad Space Closes

1 - A Seat at the Table, in Elk Grove, celebrated their 4th anniverary with a Good Day Sacramento feature. Happy Birthday!

2 - Moonstone & Mist Bookshop, in Redondo Beach, highlighted a shopper's sweet write up.

3 - Casita Bookstore, in Long Beach, is moving forward with their new space – despite the horrible realities taking place daily.

4 - Wild Plum Books, in St. Helena, is willing spring to come up faster with new store decorations.

5 - Octavia's Bookshelf, in Pasadena, raised $718 for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles' Literally Healing program.

6 - dym - book & boba shop, in Pasadena, is hosting a Book & Clothing Swap on Jan. 24th.

7 - Once Upon A Time Bookstore, in Montrose, is offering up a safe place for customers to escape into a book.

8 - Word Horde Emporium, in Petaluma, showed off some of their 200+ sticker stock to commemorate National Sticker Day.

In the News

• Holiday Hum: Strong Sales; Local Interest and Cozy Reads
• Bookish Golden Globe Winners
• Bookstore Soft Launches in California
• Independent Publishers Caucus Launches Bestseller List with ABA
• MWA Announces Special Awards
• California Bookshop to Shutter
• Binc Adds Two Board Members
• Video: 'Things that Just Make Sense in Our Bookstore'

Don't forget to follow CALIBA (@caliba_20)!

• Dandar's Games and Books - Give a Hand | GoFundMe
• Northtown Books - Give a Hand
• Casita Bookstore - GoFundMe
• 2025 LA Fires Resources Page

• Denver Publishing Institute Scholarship
• James Patterson & Bookshop.org Literary Prize for Debut Authors
• Black Bookstore Heritage Grant

• *NEW* Sales Assistant - Chronicle Books, San Francisco
• *NEW* Associate Editor - Chronicle Books, San Francisco
• *NEW* Editorial Freelancers - Chronicle Books, San Francisco
• National Trade Sales Manager - Chronicle Books, San Francisco
• Bookstore for Sale - Camino Books, Del Mar

Have a grant, scholarship, or classified listing for booksellers? Email Alecia to be listed on our site.

Alecia

Supporting Staff

Next Level Love

Shameez Patel

9781538768402

Hannah

Executive Director

The Sacred Space Between

Kalie Reid

9780316596138

Valentina

Operations Manager

The Haar

David Sodergren

9781068546389

Check out CALIBA’s 2026 Reading List!

• 2025 Fall Fest Exhibitor Evaluation Form
• For Authors: How to Partner with Independent Bookstores
• From the ABA: Urge Congress to Reverse Tariffs
• Anti-Censorship Resources
• Panorama Picks - Books in Demand at US Libraries

Click here for a complete list.

Hannah Walcher

Executive Director

hannah@caliballiance.org

Valentina Moberg

Operations Manager

valentina@caliballiance.org

Alecia Reddick

Supporting Staff

alecia@caliballiance.org