03.19.26 CALIBA Publisher News & Information

March 19, 2026

in Publisher Newsletter,

IN THIS ISSUE

CALIBA PROGRAMS & EVENTS

2026 Owners' Retreats & Spring Forums

2026 Golden Poppy Book Submissions

*SAVE THE DATE* 2026 Fall Fest

CALIBA Banner Promotions - Now through April

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Summer Shelf Insider: Title Submissions due May 5th

Social Media Promotions: Indie Bookstore Day Titles (April) and Teacher's Day Titles (May)

*SAVE THE DATE* 2026 Winter Catalog Ad Reservations

2026 Spring Forums Sponsorship & Promotional Opportunities

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Dates and Deadlines

Bookseller Shoutouts

In the News

Fundraisers

Scholarships & Grants

Classifieds

CALIBA's Currently Reading

Resources

Housekeeping

CALIBA Bookstore Map

CALIBA Staff

BESTSELLERS LISTS

The Los Angeles Times & Southern California Independent Bookstore Bestseller List

The San Francisco Chronicle & Northern California Independent Bookstore Bestseller List

REP DIRECTORY

It's that time of year again! The directory is alphabetized by publisher/rep group and remains keyword searchable. Please take a look and email Valentina if any corrections are necessary!

CALIBA PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Oakland Owners' Retreat & Spring Forum - 3.31-4.1.26 - View the Schedules

2026 OAKLAND OWNERS' RETREAT & SPRING FORUM: VIEW THE SCHEDULES

CALIBA is returning to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center for a day of lively conversation, education, rep picks, and networking at the Owners' Retreat, on Tuesday, March 31st, and the Spring Forum, on Wednesday, April 1st.

Pasadena Owners' Retreat & Spring Forum - 5.27-5.28.26 - Schedules in Progress

PASADENA OWNERS' RETREAT & SPRING FORUM: SCHEDULES IN PROGRESS

CALIBA is meeting at the Pasadena Hilton for a day of lively conversation, education, rep picks, and networking at the Owners' Retreat, on Wednesday, May 27th, and the Spring Forum, on Thursday, May28th.

Author and rep picks confirmations are being
sent this week - check your inbox.

2026 GOLDEN POPPY AWARDS: SUBMIT YOUR TITLES BY CALIFORNIA AUTHORS TODAY!

We are specifically requesting the following category submissions:

GLENN GOLDMAN: CA LIFESTYLE & COOKING

MARTIN CRUZ SMITH AWARD

MYSTERY

ROMANCE

Click here for 2026 Golden Poppy Awards info.

*SAVE THE DATE* 2026 FALL FEST: EXHIBITOR SUBMISSIONS & CALL FOR AUTHORS WILL OPEN IN APRIL

CALIBA is meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton Mission Valley San Diego for two days of lively conversation, education, rep picks, and networking on Monday-Tuesday, September 14th-15th.

New this year, we're hosting our first ever in-person Golden Poppy Award Ceremony the evening of September 15th. Have you submitted your titles by CA authors/illustrators?

SUBMIT GOLDEN POPPY TITLES

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Have more promotion ideas or special events booksellers would find useful? Send in your ideas here.

APRIL SOCIAL MEDIA - BOOK SUBMISSIONS DUE TOMORROW

Booksellers have voted - and they would like to promote Indie Bookstore Day (4/25). Submit your bookstore-related titles for our social media assets by Mar. 20th. Limit to 1 title per publisher. Spaces limited. Price: $100

MAY SOCIAL MEDIA - BOOK SUBMISSIONS DUE APRIL 17TH

Booksellers have voted - and they would like to promote Teacher's Day (5/5). Submit your teaching-related titles for our social media assets by April 17th. Limit to 1 title per publisher. Spaces limited. Price: $100

BOOK YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION

SUMMER SHELF INSIDER:
TITLES DUE BY MAY 5TH

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. Reach 1k+ booksellers. Click here to purchase your spot in the May 12th Summer Shelf Insider Newsletter.

Sponsorships & Promotions Deadline Extended

2026 SPRING FORUMS SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: PASADENA APPLICATIONS CLOSE APRIL 27TH

Help us make the Spring Forums a unique book industry celebration AND more affordable for booksellers!

Become a Sponsor and receive credit towards future CALIBA digital promotions and a free welcome bag insert at the show.

Share your titles on our Galley Tables: send in your Golden Poppy submissions, California-focused titles, California-based authors, and more.

Get your books in front of the most reliable influencers:

California's Independent Booksellers.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Bookseller Sponsorships

Owners' Retreat Sponsorships

Event Sponsorships

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Welcome Bag Inserts

Galley Placement

FILL OUT SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

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

JOIN CALIBA NOW

Click here for more details.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

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

March 31-April 1: 2026 NorCal Owners' Retreat & Spring Forum in Oakland

April: Arab American Heritage Month / National Poetry Month / International Customer Loyalty Month / National Stress Awareness Month

April 7: National Black Bookstore Day

April 25: Independent Bookstore Day

1 - Alibi Bookshop, in Vallejo, held their first nuptials in the store for their longtime friends/customers. Congratulations to the couple!

2 - Flintridge Bookstore, in La Canada Flintridge, celebrated last weekend’s Oscar awards with a display of books on movies and movie awards.

3 - Pegasus Books, in Berkeley, has a spring green display.

4 - Bay Books Coronado, welcomed Abby Jimenez and thanked her for signing their inventory that they quickly sold through.

5 - Vroman’s Bookstore, in Pasadena, dipped into their archives to show off their 90s heartthrob status.

6 - Word Horde Emporium, in Petaluma, has put up the Certified Indie decal in their front window.

7 - Fables & Fancies, in Sierra Madre, had a special guest at their cottage (bookstore).

8 - The Plot Twist Bookstore, in Roseville, has a fun hobby happy hour coming up to gather together just for the joy of it.

In the News

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

FUNDRAISERS

Judging by the Cover - GoFundMe
Get Lit Books & Things - GoFundMe
Dandar's Games and Books - GoFundMe
Northtown Books - Give a Hand
2025 LA Fires Resources Page

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

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

CLASSIFIEDS

Publicity Assistant, Associate Editor, and Editorial Fellowships - Chronicle Books, San Francisco
Col lege Publishing Sales Representative - W.W. Norton & Company, Fresno
Publishing Assistant - The Collective Book Studio, Oakland
Sales Manager - UC Press, Oakland (Hybrid)

VIEW MORE LISTINGS

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

CALIBA'S CURRENTLY READING

Alecia

Supporting Staff

Big Girl Blitz

Danielle Allen

9781250331168

Hannah

Executive Director

Provenance

Ann Leckie

9780316565202

Valentina

Operations Manager

Knock Knock, Open Wide

Neil Sharpson

9781250785480

Check out CALIBA’s 2026 Reading List!

RESOURCES

Click here for a complete list.

HOUSEKEEPING

ADDRESS CHANGE AND BANK UPDATE

California Independent Booksellers Alliance (CALIBA), has changed our address and bank. We request that all ACH payments be deposited in our new account. For our updated W-9 and ACH instructions, please email Valentina Moberg at valentina@caliballiance.org.

CALIBA

266 Wood St Unit 404

Livermore, CA 94550