10.29.26 CALIBA Bookseller News & Information

October 29, 2026

in Bookseller Newsletter,

IN THIS ISSUE

SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDRAISERS

*CLOSES TODAY* James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program

*CLOSES NOV. 19TH* Children's Insitute 2027 Scholarship Form

TAKE ACTION

A Message from American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN)

CALIBA PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Office Hours Will Return in January

Tips for Using the Winter Catalog

2027 Golden Poppy Awards Submissions Open Monday

Substitute Bookseller Program

*SAVE THE DATE* 2027 CALIBA Bookstore Map Orders Open in November

Fall Fest Virtual Education Sessions

BOOKSTORE PROMOTIONS & MARKETING

2027 Social Media Marketing Themes

Dates and Deadlines

Bookseller Shoutouts & In the News

CALIBA's Currently Reading

Resources

Become a Member Today

CALIBA Staff

BESTSELLERS LISTS

The Los Angeles Times & Southern California Independent Bookstore Bestseller List

The San Francisco Chronicle & Northern California Independent Bookstore Bestseller List

Independent Press To p 40 Bestsellers

Indie Next List & Kids' Indie Next List

BLK Bestsellers list - September 2026

BOOKSTORE MAP

This map shows our current bookstore members.

Note this info is public. Check your information on our website, then contact Alecia to update the map.

MEMBERSHIP EXPIRED?

Check your member compass here.

OPENED A NEW LOCATION? Add a new store location on our website and label your original location as the "Parent Company."

JOIN US ON DISCORD

Email Valentina to join.
Current CALIBA bookseller membership required.

FREE FIXTURES

"We’d like to get the cases out by the end of November if we can. They were made by Franklin Fixtures and are well built and sturdy as heck....We also have (mostly brown) metal folding chairs (pictured) and a couple of rolling carts (pictured). Lots of acrylic slatwall book display items and some acrylic cascades (for cards or books). These items are all FREE."

Bonnie, Alexander Book Co.

Cell: 415.272.7704

Email: Bonnie@AlexanderBook.com

Link to free item pictures.

SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDRAISERS

James Patterson Bookseller Bonus Fall 2026

CLOSES TODAY, OCT. 29TH - JAMES PATTERSON HOLIDAY BOOKSTORE BONUS PROGRAM

Click here for more information and to nominate booksellers.

Children's Institute 2027 Scholarship Form Now Open

CLOSES NOV. 19TH - CHILDREN'S INSITUTE 2027 SCHOLARSHIP FORM

Click here for more information.

MORE SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDRAISERS

TAKE ACTION

A MESSAGE FROM AMERICAN SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NETWORK (ASBN)

We are collecting stories from California businesses on insurance and climate risk. We’re on a tight deadline, as California will elect its next Insurance Commissioner soon, and we want business voices as part of that conversation. Click here for more info and info two-sheet.

CALIBA PROGRAMS & EVENTS

OFFICE HOURS WILL RETURN IN JANUARY

Office Hours with Hannah will take a break in November and December. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one meeting before January's Office Hours email Hannah.

TIPS FOR USING THE WINTER CATALOG

CALIBA creates the Winter Catalog to help booksellers sell books and support the organization. With the help of the other regionals, we have compiled a list of ideas for making the most of your winter catalog that you can find here.

Note: CALIBA has a select number of copies of the catalog if you run out of copies or missed the order deadline. Email info@caliballiance.org.

Catalog Resources

Winter Catalog Rebate Form
Download professionally designed catalog resources.
Edelweiss list of CALIBA winter catalog titles.
Starting October 1, Ingram will add a 2% discount on all winter catalog titles. No code needed.

2027 GOLDEN POPPY AWARDS SUBMISSIONS OPEN MONDAY!

Help spread the word with your Sales Reps so they can get their Fall/Winter Books by California authors ready for the 2027 Golden Poppy Awards (eligible titles published between November 16, 2026-November 15, 2027)! Click here to learn more about the Golden Poppy Awards.

SUBSTITUTE BOOKSELLER PROGRAM: NEED HELP AT THE BOOKSTORE FOR AN EVENT OR DURING THE HOLIDAY RUSH?

If you are looking for some help, we have a few booksellers that have already filled out the form! Find a Substitute Bookseller Here (login required). If you are having trouble accessing your account, email Valentina.

If you would like to be a Substitute Bookseller, fill out this form!

Fall Fest Virtual Sessions - Edelweiss Omnibus

MISSED THE EDELWEISS OMNIBUS: NEXT STOP, YOUR BOOKSTORE VIRTUAL SESSION?

Here is the link to the virtual session recording:
Access Recording

MISSED INTRODUCING COVERED: INGRAM'S DRC AND CATALOG SITE VIRTUAL SESSION?

Here is the link to the virtual session recording:
Access Recording

MISSED THE SOUND INVESTMENT: MAXIMIZING THE LIBRO.FM REVENUE STREAM VIRTUAL SESSION?

Here is the link to the virtual session recording:
Access Recording | Link to the session toolkit

MORE EDUCATION SESSIONS + INDUSTRY EVENTS

*SAVE THE DATE* 2027 CALIBA BOOKSTORE MAP ORDERS OPEN IN NOVEMBER

CALIBA is excited to launch our first-ever CALIBA Member Bookstore Map for Indie Bookstore Day 2027!

The map is a beautifully designed, quality product bookstores can sell at their register to customers who love supporting Independent Bookstores. These maps are for book lovers looking for epic road trip inspiration! Art and layout done by Works by Abigail, a Bay Area artist, author, and former bookseller! Cli ck her e for more info.

CALL FOR MENTORS

In need of more mentors for BIPOC, niche & small stores

JOIN A CALIBA COMMITTEE

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

We are looking for volunteers to help with running our shows.

BOOKSTORE PROMOTIONS & MARKETING

CALIBA Monthly Bookseller Recommendations

2027 MONTHLY SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING THEMES

We're bringing back the monthly social media assets and we want your help with the book lists. Contribute your reading recommendations each month (see themes below). You all contribute to the list of titles and we'll make the creative assets for every CALIBA member to use on their social pages or repost!

2027 MONTHLY THEMES

JANUARY - Financial Wellness Month

FEBRUARY - Black History Month

MARCH - Women's History Month

APRIL - National Poetry Month

MAY - Asian American, Native Hawaiian
and Pacific Islander Month

JUNE - Pride Month

JULY - Disability Pride Month

AUGUST - Back to School Month

SEPTEMBER - National Hispanic Heritage Month

OCTOBER - National Cookbook Month

NOVEMBER - National Native American
Heritage Month

DECEMBER - Gifting Ideas

SUBMIT YOUR READING RECOMMENDATIONS

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

PRH TWO-DAY HOLIDAY TRANSIT IS BACK

Penguin Random House's 15th annual two-day holiday transit program for independent bookstores began Monday, October 26, and will run through January 11, 2027.

The initiative, a cornerstone of the company's support for independent booksellers during the all-important fourth quarter, will continue to feature the popular "no minimums" requirement. Booksellers can submit orders in any quantity, on their schedule, without having to build up to a minimum-retail-value threshold.

2026 Readers' Choice Awards - Golden Poppy Book Awards

CALIBA MARKETING ASSETS

2026 GOLDEN POPPY AWARDS RESOURCES

*COMING SOON* Readers' Choice Awards Raffle Marketing Assets
2026 Winter Book Bingo & Readers' Choice Awards Marketing Assets
2026 Golden Poppy Display Contest Ends January 31, 2027.
*NEW POSTERS ADDED* Marketing resources for Finalists & Winners.
Click here to order free supplies and merchandise.

ABA MARKETING ASSETS

Friends of Fantasy Day returns on January 30th, 2027!

Join hundreds of bookstores and libraries across the country in celebrating the fantastical and fantasy-adjacent by creating displays, hosting author events, inviting your staff and community to dress up, or any way you'd like to honor the magic of fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction. Sign up here to be included on their participating bookstore list and featured on their social media.

SHOW OFF YOUR CALIBA SPIRIT
Click here to download the Proud Member of CALIBA file (Login required).

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

October: LGBTQ+ History Month / Filipino American History Month / National Book Month / National Reading Group Month / National Cookbook Month / TeenTober™ / National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)

*TODAY* October 29: James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program Nominations Close

October 31: Halloween

November: National Native American Heritage Month / Nonfiction November / Picture Book Month

November 1: Día de Muertos / Cast your vote for the Indies Choice Book Awards!

November 2: 2027 Golden Poppy Book Award Submissions Open

November 3: General Election Day

November 5: Independent Bookstore Day Form Closes

November 8: Diwali

November 9, 10am PT: Skill Swap: Pop-Up Bookstores On Book Fairs - Register for ABA Session

November 9-13: University Press Week

November 9-15: Children's Book Week

November 11: Veterans Day

November 19: Children’s Institute 2027 Scholarship Applications Close

November 26: Thanksgiving

November 27: Plaid Friday

November 28: Small Business Saturday/Indies First

November 30: Cider Monday

December 7: Gallagher Medicare Open Enrollment Closes

OPEN ENROLLMENT REMINDERS FOR BOOKSELLERS

ABA's health coverage partner, Gallagher (formerly LIG), has compiled reminders and key dates to help you prepare for this Open Enrollment season. Click here to learn more.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKSELLERS SCHOOL INVENTORY MANAGEMENT - REGISTRATION OPENS NOV. 16TH AT 10AM

PBS' Inventory Management course teaches owners and/or store buyers to create buying strategies and routines that get the best discounts, maintain cash flow, work within budgets, and integrate with the store’s marketing and merchandising. The skills students learn will help them analyze and improve their buying process.

Click here to learn more about the course.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKSELLERS SCHOOL PROFITABILITY COURSE - REGISTRATION OPENS NOV. 16TH AT 10AM

PBS' Profitability Course helps stores move into the black by teaching diverse strategies for increasing income, decreasing expenses, and improving margins.

Download the syllabus to learn more.

MORE INFO ABOUT PROFESSIONAL BOOKSELLERS SCHOOL

1 - Octavias Bookshelf, in Pasadena, has a new location in the Burbank Airport. Congrats!

2 - Noe Valley Books, in San Francisco, has Ballhalla fever.

Happy Halloween

3 - Rakestraw Books, in Danville, dressed up as Stars Hollow Books for a Gilmore Girls festival; Pleasant Pheasant Books (in Woodland); Flintridge Bookstore (in La Cañada Flintridge)

4 - Pegasus Books (in Berkeley), Mountain Bookshop (in Sonora), Two Birds Books (in Santa Cruz)

5 - Good Girl Books (in Los Angeles), Small World Books (in Venice), Chaucer's Books (in Santa Barbara)

6 - Wild Sisters Book Co. (in Sacramento), Mysterious Galaxy (in San Diego), Tally Ho! Books (in Oakland)

Celebrating Día de Muertos

7 - The Library Store (in Los Angeles)

8 - Casita Bookstore (in Long Beach)

In the News

American Booksellers Association CEO Allison Hill weighed in on supply chain disruptions ahead of the holiday season
Outpost Books Has Grand Opening in South Pasadena, Calif.
Oh, the Horror Bookstores
Bookseller Josh Spencer One of Story Prize Judges
The New York Times belatedly reports on the rise of horror bookstores
Picture of the Day: On October 16, Transit Books hosted its second annual fall fundraiser in Berkeley, Calif. In attendance were staffers from fellow Bay Area bookseller and publisher City Lights (from l.): Lise Solomon, sales representative; Stacey Lewis, VP, director of marketing and publicity; buyer Paul Yamazaki; and associate publisher Caroline Picard.

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

BOOKSTORE FEATURES

Don't forget to follow and tag us (@caliba_20) to be featured! CALIBA's Media Outlet Resource Doc has info about being featured by Shelf Awareness, USA Today, and Bay City News.

Want to share your personal story or concerns as a small business owner more broadly? Share your OpEd, Think Piece, or Slice of Life story with your local media outlets. CALIBA is building a shared Media List here. Find or add contacts.

BOOKSTORE: TOP 5 BESTSELLERS Submit your top 5 best sellers in our new "Flying off the Shelves at..." feature in our weekly newsletter! Submit your best sellers list here. Note: must be a CALIBA Member.

BOOKSTORE MEMBER CORNER Want to be featured in the Member Corner? Submit your details here. Note: must be a CALIBA Member.