12.11.25 CALIBA Bookseller News & Information

December 11, 2025

in Bookseller Newsletter,

Get Ready to Vote - Bookseller voting starts January 1st

IN THIS ISSUE

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON

MARKETING ASSETS

CALIBA PROGRAMS & EVENTS

2025 Golden Poppy Book Awards Finalists Announced

Help Us Promote the Golden Poppies

Join a CALIBA Committee

*WE NEED YOUR INPUT* Education Committee Form

Tips for Using the Winter Catalog

JAMES PATTERSON HOLIDAY BOOKSTORE BONUS RECIPIENTS

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

FROM THE BINC FOUNDATION

*NEW COURSE & REGISTRATION DATES* PROFESSIONAL BOOKSELLERS SCHOOL

INDIE BOOKSTORE PROMOTIONS

Dates and Deadlines

Bookseller Shoutouts

Bestseller Lists

Classifieds

CALIBA Currently Reading

Resources

Bookstore Map

CALIBA Staff

NEW MEMBER CORNER

Welcome to CALIBA, Natalia's Coffee and Books!

Owner Name: Natalia Cervantes

Location: Yreka, CA

Established: July 1, 2024

About Our New Member: Natalia's Coffee and Books is a Latina and female owned small town independent bookstore and coffee shop located on Main Street in downtown Yreka. We feature several different genres, which include local authors and books on local history in Siskiyou County. The goal of Natalia's Coffee and Books is to create a place of community for locals and visitors of all ages.

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

TOP 5 BESTSELLERS

FLYING OFF THE SHELVES AT...

Point Reyes Books in Point Reyes Station

1 - We Survived the Night by Julian Brave NoiseCat

2 - The Extremities! by Samantha Kimmey

3 - Sun House: A Novel by David James Duncan

4 - The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family's Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life by Amy Bowers Cordalis

5 - Water by Rumi, Translated by Haleh Liza Gafori

For the week of November 16th

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

SHOW OFF YOUR CALIBA SPIRIT

Click here to download the file (Login required).

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON

Thank you for sending in your feedback on how your sales were for Small Business Saturday (compared to 2024). Here are the results:

Great! Much better than last year - 16 votes (50%)

Good. Slightly better than last year - 7 votes (22%)

Okay. Down slightly from last year - 5 votes (16%)

Bad. Down significantly from last year - 4 votes (12%)

Email us with any extra Small Business Saturday information that you want to share. We’d like to hear about your highs and lows (hopefully you only have highlights!).

MARKETING ASSETS

CALIBA's Marketing Assets: Certified Indie Campaign | National Cocoa Day (12/13) | International Tea Day (12/15)

ABA's Marketing Assets: Shelf Care for the Holidays | Bring Jólabókaflóð to Your Store

Commons: Indie Bookstore Challenge

JAN. & FEB. MARKETING ASSETS: COMING SOON

-Available Dec. 26th: National Bird Day (1/5/26)

-Available Jan. 23rd: Love Your Pet Day (2/20/26)

CALIBA PROGRAMS & EVENTS

2025 GOLDEN POPPY AWARDS: FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Golden Poppy Finalists were announced last week! Click here to view the 2025 Golden Poppy Award Finalists. Voting for the winners will take place January 1st-11th. The Virtual Golden Poppy Awards will take place on January 29th at 7 PM PST.

RSVP FOR VIRTUAL CEREMONY

IMPORTANT DATES

January 1-11: Bookseller Voting Period
January 11: Deadline to Enter Display Contest
January 29: Golden Poppy Book Awards Virtual Ceremony
January 30: Shelf Awareness x Golden Poppy Awards Winners Emails Sent to Bookstore Customers

Learn about the Golden Poppy Awards History

JOIN A 2026 GOLDEN POPPY COMMITTEE

HELP US PROMOTE THE GOLDEN POPPIES

Golden Poppy 2024 Display Contest Winner - Linden Tree Books

ENTER THE GOLDEN POPPY DISPLAY CONTEST that will be running through January 11th. 2024 Display Contest Winner: Linden Tree Books (pictured).

DOWNLOAD THE GOLDEN POPPY RESOURCES Finalist posters, QR code sign, and shelf-talkers for bookstore displays are available for download. 2% discount from Ingram on Golden Poppy Finalists, no code needed. Runs through Feb. 11th.

ORDER GOLDEN POPPY MERCHANDISE & SUPPLIES

CALIBA Bookstores can request FREE removable Finalist stickers and purchase Golden Poppy merchandise to sell in their stores!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS GOLDEN POPPY RESOURCES & SUPPLIES

CALIBA PROGRAMS & EVENTS (CONT'D)

GET INVOLVED! JOIN A CALIBA COMMITTEE

Join one of our committees and contribute your insights, passion, and creativity to the future and strength of CALIBA. Most committees require a few zoom calls a year, assisting the office, vetting authors and books for programs, and/or volunteering at in-person conferences. Sign up before committees resume in January. Click here for more details about CALIBA Committees.

The following committees are seeking members:

Education Committee
BIPOC Booksellers Committee (formerly Mosaic)
Nominating Committee
Publisher Relations Committee
Political Advocacy Committee

Interested in joining one of the committees above? Click here to fill out the form.

*WE NEED YOUR INPUT* EDUCATION COMMITTEE FORM

The CALIBA Education Committee wants to hear from our bookstore members! Share ideas, topics and/or volunteer as a panelist. No matter your role in your store, we want to hear from you! Click here to fill out the form.

INTRODUCING A POP-UP TOOL KIT FROM CALIBA

We've been working on a Pop-Up Tool Kit doc to share as a resource for CALIBA member stores that are new to pop-up/mobile events (an Advisory Council suggestion). Do you have any additional tips you think we should include in this document for future members? Email Alecia.

TIPS FOR USING THE WINTER CATALOG

CALIBA creates the Holiday 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 holiday catalog that you can find here.

Note: CALIBA has 1,000 catalog copies. If you run out of copies or missed the order deadline - email info@caliballiance.org.

Catalog tip from Amy at Banter Bookshop, in Fremont:

Bring catalogs to an apartment complex's leasing office to use in
a new tenant's welcome package.

Have other ideas on how bookstores can use the Winter Catalog? Share it on Discord or email Alecia!

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.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 JAMES PATTERSON HOLIDAY BOOKSTORE BONUS RECIPIENTS!

James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program

Author James Patterson has selected the independent booksellers who are beneficiaries of his Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program, which in October he said would go to 600 booksellers in $500 increments. As he has done in previous years, Patterson pledged a substantial amount—$300,000 this fall—to fund the program. The complete list of recipients can be seen on the ABA website.

Adam Hill (Hill's Bookstore)

Adrien Sdao (Children's Book World)

Allison Bainbridge (Book Passage)

Amy Lee (The Daily Planet Bookstore)

Angela King (Sausalito Books by the Bay)

Angelica Muller (Bay Books Coronado)

Aurora Anaya (Bloom Wild Bookshop)

Bel McNeill (Rakestraw Books)

Blanche Richardson (Marcus Book Store)

Brian Massey-Todd (Readers' Books)

Bridgitte Jackson-Buckley (Little Visioneers)

Chris Tuffli (Chevalier's Books)

Christina Pappas (Black Bird Bookstore)

Ciara Bettencourt (Reach and Teach)

Cindi Whittemore (Ink Spell Books)

Claire Siegal (Bookshop West Portal)

Courtney Padilla (Bookish Modesto)

Cristyn Cardenas (Vroman's Bookstore)

Debby Rudd (Abednego Book Shoppe/Bank of Books)

Diana Gallardo (Mysterious Galaxy Books)

Emily Armstrong (Annabelle's Book Club)

Emily Autenrieth (A Seat at the Table Books)

Erin Rex (Green Apple Books)

Eva Lopez (Claremont Forum Bookshop)

Gary Butler (Two Birds Books)

Heidi Goodman (Face in a Book)

Jack Gingold (Newsboy Books)

Jae Chang (Skylight Books)

Jenna Johnson (Ruby's Books)

Jennifer Lockhart (Word Horde)

Jessica Amodeo (Book Soup)

Jessica Rasmussen (The Book Seller)

Josh Amparan (Arvida Book Company)

Erin Rex (Green Apple Books)

Eva Lopez (Claremont Forum Bookshop)

Gary Butler (Two Birds Books)

Heidi Goodman (Face in a Book)

Jack Gingold (Newsboy Books)

Jae Chang (Skylight Books)

Jenna Johnson (Ruby's Books)

Jennifer Lockhart (Word Horde)

Jessica Amodeo (Book Soup)

Jessica Rasmussen (The Book Seller)

Josh Amparan (Arvida Book Company)

Josh Franke (Small World Books)

Karmina Beltran (Olivia & Daisy Books)

Katherine Wessel (Wild Sisters Book Company)

Kathryn Norris (Buteo Books)

Katie Mullin (In Bloom Bookery)

Katie O'Reilly (Capital Books)

Kris Nelson (Bluestocking Books)

Kristi Millard (Ruby's Books)

Laura Rinaldi (Warwick's)

Leigh Atkins (East Bay Booksellers)

Leslie Sevier (Chapter Two...a Bookstore)

Lisa Martin (The Booksmith)

Marie Hall (Scrawl, Scribble & Smirch Bookshop)

Matthew Hein (Hey Books!)

Melissa Allen (Russo's Books)

Michael McGrail (The Avid Reader)

Monique Fesler (The Reading Nook Store)

Niambi Walker (City Lights Books)

Nikki Coffey (Copperfield's Books)

Paige Jackson (The Book Loft)

Patrick Shea (Pegasus Books Downtown)

Sarah Pineda (Browser Books)

Sarah Prindle (Chaucer's Books)

Sasha Tropp (Camino Books)

Senna Karellas (Towne Center Books)

Shiara Coleman (Timbre Books)

Susan Peck (Banter Bookshop)

Tee Minot (Christopher's Books)

Trish Triumpho Sullivan (Downtown Book & Sound)

Vanessa Martini (Green Apple Books)

Zanny Jacobsen (Zibby's Bookshop)

Zinna Riley (A Great Good Place for Books)

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

James Patters + Bookshop.org Literary Prize

JAMES PATTERSON & BOOKSHOP.ORG LAUNCH $15,000 LITERARY PRIZE FOR DEBUT AUTHORS Click here for more information.

FAIRE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT Click here to learn more and apply for this grant by Dec. 31st.

BLACK BOOKSTORE HERITAGE GRANT Applications are now open.

FROM THE BOOK INDUSTRY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

COMICSPRO SCHOLARSIHP APPLICATIONS OPEN

The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation will provide four scholarships for comic store owners and their employees to attend the ComicsPRO industry meeting in Glendale, CA, February 18-21, 2026. The funds, up to $1,500 per scholarship, may be used for travel, lodging, and meals; ComicsPRO will cover the registration fee for the meeting. Apply by Dec. 31st at 2 pm PST.

FINANCIAL RESOURCE FOR THOSE WITH CHRONIC DISEASES

Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress patients, and their families face when paying for treatment. Patient Advocate Foundation believes that no patient should go without life changing medications because they cannot afford them. Click here for more info.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKSELLERS SCHOOL

2026 LIVE COURSE & INDEPENDENT STUDY SCHEDULE IS UP Click here for more info.

Upcoming live courses:

- Event Management (6 seats left) - Register Now

- Inventory Management (24 seats left) - Register Now

- Bookstore Year One - Register Now

- Basic Bookselling - Registration opens Jan. 12th

- Store & Operations Management - Registration opens Jan. 12th

- *NEW COURSE* Profitability Master Class - Registration opens Jan. 26th

5% DISCOUNT FOR CALIBA MEMBERS - Independent Study: CALIBAind | Live Courses: CALIBAlive

INDIE BOOKSTORE PROMOTIONS

EXPAND YOUR REACH WITH BAY CITY NEWS

Bay City News is reimagining its new book beat through editorial partnerships with booksellers, libraries, author groups and publishers and wants your events, ideas and contributions. Since 1979, the regional news wire has covered Northern California's 13 counties for regional media partners; the agency launched its nonprofit arm in 2018, providing features direct to audiences and via services like MSN and Newsbreak. Share your events to newsroom@baycitynews.com, as well as your interest in contributing to inventive features and/or suggesting ideas for collaboration. Feel free to send them your newsletters! Click here for more ways to get your store featured in Bay City News.

HOLIDAY SHIPPING CUTOFF DATES FROM INGRAM

Ingram strongly encourages you to place holiday orders as early as possible. They recommend ordering by December 15th for delivery by Christmas.

PRH TWO-DAY HOLIDAY TRANSIT IS BACK

Penguin Random House's 14th annual two-day holiday transit program for independent bookstores will run through January 26, 2026.

SCHOLASTIC OFFERS EXPEDITED SHIPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

To help you stock up on titles for the holiday season, Scholastic is bringing back the Indie Expedited Ship Program until Dec. 19th!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

December 11: Libro.fm Credit Bundle Sale Ends

December 14-22: Hanukkah

December 15: ABA Healthcare Open Enrollment
Ends for Under 65

December 24: Jólabókaflóð

December 25: CALIBA Office Closed in
Observance of Christmas

December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa

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

January 1-11: 2025 Golden Poppy Awards
Bookseller Voting

January 11: 2025 Golden Poppy Awards
Display Contest Entry Deadline

January 12: Basic Bookselling Course & Store
and Operations Management registration opens

January 26: Profitability Master Class registration opens

January 29: 2025 Golden Poppy
Awards Virtual Ceremony - RSVP Here

March 31: Indie Bookstore Day 2026 General Participation Form closes

April 25: Independent Bookstore Day

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.

Bookseller Shoutouts for December 11, 2025: Two Birds, Book Society, Judging by the Cover, The Book Catapult, Ruby's Books, Vroman's Bookstore, Hicklebee's Bookstore, and Mrs. Dalloway's

1 - Two Birds Books, in Santa Cruz, is celebrating 5 years! Happy birthday.

2 - Book Society, in Berkeley, is one! Congrats, here’s to many more years.

3 - Judging by the Cover, in Fresno, will be moving to a new location in 2026.

4 - The Book Catapult, in San Diego, had a very special guest, John Waters!

5 - Ruby’s Books, in Folsom, received the sweetest letter to Santa.

6 - Vroman’s Bookstore, in Pasadena, has Santa’s naughty and nice list via book display. Great idea!

7 - Hicklebee’s Bookstore, in San Jose, has a very cute Peanuts display.

8 - Mrs. Dalloway’s, in Berkeley, has a special exhibition to help customers find unique gift ideas and support local artists.

IN THE NEWS

WINTER INSTITUTE 2026

ABA Announces Wi2026 Featured Keynote Speakers

REPARATIONS CLUB & GREEN APPLE BOOKS

Fiercely Independent: A Roundtable Chat With Three Indie Booksellers

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SALES

Indies’ Thanksgiving Weekend Sales Were a Mixed Bag

BOOK BANNING

SCOTUS Denies Petition to Hear Texas Book Banning Case

POINT REYES BOOKS

Holiday Hum: Supply Chain Issues Emerge; Handselling with a 'Deeper Purpose'

SHOP SMALL

Bookstore Video: The Avid Reader

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.