Bookstore Checklist for November
Things to do / Things not to miss
1. Nancy Olson Bookseller Award Nominations open on 11/1
Recognizing special booksellers who particularly excel in the areas important to Nancy: customer service and helping writers, especially new writers, reach their reading audience. SIBA booksellers—but not owners—are eligible for the awards. Self-nominations are allowed. Two $2500 prizes will be awarded.
Nominations are open 11/1-11/25.
Read more about the Nancy Olson Bookseller Award
2. New Owners Retreat on 11/5
There is still time to sign up for this event for new and prospective owners. Tamara Olmedo of Cuentos y Cafe BIPOC Bookstore and Ben Adams of All Good Books will be moderating. Some of the topics submitted for the meeting include:
- Expanding from Pop-Up/Mobile to a Brick-and-Mortar location
- What are the top three things experienced bookshop owners wish they’d known prior to opening?
- Managing start-up cash flow and funding
Space is still available: Register here
3. Southern Book Prize voting ends 11/6
Now is the time to rally your customers around your store favorites on the ballot. Posters, flyers, and shelf talkers are available in the SBP Toolkit.
4. Southern Book Prize winners will be announced 11/16
Be ready to turn your "finalists" display into a winners display! Signage for winners will be available in the SBP Toolkit on 11/16. Read more about the Southern Book Prize for booksellers.
5. Refresh your winter catalog displays...
...and please send pictures to SIBA! The new catalog design has received an enthusiastic response, and we want to see how it is working for you. Online graphics and store signage are available at the Winter Catalog resource page.
6. Promote the Winter Catalog Raffle
Find information on page seven of the catalog. One of your customers could win a $100 gift card to your store from SIBA. More info here.
7. Revisit the notes you took at New Voices New Rooms.
If you attended the NVNR 2026 conference in Baltimore in August, you probably came away with a lot of notes and a list of things to try. Take a few minutes before things get really hectic to go back over what you learned and pull out anything that will help make your fourth quarter a success.