Arcadia Publishing has rarely had a presence at the fall regional trade shows, but that will change this year as the publisher that specializes in books about local history has plans to attend five shows this year. Beginning with SIBA, which runs September 13 to 15 in Tampa, Arcadia will show off its new YourTown Store match program.
Arcadia announced the program in August and is working with the ABA to interest booksellers in YourTown. The program gives independent booksellers access to a select group of regional titles that will appeal to local customers. For the regionals, Arcadia is allowing booksellers to provide Arcadia with their zip code and the company will have a list of recommendations of books written about their town and notable places within close proximity to their store.
David Steinberger, CEO of Arcadia, said he sees the "hyper-local" program as another way independents "can reinforce their position as an anchor in their communities." Steinberger led an investment group that acquired Arcadia in May.
The company is scheduled to be at five regional shows. At SIBA, in addition to the YourTown promotion, Arcadia authors spoke about local Florida history on yesterday's author bus tour. These include Laura Mize, author of Florida Made: The 25 Most Important Figures Who Shaped the State; Mark DeNote, author of Tampa Bay Beer: A Heady History; and Mark Muncy, author of Freaky Florida: The Wonderhouse, the Devil's Tree, the Shaman of Philippe Park and More
Local Arcadia authors will also be on hand at NEIBA, the Heartland Forum, NAIBA, and Mountains and Plains.
