Mid-South Independent Booksellers Association/Mid-South Independent Booksellers for Children

Trade show meets Thurs., Sept. 4—Sun., Sept. 7, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, Austin, Tex.

Mid-south booksellers mosey on over to the Lone Star State and its history-rich capital city for this year's trade show. The hotel, nestled in a 95-acre arboretum just minutes from boutiques, restaurants, theaters and walking paths, promises a very congenial setting. Registration opens on Thursday at noon, and a series of educational programs are planned for before the start of the Saturday's show. Beat the crowd, pick up your badge, then choose your afternoon destinations. At 1 p.m., Len Vlahos, director of Booksense.com gives an in-depth presentation on ABA's online resources complete with live demonstrations of online discussion forums and bestseller reporting. Then there's a fresh approach to marketing with Jeffrey Stamp, v-p of Eureka! Ranch and co-author of Meaningful Marketing, Selling More with Less Effort. His interactive seminar is a real eye-opener. At 4:30 p.m., tons of beef ribs, kettles of corn and buckets of "cowboy" beans are served up at the "Taste of Texas" shindig hosted by MSIBA. Fill your plate, go back for seconds, then head over to the publishers' "show and sell"—a chance to meet 'n' greet rarely seen sales reps. There's no better way to learn about upcoming titles. The early wrap-up is deliberate: folks should go out for a night on the town. Austin City Lights is down the road a bit.

"Feelin' groovy" is the theme of Friday morning's programming dedicated to children's bookselling. At 8 a.m., MSIBC hosts the children's author breakfast featuring up-and-coming YA talents Janet Tashjian (The Gospel According to Larry; Fault Line) and Greg Leitich Smith (Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo). First-time children's book author Betty Lou Phillips (Emily Goes Wild) joins them. Betty is a Dallas gal, well known for her books on French country and villa interiors. Tickets are required for meal events; plan ahead. Morning sessions start at 9:30 a.m. Gather first for a set of roundtable discussions focusing on the nitty-gritty, including handselling, book clubs and peer training. Then Susan Kent of Treehouse Readers and Valerie Koehler of Blue Willow Bookshop moderate a panel on how to make the teacher-librarian connection at local public and private institutions. Marianne and Adrienne Harper of Brystone Books manage a lively give-and-take between booksellers and gift-company representatives about weird and wonderful kids' sidelines. "Flower power" is alive and well at the 11:45 a.m. children's author luncheon featuring Kathi Appelt (Piggies in a Polka), D. Anne Love (The Puppeteer's Apprentice) and Keith Graves (Loretta: Ace Pinky Scout; Three Nasty Gnarlies).

Afternoon sessions start at 1:30 p.m., and end at 4:30 p.m. First up is MSIBA friend and colleague Steve Bercu of Austin's own Bookpeople. Everyone who has read about the influential report on the economic impact of locally owned businesses conducted by the consulting firm Civic Economics (with the participation of the Austin Independent Business Alliance, Bookpeople and Waterloo Records) will want to hear about it from Steve. A concurrent panel on making the most of publisher representatives is also planned. At 3 p.m., ABA's Avin Domnitz presents the results of the ABACUS Study, while Above the Tree Line's John Rubin gives a seminar on trends in inventory and staffing management. Catch the brief but important membership meeting at 4:45 p.m., at which next year's board will be decided and future strategies discussed. The MSIBC signature event—its Humpty Dumpty Dinner and Silent Auction—is planned for Friday evening from 6:30 to 9 p.m. "Constructive play" is the motto of the evening's celebration as colleagues meet at the Austin Children's Museum, located in the heart of downtown. Mingle under the open-spaced rotunda, and dine among the fascinating exhibits. Local comedian and author Trevor Roman emcees the children's choice award ceremony, and handles the silent auction of original handprints and sketches rendered by well-known children's authors and illustrators.

At Saturday's author breakfast populist writer Jim Hightower (Thieves in High Places: They've Stolen Our Country—And It's Time to Take It Back) teams up with Clyde Edgerton (Lunch at the Piccadilly) and April Reynolds (Knee-Deep in Wonder) for a exhilarating wake-up call. Exhibit hours: 9 a.m.—4 p.m. No educational programming is scheduled. During the noontime lunch, booksellers are invited to an impromptu discussion to be held at the holiday-catalogue display in the exhibit hall. Learn how to increase books sales through this effective tool. After the floor closes, unwind and listen to authors read from their recent publications. An eclectic mix of local and nationally acclaimed authors make up the roster: Don Graham (King of Texas: The 150-Year Saga of an American Ranching Empire), David Liss (The Coffee Trader), Michael Morris (Slow Way Home), Michael Perry (Population: 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time), Neal Pollack (Never Mind the Pollacks: A Rock 'n' Roll Novel), Ben Rehder (Bone Dry: A Blanco County Texas Novel) and Lisa Tucker (The Song Reader). The Gala Author Reception starts at 6:30 p.m., "under the teak bells" at the Atrium. At this always well-attended event, MSIBA proudly presents the winner of its new regional book award. Titles are selected by the award committee based on nominations from member bookstores. The impressive list reflects the diversity of the region—The Best Lawyer in a One-Lawyer Town by Dale Bumpers, The Clearing by Tim Gautreaux, Sleep Toward Heaven by Amanda Eyre Ward and City on Fire by Bill Minutaglio. The winning author receives a cash prize; the book gets prime placement in the holiday catalogue. MSIBA also recognizes the recipient of the Mark Zumpe Scholarship, a fund that furnishes travel and hotel costs and event fee reimbursement to the annual trade show. So ends a perfect evening.

Sunday's breakfast features master storytellers H.W. Brands (The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream), Gregory Curtis (Disarmed: The Story of the Venus de Milo), Terry Kay (The Valley of Light) and Jacquelyn Mitchard (Christmas, Present). Exhibit hours: 9 a.m.— 12 noon. During the show's final hours, order more books and collect more entry forms for the end-of-show drawing. Four cash prizes worth $250 each will be awarded. Watch for special signs and ask participating publishers for details. Winner must be present, so attendees should hold their horses and stay put before heading out to check out bookstores.

Contact:Andy Jackson, 15911 Whispering Falls Court, Houston, Tex. 77084; (281) 463-0438;andy@msiba.org; www.msiba.organd Valerie B. Koehler, Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial Dr. at Dairy Ashford, Houston, Tex.; (281) 497-8675;www.bluewillowbookshop.com.

Southeast Booksellers Association

Trade show meets Fri., Sept. 19—Sun., Sept. 21, at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, Ga.

Once the winter retreat of America's wealthiest industrialists, beautiful Jekyll Island plays host to vacationers, naturalists and conventioneers, and now, after a five-year hiatus, southern booksellers. Attendees get their bearings on Thursday. Although Friday is considered the official start of the show, educational programming begins one day earlier with an all-day bookseller school (9 a.m.—4 p.m.). The focus of this "in sync" program is building and sustaining your management dream team. Marion Fleischman will lead the course. The $50 ticket price allows up to three people from one store to attend—a great bargain. A rep appreciation reception is planned for Thursday evening at a nearby eatery.

Friday at 8 a.m. is an hour-long breakfast and annual meeting hosted by the SEBA board. The post-breakfast agenda includes initiative updates from the ABA and SEBA. The ABA folks present at 9 a.m., then again at 10 a.m., in two important sessions. Avin Domnitz conducts a seminar on the results of the ABACUS Study, while Chris Finan provides updates on the Freedom to Read Protection Act. Similarly, a SEBA representative conducts a two-hour "revival" round-up, summarizing the outcome of booksellers' discussions held throughout the region during the first half of the year. A roundtable about manga is under consideration. An educational seminar on marketing is also on the bill. Join Jeffrey Stamp (Meaningful Marketing, Selling More with Less Effort) in a 10:30 a.m. session designed to hone your marketing skills. This guy will knock your flip-flops off! A "gold star" orientation for first-time exhibitors is slated for 11 a.m. In another session, Victoria Sutherland, publisher of Foreword Magazine , shares tips with booksellers on how to organize a "community reads" program in their hometown. The Kick-Off Author Luncheon at noon features Pearl Cleage (Some Things I Never Thought I'd Do), David Baldacci (Split Second), Melinda Haynes (Willem's Field) and Michael McGarrity (Everyone Dies). Educational programming continues 2—5 p.m. Pick up where you left off, or start fresh. Len Vlahos talks about the new Booksense.com co-op reimbursement program. A two-hour press conference and panel devoted to the spoken word also starts at 2 p.m. Phyllis Tickle (A Stitch and a Prayer: A Memoir of Faith Amidst War), Terry Kay (The Valley of Light) and Robert Morgan (Brave Enemies) lead the program. From 3—4 p.m. is a panel on children's books featuring Cece Bell (Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood), Charles Ghigna (Halloween Night), Haven Kimmel (Orville, A Dog Story) and Diane Z. Shore (Bus-A-Saurus Bop). Another option is to take an afternoon tour of the area's best indie bookstores. Stops include Hattie's Books in Brunswick, and The Bookmark and G.J. Ford Bookshops on St. Simon's Island. Wendy Beeker and Mary Jane Reed act as guides. Board the bus at 2 p.m., return at 5 p.m. Revive at a 5:30 p.m. pool party sponsored by The Free Press. Cooling refreshments and light entertainment set the mood for the rest of the evening. Sway to the music of Marshall Chapman with Melinda Haynes (Willem's Field), Larry Brown (The Rabbit Factory), William Gay (I Hate to See that Evening Sun Go Down) and James Whorton (Approximately Heaven).

The 7 p.m. SEBA supper sponsored by Little, Brown and Warner Books features James Bradley (Flyboys: A True Story of Courage), Clyde Edgerton (Lunch at the Piccadilly), Sena Jeter Naslund (Four Spirits) and Nicholas Sparks (The Wedding). The party ends late: meet for coffee and dessert at 10 p.m. for a series of late-night readings round the island, with regional talents Joan Anderson, William Fox, Carolyn Haines, Silas House, Edward Jones, Julia Reed, Jack Riggs, Celia Rivenbark, Ron Rush, George Singleton, Kathy Hogan Trocheck and Mark Winegardner.

HarperCollins Publishers sponsors Saturday's 7:30 a.m. breakfast. Top-notch authors Walter Anderson (Meant to Be), J.A. Jance (Exit Wounds), Charles Kimball (When Religion Becomes Evil), and Jacquelyn Mitchard (Christmas, Present) sit at the speakers' table. Exhibit hours: 9 a.m.—noon and 1:30—5 p.m.; autographing hours: 2—5 p.m. Michael Fraser of the Joseph-Beth Group conducts a brief orientation program for first-time show attendees at 9 a.m. Meet 'n ' greet is the order of the day. Busy booksellers collect raffle chits for a chance to win the afternoon drawing ($500 value). The book and author luncheon at noon features children's and young readers book authors Adrian Fogelin (Sister Spider Knows All), Bruce Hale (Trouble Is My Beeswax) and Sarah Weeks (Without You). Action on the show floor resumes. Make a beeline to the autographing area—the wait can be long, and the books in short supply. Hold tight until 4:45 p.m. for the cash drawing worth $500. Evening socials start at 5:30 p.m. with a party sponsored by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. Clyde Edgerton (Lunch at the Piccadilly), Karen Pell (Alabama Troubadour), Robert Morgan (Brave Enemies) and Stella Suberman (When It Was Our War) are on the guest list. A Southern-style "moveable feast" is promised at 7 p.m. Ingram Book Co. has pledged its support of this pleasurable two-hour affair. The short list includes Holly Bea, Steve Berry, Larry Brown, Martha Carr, Jim Carrier, Caroline Cousins, Rod Davis, John Egerton, Valerie Gribben, Joan Hiatt Harlow, Homer Hickam, Lynne Hinton, Ad Hudler, Frances Itani, Haven Kimmel, Cassandra King, Brad Meltzer, Michael Morris, Pamela Pease, Charles Price, Janisse Ray, Susan Goldman Rubin, Karin Slaughter, Steve Tiller, Rick Whitaker and Lauren Winner.

Although Sunday's activities are abbreviated, there's still plenty to do. Have another cup of coffee, submit more orders, collect more raffle chits. Exhibit hours: 9 a.m.—1 p.m.; autographing hours: 10 a.m.—1 p.m. After lunch, the call to "wrap it up" resounds throughout the exhibit hall at 12:45 p.m.—and not a minute earlier. Time for the floor drawing. One lucky bookseller will win $1,000. One luckier exhibitor will win a free table at next year's show. What could be better?

Contact:Wanda Jewell, 1404 S. Beltline Blvd., Columbia, S.C. 29205; (803) 782-0375;info@sebaweb.org; www.sebaweb.org.

New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association

Trade show meets Sun., Sept. 21 and Mon., Sept. 22, at the Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa, Atlantic City, N.J.

Miss America Pageant, Boardwalk Hall, Lucy the Elephant—it's the Jersey Shore. NAIBA show goers are headed to Atlantic City, one of the top tourist destinations in the country, for a much-anticipated two-day fling at the swank new Borgata. Sunday is dedicated to educational programming, while Monday is given over to vendor exhibits. The theme is "success is 99% work and 1% luck." At 11 a.m. on Sunday, it's back to financial basics with ABA's CEO Avin Domnitz, who presents a proactive approach to the balance sheet, operating statement and cash flow. His seminar is a great introduction for the novice and a terrific refresher for the veteran bookstore owner or manager. Each participant will take away a disk with accounting software and programs appropriate for his or her store. At the same time, reps and booksellers get together to talk about their "picks of the lists." This perennial favorite lasts two hours, with house reps doing their thing from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by indie reps from noon to 1 p.m. Hungry? The book and author luncheon is scheduled for 1:15—2:45 p.m. Gerald McDermott (Creation) heads up the guest list. After lunch, re-energized booksellers head off to afternoon workshops while publishers set up their displays in the ballroom. From 3 to 5 p.m., three concurrent workshops are planned; each 45-minute session will be repeated so folks have a chance to take part in two of three. Lucy Kogler of Talking Leaves Bookstore discusses the importance of community partnerships. Joe Drabyak of Chester County Book Co. takes on the subject of non-author events. (On Monday, watch out for NAIBA the Magnificent as he traverses the show floor demonstrating to mystified onlookers that every book has a potential customer event lurking between its covers.) Mark LaFramboise from Politics & Prose will tackle the how-to's of marketing book clubs. Appreciation goes to Random House for support of the day's programming. Between sessions, everyone is encouraged to stop-by the "playroom," where new sideline products are displayed. Come, relax and fool with the various sample card sets, trivia games and craft kits. The playroom is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 6 p.m. in the exhibit hall, booksellers and vendors have a chance to meet, greet and peek at books during the Ingram Book Co.-sponsored grand opening reception. At 7:30 p.m., a scrumptious moveable feast will be served with more than 20 authors on table-rotation duty. A partial list includes Kathi Appelt, Dan Fesperman, Edward P. Jones, Larry Kane, Kevin O'Malley, Donna Jo Napoli, Carol Plum-Ucci, Walter Staib and Lisa Tucker. There's a treat for everyone at evening's end: each diner will receive a gift bag filled with autographed books.

Monday morning promises a "breakfast with champions" at 7:30 a.m. sharp, compliments of Windstone Editions. NAIBA members will be ready after their second java jolt for their annual meeting. The presentation of the William Helmuth Award is also on the agenda, with a round of applause going to "salesperson of the year" Jerry Goodman of St. Martin's/ Holtzbrinck. The trade show opens at 9 a.m., with exhibit hours running until 5 p.m. More than 500 publishers and allied vendors are represented this year, with more than 100 authors signing their books in the autographing area from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. A book-buying frenzy is anticipated, with show specials and holiday deals to seal.

Contact:Eileen Dengler, 2667 Hyacinth St., Westbury, N.Y. 11590; (516) 333-0681;info@naiba.com; www.naiba.com.

Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association

Trade show meets Thurs., Sept. 18—Sat., Sept. 20, at the Doubletree Columbia River Hotel/Metro Expo Center, Portland, Ore.

Familiar things are made new at this year's show, in a slightly different venue, with new meeting and exhibit locations, and a different block of days. Thursday is dedicated to educational programming, with more than a dozen workshops planned at the hotel, and 45-minute sessions are offered at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. First things first when DeDe Teeters of Armchair Books gives pointers to retailers unfamiliar with show goings-on, while Cynthia Frank, president of Cypress House Press, reviews the "tricks of the trade" with publishers and authors. Four concurrent sessions are scheduled for the 9 a.m. time slot, and it will not be easy to choose. A representative from ABA conducts a workshop on technology as a bookselling tool, while a panel of audio publishers talk about ways booksellers can take advantage of audio book opportunities. Meanwhile, Frank and Sharon Castelan stress the basics in a session about distribution and marketing for independent presses, and in another room, sales reps recommend their "picks of the lists." So many books, so little time. Don't worry—"picks of the lists" will be repeated at 1:15 p.m. Morning sessions continue at 10:30 a.m. Sales reporting is on the priority list with a discussion of BookSpan. Experts from Nielsen and qualified user-booksellers work to convince skeptics about the effectiveness of making sales figures public. The notion of promotion gets ample attention when booksellers gather to share holiday catalogue success stories, and author publicity gets its due from Joanne McCall. Noon is grub time. Grab a box lunch and eat while listening to a panel of booksellers talk about sidelines. Afterwards at 1:15 p.m., there's more for booksellers to chew on. The ABA reprises its program on Booksense.com co-op, while APA holds another workshop on audio markets. Attention shifts to "school work" at a panel moderated by Clare Meeker as she and an assortment of booksellers, teachers and librarians discuss the advantages of bookseller—teacher cooperation. One last workshop, "What a Book Editor Can Do for You!" was especially designed by the Northeast Independent Editors Group for prospective authors; it closes the afternoon agenda at 2:45 p.m. At 3 p.m., a two-hour celebration of authors gets under way. Russ Lawrence of Chapter One Bookstore manages this annual rite of passage during which little-known authors are introduced to the bookseller community. Each gets 12 minutes: Jack Nisbet (Visible Bones), Daniel Coyle (Walking Samuel), Angela Ballard (A Blistered Kind of Love), Terry Trueman (Inside Out), Ellen Waterston (Then There Was No Mountain), H. Lee Barnes (The Lucky), Kathrine Beck (Opal: A Life of Enchantment, Mystery, and Madness), Christopher Paolini (Eragon), Ariel Gore (Atlas of the Human Heart) and Tracy Daugherty (Axeman's Jazz). Dinner is at the individual's discretion; just be back at 8 p.m. for the dessert and autographing party, at which authors from the afternoon's "celebration" are joined by four others: Paul Linnman (The Exploding Whale), Ron Lovell (Dead Whales Tell No Tales), Elizabeth Lyon (A Writer's Guide to Nonfiction) and Clare Hodgson Meeker (Hansa: The True Story of an Asian Elephant Baby).

Come early to Friday's 8 a.m. breakfast at the hotel to get a good table. Dee Robinson of Village Books welcomes Western writer Ivan Doig (Prairie Nocturne), children's author Richard Peck (The River Between Us) and novelist Laura Kalpakian (The Memoir Club). On Friday complimentary bus service is offered from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. between the hotel and expo center. Exhibit hours: 9:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. Autographing hours: 10 a.m.—noon and 2—4 p.m. A booksellers roundtable lunch is planned for the 12:30 p.m. break. Bring a box lunch, and talk about the business with colleagues. Debates about such issues as corporate accounts, audio rentals, bargain books and markdowns should be lively. PNBA's Book Awards Committee meets at 10 a.m.; its Literacy Committee at 3:30 p.m. With the general membership meeting at 4:45 p.m., business concludes for the day. After freshening up back at the hotel, head to the 6:30 p.m. cocktail party, then on to the banquet at 7:30 p.m. After the customary entrée and dessert, PNBA board president Holly Myers steps to the podium to present the evening's guest speakers: Esmé Raji Codell (How to Get Your Child to Love Reading), David Guterson (Our Lady of the Forest) and Steven Kellogg (Jimmy's Boa and the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk). It's a grand finale to a busy day.

At the Saturday book and author breakfast, Chris Satterlund of Snowgoose Bookstore introduces regional favorite Pete Fromm (As Cool as I Am), literacy advocate Nancy Pearl (Book Lust) and children's author Doug Wood (Old Turtle and the Broken Truth) to a wide-awake crowd. Complimentary bus service is offered from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Exhibit hours: 9:30 a.m.— 2 p.m. Autographing hours: 10 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Box lunches are available; advance tickets are required. At 2 p.m., doors close. Booksellers at the banquet and breakfast will receive one signed copy of each speaker's book. Books may be limited to one copy per member store, depending on availability.

Contact:Thom Chambliss, 317 W. Broadway, Ste. 214, Eugene, Ore. 97401; (541) 683-4363;info@pnba.org; www.pnba.org.

Southern California Children's Booksellers Association

Annual Dinner and Golden Dolphin Award Presentation to be held on Sat., Sept. 20, at the Atrium Hotel, Irvine, Calif.

SCCBA and friends return to the site of last year's gala affair, the first-class Atrium Hotel. Memories of incredible speakers, gorgeous weather and fabulous food spark the organizers' plans. More than 350 enthusiastic book lovers will gather poolside to salute independent children's bookselling. Doings start at 4:30 p.m. with a "mini" trade show and get-acquainted social. Dinner follows at 7 p.m. with acclaimed-authors Walter Dean Myers (The Beast) and Henry Winkler (Hank Zipzer, The Mostly True Confessions of the World's Best Underachiever, Day of the Iguana), and illustrator Maira Kalman (Smartypants: Pete in School) entertaining diners with stories from their best-sellers. Afterwards, the regional Golden Dolphin Award is bestowed on an author or illustrator, whose identity is usually secret, but not this year. Tony Johnston, author of more than 100 books including the forthcoming The Mummy's Mother, is the 2003 award recipient. Tony is in good company: past recipients include Sid Fleischman (2002), Eve Bunting (2001), Theodore Taylor (2000) and Bill Peet (1999). Recipients of the SCCBA's annual literacy grants will also be announced, six in total. This well-established program holds an esteemed position in the life of the local community, and its committee receives many applications from area teachers, librarians, day-care providers and social service professionals. Publishers and interested groups are encouraged to become grant sponsors. Simon & Schuster shares the sponsorship role with SCCBA this year. At evening's end, a real treat is in store for each guest—the famous SCCBA -more books! Join the fun: RSVP now. Reservations must be received by September 12.

Contact:Betty Takeuchi or Candace Moreno, San Marino Toy and Book Shoppe, 2424 Huntington Dr., San Marino, Calif. 91108; (626) 309-0222;smtbs@toysandbooks.com; www.socalkidsbooks.com.

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association

Trade show meets Fri., Oct. 3—Sun., Oct. 5, at the Oakland Convention Center/Oakland City Center Marriott, Oakland, Calif.

Gertrude Stein famously remarked of Oakland, "There is no there there," but for the Northern California independent booksellers, that is decidedly not the case. That city's convention center and adjacent Marriott have proved to be the perfect place for the show for years, and this year's show, as usual, is characterized by an exciting mix of educational programming, celebrity author appearances, plenty of "book time" on the floor and super social activities.

Friday is given over to educational programming. At 10 a.m., NCIBA plays host to Austin bookseller Steve Bercu, who presents the results of a much-talked-about study on the economic impact of locally owned businesses. Steve and his allies among Austin's small business community successfully fought off the opening of a Borders Bookstore in his neighborhood. Their struggle and the study commissioned in support of their argument for the importance of local ownership are critical for all independent booksellers. This session is followed by one of the most popular show roundtables: "One Good Thing That Worked in My Store This Year." Booksellers are asked to share some success story that resulted in higher sales or better operating results: given the economic struggle everyone is facing, this should be a very inspirational meeting. It ends at 11:45 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Two authors have been engaged to speak; one is Elisabeth Robinson (The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters).

After lunch are four sessions, two running concurrently 2—3:30 p.m., and another two 3:30—p.m. The first allows authors who have toured extensively to relate their "road tales" in the hope that attending booksellers will get a new perspective on executing a successful event; panel member choices have yet to be finalized. The second session is called "The Art of Inventory Management." Booksellers like Paul Yamazaki of City Lights Books in San Francisco and 2001 Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year Nancy Olson of Quail Ridge Books and Music in Raleigh, N.C. share bottom-line ordering tactics. The moderator is Michael Rosenthal of Modern Times Bookstore, also in San Francisco. The third panel may be the most important of all given the high rents that have driven so many stores out of business; the recent economic downturn that may make negotiating favorable leases possible; and the crucial role real estate plays in the life of any small business,. It's called "Strategies for Dealing with Landlords" and the speakers are Janet Portman, author of Leasing Space for Your Small Business and Leases & Rental Agreements and Tom Sherwood, a San Francisco-based lawyer who has negotiated bookstore leases and helped the NCIBA lease its space at the Presidio. The fourth and final session is the ABFFE workshop on the Freedom to Read Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. All 11 California Congressional delegation co-sponsors of the bill have been invited to attend. The session closes with the screening of a short documentary on Tattered Cover's historic privacy case victory. After such weighty matters, everyone is invited to the kickoff cocktail party at 5 p.m. for hors d'oeuvres and fellowship. For some, Friday's program ends at 9 p.m. when the busy Farrar, Straus & Giroux author and poker player Jim McManus (Positively Fifth Street) conducts a bookseller poker clinic. Thirty booksellers will compete at cards to get a chance to play against McManus himself. Who knows when it will end?

Saturday's events take place primarily on the trade show floor. The exhibits are open 10 a.m.—4 p.m.; autographing sessions 10 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Prior to walking the floor, attendees at the 8 a.m. author breakfast get to hear Sara Paretsky (Blacklist), Mark Kurlansky (1968: The Year that Rocked the World) and a third writer to be announced. In addition to the exhibitor booths, there is a mid-afternoon "Rep Pix for Staff" session during which eight sales reps give 10- to 15-minute presentations highlighting their favorite fall titles to help bookstore staff handsell. The newly added "Tea at Two," at 2 p.m. on Saturday, promises to be one of the show's top attractions. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (Madam Secretary: A Memoir) is speaking in the Simmons Ballroom and taking questions from the audience. Albright is then available for approximately an hour to greet booksellers and autograph copies of her book on the trade show floor. When the floor closes at 4 p.m., the NCIBA membership meets for an hour. DK Publishing presents a slide show featuring stills from the book America 24/7 at the show reception, 5—7 p.m. After the proper measure of drink, everyone is invited to a moveable feast, at which authors table-hop among diners. This fun event begins at 7 p.m. and is slated to end around 10 p.m. Confirmed guests include: Caroline Alexander (The Bounty), Charles Baxter (Saul and Patsy), James Carroll (Secret Father), Frances Itani (Deafening), Jonathan Lethem (The Fortress of Solitude), Sena Jeter Naslund (Four Spirits), Michael Perry (Population: 485) and Ayelet Waldman (Daughter's Keeper).

Sunday's program revolves around the exhibit floor, but the best parts involve food. At 8 a.m. is the children's author breakfast, featuring Tomie dePaola (The Barker Twins, Trouble in the Barkers' Class), Jon Agee (Z Goes Home) and Jim LaMarche (The Elves and the Shoemaker). Exhibit and autographing hours are the same as on Saturday. Later in the day, 1:30—2:30 p.m., the ever-popular Cookbook Celebration Sampler takes center stage on the show floor. Sample recipes from more than half a dozen fall cookbooks will be served, next to the displays of the books. Be sure to wipe your hands before browsing the books!

Contact:Hut Landon, Presidio National Park, 37 Graham St., Ste. 210, P.O. Box 29169, San Francisco, Calif. 94129; (415) 561-7686;office@nciba.com; www.nciba.com.

Southern California Booksellers Association

Authors Feast and Fall Seminars scheduled for Sat., October 25, at the Westin Hotel, Pasadena, Calif.

Pasadena has become home away from home for SCBA booksellers. Numerous activities are packed into this single-day event. Baker & Taylor is the premier sponsor again this year, while Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Ingram Book Co., Partners/West, Random House, Scholastic and Simon & Schuster lend their support to workshops and social events. No formal kick-off breakfast is planned. Instead coffee, cake and other goodies are offered prior to the first morning session. Educational programming runs 9:30 a.m.—4 p.m. "Heat Up the Holidays" is the theme, with sessions on Book Sense and Booksense.com, merchandising holiday catalogue titles, planning in-store events and promoting book award titles. A mid-morning workshop on time management is planned, followed by a panel on BookScan reporting. At noon, booksellers have lunch with Jack Mitchell, CEO of Mitchells/ Richards. His new book Hug Your Customers: The Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results has everyone around the country buzzing. At 1:30 p.m., folks return to the main business as the SCBA holds its fall general meeting, and Kerry Slattery of Skylight Books updates the membership on the Freedom to Read Protection Act campaign. As they wait for dinner, booksellers have a chance to check out the season's new offerings during a 6 p.m. reception at which publishers and distributors set up "mini" exhibits. A great turnout is anticipated—more than 20 companies will be there. So far the roster includes Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Baker & Taylor, HarperCollins Publishers, Ingram Book Co., Partners/West, Penguin Group USA and Scholastic.

The long and luminous guest list for the 7:30 p.m. dinner includes Norma Barzman, Francesca Lia Block, Todd Boyd, James Brown, Stephen Cannell, Joe Cepeda, Tony Cohan, Robert Florczak, Marla Frazee, Robin Preiss Glasser, Eric Gower, Michelle Huneven, Greg Hurwitz, Rochelle Krich, Kathleen Krull, David Landau, Aimee Liu, Mark Lee, Laura Lippman, Rosemary Lord, D.J. McHale, Jack Mitchell, T. Jefferson Parker, Laura Rader, Celia Rees, Mike Reiss, Anne Ruethling, James St. James, Carolyn See and Amy Stewart.

The second Annual SCBA Book Awards will also be announced during the evening. The award is open to authors and illustrators of fiction, nonfiction or children's books who live within the SCBA region and whose works reflect the southern California experience or culture. The fiction finalists are: Aimee Liu (Flash House), Rochelle Krich (Blues in the Night), T. Jefferson Parker (Cold Pursuit), Lisa See (Dragon Bones) and Barbara Seranella (Unpaid Dues). Nonfiction nominees are Harry W. Crosby (Gateway to Alta California: The Expedition to San Diego, 1769), Shirley Kerins (A Celebration of Herbs), Adeline Yen Mah (A Thousand Pieces of Gold), Leonard Mlodinow (Feynman's Rainbow) and Carolyn See (Making a Literary Life). Children's: Joe Cepeda (The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman), Sid Fleischman (Disappearing Act), Marla Frazee (Mrs. Biddlebox), Kathleen Krull (Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez) and Laura Rader (Tea for Me, Tea for You). After dinner, play with friends at the 10 p.m. poker party featuring world-class player Jim McManus, author of Positively Fifth Street .

Contact:Jennifer Bigelow, 301 E. Colorado Blvd. Ste. 501, Pasadena, Calif. 91101; (626) 791-9455;scba@earthlink.net.

Mountains & Plains Booksellers Association

Trade show meets Thurs., Oct. 2—Sun., Oct. 5, at the Marriott Denver Tech Center, Denver, Colo.

As if to disprove the proverb, "there is no new thing under the sun," organizers of this year's MPBA trade show have put together another great line-up of educational programs and special events. Registration opens on Wednesday afternoon, 2—5 p.m. Educational programming is scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Thursday is focused on bookselling basics. The day starts off (early! at 8 a.m.) with a brief session on how to work with sales and telemarketing reps. Derek Lawrence of Corvus Publishers, Eric Boss of the Penguin Group USA and Kathy Westover of Bookworm of Edwards give their advice. At 9 a.m., ABA's Len Vlahos and MPBA's Bob Sommer conduct a three-part seminar on technology as a bookselling tool. In-depth presentations and live demonstrations dealing with technology and productivity, online resources and data analysis, and Web site marketing and profitability make up the three-hour course. Everyone—including technophobes—should ask questions! At noontime, grab a sandwich, and scurry over to a workshop on basic bookstore operations aimed at small-to-medium sized bookstores. It starts at 12:30 p.m. At this afternoon-long workshop, Kathy Westover joins Catherine Weller of Sam Weller's Books to discuss the ins and outs of inventory management. There's only one other program on the bill—the essential "how to work the show" at 4:15 p.m. Off the Beaten Path's Leslie Ryan and other show pros share tips and techniques with rookies. The day ends at 5 p.m.

Exhibitor set-up runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Educational programming continues to be the focus for everyone else. Friday's sessions immerse booksellers in effective marketing techniques, in-store genre development and reading group management. At 8 a.m., Jeffrey Stamp, co-author of Meaningful Marketing, Selling More with Less Effort, brings his high-energy, interactive presentation style to the topic, so be ready to participate. Don't know much about comic books or graphic novels? In a panel discussion slated for 9:45 a.m., enthused booksellers and publishers divulge tips on selling this increasingly popular genre—and to attract that hard-to-convert customer, the young male reader. Join ABFFE's Chris Finan at 11 a.m. as he shares the latest news about the Freedom to Read Protection Act campaign. Stick around for the full hour. The program includes a screening of Reading Your Rights, a new documentary about the landmark case involving the Tattered Cover. Break for lunch at noon, and get together with reps to check out the "pick of the lists." It's a new day and time slot for this much-anticipated rally. Reps get 15 minutes each to hawk their favorite titles and their holiday catalogue picks. It's an invaluable opportunity for booksellers who do not ordinarily receive rep visits. Meanwhile, in another room, Adam Olson and Mike Vella of Baker & Taylor talk about the advantages of their company's proprietary products, TitleSource and TitleSource II, followed by a q&a. Vintage and Anchor Books' highly regarded panel discussion on reading groups is at 2 p.m.: a fun-packed hour is guaranteed when authors, booksellers and publishers openly exchange ideas about building on successful reading groups. At 3:15 p.m., ABA's Avin Domnitz presents the results of the ABACUS Study. The MPBA general meeting takes place at 4:15 p.m., followed by a welcome cocktail party at 5:15 p.m. Everyone is invited to the gazebo area to mingle and relax at the cash bar after an exhausting day.

Saturday morning's 7:30 p.m. Author Breakfast for Literacy is open to the public for the first time. Award-winning author and illustrator Peter Sís (The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin) joins honor recipient Joyce Carol Oates (The Tattooed Girl) and other notable writers at this high-profile affair, including Karol Griffin (Skin Deep: Of Tattoos, the Disappearing West, Very Bad Men, and My Deep Love for Them All) and Marisol (The Lady, the Chef, and the Courtesan). Flyers have been posted around town since September touting this event and tickets are hot. Reserve now to guarantee a place at a table. Proceeds go to MPBA's literacy programs. Exhibit halls open at 9:30 a.m., with staggered closings for lunch: Columbine Center Exhibit Hall (noon—1 p.m.) and Evergreen Ballroom Exhibit Hall (1—2 p.m.). Autographing sessions are scheduled at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; check announcements for designated rooms. The MPBA board violates the general rule against Saturday educational programming, and offers a mid-day seminar. Community activist and Austin-based bookseller Steve Bercu presents the findings of a recent report on the economic impact of locally owned businesses using his store as model. Take a break from the floor, and come to this important session. The rest of the afternoon is spent in jammed aisles, or at crowded snack bars talking about books. Doors close at 5 p.m. The Saturday Night Reception is sponsored by Baker & Taylor; the cases of wine are compliments of Bloomberg Press, publisher of Paul Dolan's True to Our Roots, Fermenting a Business Revolution. Eat, drink, and be merry. Evening highlights include the presentation of the Gordon Saull Bookseller of the Year and Sales Rep of the Year Awards, followed by author autographings (new this year).

Sunday is a short day, beginning with the Children's Author and Illustrator Breakfast for Literacy starring award-winning author and illustrator Rosemary Wells (The Small World of Binky Braverman) and illustrator Betsy Lewin (Two Eggs, Please), both enormously admired in the children's books world. This event, like Saturday's breakfast, is open to the public. Exhibit halls open at 9 a.m. Autographing sessions are scheduled at 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Attendees have a few hours to visit vendors, trade stories, and catch up with colleagues. The show closes at 1 p.m.

Contact:Lisa D. Knudsen, 19 Old Town Square, Ste. 238, Ft. Collins, Colo. 80524; (800) 752-0249 or (970) 484-5856;info@mountainsplains.org; www.mountainsplains.org.

Great Lakes Booksellers Association

Trade show meets Fri., Oct. 3—Sun., Oct. 5, at the Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, Mich.

This year Great Lakes booksellers return to historic Dearborn and the Hyatt Regency for their 14th annual trade show. The location was well received last year, with facilities and customer service getting high marks. On Thursday afternoon, members of the board gather for their annual meeting, tentatively followed by an evening soirée hosted by the Friends of the Detroit Public Library.

Show volunteers meet at 8 a.m. Friday to receive their assignments while novice show goers get tips from GBLA staff members at an 8:30 a.m. breakfast. Educational programming starts at 9:30 a.m., and continues through the day. "If it niches, scratch it" is the theme. As in previous years, most sessions are organized on a track system: operations, technology, niche and author. Pick one and stay the course. Round one is the perennial favorite "ideas that work." Everyone is encouraged to start with this thought-provoking exchange led by Terry Whittaker. For the second round, discussions range from niche events to online bookselling technology, from university press books to children's humor titles. The lunch bell rings at 11:30 a.m. for the Great Lakes Book Award Luncheon and Presentation. Post-award entertainment (of sorts!) includes a "spelling bee" sponsored by American Heritage Dictionary. Expert AHD lexicographers work hard to stump the bookstore-publisher teams. Come root with lucky emcee Keith Taylor. The winning team receives a complete set of AHD reference books as does an area literacy organization designated as contest beneficiary. Panels and workshops resume at 2:30 p.m., with more sessions at 3:30 p.m. Third-round, concurrent sessions concentrate on ABA's ABACUS Study, DVDs and CDs, used books and "heartland" authors. Camille DeBoer and Sally Bulthuis of Pooh's Corner conduct a "picks of the picture books" session. The fourth and final round of the afternoon deals with other pertinent issues: Booksense.com co-op, graphic novels and store branding. Then there's a somewhat mysterious program called "above the treetops." A formal autographing session is planned for late afternoon, and the Association of Booksellers for Children plans to hold an hour-long meeting, at 5:15 p.m. Acknowledgement is due: Becky Anderson, Sue Boucher, Susanne DeGaetano, Chris Finan, Willetta Heising, Liz Murphy, Mark Nichols, Jeff Wexler and Rita Williams. Social activities start at 6:15 p.m. with a reception sponsored by Houghton Mifflin. Come celebrate the publication of Zingerman's Guide to Good Eating, with author Ari Weinzweig, co-owner of the famous eatery. There'll be plenty of great food. Save some room for a "moveable feast" of more than 30 authors. Local author and celebrity Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press (The Five People You Meet in Heaven) is keynote speaker. Delicious food, great conversation and a "bag o' books." Who could ask for anything more? Booksellers, of course, who will want to linger and collect favorite authors' signatures.

Baker & Taylor is sponsoring Saturday's 8 a.m. breakfast with the board. Agenda items include the annual membership meeting, new program announcements and a bookseller forum. Saturday is the sole day for exhibits 9:30 a.m.—5 p.m.; no educational programming or autographing sessions are planned. The regional author booth is manned throughout the day. Stop by and say "howdy." At 3 p.m., take a break and head over to the area designated for the hour-long silent auction. Saturday night's line-up is truly special. Festivities start at 6 p.m. with a reception, at which the "Readers of the Great Lakes" poster will be unveiled. Appreciation is given to the following supporters of this important project: Emmis Books and Workman Publishing, Hyatt Regency Dearborn and the Great Lakes Booksellers Association. An hour-long interlude in the form of "reading room" is a part of this celebration. Crime writer Jilliane P. Hoffman (Retribution) and novelist Larry Watson (Orchard) are among the many authors reading from their works. The 7:30 p.m. booksellers banquet is sponsored by Simon & Schuster. A toast honoring the winner and runner-up of the first GBLA "Get Caught Reading" photo contest takes precedence. Much-admired regional authors Haven Kimmel (A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana) and Jacquelyn Mitchard (Christmas, Present) are featured speakers. Chris Bohjalian (Idyll Banter) joins them. A late-night poker game follows the banquet. Book a place at the gaming table, and get a crack at playing against one of the great poker players—World Series of Poker finalist James McManus. Bar snacks and drink tickets for players and spectators are provided by Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Signed copies of Jim's new book Positively Fifth Street: Murderers, Cheetahs, and Binion's World Series of Poker will be available for players. It's your deal!

Sunday's children's book and author breakfast features the talented Betsy Lewin, illustrator of best-selling Click, Clack, Moo, its sequel Giggle, Giggle, Quack and the forthcoming Two Eggs, Please. Christopher Paolini (Eragon) and Doug Wood (Old Turtle and the Broken Truth) join her at the head table. Checkout time is 9:30 a.m. Another round of educational programming is planned for those staying the day. Presentations include talks on the Freedom to Read Protection Act campaign and customer service and workshops on selling mysteries and effective sign-making. In a plenary session at 11 a.m., Esmé Raji Codell (How to Get Your Child to Love Reading) and Nancy Pearl (Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason) lead a timely discussion on the independent's role in creating new readers. Hungry? Everyone should bring a bear-like appetite to the cookbook sampler, 12:30—2 p.m., autographing 12:40—2 p.m. The trade show and convention ends at 2 p.m.—but committee and board members stay for a debriefing on what worked and what didn't and outline plans for the 2004 show.

Contact:Jim Dana, 208 Franklin St., P.O. Box 901, Grand Haven, Mich. 49417; (800) 745-2460 or (616) 847-2460;glba@books-glba.org; www.books-glba.org.

Upper Midwest Booksellers Association

Trade show meets Fri., Oct. 10—Sun., Oct. 12, at the RiverCentre, St. Paul, Minn.

This year's organizers are doing things a bit differently. Weekend activities are centered around the scheduled two-day trade-show exhibit—a major change from last year's traditional one-day set-up. Exhibitors have the option of participating only on Saturday, or on Saturday and Sunday. A color-coded map will guide visitors to publishers and other vendors in their designated day blocks. Plan ahead! Exhibit hours are 10:30 a.m.—5 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m.—2 p.m. Sunday.

On Friday, business starts at noon with an orientation program designed for first-timers. Tenured booksellers and sales reps show the greenhorns the ropes. Educational programming starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Sessions run concurrently in three adjacent meeting rooms in Touchstone Energy Place at the RiverCentre. Advance registration is requested but not required. The impressive line-up features seminars, workshops and panel discussions on a range of topics. Interested in customer service? Though indie booksellers virtually minted the term "customer service," Jack Mitchell of Connecticut-based clothiers Mitchells/Richards puts a different spin on this elusive concept. In his one-hour presentation, Jack demonstrates a "proven way" to personalize sales and achieve astounding results. His motto—"once a customer, always a friend"—will become yours. Get ready for a little hugging; your customers may notice a new "loveable" you. If time management is high on your list, then David Allen's two-hour seminar is the ticket. David gives practical advice straight from the pages of his book, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. Need a refresher course on marketing? Regional show-stomper Jeffrey Stamp is well qualified to instruct. He is the co-author of Meaningful Marketing: Selling More with Less Effort. Pay attention during his 3 p.m. seminar: there's a quiz later. Several 45-minute panel discussions fill out the agenda. Topics include inventory management and returns, buying practices, newsletter production and co-op, used-book pricing and sidelines. In between, take time to catch up with recent developments at the American Booksellers Association. In separate sessions, ABA staff members present an overview of the ABACUS Survey, clarify the new Book Sense gift-card program and explain ABA's online tools and resources, including its electronic book buyer's handbook. Thanks goes to Avin Domnitz, Jill Perlstein and Jeff Wexler for their fine presentations. On Friday night, a lively kick-off is promised, with hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. The official welcome reception, sponsored in part by Ingram Book Co. starts at 6 p.m. A "poker party" is also in the works, compliments of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, promoting author James McManus and his new book Positively Fifth Street: Murderers, Cheetahs, and Binion's World Series of Poker. Feelin' lucky? Sign up to play, and win a big pile of chips. Sorry—no real money here, just a lot of fun.

At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday morning, the annual UMBA Book and Author Breakfast highlights regional talents Roger A. MacDonald (A Country Doctor's Casebook), Shannon Olson (The Children of God Go Bowling), Susan Allen Toth (Leaning into the Wind: A Memoir of Midwest Weather), Larry Watson (Orchard) and Kathy-Jo Wargin and Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen (The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell). Advance ticket purchase is a must. An hour-long general membership meeting is scheduled for 9:15 a.m., at which Avin Domnitz and Oren Teicher will talk about Book Sense and Booksense.com, Internet sales tax initiatives, BookExpo America and more. An update of the ABFFE activities is also planned. All welcome. Doors open to the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at 10:30 a.m. Much like last year, the standing order for the day is "focus on the books." Networking opportunities abound with more than 400 publishers and vendors represented. Holiday catalogues are available at the special UMBA display—look for the banner. There is no educational programming planned. However, there is a surprise in store. Formal autographing sessions are back by popular demand! Autographing hours: 1—4 p.m. Publishers are invited to have authors at their booths or tables for the day as well. The Radisson Riverfront Hotel is the site of the book and author dinner, with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by Adventure Publications. Dinner follows at 7:30 p.m. Dinner tickets must be purchased in advance. General admission tickets are available for those unable to make dinner, or who plan to come late but are still interested in hearing the speakers. "A world of things imagined, myth and mystery" is the theme that guest authors Thomas Cahill (Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter), Diana Gabaldon (Lord John and the Private Matter), Malachy McCourt (The Claddagh Ring: Ireland's Cherished Symbol of Friendship), Anne Perry (No Graves as Yet) and Walter Wangerin Jr. (The Crying for a Vision) will address as each takes a turn at the podium. A truly magical night!

At Sunday morning's 17th Annual Children's Book and Author Breakfast, Esmé Raji Codell (How to Get Your Child to Love Reading; Sahara Special) joins Paula Danziger (Amber Brown Is Green with Envy), Jane Dyer (Little Brown Bear Won't Go to School!), Kevin Henkes (Olive's Ocean) and Doug Wood (Old Turtle and the Broken Truth) at the main table. Complimentary signed copies will be available, the same as at all breakfast and dinner programs. At 9:30 a.m., everyone hits the floor. Autographing hours: 10 a.m.—12 noon. Lunchtime comes so soon! Columnist and novelist Jacquelyn Mitchard (Christmas, Present) is the keynote speaker at the Second Annual Authors Lunch and Moveable Feast. At this sure-to-be-entertaining event more than 20 special authors will join booksellers for conversation. The weekend winds down at 2 p.m.; before then, remember to submit your orders to win prizes at the "Place Those Orders!" Raffle. You can go home a real winner!

Contact:Susan Walker, 3407 West 44th St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55410; (800) 784-7522 or (612) 926-5868;UMBAoffice@aol.com; www.abookaday.com.

New England Booksellers Association

Annual meeting and trade show meets Fri., Oct. 24—Sun., Oct. 26, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, R.I.

America's Renaissance City is host to the 30th annual NEBA meeting and trade show. Show goers meet downtown at the convention center for day activities and evening socials unless otherwise noted. On Friday, a full day of educational programming is scheduled, sponsored by Random House Inc. Marketing guru Doug Hall presents a day-long workshop based on his book Meaningful Marketing (co-written with Jeffrey Stamp). Their unique understanding of the marketplace and distinctive approach to sales has captured the attention of booksellers across the country as one of the two co-authors goes from region to region. Robert D. Putnam and Lewis M. Feldstein, authors of Better Together: Restoring the American Community, are keynote speakers at the midday Industry Luncheon. "Revitalize" is the gist of their speech. NEBA president Linda Ramsdell presents the Gilman Award for outstanding service as a New England sales representative to the entire Random House New England sales force, including telemarketing reps. This group recognition is unprecedented in the history of the award. Bravo! Last but not least, Doris Kearns Goodwin accepts the New England Booksellers Association Presidential Award for lifetime contribution to the arts and letters. Her new book, tentatively titled Abraham Lincoln's White House, is due this fall—another landmark work. After lunch, more heady stuff from Doug Hall. That evening, Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 3: Lucinda's Secret), Jim LaMarche (The Elves and the Shoemaker) and Walter Dean Myers (The Beast) are guests at the children's books author/illustrator dinner sponsored by Bookazine Kids. Dinner is slated for 6 p.m. in the Narragansett Ballroom at the convenient Westin Providence.

On Saturday morning, Caroline Alexander (The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty), Tracy Kidder (Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World) and Jonathan Lethem (The Fortress of Solitude) share the dais at an 8:30 a.m. breakfast. Exhibit hours are 9:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.; autographing sessions, 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Panels and workshops are planned throughout the weekend. During the morning hours, ABA staffers and NEBA board members again conduct the popular BEA session on succession planning. Later in the day, the New England Children's Booksellers Advisory Council (NECBA) presents a workshop on marketing to schools and libraries. NEBA's annual meeting is slotted at 4:45 p.m. At this weighty meeting, the main order of business is the installation of new officers—as president, Eric Wilska of Bookloft; as vice president, Dale Szczeblowski of Concord Bookshop; as treasurer, Allan Schmid of Books Etc.; as clerk, independent sales rep Debra Woodward. The day's business ends on an auspicious note. Everyone is welcome to a cocktail party in the Rotunda Room at the convention center; dinner for invitees follows in the Ballroom. More than 150 booksellers plan to attend this much-anticipated dinner with authors, aka the "moveable feast." Places are set for Khassan Baiev (Oath), Eleanor Clift (Founding Sisters and the Nineteenth Amendment), Jake Halpern (Braving Home), Margo Howard (A Life in Letters: Ann Landers' Letters to Her Only Child), Edward P. Jones (The Known World), Robert K. Massie (Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea), Christopher Moore (Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings), Dale Peck (What We Lost), Nathaniel Philbrick (Sea of Glory), Cathleen Schine (She Is Me), R.A. Scotti (Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938), and Alec Wilkinson (Mr. Apology). Thanks goes to dinner sponsors Houghton Mifflin Co., Ingram Book Co., Koen Book Distributors and AOL Time Warner Book Group for their support for a rollicking time!

The highlight of Sunday's 8:30 a.m. breakfast is the New England Book Awards presentation. Established in 1990, these awards are given annually to an author and a publisher who have produced a body of work that stands as a significant contribution to the region's culture. The author category includes fiction, nonfiction and children's books. Congratulations to this year's winners—for fiction, Jodi Picoult; nonfiction, Simon Winchester; children's, Lois Lowry; publishing, Candlewick Press. Exhibit hours: 10 a.m.—3 p.m.; autographing sessions: 10 a.m.—2 p.m. Mid-morning, Avin Domnitz presents the results of the ABACUS Survey on bookstore finances. Take a break from floor action and drop in.

Contact:Rusty Drugan, 1770 Massachusetts Ave., #332, Cambridge, Mass. 02140; (800) 466-8711 (general inquiries) or (617) 576-3070 (exhibitor inquiries);rusty@neba.org; www.newenglandbooks.org.