Publishers Weekly

The nominees for this year’s Bookstore and Sales Rep of the Year have much in common: dedication, experience, expertise, a focus on building community through books, and an abiding love of the written word.

This year’s award goes to the beloved Detroit shop whose octogenarian owner, Janet Webster Jones, is considered bookselling royalty.

A bumper crop of recent books across a wide variety of categories finds inspiration in that sense of community only independent bookstores can bring.

The coding system was intended to help book-focused businesses categorize their collections. But some indie booksellers say that, as far as their businesses are concerned, BISAC has lost the plot.

The suit charges that the county school board violated the First Amendment rights of students when it removed or restricted access to more than 140 books, ignoring the advice of specialists who advised not to do so.

On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, two acclaimed authors who have written about the conflict and its consequences discuss the writers who shaped them.

Most recently co-executive director of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance, the regional sales manager for Scholastic was nominated for her dedication, experience in publishing, and invaluable insights.

In recognition of the publisher’s success in publishing adult fiction, Sourcebooks has promoted six key editors, including Christa Desir (pictured), across five of its six adult fiction imprints.

The Fort Worth, Tex., bookstore has grown from a 120-sq.-ft. space inside a gourmet products shop to a full-service store in the city’s cultural district. But don’t talk politics.

The American Booksellers Association expects that this year’s Independent Bookstore Day on April 26 will be the largest yet, with 1,600+ indies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia celebrating. Exclusive IBD merch, special programming, and, of course, books will be highlighted during the day.

The Southeast field sales rep at Norton was nominated for always going above and beyond for her accounts. Abby Fennewald

Within months after this Oakland, Calif., bookstore was destroyed by fire last year, owner Brad Johnson had a new shop opened and focused on his mission of fostering curiosity, compassion, and intelligent critical thought.

Among recent book deals are a quartet of young authors explaining biblical prophecy, a children's book of God's affirming messages, a look at ‘muscular Christianity,’ and more.

As lawsuits over the fate of the Institute of Museum and Library Services drag on and the likelihood that forced paid leave mandates will turn into permanent cuts grows, worries mount among staffers over the agency’s ability to carry out its mission.

Building on the popularity of the personality typing system, two new Enneagram-focused titles suggest that self-awareness found through the personality typing system can provide a starting point for reaching a deeper spirituality.

After a brief legal fight, Alliance Entertainment has been named the winning bidder for the assets of Diamond Comic Distributors.

The Upstate New York bookstore is known for being a vibrant community hub.

Archeologists, biologists, pastors, and spirituality leaders draw lessons about God and the Bible from the trees to the seas in new works.

The Georgia senator’s new children’s book series based on biblical tales kicks off this month with Leo’s Lunch Box about a generous boy whose inexhaustible lunch box recalls the miracle of loaves and fishes that fed a multitude.

The sales rep for Hachette was nominated by several California booksellers, who praised her follow-through and knack for problem-solving.