IBNYC Provides NY Indie Bookstore Guide for Booksellers Attending BookExpo America

The IBNYC (Independent Booksellers of New York City) is profiling New York City IndieBound bookstores on their blog throughout May. The series, which also includes bookseller tips for other nearby indie businesses listed on IndieBound.org, is a guide for visiting NYC booksellers during BookExpo America.

"I'm doing this to help beef up IndieBound profiles, raise awareness of the site and the bookstores at the same time, and, also, as a way to create a visitor guide for folks attending BEA," said Kelly Amabile, events coordinator for WORD in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Amabile volunteers for IBNYC, an alliance of independent booksellers working to promote the cultural, literary, and economic benefits of shopping at New York City's diverse collection of bookstores. The profiles also serve to promote bookstores' indie neighbors. "During the month of May, IBNYC booksellers helped add over 50 local businesses to the IndieBound website," said Amabile. "Booksellers... each shared a list of their favorite indie businesses located near their bookshops. The lists were posted on our blog to help spread the word about other great places folks can visit and support while they are out shopping for books. It's a great guide for folks who already live here, and for people visiting the city -- not just for BEA, but anyone who is coming to town."

Each bio gives background information about the store and includes several bookseller recommendations for cafés and other venues. Terry McCoy of St. Mark's Bookshop, in the East Village, recommends Life Café, one of the settings in Rent; Veniero's; an 1894 neighborhood institution for Italian pastries and coffee; and the Bowery Poetry Club. In Brooklyn, WORD owner Christine Onorati points out Permanent Records for new and used CDs and vinyl and Greenpoint Coffee House.

Posted bookstore profiles are of Book Court, Freebird Books and Goods, Powerhouse Arena, McNally Jackson Booksellers, St. Mark's Bookshop, Three Lives and Company, and WORD. And here's a consolidated list of the profiles: http://ibnyc.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/visit-nyc-indie-bookstores-other-indie-businesses/.

Each month, the IBNYC blog posts "Upcoming 25," highlighting 25 literary events happening at (or in partnership) with 25 different indie bookstores around NYC. This month's version is a special edition, which will focus on 25 things happening during BEA and the last week of May -- especially helpful for people who may be coming to NYC a few days early or staying a few days later. The special BEA edition will be posted on the IBNYC blog.

IBNYC will have a booth at BEA -- Booth # 3384. Booksellers are encouraged to stop by, get copies of a bookstore map, a handout summary of the IndieBound spotlights, and info on Indie Bookstore Week NYC, planned for November 2009. For a full list of all IBNYC stores, see the list here: http://www.ibnyc.org/stores.html. --Karen Schechner