Publisher Sponsors, Luncheon Speakers, and Authors Announced for Events Specialty Institute

The American Booksellers Association’s inaugural Events Specialty Institute (ESI) will take place on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, just prior to the Great Lakes and Midwest independent booksellers association’s Heartland Fall Forum.

Sponsors of the one-day educational program, which is open to booksellers at all ABA member stores, are:

• The Hachette Book Group
• Penguin Group USA
• Random House
• Sourcebooks
• Workman

“We are very grateful for the support of our publisher sponsors,” said Mark Nichols, ABA Development Officer.  “We look forward to a great day of sharing ideas and practical information that will enhance and improve events at all of the participating stores.”

An opening reception on Tuesday evening, October 2, will provide ESI attendees with the opportunity to greet fellow booksellers and to meet and have books signed by a number of notable authors.  Authors scheduled to appear include:

• David R. Gillham, City of Women, Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam, August 2012
• Jordan Matter, Dancers Among Us: A Celebration of Joy in the Everyday, Workman, October 2012
• Edward Kelsey Moore, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat: A Novel, Knopf, March 2013
• Marissa Moss, Mira’s Diary: Lost in Paris, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, September 2012
• Julia Pandl, Memoir of the Sunday Brunch, Algonquin Books, November 2012
• Margi Preus, Shadow on the Mountain, Amulet Books, September 2012
• Marianne Richmond, If I Could Keep You Little, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, November 2010
• Erika Robuck, Hemingway’s Girl: A Novel, NAL Trade, September 2012
• James Sheehan, The Lawyer’s Lawyer, Center Street, January 2013
• Karen Thompson Walker, The Age of Miracles: A Novel, Random House, June 2012
• Cali Williams Yost, Tweak It: Small Changes, Big Impact, Center Street, January 2013

The institute will begin on Wednesday morning with a Q&A interview of bestselling author Kate DiCamillo, who will talk about the many facets of indie bookstore events from the author’s perspective and will sign copies of her latest book following the interview.

Lunch at ESI will be highlighted by a panel discussion moderated by Gayle Shanks, co-owner of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, that will feature three senior publishing publicity executives discussing best practices for raising a bookstore’s profile with publishers.  Scheduled to participate are:

•  Karen Fink, Assistant Director of Publicity at Random House, Spiegel & Grau, Dial Press, and Modern Library.  Fink has led the publicity campaigns for many indie favorite authors, including Helen Simonson, Fannie Flagg, Mary Doria Russell, and Jim Lehrer.
• Jynne Dilling Martin, Director of Publicity at Riverhead Books.  Martin is currently spearheading the campaign for Junot Diaz’s new book, and during her career has worked with literary stars, such as Norman Mailer, E.L. Doctorow, and Elizabeth Strout, as well as with celebrity authors Jane Fonda and Donald Trump.
• Jason M. Wells, Executive Director, Publicity and Marketing at Abrams Books for Young Readers, Amulet Books, and Abrams Appleseed. Wells has overseen the publicity programs for the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Origami Yoda series, among many other popular books for children.

Enrollment for the ESI is capped at 100 ABA member booksellers.  There are a limited number of spots still available.  Here’s a link for registration.  The registration fee is $59.  The reservation deadline to receive the special hotel rate of $139 per night has been extended until Monday, September 10.  To make a hotel reservation, call (612) 375-1700 or (866) 211-4611. Booksellers must specify the ABA/Heartland Fall Forum Block.