News - Bookselling

On April 21, the Marketplace Fairness Coalition, a diverse array of trade associations and businesses, including the American Booksellers Association, wrote to members of the U.S. Senate to dispute erroneous assertions made by  eBay President and CEO John Donahoe about the Marketplace Fairness Act (S.736).

On Monday, April 22, the White House endorsed the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 (S.743). Later that day, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to move the bill to the Senate floor for debate.

In an April 19 e-mail to bookstore members regarding the class action settlement over rapidly rising Visa and MasterCard swipe fees, ABA recommended that members opt out and object to the settlement.

Pubs for the Hub to raise funds for Boston; Intuit’s “Make a Wish” contest for small business owners returns; ALA’s list of most challenged titles released; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announces Take 5; Books Are My Bag to launch in U.K.; Simon & Schuster in pilot program with New York City libraries; Ingram adds Ebook Library titles to OASIS

Blue Manatee profiled; breathe books to add café; Brilliant Books recognized

Last week, hundreds of small business owners met with elected officials in Washington, D.C., to communicate firsthand the need to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act. Participants in the two-day fly-in included Sarah Pishko of Prince Books and ABA Board member Sarah Bagby of Watermark Books & Café.

The U.S. Senate may vote on the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 as early as next week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to bring the bill directly to the floor for a vote without first referring it to the Senate Finance Committee, according to published reports.

In response to the success of the Bookseller/Publisher Focus Groups at Winter Institute 8, ABA has arranged a series of focus group meetings to be held during BEA. Booksellers who are interested in meeting with publishers to discuss issues of common interest and mutual concern must sign up by May 3.

Six e-book promotions were recently added to the IndieCommerce Publisher Promotions page. Categories include humor, teen reads, great leaders, thrillers, and steals and deals.

Indie booksellers are gearing up for the April 23rd celebration of World Book Night with parties and book pickup events planned at hundreds of locations across the country.