Winter Institute

Laurie Halse Anderson, a featured panelist at the Wi8 session “Banned Books, Censorship, and YA Literature,” speaks to ABFFE President Chris Finan about how she chooses the subjects for her books and why people try to ban them.

Joining previously announced ABA affiliated business solution partners, POS vendors, and others at the Winter Institute 8 Consultation Station will be representatives of the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, BookExpo America, Ingram, LIBRIS, and Rafter.com.

Sherman Alexie and Laurie Halse Anderson, bestselling authors and passionate defenders of the freedom to read, will be at Winter Institute 8 to discuss efforts to ban their books and other young adult works that some people claim are too “dark” for children.

Winter Institute 8 will feature several opportunities for booksellers to learn more about the ABA/Kobo program and plans in the works for 2013. In addition, Kobo representatives will be available to talk to booksellers directly.

A unique feature of Winter Institute 8 will be a field trip for booksellers to the National Association of College Stores’  2013 CAMEX trade show on Sunday, February 24. Wi8 bookseller attendees who place an order of any size from an exhibiting vendor while they’re there will receive a $100 rebate per store.

ABA-member new and prospective booksellers can still register for the full-day workshop “How to Succeed at Retail Bookselling: Introduction to the Bookstore Business,” to be held on Friday, February 22, just prior to the kickoff of Winter Institute 8.

This week, Publishers Lunch released Buzz Books 2013: Spring/Summer, a free e-book of pre-publication excerpts from 28 highly anticipated books set to go on sale between March and July. Close to half of the excerpts (11 titles) will also be featured at this month’s Winter Institute.

Winter Institute 8 will kick off in a big way, at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23, with an opening plenary featuring bestselling author and indie favorite Daniel Pink, who will share insights from his latest book, “To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others” (Riverhead).

While filling up on Kansas City barbeque, booksellers at the Winter Institute need not abandon their fitness regimens. Yoga classes will be led by fellow bookseller Susan Weis-Bohlen, and hotel guests will have complimentary access to the Westin Kansas City at Crowne Center’s health club throughout their stay.

ABA has announced the names of the presenters and panelists for Winter Institute 8’s breakout sessions, to be held on Saturday, February 23, and Monday, February 25.