Pre-orders are an increasingly important way in which books are now sold and marketed, and indie bookstores can and should take part in this growing business. Heavily influenced by television and social media, the months before a title’s publication are critical, and pre-orders are a growing component of a book’s ultimate sales. By working with publishers to take full advantage of pre-order opportunities, indie bookstores can avoid lost sales, lost PR, and lost market share. Booksellers who would like to learn more about pre-orders can check out the presentation from the 2019 ABA Spring Forums: “ABACUS and Pre-Orders: Two Programs You Can’t Do Without [1].”

Below are some suggested titles that may have good pre-order potential and/or have added value to entice customers to pre-order from their local indie. The list will be updated on a regular basis. When available, titles will link to a page with downloadable digital assets. The list is also available as an Excel Download at the bottom of the page, along with ABA-created "Keep It Local" Pre-Order shelftalkers and web assets. 

Booksellers and publishers are welcome to send pre-order suggestions for this list to preorders@bookweb.org [2]. Publishers should also attach any digital marketing assets available for booksellers to use. ABA has final approval over which titles are included on this list.

Stores should be sure to note "Limited Supply" or "While Supplies Last" in promo to customers.

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* Updated 7/30/2024 *

SEPTEMBER 2024

- On Sale Date 9/24/2024:

• *Added 7/9/2024* Taste in Music: Eating on Tour with Indie Musicians by Alex Bleeker and Luke Pyenson (Chronicle Books, 9781797224572, Hardcover, $27.95) Added value: A digital toolkit including social graphics, a Spotify playlist, author interviews, and more is available on Edelweiss: https://www.edelweiss.plus/?sku=1797224573&g=4400 [3].

OCTOBER 2024

- On Sale Date 10/1/2024:

• The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo, Júlia Sardà (Illus.) [4] (Candlewick, 9781536223316, Hardcover, $17.99) Added Value: Indie Preorder Exclusive! Hotel Balzaar Postcard 10-Pack (ISBN 9781536242676), available to order on 9/3/24; Please only order what you’ll use for pre-ordered copies. While supplies last. Edelweiss link: https://www.edelweiss.plus/homepage.aspx?#keywordSearch&q=hotel+balzaar&page=1 [5]

• *Added 7/15/2024* The Kiss of the Nightingale by Adi Denner [6] (Tundra Books, 9781774885253, Hardcover, $18.99) Added Value: Preorder customers can submit their receipt to the publisher to receive an exclusive page overlay package with 4 designs each (while supplies last). Offer is open until September 30, 2024 for residents of Canada and the United States of America. Receipts from all retailers and for all formats are accepted. Customers can submit receipts here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/the-kiss-of-the-nightingale-preorder [7].

- On Sale Date 10/22/2024:

• *Added 7/30/2024* The Magical Unicorn Society: The Dark Heart Unicorns by Melanie Reynard [8], Chris Coady (Illus.), Jazlyn Alcaide (Illus.), Mariano Epelbaum (Illus.), José R Ibanez (Illus.) (Michael O'Mara, 9781789296679, Hardcover, $14.99) Added value: Customers who place a preorder with their local indie receive an exclusive temporary tattoo of the Dark Heart Unicorn with their order. Bookstore orders must either be placed directly with your IPG rep or if ordered through wholesale, qty shared with IPG via sales@ipgbook.com [9] to receive tattoos. Tattoos will be mailed separately from your book stock to your store to give to your customers. Deadline to report preorders: 10/13/2024.

"Keep It Local" Pre-Order Shelftalkers (multiple designs) [10]