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.

If you do not see the Pre-order list below please login.

 

* Updated 3/17/2025 *

 

 

 

MARCH 2025

- On Sale Date 3/18/2025:

• Pop! Goes The Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi (Union Square Kids, 9781454960461, Hardcover, $18.99) Added Value: INDIE EXCLUSIVE - For every five books ordered, you get five art prints designed by illustrator Andrea Tsurumi. Order by 2/7/25 to secure your prints; after that date, prints will only be available while supplies last. Contact your Union Square & Co. rep or reach out to tradesales@unionsquareandco.com [3] for questions or to place orders.

- On Sale Date 3/25/2025:

• Retreat by Krysten Ritter (Harper, 9780063334601, Hardcover, $28.99) Added Value: 6-copy signed carton (carton ISBN: 9780063435964, $173.94); Limited signed quantities are available while supplies last, publisher will do their best to fulfill demand; Store promo should include "limited supply" notice to customers. Edelweiss Link: https://www.edelweiss.plus/#keywordSearch&q=9780063435964&page=1 [4]

• Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin (HarperCollins, 9780063258808, Hardcover, $21.99) Added Value: 6-copy signed carton (carton ISBN: 9780063432772, $131.94); Limited signed quantities are available while supplies last, publisher will do their best to fulfill demand; Store promo should include "limited supply" notice to customers. Edelweiss Link: https://www.edelweiss.plus/#keywordSearch&q=9780063432772&page=1 [5]

 

APRIL 2025

- On Sale Date 4/1/2025:

• Coven by Soman Chainani (HarperAlley, 9780062979698, Hardcover, $26.99) Added Value: 6-copy signed carton (carton ISBN: 9780063427044, $161.94); Limited signed quantities are available while supplies last, publisher will do their best to fulfill demand; Store promo should include "limited supply" notice to customers. Edelweiss Link: https://www.edelweiss.plus/#keywordSearch&q=9780063427044&page=1 [6]

- On Sale Date 4/8/2025:

• Beatrix Butterfly Wings It for Once by Maren Morris and Karina Argow, Kelly Anne Dalton (Illus.) [7] (Chronicle Chroma, 9781797235035, Hardcover, $18.99)

• Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus (Dey Street Books, 9780063318915, Hardcover, $32.5) Added Value: 6-copy signed carton (carton ISBN: 9780063444928, $195.00); Limited signed quantities are available while supplies last, publisher will do their best to fulfill demand; Store promo should include "limited supply" notice to customers. Edelweiss Link: https://www.edelweiss.plus/#keywordSearch&q=9780063444928&page=1 [8]

- On Sale Date 4/22/2025:

• *Added 3/17/2025* Gabriële by Anne Berest and Claire Berest [9] (Europa Editions, 9798889660897, Hardcover, $28) Added Value: Co-op available, see your PGW rep for details. Edelweiss link: https://www.edelweiss.plus/#sku=9798889660897&page=1 [10]

• Zeal by Morgan Jerkins (Harper, 9780063234086, Hardcover, $28.99) Added Value: 6-copy signed carton (carton ISBN: 9780063435988, $173.94); Limited signed quantities are available while supplies last, publisher will do their best to fulfill demand; Store promo should include "limited supply" notice to customers. Edelweiss Link: https://www.edelweiss.plus/#keywordSearch&q=9780063435988&page=1 [11]

 

MAY 2025

- On Sale Date 5/13/2025:

• Odyssey by Stephen Fry (Chronicle Books, 9781797213989, Hardcover, $35) Added Value: Limited signed quantities are available while supplies last. Publisher will do their best to fulfill demand. Store promo should include "limited supply" notice to customers. Edelweiss link: https://www.edelweiss.plus/?sku=1797213989&g=4400 [12]

 

OCTOBER 2025

- On Sale Date 10/14/2025:

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Interactive Illustrated Edition) [13] (Harry Potter, Book 4) by J.K. Rowling, Karl James Mountford (Illus.), Jess Tice-Gilbert (Paper Engineer) (Scholastic Inc., 9781546154419, Hardcover, $49.99)

 

 

"Keep It Local" Pre-Order Shelftalkers (multiple designs) [14]