2024 is in full swing…so what do I have to show for the last two weeks?! Below I’ve outlined what business progress I’ve made while setting up the Bookshop.
I’ve accomplished the following for the business:
- Joined NetGalley: they help people and businesses market new book releases by providing advanced reader copies (ARCs)
- Joined California Independent Booksellers Alliance: decided to join a local book association, rather than the American Booksellers Association (ABA) while I gain traction…also CALIBA’s membership was half the price of ABA
- Joined Edelweiss: a community to see what is trending, connect with other booksellers and a larger reading community.
- EIN Tax ID follow up: received a refund for unnecessary fee I paid for an EIN–they charged a $75 cancellation fee; but as my friend says something is better than nothing
- Volunteered with the Prisoners Literature Project (more personal, than business, but still book-related)
NetGalley:
I’ve requested 10 ARCs and have been approved to review 6, so far! I’m currently finishing Lore of the Wilds, and trying to figure out how I want to go about reviewing the book. Blurb on social media with full review on the blog the week of publication feels like the right thing to do. I don’t want to ruin the book for anyone.
CALIBA:
Joined to find out more about running a bookstore, gain any insider knowledge and mainly just START. So far I’ve started on studying the website and I’m counting down the days until I can register for the Basic Bookselling course that is being offered. CALIBA members get reimbursement after being certified. I’m excited to be in a class environment again…though the reviews have me a little shook. Wondering how well I’ll do with the assignments and the presentation at the end of the course. I don’t love public speaking.
Edelweiss:
Still figuring out how to use this site, there’s a lot going on. It’s a bit overwhelming, so for now I requested a review copy a couple days ago to test the waters–and I just got approved. So another review copy is waiting for me in my Kindle!
Volunteering:
Prisoner’s Literature Project was a great experience. A great opportunity to brighten someone’s day through books. For three hours I played librarian for people who are currently incarcerated. They each wrote in with requests…some specific (there was a Sarah J. Maas fan) and others that were more general with overarching requests for certain genres and topics. It was a good challenge, and helped in practicing recommending books, as well as, connecting with another human who quite possibly might not get any other mail for the year other than these books and the little note you write. Felt important and small at the same time. Can’t wait to volunteer again…spots go so quickly, though, that I’ve taken to checking daily to see if any other volunteers have had to cancel. No luck yet!
Here’s what I’m still planning to work on this month:
- Research how to sell e-books
- Sign up to sell audiobooks through libro.fm or another outlet if I find one…but currently I only know about libro.fm
- Open a business bank account
- Finish the business plan ALREADY!!!
Currently Reading:
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