Podcast
BookED
Hosted by American Booksellers Association · EN
BookED is the bookstore education podcast brought to you by the American Booksellers Association. For additional bookstore resources or to sign up as an ABA member, visit us at www.bookweb.org.
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ci2026: Understanding Event ROI with Professional Booksellers School
Jul 1400:52:13Tap to summarizeEvents can drive sales, build community, and strengthen your store's brand, but how do you know if an event is successful? This session will introduce practical ways to use ROI and key metrics to track and measure event success. You'll learn what data to gather before, during, and after events and how to interpret it to understand impact. We'll also explore how to evaluate your store's current event capacity, from staffing to sales potential, so you can make informed decisions about growth. You'll leave with a clearer framework for assessing performance and shaping an effective events strategy. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Ci2026: The Rise of Board and Activity Books
Jul 1401:01:10Tap to summarizeChildren's books are experiencing growth, largely driven by the popularity of board books and activity-based formats such as sticker and coloring books. These formats are especially appealing to young readers and families looking for engaging, hands-on experiences with books. This session will explore strategies for incorporating board books and activity books into your store's inventory, merchandising, and programming. You'll leave with ideas for capitalizing on this growing segment of children's publishing and positioning your store to meet customer demand. Recorded June 28, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Ci2026: Rebuilding School Relationships Without Librarians
Jul 1401:01:56Tap to summarizeMany children's bookstores partner with school librarians for book fairs, author visits, and summer reading programs. But as school districts face budget cuts — including the elimination of librarian positions — bookstores are left wondering how to sustain these important partnerships. This session will explore how to rethink and rebuild school relationships in the absence of a dedicated librarian. We'll discuss strategies for collaborating directly with administrators and teachers, navigating shifting responsibilities, and continuing to create meaningful events, even when school staff may not fully understand what goes into organizing them. Recorded June 29, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Ci2026: Photography Tips for Booksellers
Jul 1401:19:38Tap to summarizeGreat marketing starts with great photos, and you don't need fancy equipment to get them. This hands-on workshop will teach you how to take better photos using just your smartphone. You'll learn how to shoot compelling book flat lays, staff portraits, event coverage, and beautiful shots of your store's interior and exterior. Then we'll practice our skills in guided group settings, where you will explore how perspective and creativity shape visual storytelling. You'll leave with new skills, resources, and a more confident eye behind the lens. Recorded June 27, 2026 at Children's Institute 2026 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Indies Introduce: Ben Reeves (Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt)
Jul 800:08:53Tap to summarizeABA's Indies Introduce interview series spotlights debut authors handpicked by booksellers from around the country. In each episode, a bookseller from the Indies Introduce panel interviews an author featured in the program to celebrate the release of their book. In this episode, Coco Zephir of An Unlikely Story in Plainville, MA interviews Ben Reeves, author of Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt, available now at your local independent bookstore. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Indies Introduce: Wendy Lu (Casting April)
Jun 2200:29:25Tap to summarizeABA's Indies Introduce interview series spotlights debut authors handpicked by booksellers from around the country. In each episode, a bookseller from the Indies Introduce panel interviews an author featured in the program to celebrate the release of their book. In this episode, Angela Whited of Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, MN interviews Wendy Lu, author of Casting April, available now at your local independent bookstore. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Indies Introduce: Ari Koontz (Just Ask Elsie)
Jun 2200:22:51Tap to summarizeABA's Indies Introduce interview series spotlights debut authors handpicked by booksellers from around the country. In each episode, a bookseller from the Indies Introduce panel interviews an author featured in the program to celebrate the release of their book. In this episode, Allie Cesmat of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ interviews Ari Koontz, author of Just Ask Elsie, available now at your local independent bookstore. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Indies Introduce: Joanna Thurlow (Forever is the Sweetest Con)
Jun 1700:10:57Tap to summarizeABA's Indies Introduce interview series spotlights debut authors handpicked by booksellers from around the country. In each episode, a bookseller from the Indies Introduce panel interviews an author featured in the program to celebrate the release of their book. In this episode, Coco Zephir of An Unlikely Story in Plainville, MA interviews Joanna Thurlow, author of Forever is the Sweetest Con, available now at your local independent bookstore. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Indies Introduce: P.C. Verrone (Rabbit, Fox, Tar)
Jun 1700:24:33Tap to summarizeABA's Indies Introduce interview series spotlights debut authors handpicked by booksellers from around the country. In each episode, a bookseller from the Indies Introduce panel interviews an author featured in the program to celebrate the release of their book. In this episode, Amani Jackson of The Ivy Bookshop, Baltimore, MD interviews P.C. Verrone, author of Rabbit, Fox, Tar, available now at your local independent bookstore. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →
Indies Introduce: Ama Ofosua Lieb (Goldenborn)
Jun 300:20:37Tap to summarizeABA's Indies Introduce interview series spotlights debut authors handpicked by booksellers from around the country. In each episode, a bookseller from the Indies Introduce panel interviews an author featured in the program to celebrate the release of their book. In this episode, Fisher Nash of Carmichael's Bookstore in Louisville, KY interviews Ama Ofosua Lieb, author of Goldenborn, available now at your local independent bookstore. Theme song by Constant Companion
Transcribe →