Wi2025 is the 20th iteration of what has become the preeminent booksellers event in the U.S. Nearly a thousand booksellers are expected for four days of events, programming, publisher presentations, social gatherings, chances to meet and listen to many, many authors--and, of course, the kinds of serendipitous meetings that take place only in person.
We're sure that the ABA staff, led by CEO Allison Hill, will put on another wonderful conference--and we want to thank them in advance for all they've done and are doing to make the event run smoothly. We know it's a huge project! (Attendees should thank ABA staffers for their efforts!)
As always, Shelf Awareness is looking forward to Winter Institute. We feel a special bond with the Winter Institute: Shelf Awareness was founded not long before the first Winter Institute, so we're both happily celebrating our 20th anniversaries this year.
On a daily basis, Winter Institute will feature a booksellers lounge, a quiet area, affinity group meetups, an interfaith prayer and meditation room, and a lactation room. The ABA board holds office hours repeatedly during the conference. And there are plenty of user sessions for Bookmanager, IndieCommerce, Bookshop.org, Batch, IBID and Wordstock, Square, Pubnet and PubEasy, and more. One of the most popular daily attractions is the Galley Room, open Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., where a range of ARCs of upcoming titles are available. A FedEx desk will be onsite for shipping galleys.
The Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) is again holding a heads or tails fundraiser featuring a $500 grand prize, with proceeds going to help booksellers. Attendees can purchase blinkee pins--aka chances to win--for $20 each or $35 for two; available in advance or from Binc representatives at registration or at the Binc vendor showcase location. The drawing takes place on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Founded in 2023, the Bookseller Oral History Project returns to Winter Institute for its second time, and will have its own room open Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., where booksellers are encouraged to tell their stories. Participants can sign up in advance (via Google calendar on the Project's website) or just drop by; they can also come and schedule interviews after Winter Institute. Organizer Lanora Jennings says that interviews usually last 30-50 minutes, and occasionally she calls for a followup interview. She also emphasizes that she's flexible. "If booksellers want to interview each other, a group can come in. I'd love it if a younger and older bookseller came in and interviewed each other."
Jennings emphasizes that the Bookseller Oral History Project is "for all booksellers, former or current, old or new, every color of the rainbow. Everyone has a different experience, but we're all part of an amazing story. I don't want anyone to be left out."
Following are program highlights, roughly in chronological order. To see the full, official schedule, click here.