Many of the indie booksellers who gathered in Denver this week for ABA's Winter Institute were sharing highlights of their bookish adventures on social media under the hashtag Wi2025. Here's a sampling:
On the road
Hidden Nook Booksellers, Grayling, Mich.: "And we're off! @daniraegosling and Calliope are headed out west, on a train, for #WI2025, and to see @c_candykiller. See ya in a week MI!.... Final train of our trek to #WI2025, chillin in the observation deck, taking in the IL fields as we chug along. Only 17 hours to go.... Good morning Denver!"
The Book Burrow, Pflugerville, Tex.: "Kelsey is at the ABA's Winter Institute this week. Sure hope no shenanigans happen while she's away..... Oops shenanigans have begun."
The Squirrel and Acorn Bookshop, State College, Pa.: "We are heading out to ABA’s (American Booksellers Association) Winter Institute! We will be meeting publishers, booksellers, and others who help educate and strengthen the presence of independent bookstores within their communities!"
Arrival
American Booksellers Association: "Denver is ready for you, booksellers! We can't wait to see you soon.... It's time to check in for Winter Institute 2025! Follow the signs posted and head to the Welcome Desk."
Shared Stories Books, Caldwell, Idaho: "Shared Stories takes on Denver and Casa Bonita!! Sarah, Allie, and Jocele are at Winter Institute this week, and are ready to meet publishers and authors, hear about upcoming new releases, and more! George and the rest of the crew are holding down the fort at home, so stop by and say hi!!"
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| (photo courtesy ABA) | |
Bookstore tour
Black Walnut Books, Glens Falls, N.Y.: "Yesterday I got to tour local bookstores with my sister @_cookedbooks for the 20th annual @americanbooksellers Winter Institute and it was so much fun! Thank you to all the booksellers who hosted us!!"
West Side Books, Denver, Colo.: "We would like to welcome all the booksellers and industry professionals that are in town for Winter Institute 2025.... We hope many of you will come visit us at the shop.... A few of our booksellers will be attending the conference. We're looking forward to meeting more book people! Reading makes the world go round and we're happy to be part of it."
At the show
Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville & Downers Grove, Ill.: "Another absolutely perfect Children's Literature Breakfast took place this last Saturday! Our 23rd annual, and the best yet, filled our buckets with an inspirational morning of authors, books, educators, fundraising, and networking."
Drake The Bookshop, Stockton-on-Tees, U.K.: "Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! Cos I really have no idea what day or time it is, but what I do know is the keynote from Ocean Vuong was incredible! 'It’s not about completing the book, it’s about the book launching you into other knowledge!' "
Linden Tree Children's Books, Los Altos, Calif.: "What a start to @americanbooksellers Wi2025! We were serenaded by @ocean_vuong, and then thrown into a sea of books! We will try to contain ourselves with the books we’re bringing home, no promises."
Next Chapter Books, Detroit, Mich.: "What a joy to honor and celebrate Black-owned bookstores this morning at @americanbooksellers Wi2025 as the vital revolutionary spaces and cultural gems they have been and continue to be!... Thank you ABA and @indiebookbuzz for supporting and uplifting diverse voices in the book industry."
Sower Books, Lincoln, Neb.: "Greetings from Winter Institute! Tory, Elizabeth, and Andy are in Denver learning tons, making friends, and ordering plenty of stickers and cat-themed goodies"
Judging by the Cover Books, Fresno, Calif.: "Booksellers take Denver!"
Storyline Bookshop, Upper Arlington, Ohio: "Hi! Janine here (and Annie). We’re in Denver, Colorado for the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute! We’re learning from fellow bookstore owners, authors, publishers, and other industry experts about how to make our bookshop the best it can be.... We are also learning about all of the new books coming out this year so we can read them and recommend to all of you!! OH! And we stopped at a few Denver indies while we are in town!"
Black English Bookstore, Tampa, Fla.: "Day 1 in Denver @americanbooksellers Winter Institute.... this Florida girl is cold but excited!"
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| City Lights folk: Stacy Lewis, VP, director of PR, marketing & sales; bookseller Paul Yamazaki; publisher Elaine Katzenberger. | |
City Lights, San Francisco, Calif.: "City Lights staff, alumni, old & new friends at the indie bookseller conference Winter Institute, Denver CO."
McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, Mich: "Where in the world are Zach, Katie, Alex and Maris? They are all in Denver CO this week for the American Booksellers Associations annual 20th Winter Institute. It’s the largest gathering of indie booksellers in the country. This week will be filled with educational programming for indie bookstores as well as keynotes, author receptions and exciting events. We’re looking forward to the adventure ahead and bringing you all along!"
East End Books Boston Seaport, Boston, Mass.: "Some scenes from the awesome American Booksellers Association Winter Institute in Denver, Colorado! Look for some exciting book events @eastendbooksptown and @eastendbooksbostonseaport!"
Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita, Kan.: "We're exhausted, but we're having a great time at Winter Institute! We're ready to get back to the store with new ideas, new books, and renewed excitement for bookselling!"
Betty's Books, Webster Groves, Mo.: "For the past few days, Betty and Alex have been at @americanbooksellers Winter Institute in Denver, living it up with tons of other amazing booksellers from all over the country, and learning from them to boot!! We've had an amazing time and wanted to share some little moments with everyone as we close out this wonderful trip."
Honest Dog Books, Bayfield, Wis.: "Thank you to the @americanbooksellers for assembling the nation’s most passionate, positive, kind, smart people all in one place for a week called The Winter Institute. Booksellers are a collaborative, curious, creative bunch who love books, people, and their communities. I leave inspired by the authors, publishers, bookstore owners--particularly the Black bookstore owners who shared stories in a keynote panel--and even more fired up to provide Ocean Vuong’s town square of language."