Liz Hottel, who has worked in events, programs, and marketing at Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C., and as a bookstore consultant, has been named incoming executive director of the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association, and will assume the position when Eileen Dengler retires in late 2026. The two will work side by side in 2026. Dengler will continue her work with the Professional Booksellers School through 2027.
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NAIBA president Hannah Oliver Depp of Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, D.C., and Silver Spring, Md., said, "Eileen has done an incredible job shepherding NAIBA from inception to the strong organization it is today. NAIBA's support of both bookstores and booksellers to create a viable career path and secure the future of bookselling is unmatched. I am ecstatic that our organization is now in the capable and enthusiastic hands of Liz Hottel who blew away the NAIBA Board with her competence, clarity, and joy. Our next chapter is in excellent hands."
Dengler added, "I am so excited for Liz Hottel and NAIBA. This is the best job anyone could ask for, and Liz will be wonderful at it and make our little universe even better for booksellers. She is experienced in bookselling, she is passionate about the work, and she's compassionate about the people. I wish her a long and storied career."
A former television and documentary producer, Hottel spent the last decade in bookselling, specializing in high-level event management and creative programming. During her tenure at Politics and Prose, she created new event programs at the Union Market and Wharf stores and established venue and cultural partnerships, before introducing virtual programming during the pandemic. As a consultant, she has helped a diverse group of independent bookstores and institutions. The events program she built at Bold Fork Books in Washington, D.C., demonstrated the viability of culinary bookstores as a center of a new community.
Hottel said, "Eileen's dedication--and the dedication of the entire NAIBA staff and Board of Directors--to supporting and empowering booksellers through advocacy, education and community is extraordinary. I'm so honored to be entrusted with this foundation. As Executive Director of NAIBA my direction will be guided and inspired by booksellers themselves--there's so much listening for me to do. Being a bookseller in this climate is an impossible thing. And yet we do it every day out of love for the simple act of sharing stories and creating community. I'm in awe of the resourcefulness, determination and fearlessness of booksellers. And above all, I'm honored to be given the opportunity to be an advocate in the fight to make bookselling a sustainable career path."