HOW CAN YOU NOMINATE YOUR BOOKS?

• Sales rep pitches + ARCs

• Promotion via CIBA’s Publisher Picks program, which includes a seasonal picks catalogue in addition to a pitching event for a selection of publishers (by invitation only)

• Via sales reps and direct marketing to indie bookstores

HOW CAN BOOKSELLERS VOTE FOR TITLES? 

• Vote directly via CIBA’s website

• Vote via NetGalley

• Vote via Catalist

VOTING AND RESULTS

• CIBA will request nominations of books from our full membership (including our committee) until a deadline for each season. The fall 2025 voting deadline is July 7.

• Voting will commence at least four months (16 weeks) prior to public announcement. Publishers will need to ensure ARCs are available for review.

• Booksellers are encouraged to vote for as many books as they and their staff would like to champion! 

• A core group of CIBA member booksellers will be confirmed as a committee for each season. The fall 2025 committee consists of: Blue Heron Books (ON), Daisy Chain Book Co. (AB), Flying Books (ON), Magpie Books (AB), McNally Robinson Booksellers (MB), Munro’s Books (BC), Shelf Life Books (AB), The Spaniel’s Tale (ON), Type Books (ON)

• The committee will meet to review and ratify the voting results. 

• The list of featured titles will be confirmed 4-6 weeks prior to public announcement of the list, to allow for orders and creation of displays.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE PUBLISHER

• If a book is selected to be on the list, publishers will send CIBA the title’s marketing assets (author headshot, cover art, blurb, etc.)

• There will be an advertising fee if your book is selected for lead title or the general list. A publisher will have the right to decline inclusion on the list.

RATE CARD	CIBA Member rate	Non-member rate
Title selected for the list	$500	$650
Lead title  (will receive special, individualized marketing)	$1,000	$1,200

ASSOCIATION LED MARKETING

CIBA will empower its members to seamlessly integrate the marketing of The Booksellers’ List into your store by providing a range of customized marketing assets: 

• Seasonal marketing campaign coordinated by CIBA

• Excel order list for booksellers (sent to booksellers 4-6 weeks before the public announcement)

• Quotes from booksellers about why they selected the title

• Fliers (digital but printable if required)

• Shareable social media assets

• Printable shelf talkers and posters

• Title carousel on IndieBookstores.ca

• E-newsletter outline – plug and play for bookstores (graphic + pitch)

• Lead title receives a larger image and shout outs. Remaining titles are listed alphabetically by either author or title (TBD). 

Publishers are encouraged to amplify the marketing through their own channels too! Where possible, we’d love to work closely with you on unique marketing promotions for your selected title (author IG takeover, special giveaways, etc.)

Additional marketing components will be added once program revenue allows. 

Through CIBA’s marketing channels (with a reach of 14K+), in addition to the unique online communities of our 196 bookstore members, we expect The Booksellers’ List to gain significant traction at a time when Canadians are looking for ways to support home-grown business! 

HOW WE'D LOVE YOU TO PARTICIPATE

1. Promote the Titles You’d Like to See Appear on the List

 

Prior to and throughout the voting period, we encourage publishers to champion the books they’d like to see included on the list. For publishers with large publishing rosters, it might be helpful to shortlist some of the titles you think would be a great fit.

2. Pay Your Advertising Fee to Support the Program

 

If your title is selected your advertising fee will help CIBA to fund the program’s administration, logistics, marketing, and communications. 

3. Spread the Word! 

•  If your book is selected for the list, use CIBA’s handy marketing templates to promote The Booksellers’ List to your networks. 

• Consider what other ways you might wish to partner with CIBA to shine a spotlight on your featured title (author Q&As, author IG takeover, special bookstore events/virtual event, fun indie giveaways, etc.)! We’re happy to brainstorm with you! 

QUESTIONS? 

Please email Nicola