The Independent Publisher's Caucus (IPC) announces that sign-ups are open for independent bookstores to participate in the soft-launch of their first Indie Press Month campaign. According to Publishers Weekly, March has been considered Independent/Small Press Month for several decades; however, IPC has not previously developed or promoted a program. With this campaign, the organization aims to instill new life into the existing history and develop the program in years to come. 

 

Through their Indie-to-Indie program, a partnership co-facilitated by The Independent Bookseller and sponsored by Bookshop.org, IPC will support a display contest for independent bookstores, as well as a social media campaign with marketing assets. The winner of the display contest will receive a cash prize of $500, while the first five bookstores to submit display photographs and a social media post will receive $50 in co-op. 

 

The campaign is also supported by IPC's advocacy working group, which is composed of representatives from several of IPC's 95 member presses. "As independent publishers, the support we receive from indie bookstores is invaluable, and we are always excited for new opportunities to grow and foster these relationships," said Elham Ali, senior publicist of ECW Press and advocacy working group member. "Working with our fellow IPC members, my hope is that we can breathe new life into Indie Press Month and use it not just to celebrate the amazing work that indie presses do, but also turn it into a great opportunity for readers to discover a whole new world of literature they may not have seen before."

 

Sign-ups will be accepted until February 23, 2024. Contest guidelines are available on the Indie Press Month program page at www.indiepubs.org/indie-press-month.