As part of its commitment to better serving its membership and the children’s book community at large, ABC has added a number of new programs and services to its 2007 toolbox to make membership in ABC even better!

The New Voices Program
Each publishing season brings a host of books and projects, many of which are written by new and unknown talent. Sometimes it is hard for these new authors to break out of the pack and distinguish themselves among all of the titles competing for a bookseller’s attention. At the same time ABC’s independent children’s booksellers are powerful advocates for fresh and exciting new work, and they can effectively handsell great new titles that they love and recommend. The trick is connecting the projects with the booksellers.

Launching in 2007, the New Voices Program is a collaboration with our Platinum Publisher Partners to promote a short list of the best work by new authors coming this year. ABC will work with these publisher members to determine a list of exceptional books that will appeal to the independent market, and then ABC will bring these books to the attention of the children’s bookselling community through a variety of materials including a designed mini-catalog, programs at BEA, and profiles in the newsletters and on the website. This program is open to publishers who join ABC at the platinum level in 2007 (see below for 2007 publisher membership information). Great new work, great booksellers, and a great way to bring the best new talent to the top of the pile.

For more information on the New Voices Project, download the project information sheet

New Newsletter
In February, ABC will launch a test edition of a brand new newsletter that will focus on the business of children’s bookselling. The newsletter will come out on a monthly basis, and will be a great source for information on business news, promotions, author profiles, contests, and other features to build your children’s business. At the beginning of each month, publishers will receive a call to submit any upcoming specials, author information, or other promotions. This content will combine with editorial features to create a handy burst of information and inspiration. This is a work in progress, so I encourage you to give us any suggestions about what you’d like to see in a newsletter like this. You can e-mail Kristen with ideas.

Banner Advertising
As part of developing our web-based programming ABC will be adding banner advertising to both of its newsletters on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a cost effective way to reach key players in the children’s market. Interested in booking and ad? Download all the details, specs, and rates here.

New Publisher Membership Levels
From the very beginning, ABC Publisher Members have consistently supported the mission of ABC and its independent booksellers through dues, sponsorships, and the generous contribution of energy and ideas. Until this year, publishers were never broken out as a separate membership category with individual goals, economies of scale, and benefits despite the fact that they were contributing a significant amount of support to ABC’s ongoing programming. As part of evaluating how to better serve all parts of the ABC membership, the ABC Board of Directors wanted to address this issue. At the Fall 2006 Board Meeting, the ABC Board of Directors created a new membership category for Publishers in ABC. New rates were set for this membership category, along with corresponding sets of benefits that would add value for publisher members.

This new membership category has three levels: Basic Publisher membership, Silver Publisher membership, and Platinum Publisher Partner. To learn more about this new category, including what defines a “publisher” for the purposes of ABC membership download the information sheet here.

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Yes, it’s that time of the year, when ABC booksellers choose their favorite read-alouds to receive the 2007 E.B. White Awards.

Today is the last day for booksellers to sneak their nominations to Alison Morris from the Wellesley Booksmith, who is the committee chair.

The committee will be meeting in late February, and will announce the results internally around March 1st. The official announcement of the award will come on Monday, April 2nd.

Who will be this year’s winners? Tune in to see.

To learn more about the E.B. White Awards, including the history and process, click here.

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E.B. White Read Aloud Award Nominations--Due today
Sneak your picks over to Alison

Call for Dinner Speaker Submissions and Sponsorships for BEA 2007--Due 2/10
Download the details here.

Call for Illustrations and Titles for the 2007 Books Make Everything Better posters and catalog cover -- Due 2/10
Download the details here.

Dues Renewals--Due 3/1
Many thanks to those of you who have already renewed!
Outstanding renewals due 3/1 for inclusion in the 2007 Directory
Download a renewal form here for all memberships categories except publishers.

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Ah, it’s Awards Season, and they are coming fast and furious. Here are the highlights, in-case you missed any:

The Caldecott, The Newbery, The Seibert, The Printz, The Coretta Scott King Awards, The Geisel, ALA Notables, YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, and more!
Congratulations to all of the authors and publishers who received awards from the ALA midwinter meeting last week. The complete list of awards and press releases is available here.

Congratulations also to the recent winners of the 2007 Sydney Taylor Book Awards given by the Association of Jewish Libraries
For Younger Readers: Stephen Krensky and Greg Harlin for Hanukkah at Valley Forge (978- 0525477389; Dutton)

For Older Readers: Brenda Ferber for Julia’s Kitchen (978-0374399320; Farrar, Sraus & Giroux)

For Teen Readers: Marcus Zuzak for The Book Thief (9780375831003; Random House)

Print out the entire list of Sydney Taylor winners including honors and notables here:

And last but not least-GIVE AN AWARD:
Nominate your favorite Bookseller of the Year, and Rep of the Year in the PW Awards. Profiles of this year’s PW Award recipients will be featured in the pre-BookExpo America issue of Publishers Weekly and will be honored in New York during the convention.

Please submit your nomination to Donna Paz Kaufman or fax 904/261-6742 and include your name, phone number and industry affiliation.

Nominations for Bookseller of the year are due 1/29/07.
Nominations for Sales rep of the Year are due 1/31/07

PS. Candidates cannot nominate themselves, yo.

Sponsors
Marc Brown
Mark Brown Studios
www.marcbrownstudios.com

Associates
Anita Silvey
www.anitasilvey.com

Authors & Illustrators
Mary Hubbert Jones
Buzziwog Inc.
www.buzziwog.com

Debra S. Carr
Double D Horse Farm
www.ddhorsefar m.com