Industry News
In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.
Associations
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
British Columbian Associations
- BC Booksellers Association [BCBA]: BCBA offers its members “professional development seminars, circulating industry news, hosting an ongoing internet forum, and Facebook page, maintaining a webpage linking readers to their local indies, sending quarterly e-newsletters to members, and supporting our members on a personal basis.”
Canadian Associations
- Canadian Independent Booksellers Association [CIBA]: CIBA was founded in 2020 to “offer targeted and responsive support to independent booksellers from coast to coast to coast.” Their membership includes access to business resources, professional development opportunities, and a range of events that link booksellers, authors, publishers, and distributors.
- Association des libraires du Québec [ALQ]: While ALQ membership is only open to independent booksellers in Québec, their site is rich with resources for anyone who reads/speaks French (or who is interested in selling French-language books!).
- BookNet Canada [BNC]: [BNC] is a non-profit dedicated to serving the Canadian book industry. Their site includes event listings, a blog, products that may help you on your bookselling journey, and a wealth of industry research.
- Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada [ABAC]: This association is open to “antiquarian booksellers of good character and reputation who have been actively and solely engaged for at least three continuous years in the buying and selling of antiquarian books and manuscripts, and related materials, and whose principal place of business is Canada.” As a result, membership offers you the opportunity to advertise and sell books through ABAC-affiliated directories or through the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers.
International Associations
- American Booksellers Association [ABA]: The ABA supports independent booksellings throughout the United States. Membership is split across four categories, including regular booksellings, used booksellings, online booksellings, and provisional membership for people intending to open a new store. They offer a wide range of benefits, including access to the Book Buyer’s Handbook and an ecommerce platform specifically for independent booksellings.
- Independent Online Booksellers Association [IOBA]: IOBA membership requires booksellers to meet certain criteria establishing their reputation and professionalism as independent booksellers, which in turn lends credibility to booksellings within the Association. As a member, benefits include “members scholarships for continuing education, a mentorship program, excellent resources for booksellers, and a virtual community for discussions on all aspects of the bookselling profession.”
Magazines & Trade Journals
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
- The Standard: This journal is produced by the Independent Online Booksellers Assocation, and “covers the book world, with a special focus on the online used, out-of-print, and collectible bookselling markets.”
- Bookselling News | Publishers Weekly: This subsection of Publishers Weekly focuses exclusively on bookselling, though the entire magazine may be relevant for keeping up to date with the book industry more broadly.
- The Bookseller: This London-based magazine has been in operation since 1858! They describe themselves as “the incisive and independent source of business intelligence and analysis for the book trade.”
- Quill and Quire: This magazine focuses specifically on the Canadian book trade, publishing 10 times per year. Their website hosts free content, while the full magazine requires a paid subscription.
- Bookselling This Week: Published by the ABA, this free weekly newsletter contains the latest news affecting booksellers and the bookselling industry.
Consultant & Other Websites
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.
Blogs & Podcasts
- BookNet Canada: Podcast | BookNet Canada covers “the latest on book publishing, data, retail, and technology.” The podcast is produced by its namesake organization, which is “a non-profit organization that develops technology, standards, and education to serve the Canadian book industry.”
- BookNet Canada: Blog | In addition to their regular podcast, BookNet Canada runs a blog that shares industry news.
- The Bookshop Chronicles | This podcast is hosted by an Edmontonian bookselling owner, and explores literature alongside the ins-and-outs of running an independent bookselling.
- ABA News | ABA News is run by the American Booksellers Association, and features the latest industry news from book reviews to bestsellers lists to practical tips for booksellers. They also feature a free weekly newsletter so that you can receive posts directly to your inbox.
- The Independent Bookseller | The Independent Bookseller is a website that collates resources, events, and other news related to running an independent bookselling. Although they don’t have a front-facing blog, you can sign up for weekly newsletters that round up all of their latest content (see a preview here) or follow them on Facebook, where they share links for direct access to each issue.
- semi-prose | semi-prose is a podcast produced by Penguin Random House Canada, featuring conversations about new Canadian books.
TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.