The Independent Book Publishers Association released its new strategic plan on February 5. Scheduled to go into effect at the start of the fiscal year on July 1, the plan will focus on updating operations and branding, advancing equity and inclusion, forging partnerships within and outside the book industry, and enhancing education and programming.

With 3,500 paid members and more than 4,000 total members across its publisher and associate tiers, “our membership has never been as high as it is right now,” CEO Andrea Fleck-Nisbet told PW. Growth during 2025 took place despite “one of the most challenging times for publishers,” she said. “There are so many stressors, from emerging tech related to AI all the way down to supply chain issues, yet we’re seeing people being innovative from a business-model perspective and reaching readers.”

Developed by the IBPA board of directors, board chair Renita Bryant, and senior staff, the three-year plan will help the organization navigate “uncharted territory” that lies ahead for the book industry and global economy, Fleck-Nisbet said. Year One will shore up operations, with a website redesign and fresh branding that complements the organization’s 2024 retooling of its IBPA Book Awards. Programs and products will be assessed for their value and sustainability with the report noting that bookstore catalog promotions have been underperforming.

IBPA intends to position itself as “the premier thought leader” for indies, Fleck-Nisbet said, with a network that includes the Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Book Industry Study Group, and Media Coalition. She envisions “the real possibility for coalition-building internationally; for instance, with the Independent Publishers Guild in the U.K., we’d like to do education and programming around AI.” When it comes to AI tools, IBPA advocates for human-created content and is working with partners to defend copyright and stay current on matters of policy.

Fleck-Nisbet added that IBPA would be “doubling down to create a more equitable, transparent industry, because we know that in publishing there haven’t been a lot of resources or outlets for underrepresented communities.” She pointed to partners including We Need Diverse Books, IBPA’s Innovative Voices program, and “great leadership on the board” from Bryant and from Troy Johnson, who is part of the Black Book Accelerator coalition that launched the BLK Bestseller List.

A renewed emphasis on education, marketing, and advocacy will be evident at IBPA’s annual Publishing University, to be held May 14–16 in Portland, Ore. At PubU, keynote speakers will be Donald Miller, CEO of StoryBrand AI and Coach Builder, and Matthew Braly, the creator of Disney’s animated Amphibia and related TokyoPop titles.

Over the next three years, IBPA will examine “what we’re doing to address concerns from an advocacy perspective, the best ways to manage business, and what we’re providing in terms of marketing,” Fleck-Nisbet concluded. “At the end of the day, we’re talking about small businesses, and they need to be able to operate profitably.”