The Independent Publishers Caucus (IPC) has announced its third annual celebration of Indie Press Month, taking place this March. More than 60 member presses and a dozen national partners are involved in this year's campaign, making it the IPC's largest to date, per a statement.
Throughout the month of March, bookstores are invited to participate in an in-store display contest and social media campaign highlighting IPC member presses' titles. The IPC will award $2,000 in cash prizes–including $500 to the bookstore with the winning display, $100 to runner ups, and $50 each for the first 25 stores to post their displays—via its Indie-to-Indie program.
All participating publishers, bookstores, libraries, and partners will receive downloadable social media graphics and in-store marketing materials. Full contest guidelines are available on the sign-up page.
The display contest is supported by Bookshop.org, one of a slew of national organizations and companies backing this year's expanded campaign. Among them are the Brooklyn Public Library, EveryLibrary, Libro.fm, Ingram Content Group, Open Road Integrated Media, American Booksellers Association, and regional booksellers associations across the U.S. (PW is also a sponsor.)
“We believe these expanding partnerships will help our thriving IndiePress Month campaign reach a broader audience–both digitally and in-person at bookstores and libraries across the country,” said IPC executive director Daniel O’Brien. “At the same time, this remains a deeply indie-to-indie effort. Our focus continues to be on in-person engagement—celebrating the creativity of independent bookstores and libraries, the power of physical displays and events, and the relationships that sustain our communities.”
