On October 1, Berkeley, Calif.-based Small Press Distribution (SPD), a nonprofit book distributor specializing in poetry and literary titles, held its fourth annual Get Lit program. Designed to encourage bookstore customers to seek out independent books the way they do independent films, Get Lit has received increased support this year. Ninety independent booksellers in 29 states mounted in-store displays, and the Writer magazine joined returning sponsors Poets & Writers, the Village Voice and Boston Review. "Participation was pretty good this year, and a lot of orders rolled in," said SPD sales and Web manager Brent Cunningham. According to development officer Emily Grossman, in a recent survey conducted by Cross River Publishing Consultants, "booksellers said that the program really provides a filter for them. It helps them focus on which books to highlight."

SPD also announced that it has completed the laborious task of merging its databases into one new inventory system. As a result, said Cunningham, "within a very few months, bookstores and libraries will be able to order securely in real time from the www.spdbooks.org Web site. Now it's instant when a book goes online."