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WHAT IS THE BOOKSELLERS' LIST?

The Booksellers’ List celebrates the top 20 books of the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter seasons, as voted on by independent booksellers across Canada. The list is open to books from any genre and country published within the given season, and there are no limits to the number of nominations a single store can make. A project of the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association, representing over 200 Canadian booksellers and their staff, The Booksellers’ List champions the books driving excitement and conversation in local communities. 

While the twenty books selected for The Booksellers’ List each season are special, our “Top Pick” is the #1 championed book from booksellers, receiving the most votes from across the country.


DETAILS ABOUT THE NEXT SEASON

The inaugural list will be announced to the book-buying public in Fall 2025, with the campaign commencing September 1. In the first year, we will primarily promote titles aimed at an adult audience. In future iterations of the program, we will include a children’s list. 

The Booksellers’ List is designed to run seasonally and as such, we’re now seeking nominations from booksellers for the titles they wish to champion for our Winter 2026 list. We welcome all CIBA Bookseller Members to nominate titles for an adult audience published January 1–March 31, 2026. 

 Season 

 Eligible Titles 

 Number of

 titles selected 

 Nominations

 open

 Nominations

 close

 Public announcement 

 of list

Winter

 Titles for an adult audience published 

 January 1 to March 31, 2026 

20

 Now 

 November 3, 2025 

January 5, 2026

Details are as follows: 

  • The top 20 titles as nominated by CIBA member booksellers will be included on the list

  • One lead title will be selected (and will receive additional promotion)

  • CIBA and IndieBookstores.ca will promote the full list of titles on The Booksellers’ List

  • Indie bookstores may choose to stock and promote the books that best fit their community (with the opportunity of expanding their customer base by including new discoveries!)


HOW CAN YOU DRAW ATTENTION TO YOUR BOOKS?

  • Via your regular sales rep pitches, ARCs, and ongoing communication with bookseller accounts
  • Promotion via CIBA’s Publisher Picks program, which includes a seasonal picks catalogue in addition to a pitching event for a selection of publishers (by invitation only in Spring and Fall)

    HOW CAN BOOKSELLERS NOMINATE TITLES? 

    • Directly via CIBA’s webform
    • Via NetGalley (voting button)
    • Via CataList (voting button)

      VOTING AND RESULTS

      • CIBA will request nominations of books from our full membership (including our committee) until a deadline for each season. 
      • Nominations will commence at least four months (16 weeks) prior to public announcement. Publishers will need to ensure ARCs are available for review.
      • Booksellers are encouraged to vote for as many books as they and their staff would like to champion! 
      • A core group of CIBA member booksellers will be confirmed as a committee for each season. The Winter 2025 committee consists of: Blue Heron Books (ON), Daisy Chain Book Co. (AB), Good Dog Books (NS), Flying Books (ON), Magpie Books (AB), McNally Robinson Booksellers (MB), Munro’s Books (BC), Shelf Life Books (AB), The Spaniel’s Tale (ON), Type Books (ON)
      • The committee will meet to review and ratify the nominations results. 
      • The list of featured titles will be confirmed 4-6 weeks prior to public announcement of the list, to allow for orders and creation of displays.

      EXPECTATIONS OF THE PUBLISHER

      • If a book is selected to be on the list, publishers will send CIBA the title’s marketing assets (author headshot, cover art, blurb, etc.)

      • There will be an advertising fee if your book is selected for lead title or the general list. A publisher will have the right to decline inclusion on the list.

      RATE CARD

       CIBA Member rate 

       Non-member rate 

      Title selected for the list

       $500 

       $650

      Lead title 

      (will receive special, individualized marketing)

       $1,000

       $1,200


      ASSOCIATION LED MARKETING


      CIBA will empower its members to seamlessly integrate the marketing of The Booksellers’ List into your store by providing a range of customized marketing assets. This includes everything from printable display items (posters, shelf talkers and table displays), to digital materials (newsletter copy, social media graphics) and more. 


      Publishers are encouraged to amplify the marketing through their own channels too! Where possible, we’d love to work closely with you on unique marketing promotions for your selected title (author IG takeover, special giveaways, etc.)


      Through CIBA’s marketing channels (with a reach of 14K+), in addition to the unique online communities of our 196 bookstore members, we expect The Booksellers’ List to gain significant traction at a time when Canadians are looking for ways to support home-grown business! 


      HOW TO PARTICIPATE


      1. Promote the Titles You’d Like to See Appear on the List

       

      Prior to and throughout the nomination period, we encourage publishers to champion the books they’d like to see included on the list by getting booksellers excited to vote for your titles. For publishers with large publishing rosters, it might be helpful to shortlist some of the titles you think would be a great fit.


      2. Pay Your Advertising Fee to Support the Program

       

      If your title is selected your advertising fee will help CIBA to fund the program’s administration, logistics, marketing, and communications. 


      3. Spread the Word! 

      •  If your book is selected for the list, use CIBA’s handy marketing templates to promote The Booksellers’ List to your networks. 
      • Consider what other ways you might wish to partner with CIBA to shine a spotlight on your featured title (author Q&As, author IG takeover, special bookstore events/virtual event, fun indie giveaways, etc.)! We’re happy to brainstorm with you! 


      QUESTIONS? 


      Please email Nicola 

      CONTACT US 
      info@cibabooks.ca

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      We wish to acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund.

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