Membership
Why Join as a Member
Each independent book merchant is distinctively independent. The American Booksellers Federation is the link between the bigger book business and individual booksellers. The American Booksellers Federation offers thousands of booksellers a platform for influencing publishers and promoting small companies.
Events and workshops hosted by the ABF bring members together, fostering communities of learning, networking, and bonding. The resources of ABF members can help answer questions about how to run an independent bookstore today.
The ABF’s core membership includes:
Businesses that predominantly sell new books and identify themselves as new bookstores may also sell used books (over 50% of the store’s inventory consists of new books).
Over fifty percent of the store’s inventory consists of new books, as opposed to non-book goods.
Companies that sell new books in the actual world, as opposed to online. This covers regular bookshops, pop-up bookstores, mobile stores, book event enterprises, and other non-traditional physical bookselling businesses.
Businesses that foster community through the sale of books
Please be mindful of our dedication to antiracism, inclusiveness, representation, and diversity when joining the American Booksellers Federation, as defined in our end policies.
Bookstore Members (Core)
Bookstore Members (Core)
Businesses that sell books primarily in the real world and foster community through bookselling. In the physical world, non-traditional bookselling includes traditional bookshops, pop-up bookstores, mobile stores, book event enterprises, and other non-traditional bookselling firms. These members qualify for the 30% Bookshop affiliate rate as well as the Bookshop pool. These members have the right to vote on ABF governance matters.
Online Bookstore Members
A firm that works only online operates largely in the digital environment. According to Bookshop's goal, these members are entitled to a 10% affiliate discount. These members have the right to vote on ABF governance matters. Members of online bookstores must have their own e-commerce-enabled website in addition to their Bookshop.org affiliate page.
Members of the Second-Hand Bookstore
Businesses that sell old books primarily in the physical world and foster community via bookselling. In the physical world, non-traditional bookselling includes traditional bookshops, pop-up bookstores, mobile bookstores, book event enterprises, and other non-traditional bookselling businesses. These members qualify for the 30% Bookshop affiliate rate as well as the Bookshop pool. These members are ineligible to vote on ABF governance matters.
Provisional Members
Businesses, and people planning to start a bookstore in the near future. Provisional members who intend to launch a physical bookshop in the next calendar year are eligible for the 30% Bookshop affiliate pricing for up to one year.
Provisional members are required to start a bookshop within two years of membership to qualify for the associated incentives (see above).
Provisional members are ineligible to vote on ABF governance matters.
Provisional members are ineligible to vote on ABF governance matters.