Bookstore Year One Coming January 2026!

Dean Dionne Sims says:

Hello, booksellers! It's such an exciting thing to see the vision for Bookstore Year One become a solid resource that will soon be available to all of you. Right now, we're in the middle of filming course videos with instructors across the country to make their expertise accessible to you, wherever you are, and at whichever point in your new (or newish) bookstore journey. Myself and my Co-Dean, Karen Torres, are looking forward to getting all of this knowledge--from productivity, to technology, to hiring, and beyond--in your hands!"

How will the program work?

Each month will cover a new topic, with videos and readings to watch, then a live online discussion/Q&A with the instructors. Owners will also have a space to share ideas, chat, and ask questions outside of the live meetings.

When does the program begin?

We're starting in January, 2026, and enrollment will open in October, 2025! There is no registration limit, so new bookstore owners are welcome to join whenever they are ready; each registration will be good for a full year no matter when you join.

Who is this for?

For our first year, stores open 3 years or less are welcome to join. In 2027, the program will be available only to stores open less than one year. The program is designed for brick-and-mortar, pop-up, and mobile stores. It is not for online-only stores or resellers.

How much will the program cost?

For our first year we will be offering Bookstore Year One at a substantial discount: $500 if you pay up front or slightly more if you pay in installments. After the first year, the fee will $1000.

Interested? We knew you would be! We're offering the opportunity to find out more by signing up for our pre-list! This will ensure you'll be the first to know about our news, and pre-list members will be the opportunity to enroll before we go public.