Midwest Booksellers Association

08/19/2026

Congratulations Left on Read! So proud to know you and witness all the amazing work you're doing!

06/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Roadmap Contest Grand Prize Winner, Rochelle!

Out of more than 400 submissions shared throughout the past year, Rochelle's visit to Monstera's Books in Overland Park, Kansas, was randomly selected as the grand prize-winning entry. She's receiving $500 to spend at the indie bookstore of her choice.

We're incredibly grateful to everyone who participated and shared their bookstore adventures with us. Seeing readers explore indies across the Midwest is what makes this contest so much fun.

We've officially started a new cycle, and will be announcing our first monthly winner soon.

📌 Please note that moving forward entries will be accepted through Instagram only. This change helps us manage submissions more efficiently and keep the contest running smoothly.

Thank you for continuing to support independent bookstores. We can't wait to see where your next bookstore adventure takes you! 😄

05/24/2026

🧩 Puzzle mastered! Shoutout to the amazing team at Wayne State University Press for tackling our puzzle and finishing it in under a week! 😍

05/19/2026

🌧️📚 We firmly believe rainy day bookstore hopping is a top-tier activity.

Congratulations to our May Roadmap Contest winner, Sarah! Her rainy-day bookstore adventure through Marquette, MI included visits to Bromley’s Books, Snowbound Books, Bats Amore, and Read My Lips. Her cozy haul photo — featuring books, stickers, and the MIBA Roadmap along for the ride — was randomly selected as this month’s winning entry ✨

Sarah is now $50 closer to her next indie bookstore haul!

And don’t go too far… our grand prize winner announcement is coming later this week 👀📚

04/04/2026

✨ It’s here — the 2026 Indie Bookstore Roadmap cover! ✨

Artwork by the incredible Kevin Cannon, who brought our vision to life so perfectly.

This year, we wanted the artwork to reflect the resilience of indie bookstores and the care they pour into creating spaces where everyone belongs. We couldn’t be more proud of how it came together.

Pick up your copy on Indie Bookstore Day (April 25) at MIBA member stores! 🗺️

04/03/2026

🎉 We have our latest Roadmap Contest winner!

Huge congrats to Madi, whose March bookstore adventures took her to The Green Dragon Bookshop, Niche Books, Dog-Eared Books Ames, The Little Book, and Dungeon's Gate.

Her post was randomly selected, which means she’s now $50 closer to her next indie bookstore haul!

🗺️ Keep exploring, keep tagging, and keep sharing your bookstore stops — your next visit could be the one that wins!

03/23/2026

4 months. 4 winners. 4 bookstores. Let’s go. 🎉 Congrats to our Roadmap Contest winners:
Elizabeth, Marian, Laura, and Bethany — each selected from their visits to local indie bookstores! ✨

🗺️ Keep tagging your bookstore stops and your name could be next!

03/08/2026

We love to see it! Welcome to the neighborhood Bookmark This Bar!

A new bookstore in Rolla is hoping a stiff drink and a well-curated selection of books can create a community and keep a local store open in a small town in a world dominated by online book sales.

In recent years, Rolla lost its longtime independent bookstore and even its secondhand bookseller. Jamie Cheek saw that as an opportunity to try something new: a combination bookstore and bar.

“We're competing not just with businesses here, but we're competing with the internet. We're competing with the big-box stores,” Cheek said. “And so having that unique piece is what gets people in the door to buy your books and have your experience.”

Read more down below. ⬇️

02/02/2026

Where books meet community — thank you, Minnesota!

01/27/2026

Publishing professionals have come together to take action in Minnesota. This article highlights Publishing for Minnesota, a two-day online auction raising funds for organizations supporting immigrant communities in urgent need.

Amid ICE’s violent crackdown, two publishing professionals have launched an online auction to benefit nonprofits providing aid to Minnesotans and immigrants. Around 500 items and services have been donated by authors, editors, agents, and illustrators.