Soulmatch is an Indie Next Pick!
Y’all!!! Soulmatch was chosen by the American Booksellers Association for their July/August YA Indie Next list! As soon as my editor emailed me the news last week, I burst into sobs. This is seriously, the BIGGEST HONOR I can imagine, and it felt like such a reach that I’d long ago convinced myself it wouldn’t happen.
You may be wondering what Indie Next is and how one gets selected. Let me answer those questions, so you can understand my excitement!!!
What is Indie Next?
From IndieBound.org: “The Indie Next List is your next great read! This monthly list features the top nominations from independent booksellers across the country, showcasing the best of the best debuts and new releases in all categories and genres.”
Soulmatch is one of only three debuts on the July/August YA list. The rest of the titles are from bestselling authors like Maggie Stievater, Lyndall Clipstone, and Ava Reid!
How are Indie Next titles chosen?
They’re nominated by the 2400+ members of the American Booksellers Association, a national trade association that supports and advocates for independent booksellers. The nominations are collected in three ways:
Members can complete a form on the ABA website with up to six nominations across all age categories.
Members can read ARCs (Advance Review Copies) on Edelweiss and nominate books for Indie Next when they submit their reviews.
Members can provide feedback on Netgalley after reading the ARC.
What does it mean to be indie next?
Beginning July 1st, all ABA booksellers will receive store-branded Indie Next fliers to give out to customers for July/August. Aging myself here, but they’re full-color newspapers similar to the Weekly Readers we received in elementary school.
On July 10th, the picks will be emailed to all of the ABA booksellers’ customers - over 550,000 them!
Because indie bookstores tend to have less shelf space than larger chains, it’s MUCH harder to get them to stock new releases, especially from no-name debut authors like me. Being Indie Next means it’s far more likely stores will purchase my book to display on their shelves. Many of these stores also create special displays of Indie Next books!
On a more personal note, being Indie Next has provided much-needed validation when I’ve been plagued with self-doubt leading up to Soulmatch’s release. BOOKSELLERS LOVE MY BOOK! And hopefully, that means all of you will, too!
Amazing! How are you celebrating this news?
I’m giving away an annotated Soulmatch ARC on Instagram! I’ve made notes in the margins throughout, including:
my inspiration for characters and scenes,
my favorite lines,
pointing out all the foreshadowing (warning: SPOILERS GALORE),
AND MORE! Almost every page has handwritten notes!
It’s easy enter! Go to this post on Instagram. Then like the post (click the heart), follow me, tag your favorite independent bookstore in the comments (so I can follow them), and tag a friend. That’s it! I’ll announce a winner on Monday, June 16th.
Which indie Bookstore should I buy Soulmatch from?
Any and all! My personal favorite is Middleburg Books, whom I’ve partnered with for my preorder campaign and launch party. Purchase your copy of Soulmatch before July 29th and receive two bookmarks, two stickers, character art, and a SIGNED AND PERSONALIZED copy!!! All for the same price as the big retail chains.
If you’re coming to my launch event (I HOPE YOU WILL!), Middleburg Books will deliver your copy there!
Thank you, INDIES!
A huge thank you to the booksellers who nominated Soulmatch for Indie Next. I’m absolutely blown away by this honor and still can’t quite believe it. Love love love you all!!!!
