This week is #IndieBookstorePreorderWeek.

There are so many reasons why it's important to PREORDER books from @indiebound bookstores under normal circumstances (which I'll go over in a minute). But those reasons are even more magnified and multiplied in today's environment.
1/18

The #1 REASON to PRE-ORDER a book *right now* is because it gets money to @indiebound bookstores when they need it most - RIGHT NOW.

We don't know how long this will last, but if you plan to spend money throughout the year at bookstores, spend it up front if you can.
2/18

Most stores are currently closed to walk-ins. Even those that had curbside pickups are shutting them down.

Many booksellers are being laid off and furloughed because the stores aren't bringing in enough cash to keep them on.

Government programs aren't enough to fix this.
3/18

If you PRE-ORDER books during #IndieBookstorePreorderWeek (and going forward), you'll help keep bookstores in business longer while things are slow.

Important note: make sure to pay for your pre-orders now (not when picking the book up).
4/18

(And if you're ordering books to be shipped to you AND pre-orders, do as @AndersonsBkshp suggests - put your pre-orders in a separate transaction.

That way the @indiebound stores can get your existing books now, close that transaction, and keep the pre-orders separate.)
5/18

The second reason to PRE-ORDER books is to help the author and build buzz around a book.

When you pre-order a book, the booksellers become aware of the title.

There are so many great books published every day. It's nearly impossible for booksellers to know about them all.
6/18

But *your* pre-order might make them take a closer look at the book.

Maybe they'll order an extra copy for the store. Maybe they'll read it themselves. Maybe they'll love it so much they'll handsell it like mad.

You never know what *your* preorder might lead to.
7/18

A third reason to PRE-ORDER books during #IndieBookstorePreorderWeek (and every week) is that all pre-order sales count toward the first week of sales.

And while making a best-seller list is always a long shot, it's the pre-orders that really make it happen.
8/18

A fourth reason to pre-order a book is because you might be eligible for some type of bonus like a signed copy or some swag.

For example, at @bsb_savoy you can get @DebbiMichiko's upcoming KEEP IT TOGETHER, KEIKO CARTER signed if you pre-order here: https://www.banksquarebooks.com/keiko-carter 
9/18

Over at @rjjulia, you can preorder THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES (the #HungerGames Prequel) by Suzanne Collins and receive an embroidered Ballad logo patch and button here: https://www.rjjulia.com/pre-orders-special-offers
10/18

If you order @TheAuthorGuy's SHAKESPEARE FOR SQUIRRELS from the @novelneighbor, you can get it signed by the author AND a free sheet of glow-in-the-dark stickers here: https://thenovelneighbor.indielite.org/book/9780062434029
11/18

Basically, you can pretty much go to any @indiebound store and easily find 'featured pre-orders' or 'local authors' somewhere on their site.

(to find your nearest store during #IndieBookstorePreorderWeek go here: https://www.indiebound.org/indie-bookstore-finder and type in your zip code)
12/18

Or visit your favorite authors' websites and see if *they're* offering any pre-order campaigns somewhere.

Over at @NCastaldoAuthor's site - right on the main page, there a link to @OblongBooks to get her book signed: https://nancycastaldo.com/ 
13/18

Right on @emmykastner's home page here https://www.emmykmakes.com/ , she links directly to her signed copies available at @BookbugKzoo
14/18

And on my website, I've got a page dedicated to the upcoming fourth Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast adventure, SHORT & SWEET, which links to over 75 stores I'm working with on a preorder campaign to give away authographs and swag: https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/indiebound 
15/18

And the fifth and final reason I'll suggest to pre-order a book is because you're basically giving yourself a surprise gift in the future.

How awesome is it to open up a package you didn't expect and find a book you wanted waiting for you?

Pre-orders are magic like that.
16/18

For #IndieBookstorePreorderWeek I've started a chain of suggestions matching books with stores. See that chain below - and please add to it!

Share what you're preordering and where you're preordering from and encourage everyone to get involved.
17/18 https://twitter.com/joshfunkbooks/status/1247161015374135297?s=20

Only together (separately in our own homes) we can make this the best #IndieBookstorePreorderWeek yet!
18/18