Old Town Books has been open for just over a year. As instructive as that experience has been, we still have a lot to learn about being community organizers and running a healthy small business.

That’s why I’m headed up to Baltimore next week for Winter Institute, the annual educational conference from the American Booksellers Association (ABA). Joining me on this adventure is our new shop manager Abby Bennsky. This four day conference is a deep dive in to all things relating to the book biz. We’re getting a sneak peek at forthcoming titles, meeting publishers and authors, and sitting in on sessions like “Bookselling Bootcamp” and “Meet the Presses.”

Follow along on Instagram this week for a look at what goes on at an indie booksellers conference. I’ll warn you, there are a LOT of books. Seriously I mean "throw-your-back-out-trying-to-carry-them-all”, maybe even "burry-you-alive” amounts of books. And like the best conferences, it’s totally overstimulating and exhausting. I truly can’t wait!

— Ally

p.s. - maybe send me your best low back stretches and yoga moves?