Cyber Monday has not traditionally been the most photogenic of bookshop sales days. Social media doesn't fill up with lively photos of booksellers and their customers engaged in online handselling discussions. But after almost three years of pandemic-inspired upgrades to indie booksellers' online game, along with the availability of Bookshop.org and Libro.fm, there has been a noticeable increase in focus on Cyber Monday promotions on indie bookstore social media sites. Here's a sampling from Monday:
Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, Mass.: "We are finally doing a Cyber Monday special this year! We're offering 15% off and free shipping on orders over $100. The coupon code CYBER is activating at midnight tonight! (And yes, you can absolutely make a web order for pick up with the code.)"
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| Variation on a theme from Viewpoint Books, Columbus, Ind. | |
Your Brother's Bookstore, Evansville, Ind.: "CYBER MONDAY IS HERE! Did you know that you can keep supporting local, independent bookstores AND shop online! This holiday season, buy your books online while also supporting local bookstores! All you have to do is go our website!"
Kew and Willow Books, New York, N.Y.: "Our last sale of the year! Choose to #ShopLocal on Cyber Monday, too.... Fun fact: Buying from local, independently-owned businesses creates 4× more local economic activity than Am*z*n."
Gramercy Books, Bexley, Ohio: "If Cyber Monday has you shopping online today, swing by our website and order a few books! Shipping media mail is a flat $3.99 and your purchase supports a small, independent bookstore!"
Bookstore1, Sarasota, Fla.: "It's Cyber Monday, and while we don't have any crazy online specials, we do have a lovely online store. Check out this month's Staff Picks. Each one has a link to purchase the book online and have it shipped or picked up in the store. We're all cyber here!"
The Little BOHO Bookshop, Bayonne, N.J.: "CYBER MONDAY.... We know that as savvy shoppers you are willing to search around for the best prices. We know as a small independent bookstores we cannot offer you the deep discounts that the big box stores and online retailers can. Mainly because they can take the financial hit to their margins; that we simply cannot. So as you scroll around today, be sure to make a stop at any small independent bookstore's website where SHOPPING SMALL makes a BIG DIFFERENCE."
Viewpoint Books, Columbus, Ind.: "Small Business Saturday was a stupendous success and our first Cider Sunday was similarly smashing, so we're going to follow it up with a special deal to start the week! Introducing CYBOOK Monday! We have a new stash of Viewpoint Books gift cards, and we are ready to share.... Say goodbye to the impersonal, AI-driven online suggestions, and come see us for customized recommendations. We can't wait to see you!"
Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, Minn.: "HAPPY CYBER MONDAY! Thank you for supporting our Indie bookstore today and throughout the year! For Cyber Monday we are offering free media mail shipping for all web orders placed on 11/28."
Stillwater Books, Pawtucket, R.I.: "Today happens to be one of the biggest online ordering days of the year. So, if you are unable to visit us here in beautiful downtown Pawtucket, you can browse and buy EVERYTHING in our amazing inventory from our official website... and we'll ship it to you same-day. And if you don't see what you need, you can get thousands of other hot new books through our BookShop affiliate website."
Provincetown Bookshop, Provincetown, Mass.: "Our Cyber Monday promotion, where we are donating 5% of our sales revenue and 10% of our giftcard revenue to SKIP, is live until midnight tonight. Check out our website (or visit us IRL) to discover your next favorite book today!"