If you're ready to deepen your craft, expand your publishing knowledge, and connect with fellow writers, we welcome you. Register today and join the conversation. Link in bio. #MarginsConference #WritersLife #CreativeWriting #Publishing #LiteraryCommunity

Through roundtable discussions, dedicated cohort gatherings, agent 1:1 meetings, and spaces for reflection and exchange, we'll explore what it means to create with intention and community.

This year, we're bringing together writers, publishing professionals, and literary community members for conversations on craft, the path to publishing, and the role storytelling plays in shaping our world.

"This is precisely the time when artists go to work." Toni Morrison's words are at the heart of this year's [margins.] Conference. Writing has always been more than an act of creation. Stories provide a means of preserving the past, imagining new possibilities, and building connection.

Recipients will be honored during #MarginsBookselling Month celebrations and receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 prize. Nominate a bookseller today using the link in bio! Nominations close July 27! Nominate here www.thewordfordiversity.org/bipoc-bookse...

The BIPOC Bookseller Awards recognize the many ways booksellers strengthen independent bookstores and their communities. Whether through advocacy, innovation, or leadership, these awards celebrate the people creating lasting change in bookselling.

Looking for your next great listen? Our friends at Libro.fm have curated a special #MarginsBookselling Month audiobook playlist featuring stories that celebrate the voices, perspectives, and communities at the heart of this campaign.

A few small actions can make a big difference. This week's #MarginsBookselling Action Calendar highlights simple ways to support independent bookstores, discover new books, and share your love of reading with others.

Some bookstores do more than sell books, they become places where people find connection, community, and a sense of belonging.

Tell us in the comments: Is there an LGBTQIA2S+, Disabled, or Neurodivergent-owned bookstore you'd recommend? Then visit a bookstore near you, snap a photo, and share it using #MarginsBookselling. #MarginsBookselling #IndependentBookstores #BookCommunity #ReadDiverse #SupportLocal

That work matters. In 2025, 6,870 books were banned in U.S. schools, many because they included LGBTQIA2S+ characters or themes. These bookstores help ensure those stories remain accessible.

These bookstores are more than places to buy books. They're spaces that intentionally curate stories and voices that readers may not always find elsewhere, helping more people see themselves reflected on the shelves while inviting all of us to discover new perspectives.

This week, we're highlighting LGBTQIA2S+, Disabled, and Neurodivergent-owned bookstores that create spaces where people can discover stories, find resources, and connect with communities that see and celebrate them.

No God but Us by Bobuq Sayed is a powerful debut novel that explores identity, resilience, and the lengths people will go in pursuit of freedom. Brought to life by narrators Shawn K. Jain and Nas Mehdi, the audiobook adds even more depth and emotion to an already unforgettable story.

Tell us in the comments: Which action are you most excited to complete, and is there another way you love supporting your local bookstore? #MarginsBookselling #IndependentBookstores #BookCommunity #SupportLocal #ReadDiverse

This week, we're featuring Actions 6–12 to help you get started. Download your copy at the link in bio and share it with a friend.

The best part? You don't have to start on July 1 or complete one action every day. Pick the actions that speak to you, complete them in any order, and come back to the calendar throughout the year.

Looking for simple ways to support independent bookstores? Our #MarginsBookselling Action Calendar, includes 31 meaningful actions that celebrate bookstores, booksellers, and the communities they help build. www.thewordfordiversity.org/marginsbooks...

Reading beyond our own experiences doesn't just broaden our bookshelves, it broadens our perspective. It invites us to explore our broadest reality of converging cultures, challenge assumptions, and discover stories we might not have encountered otherwise.

Every great story has the power to take us somewhere new. Today, we're highlighting Indigenous-owned bookstores that connect readers with stories, histories, and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world and of one another.

Behind every community initiative is a group of people and organizations who believe it's worth investing in. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for helping make #MarginsBookselling possible. @americanbooksellers @bookshop_org @chroniclebooks @librofm

July is #MarginsBookselling! Celebrate BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, Disabled, and Neurodiverse booksellers and the independent bookstores helping diverse stories thrive. Explore the map and support a bookstore near you: buff.ly/1yJ2Skv

Welcome to Make, Don't Do: A weekly writing prompt from The Word. This week's prompt is: Write about an act of courage you’ve witnessed or experienced recently. What did this prompt inspire for you? Reply and let us know!

Now, more than ever, is the time to lean into community. We are so thankful for the wonderful people who make up The Word's community. We invite you to join us at an upcoming event! Check out thewordfordiversity.org to learn more and sign up for our newsletter to get reminders and up-to-date info!

Welcome to Make, Don't Do: A weekly writing prompt from The Word. This week's prompt is: Write about joy as an act of defiance. What did this prompt inspire for you? Let us know in the replies.