Application Guide
How to Apply for Associate Manager, Free Expression & Advocacy
at American Booksellers Association
🏢 About American Booksellers Association
The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a national not-for-profit trade organization that champions independent bookstores, fostering community through literature and free expression. Working here means joining a mission-driven team dedicated to protecting the right to read and fighting book bans, with a fully remote culture that values collaboration and advocacy.
About This Role
As Associate Manager of Free Expression & Advocacy, you'll lead ABA's efforts to combat censorship, support bookstores facing challenges, and track harmful legislation. This role is impactful because you'll directly safeguard access to diverse voices and mobilize a network of independent booksellers nationwide.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start by scanning new bill filings in key states, then drafting an alert for booksellers about a hearing tomorrow. Midday, you'd join a coalition call to coordinate messaging on a proposed censorship law, and later create a social media toolkit for bookstores to rally customers. You'd wrap up by updating a project tracker and reviewing a partner's resource for accuracy.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who American Booksellers Association Is Looking For
- A passionate advocate for free expression with a proven track record of uplifting marginalized voices, ideally through prior work in civil liberties, publishing, or library advocacy.
- Skilled at distilling complex legislative language into clear, actionable resources for bookstore owners and the public, with strong copy editing and communication abilities.
- Highly organized project manager who can juggle multiple campaigns, track bills across states, and coordinate with coalition partners using Google and Microsoft tools.
- Familiar with the legislative process and experienced in monitoring state-level bills, synthesizing updates, and creating toolkits or alerts for grassroots mobilization.
📝 Tips for Applying to American Booksellers Association
Highlight any direct experience with book bans, censorship challenges, or First Amendment advocacy in your resume and cover letter, including specific examples of resources you've created.
Tailor your application to show understanding of independent bookstore culture—mention how you'd support small businesses facing local pressure.
Demonstrate your legislative tracking skills by mentioning specific tools (e.g., BillTrack50, LegiScan) and examples of how you've summarized complex bills for non-experts.
Include a writing sample that translates a legal or policy issue into accessible language, such as a one-pager or social media post about a free expression topic.
Show your ability to work remotely and manage projects independently by citing experience with virtual collaboration tools and self-directed advocacy campaigns.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your personal commitment to free expression and protecting the right to read, with a concrete example of how you've advocated for marginalized voices.", 'Your experience synthesizing legislative or policy information for diverse audiences, emphasizing clarity and actionable takeaways.', 'Your project management skills, especially in coordinating with multiple stakeholders (e.g., coalitions, bookstores, or advocacy groups).', "Your understanding of the challenges independent bookstores face and why ABA's mission resonates with you."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review ABA's current advocacy initiatives, including the 'Bookselling This Week' newsletter and their stance on recent book ban cases.
- → Read the American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) resources on their website to understand existing toolkits and past campaigns.
- → Look up recent state-level book ban trends and identify which states have been most active—this shows you're informed about the landscape.
- → Familiarize yourself with ABA's membership demographics and how they support diverse and independent bookstores.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention free expression, book bans, or independent bookstores—this role requires demonstrated passion.
- Focusing solely on your own writing skills without showing how you translate complex info for non-experts; the job is about making policy accessible.
- Underestimating the remote, collaborative nature—avoid giving answers that suggest you prefer working alone without stakeholder input.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to American Booksellers Association!