NMBA History

NEW MEXICO BOOK ASSOCIATION brings together enthusiastic and dedicated people whose lives and livelihoods are entwined with producing books and providing them to the public. Shortly after its founding in 1994, NMBA became the pioneer among statewide book publishing groups in opening its membership to all individuals, businesses, and institutions professionally involved with books. Editors, writers, printers, libraries and librarians, booksellers, freelance book designers, publicists, and marketers throughout the Land of Enchantment have a home in NMBA.

Here’s how it happened. For several years, New Mexico members of the Rocky Mountain Book Publishers Association (today’s PubWest) met monthly to share news and network informally. As the publishing scene grew, those luncheons began to draw people who weren’t only publishers and their employees, but also independent editors, writers, illustrators, designers, and bookstore owners.

Early in 1994, Mexico’s renowned Guadalajara Book Fair chose the state of New Mexico as the featured “country” for that year’s fair. It was quite an honor, but it became clear that in order to be properly organized and funded, a nonprofit was needed to ensure the success of New Mexico’s presence at Guadalajara. Jim Mafchir, Victor di Suvero, and members of the Santa Fe luncheon group were asked to form a new association to serve as the parent for the state’s task force to organize the Guadalajara enterprise.

Once the Guadalajara Fair was behind us, a new association was in place and the networking luncheons became more popular than ever. NMBA’s Libro Monthly first appeared in April 1995, and we got behind a variety of programs to help support the aims and aspirations of our members.

Over the last dozen years, NMBA and its members have taken part in BookExpo America, the Border Book Festival, Santa Fe Festival of the Book, New Mexico Library Association and American Library Association conferences, and PubWest’s annual national publishing conference. We produced the New Mexico Order Direct Catalog for our publisher members, published Southwest BookViews for four years before it became independent, offered “Dings & Dents” sales of distressed books in Las Cruces and Santa Fe, sponsored several professional workshops, and supported online marketing initiatives.

Libro continues to keep members connected and informed with news of book industry developments, information on member achievements, announcements of book signings and author appearances, and an extensive calendar of events. The NMBA website, www.nmbook.org, informs people well beyond New Mexico’s borders about activities in the lively book community here. As well, members are kept abreast of latest developments and opportunities through timely NMBA FLASHnews email alerts. Our Book-in-Hand Honor recognizes outstanding bookstores and individual booksellers for their initiatives in getting books into the hands of readers. Our annual Gala Banquet Luncheon and Membership Meeting takes place in the spring. The NMBA Holiday Fiesta in December draws people from throughout the literary and book community of New Mexico.

NMBA is a recognized 501(c)6 professional nonprofit, managed by a nine-member board of directors. The association has designated liaisons in Albuquerque and Las Cruces. Our office is currently located at 805 Early Street - C205, Santa Fe, NM 87505.