Things to do / Things not to miss

1. SIBA Staff Retreat, October 30-31: As bookstores ramp up for the 4th Quarter season, SIBA takes a few days for its annual year-end strategy meeting and retreat. The staff will be in meetings most of the two days and slow to answer emails.

2. Southern Book Prize Ballot Opens on November 1. Read more about what to expect here. SIBA encourages bookstores to get their customers engaged. They can enter a raffle to win a $100 gift card to their local bookstore. Plus, one of the required questions on the ballot is to "say something nice about your local bookshop." SIBA shares these with the stores.

3. Holiday Catalogs Display Raffle: SIBA wants to hear how bookstores are using their holiday catalogs. Email Candice Huber and describe how you plan to use the catalogs, show photos of your displays, and send in ideas. Participating stores are entered to win a $100 gift card! Five gift cards will be awarded. This contest is only available to current SIBA members.

4. Sarah McCoy Grant for Bookseller Writers: Applications open on November 11. In 2022, New York Times bestselling author Sarah McCoy established two $1500 grants for unpublished Southern bookseller women/nonbinary writers. Check SIBA's Scholarships and Financial Assistance page for updated information.

5. SIBA Annual Meeting, November 14 at 4:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM CT on Zoom. In light of the struggles in our territory because of the two hurricanes, the SIBA Board has elected to change the date of SIBA's annual meeting to allow stores more time to focus on recovery and store operations. All SIBA members are invited to attend. The meeting will include a report on the State of SIBA and reports from SIBA staff. The board will report on the work being done on behalf of the membership, and incoming board members will be introduced. | Register