Posted By Nicki Leone,
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
THE BOOKS YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE TALKING ABOUT
Some of the reviews submitted this week on Edelweiss+ from your fellow SIBA booksellers. SIBA members earn B3! points for every review if they join the SIBA community on Edelweiss. Email nicki@sibaweb.com to be added.
9781534439863The Deep 11/5/2019
"This book's concept is absolutely mind-boggling to me, having never heard of Drexciya or Clipping before now. It's incredible, and I hope this game of "artistic Telephone" does continue - imagine this as a film! The world of the wajinru is fascinating and I would love to learn more about the society they've created for themselves, especially how it functions after the ending of the book.This book is a must for anyone interested in history and trauma and how they affect communities lifetimes later." -- Kaley Lowman, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
9781644450031In the Dream House 11/5/2019
"I have never read a book quite like IN THE DREAM HOUSE: fragmented, yet shatteringly cohesive, experimental, yet utterly confident in its own project. I was mesmerized by the subtly devastating force of Machado’s craft and could barely put the memoir down. (In fact, I will probably re-read it as soon I finish writing this review.) IN THE DREAM HOUSE is both heartbreakingly honest—grounded in Machado’s lived trauma—and breathtaking in its examination of queerness, abuse, and societal memory.Part poetry and part socio-cultural analysis, yet wholly personal, IN THE DREAM HOUSE is one of the bravest literary projects I have encountered, and should be required reading for every one of us."-- Zach Claypole White, Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC
9780802147851Why We Can't Sleep 1/7/2020
"I cannot say enough about this book! I want everyone to read it! Gen-X women are having a unique menopausal experience in the history of humanity. As the generation raised to “have it all”, Gen-X women born from about 1965-1980 are dealing with a set of circumstances unlike Boomers and Millennials about whom much more has been studied. The last generation to not “get a trophy” for everything is feeling like a failure at midlife. A lot of women my age and those around them are being profoundly affected by the issues studied by Calhoun: credit card debt, divorce, underemployment, exhaustion, profound anxiety. And we are being told to “lean in”, take “me time”, “tidy up” and a host of other suggestions usually just another way to sell us stuff based on our fears. This easy to read book offers practical suggestions, but more than that: it offers the voices of other women in the same place, dealing with the same issues, providing a much needed source of empowerment for Gen-X women like myself and those who love us. " -- Kelly Justice, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
9780525514596In a Jar 1/21/2020
"My little sister was a collector, like Llewellyn. The corners of our shared bedroom were dotted with pinecones, rocks, and our books were filled with pressed leaves and flowers. I love the sweet premise and absolutely gorgeous illustrations of IN A JAR and I know our littlest readers will too. This is the kind of picture book I will want everyone I know to spend a moment with." -- Cristina Russell, Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL
SIBA promotes six new books every month to consumers in our Lady Banks Bookshelf promotion. These titles appear at the top of our weekly Lady Banks Commonplace Book newsletter, which has a circulation of over 60k. We also feature them above the fold on the homepage of Authors ‘Round the South and on the cover image of the ARTS Facebook page with buy links promoted to our 15,000 Facebook friends. A different member store is featured with the titles every week.
By promoting through Lady Banks, publishers are making an investment in SIBA member bookstores’ attention and market. SIBA works with them to select titles customers are looking for, and then we drive those customers to SIBA member stores. Booksellers can boost sales by bringing in Lady Banks Bookshelf titles before the month begins, and putting up a winning display. Send in a photo of your display and earn 20 B3! points, too!
November Titles:
The Monster Hypothesis by Romily Bernard
The Rib Joint: A Memoir in Essays by Julia Koets
When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas
When I Close My Eyes by Elizabeth Musser
Charlie Hernandez & The Castle of Bones by Ryan Calejo
The Feminist Handbook: Practical Tools to Resist Sexism and Dismantle the Patriarchy by Joanne L. Bagshaw
In 2020, we're transforming our SIBA in the Springtime (SITS) into the March Madness Bookseller Series (MMBS). Might we add another acronym, CYOA, as booksellers may decide to attend multiple events, depending on programming and proximity to host stores.
SIBA’s goal is to have gatherings within 2-3 hours driving distance of all member stores. These one-day gatherings will take place between March 9-20, and run from 10am-3pm with an author luncheon. Morning and afternoon programming will focus on education.
Would you like your store to be considered as a host store? If so, what kind of educational programming would you want to present to visiting booksellers? What is your store doing really well that you'd like to show off to inspire others? We’d love to hear from you!
Please email lindamarie@sibaweb.com if you’re interested and we'll see what we can work out!
Joe's Place, a truly beautiful bookstore in Greenville, SC featuring new and used books, coffee, a wine bar, and local art is up for sale.
From the owners:
It has been over five years since we first opened Joe’s Place. This opportunity allowed us to meet incredible people and have some wonderful experiences with them.
While it has been an incredible journey, after much consideration we have decided to close Joe’s Place at the end of this year. This decision is mainly driven from a personal perspective since we both turned 60 this year and are now focusing on moving towards our retirement.
We are in the process of listing the property for sale but would also be very interested in selling the business and /or the assets. The building is being listed by Deanna Hudgens, owner of Signature Commercial Properties LLC. She can be reached through email atDeanna@Signature-SCP.comor phone 864-517-4600.
Posted By Kristen Iskandrian, Thank You Books,
Monday, October 28, 2019
Updated: Thursday, October 3, 2019
I wanted to enclose some thoughts about my experience at the conference, before too much time passed. To me it was superlatively organized and well-run. I've been on the planning end of conferences and events and I know first-hand how tricky it can be to address all logistics, and from my perspective, as a participant, everything felt very smooth and efficient.
Friday's lunch panel--spontaneous, lively, heartfelt, intelligent--featuring Kimberly, Gilly, Julie, Charlaine, and Akilah--was a definite standout. I loved the panelists' rapport with one another, their diverse backgrounds/writing interests, and their interactions with the audience.
The discussion between Sharon Robinson and Peggy Wallace Kennedy was momentous and very moving. It was a privilege to witness an event that felt both historical and urgent to our cultural(ly divided) moment.
All of the author lunches and dinners were wonderful. I'm an author, too (Motherest, Twelve/Hachette 2017), and a reader first and foremost, and I loved getting to wear both of those hats, plus my newest, that of a bookstore owner, while listening to debut and seasoned authors discuss their books, their journeys, and their experiences with bookstores. It was affirming to be reminded, time and again, the pivotal role independent bookstores play both in shaping authors' careers and in cultivating culture, discussion, and community. Saturday night's dinner was especially emotional--Jaquira Diaz brought me to tears, and Isaac Fitzgerald kept everyone laughing.
The trade floor was a dizzying dream. We were thrilled to meet in person our reps, who we'd been emailing with for weeks. We came away with dozens of ARCs and galleys that we've been gobbling up since returning home. It was great to put faces to names, and to take in such great swaths of the publishing landscape.
Lastly, I'll say that the conversations that I had with other booksellers, veterans and newbies, were SO helpful and heartening. Real connections were made that I believe will last. I feel buoyed by the time I spent in Spartanburg, determined to make our store the best it can be, and eager to join such a thriving community. The timing couldn't have been better--we're looking at an early-to-mid November grand opening, so it was a perfect way to reflect, prepare, and brave (joyfully!) for what's ahead.
Thanks again for the chance to attend--it's something we'll look forward to year after year. Best of luck to you as you head into the next chapter. ~Kristen Iskandrian, Thank You Books, AL
Have you ordered extra gift cards for the holidays? They are one of the easiest, and often most pleasing to the recipient, gifts your customers can give to friends and family.
The trend this year shows an increase in gift card purchasing. The ABA’s IndieCommerce staff reports, “In the first three quarters of 2019, IndieCommerce stores saw a 20% increase in gift card sales compared to the same period in 2018. The average purchase price of a gift card also increased, from $48 to $50. With the majority of gift card purchases taking place between November 1 and December 31, now is the time for your store to promote gift card sales to your customers by email, prominent banners on your website, and social media promotions. This is the perfect way for your customers to support independent booksellers.”
Whether your store uses gift cards that run through your POS, or paper cards filled out by hand, now's a great time to take an inventory of your supply and put in any necessary reorders.
Some of the reviews submitted this week on Edelweiss+ from your fellow SIBA booksellers. SIBA members earn B3! points for every review if they join the SIBA community on Edelweiss. Email nicki@sibaweb.com to be added.
9781984806093The Bromance Book Club 11/5/2019
"Thea and Gavin are separated. Turns out that Thea had been faking it for pretty much their entire marriage and when Gavin finally realizes it, he leaves. But now he's come to his senses and wants her back, but she's having none of that. Enter: the Bromance Book Club. The club is a group of professionals from Nashville, mostly professional sports players, who read romance novels to better understand their girlfriends or wives. And now they're here to help Gavin. This sweet, funny look at a second chance romance had me flying through the pages. I appreciated that things weren't as one-sided as they first appear and we get growth and character development from more than just one character. I eagerly await the sequel! " -- Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser, Roswell, GA
9780316485340Little Weirds 11/5/2019
"Little lovely weirds from the big, lovely, weirdness of Jenny Slate's brain. I am recommending that you get both a physical copy to beautify your shelves and the audiobook so that Slate can croon her little weirds into your ears and that way your hands are free for snacking or petting the dog or arranging acorns on your mantle. You will laugh and sigh and wish her words could bring these things to life because she is, after all, a magical person so it should be a thing she can do. And who knows? Maybe she will. "-- Kate Towery, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
9781524787042Tomorrow I'll Be Kind 1/14/2020
"I love any picture book that helps children learn how to understand their feelings and be more intentional in their lives. Having a three year old niece and nephew, I struggle to find ways to help them understand their emotions - "be nice" only goes so far. TOMORROW I'LL BE KIND is a beautiful story with plenty to look at and talk about with the kiddos in our lives!" -- Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
9780525541905Such a Fun Age 12/31/2019
"I can't wait to read this one with my book club! I often say that books are either windows or mirrors. Windows allow the reader to see into the lives of others and gain understanding. Mirrors allow the reader to look inside themselves, reflect, and grow. Kiley Reid has created a cast of characters and a plot that provides both the window and the mirror. Reading and discussing this book with a diverse group is sure to spark great conversation and have a positive impact on everyone in the group." -- Angela Redden, Reading Rock Books, Dickson, TN
Posted By Nicki Leone,
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
What made you decide to come to the SIBA Discovery Show?
Our good friends at Bookmarks here in Winston-Salem first told us about SIBA and had connected us to several SIBA stores who are now selling our items (shout out to Page 158, Quail Ridge, Sunrise, Wonderland, Read With Me, Books to Be Red, Downtown Books and Ducks Cottage). When Bookmarks found out that SIBA was going to be so close in 2019, they really encouraged us to attend and we took them up on it.
Did it meet your expectations?
Absolutely. Our goal for the next few years is to grow our business with independent bookstores partners, and having the chance to meet so many of them in person was truly fantastic. We added at least 10 new bookstores thanks to the show, with more contacting us each week now, it seems. Add to that the fact that bookstore people are just generally delightful folks to get to know, and it was a lovely two days.
What did you learn from attending the show?
Having the chance to talk to so many different stores gave us great insight into their buying patterns, how they choose their sidelines, and how they time their purchases to account for holidays and events. That knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to grow our partnerships with independent bookstores. Plus, we made some new friends, so that’s always a plus.
Why do you think the independent bookstore market is important?
For our business, book people are the target market - and no one is better at attracting book people than independent bookstores. But more than that, we love the idea that our little creations can help independent bookstores make money to keep their enterprises going. The value an indie bookstore adds to a community is immeasurable, and it makes us so happy to know our items might be helping their bottom lines!
Describe Bookish Birds and how it got started:
It’s a strange story. We are best friends and former college roommates both with full time non-Bookish Birds jobs. In 2014 we were finally living in the same town again (on the same street, actually) after 20+ years apart. Diana had a great idea to make some holiday ornaments for her husband’s office at Wake Forest University and people loved the ornaments so much we thought there might be a market in them to sell. So, we started with those and then met with a small business adviser who said we really needed to find something that would sell better year round. As we were pondering what that might be, we took a girls trip to London together and saw some page art for sale in Covent Garden Market. Those were mostly images printed on old book pages, but it dawned on us that book quotes on book pages could be popular - and the other half of Bookish Birds was born. That was in 2015, and we have steadily grown since then.
What are your newest products for the holiday season?
We’ve been working to add more quotes from African American authors and now have several new Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison prints. We also have the personalized pages we made for each SIBA store, so any store that did not pick theirs up at the Discovery Show can just contact us and we will happily send it along to them. We would love to partner with bookstores to provide staff gifts, author gifts, or donor gifts that can be personalized for the specific need.
Who should booksellers contact if they want to place an order?
Posted By Nicki Leone,
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Deadline Extended - Apply by October 28!
The Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists is unlike any other scholarship the Binc Foundation has offered. This year-long professional development scholarship is intended to help a bookseller with fewer than five years of experience connect with other booksellers, publishers, and authors and to establish the long-term relationships that keep the book industry thriving.
The scholarship includes funds to attend Winter Institute 2020 and a 2020 fall regional trade show. The bookseller will also be granted funding to support a community outreach project of their own design.
Last week SIBA hosted the B3! webinar "Bringing Used Books into the Mix for Higher Sales and Profit." Megan Bell and Josh Niesse from Underground Books in Carrollton, GA and Hills & Hamlets in Serenbe, GA , Cathy Graham from Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, FL, Frank Reiss of A Cappella Books in Atlanta, GA, and Shane Gottwal's from Gottwals Books (franchising nationwide as "Walls of Books") of Macon, GA and beyond presented their best tips. Because all the presenters began as used booksellers adding in new books, stores transitioning in a similar way will also find this webinar quite informative.
Josh noted the "incredible variety of approach to including used books" among the panelists. He and Megan prefer to buy book collections from private homes rather than allowing folks to bring boxes of books to the store. These bulk purchases help the unit price go down. Although he and Megan emphasize being selective, when they find aesthetically interesting but damaged books, like children's books, they may take them off the owner's hands for free, and then use what they can from these books to create journals, buttons, and more for sale in their stores. They hold a quarterly sidewalk sale to clear out inventory, and these days are often record sales days.
Although Cathy's store is moving towards 70% new and 30% used, they do quite well with used books in genres like mystery and romance, and have a separate antiquarian book section. They are quite selective about what they bring in, Cathy emphasizing that "more isn't better" and they only buy "gently-used" books. She loves the "cool factor" of beautiful and retro antiquarian books, and mentioned a growing trend in younger customers appreciating and purchasing antiquarian books.
Frank cautioned that "it's a challenge to do both (new & used books) well." He noted that they are very different from each other. The aesthetics and price margins for used books appeal to him, but he's always considering the allocation of labor costs, as well has how to best merchandise them. He advised booksellers looking to add used books to "respect how much time used books can take...if you're going to do both, then have a lot of focus." He agreed with Cathy's comment about younger customers being drawn to used books, saying, "Young people do seem to be getting into old books in a way that surprises me, and is gratifying."
Shane's buying philosophy is one of bringing in as much product as you can in categories that do well for you. His buyers are serving multiple stores and selling online, with the ability to store overstock in a warehouse, which is different from the other presenters. He suggested keeping used books separate from new books in the store, at least initially. He also believes online sales of college textbooks is a lucrative market for new stores wanting to start selling used.
Questions from attendees including paying for used books with credit and/or cash, charging for shipping, online sales and pricing, and whether adding used books undermines new book sales.
Additional resources are Cathy Graham's tips and pitfalls when adding used books to your new book inventory, Josh and Megan's Used Book Sorting Chart, and tipsheet on evaluating used book values, and Shane's 2017 Winter Institute presentation on bringing used books into your inventory. All are available in our Peer Brain Trust under Working with Business Resources.
Posted By Christy, Avid Bookshop,
Monday, October 21, 2019
Updated: Thursday, October 3, 2019
I feel so lucky to have had the chance to attend SIBA this year in Spartanburg, a town that is so vibrant and changing. Having the opportunity to attend as a scholarship recipient is something I will always be grateful for. It was amazing to be able to immerse myself completely in every seminar, meal with an author, and publisher meeting that was offered. I also am so grateful for the chance to connect with other booksellers and events staff - to have the chance to see how they thrive and struggle in similar and different ways than our own shop and how we can grow together as a greater community of indie bookstores in the South. ~Christy, Events Assistant and Bookseller, Avid Bookshop, GA
Posted By Nicki Leone,
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
The SIBA Holiday Catalog: What you need to know
Stores that are participating in SIBA's Holiday Catalog program should be receiving their catalogs within the next couple weeks. Here are the next steps you should take to make the most of the catalog and maximize your holiday sales:
Ingram is also offering a promotion on catalog title orders: Get +3% OFF any title in the Regional Holiday Catalogs No promo code needed. Plus, get FREE freight for qualifying orders. Order Now! Offer valid from October 2 – December 14.
2) Upload your email newsletter materials
All stores participating in the catalog also get email catalog newsletters sent to your customer list. The newsletters, which are created and powered by Shelf Awareness, will be sent in four seperate emails, once a week, between November 8 and December 12. Ecommerce cabability is not required.
SIBA stores who do not use IndieCommerce can request the web-version of the catalog for their stores from SIBA. Email nicki@sibaweb.com.
SIBA stores without ecommerce-capable websites can request a "no click" version of the catalog for their website. Email nicki@sibaweb.com
4) Plan your in-store displays
While the catalog itself is an invaluable tool for capturing holiday sales, you can boost your sales with in-store catalog displays and signage. Here is a slit card/shelf talker for use in your displays and to highlight catalog titles wherever they are found on the shelf:
SIBA booksellers share that talking shop with other booksellers, discussing what’s going well, or not, at their stores, makes a big, positive, difference. Conversations can spark a new approach to author events, the creation of a press kit, a reexamination of training practices, the decision to switch to another POS system, or maybe a road trip to visit other bookstores and be inspired.
Beginning in 2020, we’re extending the resource roundtable experience we offer at our Discovery Show into a monthly event on zoom. These zoom events will offer a face-to-face opportunity to discuss areas in your business, peer-to-peer, that you’d like some feedback on, or wish to share success stories about, with your colleagues.
What subjects would you like to see as topics for roundtable discussion? Would you like to be one of the hosts for a particular discussion? Please email lindamarie@sibaweb.com and let’s talk!
Posted By Nora Ketron, Star Line Books,
Monday, October 14, 2019
Updated: Thursday, October 3, 2019
The 2019 SIBA Discovery Show was an incredible experience, one filled with learning, networking, amazing new reads, and a jam-packed weekend that made me even prouder to be a part of the Southern bookselling world than when I started. I came to SIBA 19 hoping to hone my understanding of the industry, especially as it relates to the many things that make bookstores so special in the South. I was able to accomplish this and much, much more. I spent time learning about management best practices, handselling techniques, how to improve and refine our e-commerce platform. Meeting other first-time attendees and booksellers who are faced with some of the exact same challenges and rewards I am was inspiring and encouraging. The trade show floor was a veritable cornucopia of delights and opportunities, offering the chance to source sidelines, new reads, meet and network with reps from the big five publishers and small presses alike. I spent time getting to know authors, thinking about new ways to feature and highlight southern writers in my shop, and gained a much better understanding of the industry landscape and just how and why one small shop fits into that landscape. SIBA 19 was truly a chance at discovery, and I am so thankful and grateful for the chance to have attended and the scholarship funds that made it possible. ~Nora Ketron, Bookseller & Coordinator of Many Things, Star Line Books, TN
Store and location: Fountain Bookstore, Richmond VA
Position at the store: Bookseller/Assistant Buyer
Store's Social Media Stats: We have 12.3k Twitter followers, thanks to Kelly's viral tweet about a certain unnamed online retailer! last December. We have a strong presence on Facebook and Instagram as well, with different employees heading up different branches of social media.
Events and buyer contact info:Kelly Justice, info@fountainbookstore.com
Number of years as a bookseller: Almost two years.
Best part about being a bookseller?Books! And people, and helping people find their new favorite author or book :)
What book(s) are you reading? I am almost done with Her Sister's Tattoo, a story about two sisters who were pulled apart during the anti-Vietnam protests in the late 1960s. It's really powerful and follows their story and the consequences their actions have for years after.
Favorite handsell of 2019: This is a tough one! I loved Where the Crawdads Sing but that doesn't need much help selling. A mystery that I try to get everyone to read is An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena.
Best thing you did this year at your store: I love all of our events, but my favorite one was getting to interview Mesha Maren about the incredible novel Sugar Run back in February
What are some ways you work with your community? We partner with other businesses in our neighborhood and will be putting on a festival later this month to celebrate Halloween in the community. We also have events at some great offsite venues like the Poe Museum, American Civil War Museum, Sam Miller's restaurant, and several others!
Do you have passions that carry over into your bookselling life? I play in a local branch of an international all-female pinball league and I've recruited several coworkers to join me. It's such a fun, supportive environment with an amazing group of women! I love that my bookseller sisters get to be a part of it with me.
Top priority for 2019:We have a new plan in our store called #SellOneMoreBook, and the intention is to get just one extra book into a customer's hands. The impact it can make in sales is really powerful. We are also dedicated to continuing to bring fun, interesting events to our community as often as possible.
Favorite SIBA programming benefit:I love meeting and connecting with other booksellers, and getting to talk to the publishers and authors. The authors are all like rock stars to me, and being in the bookselling world is a dream come true.
Some of the reviews submitted this week on Edelweiss+ from your fellow SIBA booksellers. SIBA members earn B3! points for every review if they join the SIBA community on Edelweiss. Email nicki@sibaweb.com to be added.
9780062913463Nothing to See Here 10/29/2019
"Absolutely loved this book, I listened to it on Libro.fm. Quirky, entertaining, smart, and funny. I could not put it down. I can not wait to put this book into hands of readers I know will love it as much as I did. Thank you Kevin Wilson for giving the weird and wonderful a voice! And thank you to Marin Ireland for doing an excellent job with the southern accent! " -- Jessica Osborne, E. Shaver, booksellers, Savannah, GA
9780316485340Little Weirds 11/5/2019
"Little lovely weirds from the big, lovely, weirdness of Jenny Slate's brain. I am recommending that you get both a physical copy to beautify your shelves and the audiobook so that Slate can croon her little weirds into your ears and that way your hands are free for snacking or petting the dog or arranging acorns on your mantle. You will laugh and sigh and wish her words could bring things to life because she is, after all, a magical person so it should be a thing she can do. And who knows? Maybe she will. "-- Kate Towery, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
9781640092587The Revisioners 11/5/2019
"Reminiscent of Octavia Butler's KINDRED, Margaret Wilkerson Sexton's new novel is a brilliant story that transcends time. Told over the course of almost 100 years, and several generations of one family, this book confirms that the dark legacy of slavery is something we cannot escape, even in the 21st century. Several times while reading this I had to put it down and step away. It is unflinchingly honest and brutal in a way that is hard to read. There is a suspense building throughout that made me think something terrible was lurking under the surface of both Josephine and Ava's stories. " -- Jamie Southern, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
9781635573657The Broken Road 12/3/2019
"The Broken Road is an incredibly honest memoir from the daughter of George Wallace, Peggy Wallace Kennedy. She gives her view of her father's life, political struggles, and personal values. Kennedy also details how she came to a heightened awareness about the hurt her father caused so many with his stand against desegregation. A must-read for those who are interested in Southern history, politics, and the civil rights era." -- Linda Hodges, Fiction Addiction, Greenville, SC
"Our lives are worth literature. it doesn't matter where you come from, or who your parents were, or how broken or torn apart your home was, the life you lived was worth writing about." -- Wiley Cash
When Wiley Cash was chosen to be the 2020 Conroy Legacy he was able to sit down and talk to Linda-Marie about Pat Conroy, independent bookstores, and what it means to be a writer in his home state of North Carolina.
"The first time I met Pat Conroy was in 2013. I was in a room with him and it was like a solar system with a black hole, all of the energy in the room was going towards him just by his presence." --Wiley Cash
Those videos, along with a list of Cash's books, graphics to share on social media, and downloadable posters are available to SIBA booksellers in the Wiley Cash Conroy Legacy Award Toolkit
Posted By Stephanie Crowe, Page & Palette,
Monday, October 7, 2019
Updated: Thursday, October 3, 2019
This year at SIBA was one of my best experiences. I felt like I was coming home, so many friends and authors that I have seen in the past felt much more comfortable. I sensed a lightness of spirit throughout the total event. There was more laughter and optimism in the meal events and in the workshops. The AUTHORinteraction which revolved around Pat Conroy’s friends was especially jovial. Delightful to attend!
I’m very grateful to have been able to attend this year and thank SIBA for their support of indie booksellers! SIBA is my family! ~Stephanie Crowe, Page & Palette, AL
One of the highlights of last month's #SIBA19 was the Parapalooza event, held in the hotel bar -- for ambiance -- and by all accounts a riotously funny hour filled with authors reading short paragraphs from their books, WITH FEELING.
But for all its hilarity and deep-felt moments, the night was missing something, or rather, someone. T.J. Klume, author of the much-looked-for "The House in the Cerulean Sea" had been scheduled to read, but instead became the victim of a capricious set of circumstances when his flight was delayed because of mechanical problems (not the sort of thing a passenger wants to hear), making him late for his connecting flight, which after being rescheduled was also delayed...because of mechanical problems.
Since he couldn't be on-site at the show, we asked him to record video so booksellers would have a chance to meet him (and his cat) and hear about his wonderful book.
"1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." (Gail Carriger)
A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret. An enchanting love story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours. The House in the Cerulean Sea is Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune’s breakout contemporary fantasy.
TJ Klune is an ex-claims examiner for an insurance company. He has won the 2014 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance and the 2016 the Gold Medal from the Florida Publisher’s Association. Visit him online at TJKluneBooks.com, on Twitter at @tjklune or on Instagram as @tjklunebooks.
Some of the reviews submitted this week on Edelweiss+ from your fellow SIBA booksellers. SIBA members earn B3! points for every review if they join the SIBA community on Edelweiss. Email nicki@sibaweb.com to be added.
9781534442559Roll with It 10/1/2019
"Ellie's voice makes this book un-put-down-able. She is complex, refreshingly honest, and sassy. She doesn't sugarcoat her experiences in a wheelchair or with cerebral palsy, and she is defined by those experiences either. Every person needs to read this book." -- Chelsea Stringfield, Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN
9780062941206Get a Life, Chloe Brown 11/5/2019
"Get a Life, Chloe Brown is one of the best romances of the year. The humor and wit are spot on, and the romance will make your heart ache and your cheeks blush. Word of advice: don't read this in public - you'll be completely swept into Chloe Brown and Red's tempting romance and be blind to the world around you. If you're looking for a fun and flirty romance that will make you laugh and tug on your heartstrings, then Get a Life, Chloe Brown is the one for you!"-- Gennifer Eccles, Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC
9781524742904Reputation 12/3/2019
"Elite Aldrich University is mired in controversy when a hacker releases the contents of every single person's email who is connected to the university. Many scandals come to light, but after Kit finds her husband Greg, who has a scandal of his own, dead in their kitchen, the action ramps up to an entirely new level.Shepard's books have so many plot twists, the reader is likely to suffer literary whiplash...and enjoy every minute of it. You'll suspect everyone in Reputation. And you just might be right." -- Jennifer Jones, The Bookmiser, Roswell, GA
9780451491992Blitzed 12/3/2019
"This was another cute romantic comedy by Alexa Martin! I loved the inter-racial relationship and the world that Alexa Martin has created in this series. I also couldn't stop laughing at the way Brynn and her friends, the wives and girlfriends of the Denver Mustangs, interacted with one another. Not only was this an entertaining romance, it also was a great book of female empowerment of a woman owning her own business and also have strong supportive friends in her circle. Alexa Martin continues to write books that keeps me hooked! " -- Deanna Bailey, Story on the Square, McDonough, GA
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In 2020, we're transforming our SIBA in the Springtime (SITS) into the March Madness Bookseller Series (MMBS). Might we add another acronym, CYOA, as booksellers may decide to attend multiple events, depending on programming and proximity to host stores.
Have you ordered extra gift cards for the holidays? They are one of the easiest, and often most pleasing to the recipient, gifts your customers can give to friends and family. 
What made you decide to come to the SIBA Discovery Show?
What did you learn from attending the show?
Describe Bookish Birds and how it got started:
We’ve been working to add more quotes from African American authors and now have several new Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison prints. We also have the personalized pages we made for each SIBA store, so any store that did not pick theirs up at the Discovery Show can just 
2) Upload your email newsletter materials
bookstores and be inspired. 
Name:
"1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." (Gail Carriger)
