It’s been a couple weeks now since Daytona. That’s long enough to begin to process another well-oiled SIBA convention, compliments of Wanda, Nicki, and the rest of the incredible SIBA staff, but not long enough to make a dent in the towers of reading material stacked at my right hand.  Don’t let this get out, but people at SIBA will hand you books­ free books! Never mind that you and your book loving self have books on top of books piled in heaps back at your home base, books you need to read, books you want to read, books you feel you need to read. Nothing compares to collecting a whole new crop of lovelies.

In the event that you have tripped across this blog without any prior understanding of who or what a SIBA is, let me fill you in. SIBA stands for Southern Independent Book Alliance and it’s a publishing industry event unlike any other. Think speed-dating for the book world and you will have the barest inkling to build on. In short, it’s where word addicts binge on their drug of choice, celebrating those who write books, those who sell books, and those who promote books. Here’s a confession: As a life-long reader I find it extremely difficult not to turn into a fan when surrounded by authors whose work I’ve come to love. I do my best not to fawn but I fear they see right through me.

As an author myself, I go to SIBA to build professional relationships with independent booksellers who do me the incredible honor of putting my book into the hands of their loyal clientele. I consider myself doubly blessed by those who extend their personal friendship as well.

I’ve been to three SIBA conventions now. My favorite was the first, second, and third.

Hugs,
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson