When I started my book blog a little over two years ago, book reviews were in a precarious place. Many of the traditional media outlets were discontinuing their book review sections and publishers and authors were looking for new ways to get their books noticed. They began turning to book bloggers to fill the void left behind.

As a book blogger who likes to feature book related content, as well as book reviews, I attend as many author and book events as possible. Quite often at these events, I find myself explaining (and sometimes defending) book blogs. That’s not the case at SIBA! I’ve been lucky enough to attend this wonderful event the last two years and have found that the folks at SIBA know the true meaning of Southern hospitality. I felt welcome and appreciated both years. Sure, people have questions, but only because they want to know more – they’ve never questioned my validity. This year, I was pleased to see that SIBA featured a panel encouraging booksellers to work with book bloggers.

Attending SIBA is like attending a weekend long book party, and it’s heavenly to a book geek like me. There’s not a whole lot better than spending a weekend rubbing elbows with bloggers, authors, bookstore owners and publisher’s reps. I came home tired, but also enthusiastic and refreshed! I love learning about new books, trends in publishing and book selling, and author’s motivations and goals.

I think so highly of the wonderful booksellers I’ve met at SIBA, I decided to create The Okra Picks Challenge to encourage people to read the fantastic Southern books being promoted by them.  I am proud to feature Okra Picks on my blog!

I can’t thank everyone at SIBA enough for the warm welcome they’ve given me the past two years and I look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Thanks,

Kathy, Bermudaonion’s Weblog