This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend SIBA to represent Promontory Press. SIBA stands for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, and each year they host a conference at various cities in the South to introduce indie booksellers to publishers, authors, and new books launching in the Fall and Spring seasons.

Getting out to look at the historic area of Savannah before it gets too hectic at #SIBA16! Love the gorgeous trees and buildings. #siba #sav #savannah #savannahga #georgia #ga #usa #oldtown #scad #scadatlanta #landscape #city #travel #sightseeing #conference #bookstagrammer #publishing #promontorypress #victoriabc #yyj

A photo posted by Promontory Press (@promontorypress) on Sep 16, 2016 at 1:35pm PDT

This year, SIBA was held in Savannah, Georgia. Adorned with stunning oak trees and charming architecture, the city itself is unlike anything I’m used to in the Pacific Northwest! I took the opportunity to become acquainted with small areas of the city, including the historic old town district, River Street, and City Market. Savannah is charismatic, alluring, and lively with entertainment. A perfect city for SIBA. Once I had some time to soak in the city, it was time to get down to business. This was the first year that we have had our authors participate at events at SIBA, and all three of them were so much fun! First, Miles and Merissa Davis were beaming as proud new parents would with their first book, Butterpup Meets Allie, in their four-part series, Butterpup and Friends, which will be released in June 2017. This delightful illustrated children’s book was a great success at the First 180 Days Party! Miles signed copies for many excited booksellers.

Well, that's a wrap! It was a great weekend at #SIBA16. Thank you everyone for your charming southern hospitality! Miles and Merissa Davis are beaming at the response they received to their book, Butterpup Meets Allie, part of a 4-book series coming out in June 2017! #siba #sav #savannah #savannahga #ga #georgia #hiltondesoto #milesdavis #merissadavis #butterpup #butterpupmeetsallie #butterpupandfriends #author #localauthor #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #publishing #latergram

A photo posted by Promontory Press (@promontorypress) on Sep 18, 2016 at 12:24pm PDT

Later that night, it was time for the Shoe Burnin’ Show, where Nathan Weathington evoked raucous laughter from the crowd by quoting his new book, Invasion of the Bastard Cannibals, which just came out on September 13th. I’ve never met anybody who knows Southern humour quite like Nathan does, and the snorts and hollers in the audience said it all.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKcOkGWAgA7/

The following day at Parapalooza, John Gillgren chilled the room with a suspenseful excerpt from his newest addition to The Adventures of the Cali Family. The Treasure of Jean Lafitte is launching on September 28th, and there were already many booksellers I met at the exhibitor hall who already had the previous Cali Family books in stock! They were all happy to pick up the fourth book.

Ahoy thar buckos! This day be international speak like a scurvy pirate day! Sail th' 7 seas wit' th' Cali family ☠⚔ #internationaltalklikeapirateday #intltalklikeapirateday #pirates #adventure #childrensnovel #family #fiction #childrensfiction #reading #amreading #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookish #globe #promontorypress #johngillgren #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #canadianpublisher #childrensbooks #books #series

A photo posted by Promontory Press (@promontorypress) on Sep 19, 2016 at 4:26pm PDT

I’m very proud of all our authors! Each of them blew me away, and I’m excited to be able to work with them. Book lovers are an amazing breed, and it’s so inspiring to be at an event with so many people who share the same passion. – Amy O’Hara, Acquisitions Editor