As this is my first experience being an intern, I can say for sure one of the things I did not expect to do within my first month with SIBA was go to the SIBA trade show in Norfolk, Va. Caitlin Thigpen, a good friend of mine at Columbia College, is also an intern with SIBA and attended the trade show with me.  

Before going to the trade show, however, Caitlin and I helped Mrs. Wanda Jewell, our supervisor, with getting prepared. We printed out badges, organized tickets, and scheduled author interviews. Then before we knew it, the trade show began.  

To say I was excited is an understatement. I was exuberant at having the opportunity to collect galleys of books not yet released. I was also ecstatic because I was able to interview authors about their upcoming books.

One of the most enjoyable experiences for me attending the trade show was meeting all of the authors I was going to be interviewing. I was happy that I was able to interview authors about their new books. As a book worm, I have always wanted to talk to authors about their books and pick their minds as to what inspired them to write their stories. Being at the trade show, I was given that opportunity and found out a lot about the books I would be reading as well as the authors I interviewed.

Participating in the Civil War photo booth with the two sisters I interviewed about their book, Sisters of Shiloh, Kathy and Becky Hepinstall was also a lot of fun. During the whole photo process, they provided me with a lot of entertainment and really knew how to make me smile.

Seeing that there were so many people at the trade show who also had a passion for books really made me happy.

I enjoyed my time at the trade show. I gained some hands-on experience as both SIBA intern and reporter that I would not get anywhere else. And I received free books as well, which is a big plus for me.