The response to the launch of The Southern Bookseller Review has enthusiastic. The subscriber list increased by 5% within the first couple days of the announcement.

An important component of SBR is a strong social media strategy, designed specifically to raise the profiles of SIBA member stores by sharing their reviews of books. SIBA has welcomed Lucy Perkins-Wagel onto the team as its Social Media Coordinator to manage SIBA's and SBR's social media.

As we move into the New Year, SIBA booksellers and members witll see some further changes as we complete the launch:

Okra Picks is now Read This Next! A selection of seasonal forthcoming books with exceptional bookseller excitement and buzz. See the 2021 Winter Read This Next list in this newsletter.

Lady Banks Bookshelf is now the SBR Shelf: Six books per month, promoted to readers, and click through links to purchase at a SIBA member store.

AuthorsRoundtheSouth.com will redirect to The Southern Bookseller Review website, the new home of SIBA's reader-targeted programming, including the Southern Bestseller List, The Southern Book Prize, and the SBR Newsletter.

The STARS Bookstore Directory will now live on the The Southern Bookseller Review website. All requests for the old site will automatically redirect to the new location.

Don't forget! On January 6 at 2 pm, EST SIBA will be hosting an orientation of The Southern Bookseller Review website and newsletter. We'll take people through the site and discuss how booksellers and publishers can make the most of the new program. REGISTER