FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2023
TWO SIBA BOOKSELLERS RECEIVE NANCY OLSON BOOKSELLER AWARD
(Asheville, NC) SIBA is very pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Nancy Olson Bookseller Award, honoring the memory of the legendary bookseller and founder of Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC. Es Davis of Golden Fig Books in Durham, North Carolina and Alex McLeod of The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama will each receive a $2500 cash award in recognition of their work bringing books to readers.
The 2023 Nancy Olson Bookseller Award Recipients
Es Davis, Golden Fig Books, Durham, NC
After starting as Golden Fig Books' first employee two years ago, Davis now manages Golden Fig's original store. They have worked in bookselling and libraries for almost a decade, with a particular focus on kids' and YA books that amplify marginalized voices. "I'm beyond grateful to be one of this year's award winners," they said. "Working with my broader bookish community to support literacy and lifelong curiosity is an immense privilege and joy in my life, and I appreciate that David and the judges chose to recognize my work in this way."
Alex McLeod, The Haunted Book Shop, Mobile, AL
Alex McLeod is a lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama. Since roughly the age of 13 he's been inclined to wave books at friends and family and tell them they must read this, they just will not believe how good this is, which turned out to be excellent training for his trade of selling books. He's not sure whether to chalk it up to fortune or fate but either way, he enjoys his work. "You don't even know how astounded I was to win this," he said. "I even had to check to make sure this was real! When it sank in, I welled up. I love my job and can't think of anything else I'd rather do. I get to introduce people to books, I get to talk about stories and ideas with people. The real joy is when I get to show someone something they never knew they wanted, and they come back to let me know they stayed up all night to finish a book or they've been binging a series. Growing that connection and community of book lovers is what makes this job so rewarding and vital to me."
The Award selection committee includes SIBA Executive Director Linda-Marie Barrett, Nancy Olson's husband Jim Olson, and long-time bookseller Sarah Goddin who worked with Nancy Olson at Quail Ridge Books. The committee noted that the 2023 selection process was especially difficult thanks to the high number of nominations of deserving booksellers.
Sarah Goddin said, "I never realized how excruciatingly painful [the selection process] might be! We had such a difficult choice because there are too many amazing booksellers in the SIBA territory. I also have to hand it to those writing the nominations, who were exceptionally eloquent."
Jim Olson also said, "Nancy would be thrilled with our selections as both Es Davis and Alex McLeod exemplify her love of bookselling and putting the right book in the hands of a customer."
SIBA Executive Director Linda-Marie Barrett said, "It was heartwarming to read the nominations submitted for booksellers across SIBA territory. Our communities are much richer for their presence and constant hard work connecting readers with books, and those in need with resources like housing, meals, medical assistance, counseling, and more. Thank you to our anonymous donor for an award that honors the great Nancy Olson, and truly makes a difference in a bookseller’s life. Congratulations to our winners, Es Davis and Alex McLeod!"
About the Nancy Olson Bookseller Award
The Nancy Olson Bookseller Award was created by SIBA in cooperation with an admirer of the late legendary bookseller in recognition of her tireless support of writers, especially new writers. An award in her memory of $2500 is given in December to two SIBA booksellers who are not store owners.
For more information about the Nancy Olson Bookseller Award, visit sibaweb.com.
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