Louisville, KY - March 15, 2024 – The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) and the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association (GLIBA) are thrilled to announce their partnership for the upcoming Indie Press Social, set to take place on Tuesday, May 21 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The day begins with an office tour of Sarabande Books, a nonprofit literary press founded in Louisville, Kentucky that champions poetry, fiction, and essays. The next stop is Carmichael's Bookstore's Frankfort Avenue location, where eight independent presses will present on their mission, and upcoming titles, followed by a lively Q & A from booksellers. The featured publishers are Beacon Press, Europa Editions, New Directions, Other Press, Sarabande Books, Soho Press, Two Dollar Radio and Verso Books. The day concludes at Vernon Lanes, for dinner and bowling!

More info and SIBA Registration

"It means so much to us as independent publishers to have the time and opportunity to stand before independent booksellers and hear what is and is not working for them, to talk with them about the books we’re publishing, the authors we are excited about, and the reasons for which we do what we do. Independent booksellers are our first and our best friends in the business, yet there’s so much room for us to do more together and to grow together. The Indie Social, pioneered by SIBA and now, in a historic first, co-hosted by SIBA & GLIBA, is the perfect forum for those conversations to happen." - Michael Reynolds, Europa

“We are so excited to welcome GLIBA, SIBA, and our fellow indie presses to Louisville, home of Sarabande, Carmichael’s Bookstore, and the evergreen debate: So is this the North? Or the South? While you’ll get split answers even from the Sarabande team, there’s one thing we agree on: Louisville is the perfect literary gathering spot to welcome all of you, our vibrant and vital shepherds of books, from all over our surrounding Northern and Southern states this spring. We can’t wait to open our doors to you!” - Joanna Englert, Sarabande Books

“SIBA is delighted to co-host our second Indie Press Social with GLIBA. Indie Press Socials create opportunities for publishers and booksellers to network and have important conversations in a more intimate, meaningful way. Ending the day with bowling and drinks at a vintage bowling alley, and perhaps a bit of friendly competition between teams of publishers and booksellers, will make this a day to remember and treasure. See you in Louisville!” - Linda-Marie Barrett, SIBA

"GLIBA is so excited to announce our partnership with SIBA and these eight distinguished independent presses for the much-anticipated Indie Press Social. We usually only get to see our fellow booksellers in the south during Winter Institute and so we are thrilled to have another opportunity at the incredible Carmichael’s. We are honored and thrilled by the invitation from SIBA. The convergence of indie bookselling and indie publishing is not only fun but crucial, making events like these invaluable for our organization. It is from events like these that the future of bookselling evolves. We can't wait." - Larry Law, GLIBA

Registration for the Indie Press Social is open to booksellers at both GLIBA's and SIBA's respective websites, with a limit of 25 attendees per regional association. For more information and to register, please visit SIBA’s website or GLIBA’s website for registration.

Contact: Linda-Marie Barrett, Executive Director, SIBA, lindamarie@sibaweb.com Larry Law, Executive Director, GLIBA, larry@gliba.org

About SIBA: The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) is a nonprofit trade organization representing independent bookstores and publishers in the southeastern United States. SIBA is dedicated to promoting the literary culture of the South and supporting independent bookselling.

About GLIBA: The Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association (GLIBA) is a regional trade association representing independent bookstores, publishers, and other industry professionals across the Great Lakes region.