March Madness 2024: Community. Inspiration. Learning

“Honestly, it just made me happy to be among booksellers supporting one another!” Attendee at M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, SC

SIBA’s March Madness series of gatherings in nine stores across eight states in our territory began with M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina and ended at Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida. A record number of booksellers attended (close to 120 registered, with additional host store staff participating) and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. A sampling:

“Fantastic - engaging and informative!”-Attendee at Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, LA

“They  (the authors) were phenomenal! I liked having the opportunity to learn in-depth about three upcoming titles and am eager to talk about them with my coworkers.”- Attendee at Firestorm Books in Asheville, NC

“I can't picture it any better. One of the most fun days I've had lately.” Attendee at novel. in Memphis, TN 

This free programming, which includes bookseller education, meet-the-author luncheons, networking, and idea shares, is one way SIBA can serve our members with the least financial and 'time away from store' impact. We’re thrilled that booksellers across our eleven-state region could be in community and talk shop. We hope attendees came away with some new ideas and new contacts (and arcs!) to inspire them in the months ahead. Look for some of the materials from March Madness educational programming in our Peer Bookseller Resource Library. 

Many thanks to the publishers who made this programming possible: Atria, Bethany House, Blair, Bloomsbury Children’s and YA, Dafina, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Grand Central Publishing, Hanover Square, Mercer University Press, Mira, Peachtree,  Penguin Random House, Roaring Brook, Sourcebooks, St. Martin’s, Thomas Nelson, Tiny Reparations, Tor, and William Morrow.

Edelweiss collection of March Madness Featured Authors