Full calendar here. Email nicki@sibaweb.com to participate
At SIBA’s B3! Book Club, we read books that have the potential to spark insights and change in our approaches to work. Over the last year, we’ve discussed timing, leadership, and the science of shopping. We’re currently reading The Art of Gathering in advance of Priya Parker’s webinar on October 31st, and will be looking at trends in November when we discuss The Signals are Talking by Amy Webb.
More info
On Wednesday, October 17 at 2pm join us for B3! Webinar: Partner with IngramSpark to Enhance Your Publishing and Marketing Services to Authors. Josh Floyd and Kimberly Daniels Taws, with the addition of Jamille Christman, are reprising their presentation from the SIBA revival on July 20. Josh is with IngramSpark, and will give an overview of how bookstores are utilizing their services in various ways, including producing store-branded journals. Kimberly will share her work with local authors and the store's approach to publishing with IngramSpark. Jamille of Eagle Eye Books will discuss the success of consignment programs that are marketing specific, using IngramSpark materials.
Keebe Fitch of McIntyre's Books in Pittsboro, NC attended the revival and praised, "This revival session was jam-packed with good information. My coworker felt we picked up more in that short period that was useful to our store going forward than any other education we participated in this year."
Sarah Goddin of Quail Ridge Books also attended and added, "Josh gave a really valuable presentation on using Ingram Spark for setting up a bookstore publishing program. Having Kimberly's first-hand experience with it made it even more useful. I couldn't scribble notes and ideas down fast enough."
Please rsvp lindamarie@sibaweb.com.com to reserve your spot in the webinar.
Name: Megan Bell & Josh Niesse
Store and location: Co-owners of Underground Books in Carrollton, GA and Hills & Hamlets Bookshop in Chattahoochee Hills, GA
Number of years as a bookseller: Megan full time 5 years; Josh full time 8 years
Best part about being a bookseller?:
Someone shared a Guardian piece in one of the bookseller groups this week titled “Bookselling is the most over-romanticized job in the world.” There were some good points in it, but overall we think we should be emphasizing the romance of bookselling. It IS romantic in many ways. It’s how we met (Megan came in the bookstore 2 weeks after Josh opened it and never left), eventually getting married and now co-owning the business. We have a deep love of books and reading and are grateful we’ve created careers for ourselves where we get to spend our days with books. Being more naturally introverted, retail customer service can be challenging at times, but having ongoing years-long conversations with regulars, seeing a child walk down our steps into the bookstore and say “WOW,” and any of the numerous beautiful bookstore moments that happen every day make it all worth it.
What book(s) are you reading?:
Nebula Award-winning debut, All the Birds in the Sky. It was a dream meeting her at SIBA!
Josh: I’m listening to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (Libro.fm has turned me into an audiobook addict!) and I’m just finishing reading Against Elections by David Van Reybrouck and getting ready to start an ARC of Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James.
Favorite handsell of 2018:
Megan: First, We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson. This is a book I didn’t know I needed, and it’s been incredible to really feel I’m making a difference when I put this book in the hands of fellow readers struggling with anxiety. It’s a beautiful book inside and out.
Josh: So far this year I’ve been handselling Yuval Noah Harari’s books nonstop, but I’m currently really excited about a new memoir just out called Southern Discomfort by Tena Clark. Tena has such an incredible life story, and we have 75 tickets pre-sold to our event with her this Friday, October 12th.
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THE BOOKS YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE TALKING ABOUT
Submitted this week on Edelweiss+ using the "send to SIBA" option. Thanks to Avid Bookshop, Bookmiser, Fiction Addiction, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, and The Country Bookshop.
9781682630730 Hansel & Gretel 10/1/2019
"The cathartic retelling of a classic fairytale I needed...Bethan has slyly done a service to the next generation of Hansels, Gretels, and witches."
9780143133025 I Think, Therefore I Draw 10/30/2018
"For English majors and anyone in favor of smirk inducing humor."
9780525554158 Animalphabet 10/30/2018
"A beautiful die cut format of graduated animals and insects. Each page will keep your attention and astound the reader."
9781524747060 The April 3rd Incident 11/13/2018
"These short stories are weird in the best way."
9780062875464 The Night Agent 1/15/2019
"This is literally a stay-up late, can't put it down action thriller."
More bookseller reviews
If your store does not have an Edelweiss+ account and need help setting one up, contact Linda-Marie
