SIBA - Books and Beds

Book conference and ocean view resort, that's a writer's paradise! Delightful folks with side order of humor, as you see in the lobby display inviting us to lounge and read. Naturally I had to do it.

Heard Steven Johnson talk about his new book, "Where Good Ideas Come From". Look at his book trailer, it's amazing. Plus he gave attendees an autographed book! His ideas are philosophical yet have a broad based appeal which is a tough balancing act.

Best session so far was "Get in Bed with a Book Blogger".  Kelly Justice (owner of The Fountain Bookstore) and Rebecca Schinsky (aka The Book Lady's Blog) started this eye-catching campaign before BEA and they became rock stars in the book world for this creative effort.

Heading for Southern book heaven!

Attending my first SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Association) conference this week, I plan to delight in down home style networking. As a     GRITS (girl raised in the South), these are my people bringing Tennessee gentility to Florida. SIBA is an opportunity to connect with hundreds of independent booksellers in prime markets for my novel.

When your work has a strong regional edge, look for organizations that give maximum access to potential book buyers and book signing locations. A few good contacts would more than compensate for my membership and conference expenses. Since I enjoy meeting people and presenting my work, this is the ideal forum to network. For writers who are shy or less comfortable walking into a room of strangers and talking about your work, this would not be a good option. Conference are exceptional opportunities to make contacts, acquire new ideas and amp up motivation to keep going on the never ending promotional push to get a new book noticed.