Award-winning children’s author Carole Marsh and best selling novelist Ferrol Sams were featured at the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) trade show in Atlanta, Ga., September 28-30. Both Fayetteville residents, Marsh and Sams were crowd favorites at the event, which attracted thousands of book-lovers from all over the south.

Launched in 1971 and based in Columbia, S.C., SIBA is a trade association that represents hundreds of independent bookstores in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Mississippi.

Marsh was invited to speak on the Thrilling and Chilling author panel where she discussed her best selling “Pretty Darn Scary Mystery” fiction series for children. Marsh credits her Georgia upbringing with inspiring her to write the series. “I’m certain that it was growing up in Georgia that gave me my penchant for mystery book writing,” she claimed.

In addition to the “Pretty Darn Scary Mystery” series, Marsh has written eight other fiction series for children ages 7-14 and also provides educational curriculum materials for schools across the country. Earlier this summer, Marsh was honored by the Georgia Writers Association with the Georgia Author of Year award, in relation to her literary contributions for young readers.

Sams, an acclaimed author and physician, discussed his latest project “Down Town: a Novel” during the Southern Born and Bred panel. Sams’ Georgia upbringing is a topic near and dear to his heart, as is evident in his numerous fictional accounts, which celebrate the rich southern culture.

“It was a great weekend. We signed a gazillion books and had the opportunity to interact with booklovers from all over,” Marsh commented. “I am already looking forward to attending the 2008 SIBA trade show.”

For more information on Carole Marsh visit www.gallopade.com.

To order Sams’ novel, visit www.mupress.org.