SIAMB!

SIAMB! is entering a new era, and we want you to hop on for the ride.

Five years ago, when SIAMB! moved to Tulsa, we discovered a strong arts community without much connection to its neighboring states. Over the years, we've been focused on planting roots in Oklahoma and establishing our presence in the Tulsa arts scene. Flash forward to this May, when Sir Princess Brutus and I briefly broke from our local efforts and flew across the pond to sell at the Paris Ass Book Fair. We mingled with many other presses, zinemakers, publishers, writers, and multihyphenate creatives and returned inspired and jet-lagged.

We realized then what Tulsa's literary scene was lacking: a space for writers, publishers, and presses to gather, plug, pitch, and sell in one go. Who knew all it took was us going international to help us focus on regional connections? The coasts have got it covered, but the Midwest and South are largely unconnected. We aim to change that. Right now, SIAMB!'s books are available in Oklahoma and Paris, France. Why not Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and more? And why shouldn't your writing, your press, your work be available across the country, too?

So, welcome to SIAMB!'s latest era, focused on building bridges and creating your friendly neighborhood regional writing connection. Our goal is to build a literary railway from Chicago to Texas--and maybe one day, from Canada to Mexico--connecting indie booksellers with small presses, up-and-coming authors with journals, and creatives with creatives. Though Tulsa has excellent indie bookstores, Lit Fest, and multiple writing clubs to its name (Whitty Writers, yeehaw!), we want to fill that niche gap that brings us all together on the regular.

Yep, once a month, we will gather at MUST for curated readings from local authors and performers, a panel discussion and Q&A with our headliner, and ample time and opportunity to network--sorry to use corporate speak--with the regional literary scene. Plus, we'll have tabling space available for a select few vendors to sell their wares, pitch their stories, and advertise their spaces or projects. Oh, and did I mention that snacks and drinks will be provided?

SIAMB!'s “Second” Saturday Symposium will take time to grow and reach every corner of every state in the Midwest. It'll take less time if you spread the word, invite your writing friends from down South or up in the Windy City to join you here just once a month to connect with and learn from literary professionals. I'm not saying that this is your sign to engage in light peer pressure, but I'm also not not saying that. SIAMB! may be running this show, but every show needs an audience. This is for you--for us, the literary community--and we want you to take advantage of it. So, we'll see you on September 13th from 2-5 PM for our very first “Second” Saturday Symposium.

If you're interested in reading, headlining, and/or tabling, please fill out the form on the event page S's"S"SS.

Happy writing,
D. Marise
August 18, 2025

Event Details
2-5 PM, usually on the second Saturday of the month
Mixed-Use Space Tulsa (MUST)
2417 E Admiral Blvd
Tulsa, OK 74110