Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA): Recent Episodes
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"Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)" wants to make you a smarter publisher by giving you access to powerful ideas, strategies, and tools for success.
Our interview guests are independent publishers, author publishers, and hybrid publishers, as well as distributors, printers, reviewers, booksellers, marketers, visionaries, and opinion leaders from all sectors of the book publishing industry.
We are sponsored and supported by the Independent Book Publishers Association, the largest book publishing association in the U.S. serving independent publishers and author publishers. IBPA’s vision is a world where every independent publisher has the tools and knowledge needed to professionally engage in all aspects of the publishing industry.
Your host is IBPA Member Liaison Christopher Locke.
Distribution continues to be one of the most consequential pain points for independent publishers, and with fewer and fewer distributors from which publishers can choose, it seems like major changes need to occur to fix the system. Microcosm Publishing’s Founder and CEO Joe Biel joins "Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to chat about ideas for how distribution can be improved for indie publishers; the repercussions of the recent closure of Small Press Distribution; why so many independent distributors have shut down; and much more.
Between traditionally published and self-published books, there are over 3 million books published per year, so in order for a book to stand out, sometimes independent publishers have to think outside the box.Independent publisher Holloway has a unique system with their publishing strategy in terms of discoverability and direct-to-consumer sales, which has been quite successful for them, so COO Andrew Savikas joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share details about Holloway’s savvy publishing model; how they’ve developed their website for search engine optimization; and how other independent publishers can apply some of the same techniques to their own businesses.
There is a huge market for books outside the United States, so how can U.S. publishers break into the international market, and how do publishers know which markets are a good fit for their titles? Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Red Hen Press Dr. Kate Gale joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share details about how her publishing company succeeded with international sales, as well as the challenges and opportunities publishers face based on the city where they set up their business; tips on book distribution; and much more.
No matter where you are in your publishing journey—whether you're just starting out or you’ve been publishing books for decades—you're always hoping to level up your business. Fruition Publishing Concierge Services Founder and CEO Alesha Brown joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share advice about the best artificial intelligence (AI) publishing technology and the ones to avoid; paying author royalties; whether it’s worth hiring someone to do your social media; and much more!
With a new year comes all kinds of new possibilities for publishers to thrive! IBPA’s mission is to set up independent publishers and author publishers for publishing success, so CEO Andrea Fleck-Nisbet joins "Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss the major issues that publishers are sure to face in 2024, and ways that publishers can overcome them. She discusses distribution challenges; creative ways that publishers can find funding; solutions to market access obstacles; difficulties with running a publishing business and ways to tackle them; and so much more.
In the last few years, TOKYOPOP has had incredible success, leading Publishers Weekly to declare them one of the fastest growing independent publishers of 2023. It’s always helpful for indie publishers to learn from each other, so TOKYOPOP’s COO and Publisher Marc Visnick joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss the achievements and challenges they’ve had since the company began in 1997, including how they were able to bounce back so successfully after some difficulties in 2010 when, among other things, a major partner of theirs, Borders, went bankrupt.
Independent publishers run into many of the same challenges with publishing, so the best way to figure out how to overcome those challenges is to learn from other publishers’ achievements and missteps. Taevo Publishing Founder and CEO Tamara Mayo joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss the best methods she’s learned about how to work with her authors; how to solve accounting issues; how to find funding; how to balance running a publishing business while also maintaining a full-time job; and much more!
Many independent publishers feel a great divide between them and the Big 5 publishers. One of the biggest issues is access to various sales markets, such as bookstores, retail stores, and more. The good news is that there are new ways that these major publishers and indies can work together to the betterment of both. One such way is through distribution. It can be quite difficult for independent publishers to land traditional distribution, but some indie publishers have found a path through Simon & Schuster. Simon & Schuster Vice President of Publisher Services Keith Parent joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share details about how to apply.
Independent publishers and author publishers are always seeking effective ways to promote their books, and one great way to do so is through LibraryReads. The Executive Director, Rebecca Vnuk, joins "Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to explain how LibraryReads creates a widely read list of must-read, new books based on library staff recommendations and how indie publishers can get their books on that list. Rebecca also used to be a librarian, so she shares tips about how publishers can get libraries to carry their books.
Are you hoping to sell your books to libraries? If so, trade reviews are a vital component to enticing libraries to buy your books, and librarians especially value "Booklist" reviews—the official trade publication of the American Library Association. So IBPA invited "Booklist" Editor and Publisher George Kendall as a guest on “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss how publishers can land a "Booklist" review; how they can best leverage their review; and much more.
Landing traditional distribution can be a major help in garnering exposure and sales for books in important markets such as Amazon, Kindle, bookstores, retail stores, and more. National Accounts Manager in Sales at Publishers Group West and Ingram Publisher Services David Dahl joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to explain the behind the scenes of how distribution sales teams promote books to these lucrative markets, and gives tips for how independent publishers can set their books up for success with distributors.
PARTICIPANTS
David Dahl is National Accounts Manager in Sales at Publishers Group West and Ingram Publisher Services, where he has represented independent publishers to the book trade for more than thirty years; to amazon since 1998, and to Kindle and Apple Books since the inception of those platforms. David is a graduate of Reed College and received an M.A. from the University of California at Berkeley. David works daily towards the association's primary goals of advocating for and educating independent publishers.Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership
Learn more about Publishers Group West at pgw.com and Ingram Publisher Services at ingramcontent.com.Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Book marketing isn’t just about selling books, it’s about building a reputation and an audience of loyal readers. An author may be focused on their writing so much that they don’t quite know what their brand is, but that’s where a publisher comes in. Publishers can, and should, help their authors pinpoint a professional and memorable author brand in order to engage fans and sell books. On this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” personal branding expert and internet marketing strategist Jeniffer Thompson shares practical tools for creating a sustainable author brand as well as easy-to-implement steps to highlight the brand story, elevate the author’s visibility, and ensure a consistent visual presence.
PARTICIPANTS
Jeniffer Thompsonis a personal branding coach, book marketing strategist, and publishing consultant. She co-founded Monkey C Media in 2004, an award-winning book cover and author website design house. She is also the host of The Premise podcast, co-founder of the San Diego Writers Festival, and serves on the International Memoir Writers Association board. VisitMonkeyCMedia.com to learn more, subscribe to her author marketing tips atJenifferThompson.comand listen to her podcast atThePremisePod.comIndependent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership
Check out the IBPA member benefit for Monkey C Media, which garners members 20% off design services: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/monkeycmediaFollow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Social media can be an excellent tool for publishers to build brand awareness and garner exposure for their books, but it’s also complicated to properly navigate. One advantageous social media tactic is to hire an influencer, but how do you go about hiring the right one for your books? What types of campaigns work the best? What are some challenges to hiring an influencer and how do you overcome them? CEO & Founder of Branch & Bramble Emily Lyman joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share her expertise on all things related to social media influencers!
PARTICIPANTS
Emily Lyman has worked with publishing companies for more than a decade to help them achieve tangible marketing results. As CEO & Founder of Branch & Bramble, she’s built a digital marketing agency focused on helping authors and lifestyle brands craft new messaging and positioning rooted in values-based marketing that attracts life-long audiences.Branch & Bramble has been named as one of the “Top US Digital Marketing & Digital Agencies” on Yahoo! Finance, as well as one of the “Top Digital Marketing Agencies in New York.” Lyman has been featured on Digiday, CO- by U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Authority Magazine.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership
To learn more about Branch & Bramble, visit:https://www.branchandbramble.com/
Also, check out Branch & Bramble’s free book influencer marketing guide here: https://www.branchandbramble.com/book-influencers
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Follow Branch & Bramble on:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/branchbrambleTwitter - https://twitter.com/BranchBramble
Follow Emily Lyman on:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilylyman/Twitter - https://twitter.com/emilylymanInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/elyman/
There are thousands and thousands of schools in the United States, so getting your books into the education market can be quite lucrative and rewarding, knowing that you’re inspiring the next generation of readers. So what is the process of getting your books into schools? What kinds of books are marketable to schools? How do you set up school author visits? Author, educator, and speaker Jane Wood joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to answer these questions and many more!
PARTICIPANTS
Jane R. Wood is the author of a series of five juvenile fiction books where she weaves history and science into stories filled with mystery, adventure, and humor for young readers ages 8-14. Her sixth juvenile fiction book, Finding Family Treasure, was released in January 2022 and was co-authored with genealogist and author K. I. Knight. She has also written a book, Schools: A Niche Market forAuthors, to help other authors and publishers market and sell their books to the school market.
Wood is a former teacher, newspaper reporter, and television producer. She has a BA from the University of Florida and an MEd from the University of North Florida. Wood serves as the past-president of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association and often speaks at schools, libraries, book festivals, publishing events, and education conferences. To learn more about her and her books, please visit her website at janewoodbooks.com.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Garnering a trade review can provide multiple benefits for a book, but how can you make the most out of the reviews you receive? Should you get a paid trade review? Is there anything positive you can get out of a negative review? BlueInk Review Co-Founder Patti Thorn will answer these questions and many more on this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)!”
PARTICIPANTS
Patti Thorn is co-founder of BlueInk Review, a book review service that has provided nearly 10,000 reviews to authors since its inception in 2010. She was a 28-year veteran writer and editor at theRocky Mountain News, which had a daily circulation of 300,000 at the time of its closing in February, 2009, serving the last 12 years of her tenure as chief book critic and editor of the book review pages. The section earned acclaim for its incisive and timely reviews, as well as for Thorn’s weekly column about books and the publishing industry. In addition, she is the co-author ofFun Places to Go with Children in Colorado, published by Chronicle Books and has served as an independent editor for both fiction and nonfiction.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Follow BlueInk Review on social media at @blueinkreivew
Check out the IBPA member benefit for $75 off a review from BlueInk Reviews: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/blueinkreview
Visit BlueInk Reviews at: www.blueinkreview.com
Hiring a book publicist can lead to excellent exposure for your titles, but there are techniques that independent publishers and author publishers can do to best maximize that experience and things that they can do that will actually hinder that experience. Smith Publicity Book Publicist and Marketing Associate Olivia McCoy is joining us today to share tips from her many years in the industry to ensure publishers have a beneficial experience during this process.
PARTICIPANTS
Olivia McCoycomes from a background in book marketing and independent publishing and her knowledge of the publishing industry and book promotion allows her to educate and consult her clients throughout their campaigns. Her clients have received national media placements in outlets such as The New York Times, Fast Company,HuffPost, and HOLA!. She has two BAs in English Poetics and French from the University of Georgia, a Master’s Certificate in Publishing from the University of Denver Publishing Institute, and an MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University. When she’s not at work, she is at home in Philadelphia with her dog, Rudy. You can learn more about Smith Publicity atsmithpublicity.com and connect with Olivia onLinkedInand Instagram @oliviathepublicist.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership
To learn more about Smith Publicity, visit SmithPublicity.com.
They can also be reached at info@smithpublicity.comFollow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Follow Smith Publicity on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SmithPublicityTwitter – https://twitter.com/SmithPublicityInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/smithpublicity/
2023 is upon us, so in this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” IBPA CEO Andrea Fleck-Nisbet looks back at the hot button issues that hit the publishing industry in 2022 and how they affected (and will continue to affect) indie publishers. Andrea also shares advice about what publishers can do to prepare for the major issues they’ll be facing in the new year, including Amazon changes, inflation woes, and more. Plus, she explains how IBPA plans to help independent publishers and author publishers tackle the aforementioned issues successfully.
PARTICIPANTS
Andrea Fleck-Nisbet joined IBPA as its CEO in November 2022. She comes to IBPA with an extensive and diverse background in publishing. Most recently, she was the founding vice president and publisher at Harper Horizon, an imprint of HarperCollins. Prior to that, she was the director of content acquisition for Ingram Content Group, where she developed initiatives that supported independent publishers of all sizes, using print-on-demand services to produce and distribute content. Fleck-Nisbet spent her first 15 years in the publishing industry at independent publisher Workman Publishing, leading teams in special markets, sales, and digital marketing, including three years as executive director of digital strategy and operations.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Now that 2022 has come to a close, it’s a great time for independent publishers and author publishers to look back on the past year to analyze what worked and didn’t work for their businesses so that they can make informed decisions about how to set themselves up for a more successful year in 2023. Joining us on the podcast today is founding publisher of Publish Your Gift Tieshena Davis to share her expertise on how to maximize the potential of your business, including integrating a SWOT analysis and the “5-why analysis.”
PARTICIPANTS
Tieshena Davis is founding publisher of Publish Your Gift®. Within the past decade, Tieshena's work and contribution to the publishing industry has led her to being awarded the 2017 Medical Moguls Academy “Faculty of the Year” award, honored as Prince George’s County Maryland Top Forty Under 40, and recognized by Examiner.com in its "2015 Best of the Best in Publishing." Tieshena’s advice has been featured in The Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, Entrepreneur, Forbes.com and numerous other media outlets. She is a graduate of Yale University’s Book Publishing Executive Program and an active Forbes Coaches Council member.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?
Learn more about Publish Your Gift here: https://publishyourgift.com/
And learn more about Tieshena’s consulting opportunities here: https://asktiedavis.com/
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
IBPA’s CEO Angela Bole is moving on to a new opportunity after Nov. 30, 2022 as the CEO of Firebrand Technologies. So Angela joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss the highlights of her time at IBPA; comment on some of the biggest challenges facing independent publishers right now, including working with Amazon and trying to land traditional distribution; and share tips about how to successfully run a company. Also, host Christopher Locke extends a heartfelt thank you to Angela for her many contributions to IBPA and indie publishing.
PARTICIPANTS
As chief executive officer of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for the past nine years, Angela Bole worked to support the growing independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success. She holds a Master of Science degree in Book Publishing from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Gender Studies from Indiana University Bloomington. In 2018, she was awarded the Book Industry Study Group’s Community Builder Award, given to an individual in recognition of significant work done to engage a representative set of book industry stakeholders. In 2019, she was named a Publishers Weekly notable person of the year.
In February 2023, Angela will become CEO of Firebrand Group.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,000+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?
You can learn more about Firebrand Group here: https://firebrandtech.com/
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Social media platforms can be a great way to build your independent publishing brand and garner exposure for your books, but how do you turn all those followers on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and so on into lifelong fans of your books? Also, which are the most effective platforms for indie publishers to use? Lulu’s VP of Marketing Matt Briel visits “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share tips about how independent publishers can get the most out of social media, as well as advice about how to improve your newsletter.
PARTICIPANTS
Matt Briel is the VP of Marketing at Lulu.com. After more than 15 years leading Sales and Marketing teams in the Media & Publishing space, he’s developed a unique passion for helping creators and solopreneurs become more successful by leveraging books as a catalyst for opportunities and sustainable revenue.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,100+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?
You can learn more about Lulu.com here: https://www.lulu.com/
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Click on the following links to learn more about the social media services that Matt referenced:
Influencer Marketing - Shoutcart
Email Marketing - ConvertKit
Email Marketing - Send In Blue
Email Marketing - Klaviyo
Artificial intelligence has created many helpful improvements to book publishing, such as improving discoverability of books and finding copyediting errors in manuscripts, and there are many more to come as technology advances, but is there also a downside to some of these advancements? For example, will these advancements cost people jobs? Authors A.I. and BingeBooks co-founder and CEO Alessandra Torre joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss these issues, as well as some helpful AI programs currently available for publishers and new exciting ones on the horizon.
PARTICIPANTS
Alessandra Torre is the Co-founder and CEO of Authors A.I. and BingeBooks, as well as an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five novels. Alessandra found her greatest success with self-publishing, hitting the New York Times list seven times with self-published novels. Alessandra is a popular public speaker and presents frequently to universities, conventions, and author groups. She has online classes, an annual conference and has built a community of over 40,000 aspiring and published authors.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,100+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?
You can learn more about the IBPA member benefit for Marlowe Pro here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/marloweproFollow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Follow Alessandra Torre on:
www.authors.ai << Authors A.I. website
www.alessandratorre.com << Alessandra’s author site
facebook.com/alessandratorre0
instagram.com/alessandratorre4
twitter.com/readalessandra
If independent publishers and author publishers optimize their books properly for Amazon, it could lead to excellent sales, but likewise, if they don’t, it could hurt a book’s chances of succeeding. Also, advertising on Amazon can be a powerful tool, but it can be a complicated process. Don’t fret, on this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” we invited Greenleaf Book Group’s Marketing Manager Chelsea Richards to share her expertise with Amazon optimization and ads!
PARTICIPANTS
As Marketing Manager at Greenleaf, Chelsea Richards works with authors to create strategic marketing campaigns, build their author brands, and increase visibility and exposure for their books. She helps authors establish their authority as experts through developing their online presence, harnessing the power of their existing networks, and targeted advertising to both the trade and consumers. Chelsea holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Exeter in England, a BA in English and communications from Southwestern University and completed New York University’s Summer Publishing Institute. A passionate reader and writer herself, Chelsea delights in helping authors reach readers. Prior to her role at Greenleaf, she worked in magazine and book publishing in San Francisco and London. Chelsea is a bibliophile and an Anglophile, and in her spare time she enjoys gardening, traveling, yoga, and baking.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,100+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Follow Chelsea Richards:
LinkedIn, Greenleaf Twitter, Greenleaf Facebook
IBPA is always looking for ways to set up independent publishers and author publishers for success, so we partnered with PubWest and Portland State University’s Graduate Program in Book Publishing to research five key issues facing publishing distribution today. Portland State University’s Director of Book Publishing and Assistant Professor in English Dr. Rachel Noorda and Rachel Done, who is one of the talented students who worked on this project and a freelance publishing professional, visit “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss the findings of the project, which include ways for indie publishers to make their distribution more profitable, sustainable, and eco-friendly!
PARTICIPANTS
Dr. Rachel Noorda is Director of Book Publishing and Assistant Professor in English. She researches twenty-first century book topics such as entrepreneurship, marketing, small business, national identity, and international publishing. Her book Entrepreneurship Identity in U.S. Book Publishing in the Twenty-First Century was published last year by Cambridge University Press. She loves guiding students and collaborating with her colleague Kathi Inman Berens on media behavior and piracy.
Rachel Done Cubillas is currently a freelancing publishing professional, with focuses on writing, design, marketing, and project management. Basically a little bit of everything. She is set to graduate with her MA in Book Publishing and Comics Studies Certificate from PSU this coming June. She loves exploring new topics and skills, as well as spending time with her menagerie of a family.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,100+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?View the full distribution report here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/news/601797/IBPA-PubWest-and-Portland-State-University-Publish-Students-Research-on-Distribution-Practices.htm
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Follow Dr. Rachel Noorda:
Twitter - @rachellynchase
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-noorda-4273623b
Follow Rachel Done:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rachel.doneGR/
Twitter - @RachelDC06
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-done-97510b186/
Website: https://racheldonecubillas.com/portfolio/
It’s a major goal of many independent publishers and author publishers to get their books carried in a bookstore, but as many have found, it can be a difficult market to break into. “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” invites Village Books & Paper Dreams Co-Owner and Steward Paul Hanson and Publishing Coordinator Chloe Hovind to share expert tips about how indie publishers can get bookstores to stock their books, and the reasoning behind why it’s so difficult to get their books carried in the first place.
PARTICIPANTS
Paul Hanson is one of three co-owners of Village Books in Bellingham and Lynden, Washington. He produces workshops and classes through the Chuckanut Writers Program in partnership with Whatcom Community College and has been a coordinator for the Chuckanut Writers Conference. Before arriving in Bellingham in 2011, Paul was the long-time manager of Eagle Harbor Book Company on Bainbridge Island. He is a writer and publisher, former President of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and past core team member of Fields End, a writers' community on Bainbridge Island. He's passionate about building communities for writers, helping them from inspiration to publication, and connecting them with readers.
Chloe Hovind is a Pacific Northwest native whose enthusiasm for books found her a home at Village Books & Paper Dreams. As a librarian-trained bookseller, Chloe enjoys working one on one with local authors to help bring their stories to life through Village Book's self-publishing program and loves helping the community discover the local talent that resides on the shelves of their local bookstores.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Member Liaison, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,100+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?To learn more about the IBPA Bookstore Catalog, which helps publishers reach the bookstore market, visit: https://www.ibpa-online.org/store/ListProducts.aspx?catid=568428
IBPA has many marketing, advertising, and promotional plans to help get the word out about your books, so check them out: https://www.ibpa-online.org/store/
To learn more about the IBPA’s Industry Standards Checklist for a Professionally Published Book, visit https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/standardschecklist
Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
To learn more about Village Books & Paper Dreams, visit: https://www.villagebooks.com/
Marketing books can be overwhelming and discouraging, and to make matters more difficult, there are a lot of dependable strategies out there that wield excellent exposure for books but that does not necessarily mean that they lead directly to book sales. Book Launchers Founder Julie Broad joins us on “Inside Independent Publishing” today to go over some of the best book marketing tactics available and to explain the results publishers can expect from those tactics.
PARTICIPANTS
Julie Broad is the founder of self-publishing services firm Book Launchers and an Amazon Overall #1 Best Selling Author. Her popular YouTube channel BookLaunchers.TV teaches nonfiction authors how to write and market books people will want to read. An expert on writing with marketing in mind, Julie been speaking on stages across Canada and the US since 2009, providing the best approaches to get results, make an impact, and ultimately, make more money.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Member Liaison, Christopher Locke helps guide the 4,100+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
To learn more about Book Launchers, visit:
www.BookLaunchers.com/gameplan
IBPA has many marketing, advertising, and promotional plans to help get the word out about your books, so check them out: https://www.ibpa-online.org/store/
The U.S. has thousands of libraries, so if an independent publisher can get their books carried in the library market, it can be great exposure for their books and a lucrative endeavor. But, how does an indie publisher get libraries to carry their books? On this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” we invited Founder and Former CEO at BiblioLabs and Senior Manager of the BiblioLabs Division at LYRASIS Mitchell Davis to share tips for how independent publishers and author publishers can get their books into libraries!
PARTICIPANTS
Mitchell Davis is a digital publishing and media entrepreneur with over twenty five years experience in the book publishing industry. He was the founder in 2000 of BookSurge, an indie publishing and print-on-demand technology platform which successfully exited in an acquisition to Amazon.com in 2005. BookSurge later became CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). After spending two years in senior management at Amazon he founded BiblioLabs which successfully exited in a merger with the global library nonprofit LYRASIS in 2021. BiblioLabs is a digital community engagement platform focused on helping libraries excel at local content. It has borne a number of innovative projects such as Indie Author Projectand the Creator local publishing tools for public libraries. Mitchell is also a partner in Creative Media, a print-on-demand book distributor working in the open content space and Rare Bird Farm a newly launched "tiny festival" music venue and artist platform. When not working he is an avid reader (currently reading any and everything by Kurt Vonnegut), music lover (plays in a Widespread Panic tribute band), futbol fan (Tottenham Hotspurs), and outdoor sports enthusiast.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Member Liaison, Christopher Locke helps guide the 3,700+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
To learn more about Mitchell Davis’ work, visit:
www.indieauthorproject.com
www.biblioboard.com
www.createsharediscover.com
To learn more about how IBPA can help you get your books into the library market, check out IBPA’s American Library Association Conference program: https://www.ibpa-online.org/store/ListProducts.aspx?catid=568479
And check out IBPA’s Library Market eBlast program: https://www.ibpa-online.org/store/ListProducts.aspx?catid=569788&ftr=
To learn more about IBPA’s IngramSpark member benefit visit: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/ingramspark
Social media provides independent publishers with many incredible opportunities to promote their books, but it feels like new platforms pop up every day, which can make it overwhelming to figure out which platforms are the best. Today, Founder and CEO of Write|Publish|Sell Alexa Bigwarfe joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to give you the inside scoop on some of the most buzzworthy options available, including BookTok, Bookstagram, and BookTube!
PARTICIPANTS
Alexa Bigwarfe is a USA Today best-selling author and the founder and CEO of Write|Publish|Sell, a company dedicated to helping authors and small publishers professionally self-publish and market their books. Her courses and training focus on author platform growth and creative ways to market books, especially for those who know nothing about marketing. She is also the founder and host of the Women in Publishing Summit and owns two hybrid publishing houses, Kat Biggie Press and Purple Butterfly Press. Learn more at writepublishsell.com.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Member Liaison, Christopher Locke helps guide the 3,700+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
To learn more about the Women in Publishing Summit, visit https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/
Check out the Write|Publish|Sell Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/writepublishsell/
Check out the membership program where they guide authors and publishers through marketing strategy and using social media to enhance their marketing efforts: https://writepublishsell.com/wip-school
One of the topics that independent publishers and author publishers always ask IBPA about is Amazon. Amazon is a juggernaut in the publishing industry and publishers want to know how to succeed in that marketplace. Amazon has a feature called A+ Content, which, if used properly, can be a helpful tool for publishers. So Amazon expert and i30 Media Corporation founder Ian Lamont visits “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share advantageous tips. Ian also gives updates on other Amazon topics, including: whether Amazon Advantage will ever reopen registration; issues with third-party sellers winning the “buy” button over publishers; and more!
PARTICIPANTS
Ian Lamont is the founder of i30 Media Corporation. His media career has spanned more than 20 years across three continents, including a stint in the British music industry and a six-year residence in Taipei, where he learned Mandarin and worked for a local TV network and newspaper. Returning to the Boston area, he shifted into digital media, building websites for Harvard University, developing online services for technology publisher IDG, and serving as managing editor of The Industry Standard blog platform and prediction market. Later, Ian founded two ventures, including a mobile software company and i30 Media, which publishes In 30 Minutes guides (in30minutes.com). The guides help people understand mildly complex subjects, including business, software, and medicine.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Member Liaison, Christopher Locke helps guide the 3,700+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
To learn more about i30 Media Corporation, click here.
To learn more about the In 30 Minutes guides, click here.
Selling the film or TV rights to a book can be a lucrative endeavor, but how does an independent publisher or author publisher sell their film and TV rights? Will Dreamly Arts Publisher Andreas John visits “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share expertise from his own experience selling the TV rights to a book series by one of this authors. Andreas shares tips about how to land a deal; how to attach the right people for the project; and more!
PARTICIPANTS
Over 25 years ago, Andreas John launched his career in the magazine publishing world previously as the GM of CdA Magazine and the North Idaho Business Journal. In 2014, Andreas started the regional lifestyle magazine Nspire Magazine and shortly after became the publisher of Will Dreamly Arts Publishing. Past board chair of the CdA Arts & Culture Alliance and current board president of the CdA Men in Business Network, and is a winner of the Top 30 under 40 Award in 2013.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Member Liaison, Christopher Locke helps guide the 3,700+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
To learn more about Will Dreamly Arts, visit www.willdreamlyarts.com
To learn more about The Newirth Trilogy, visit www.newirth.tv
Independent publisher Puppy Dogs & Ice Cream has had incredible success acquiring book sales through digital marketing, so founder Jason Kutasi visits “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share some of their most effective strategies. Jason shares which platforms have been most profitable to advertise on; why his indie publishing company rarely conducts promotions on Amazon; and much more!
PARTICIPANTS
Jason Kutasi is the CEO of Puppy Dogs & Ice Cream – a children’s book publisher focused on the direct to consumer channel.
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Member Liaison, Christopher Locke helps guide the 3,700+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Learn more about Puppy Dogs & Ice Cream on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdicbooks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDICBook/
Website: https://shop.puppydogsandicecream.com/
Many authors would prefer to just write books and leave the marketing to someone else, but if a book is going to be successful, it is imperative that authors take an active role in marketing their books. Since a lot of authors feel uncomfortable with this, it’s helpful if independent publishers work with their authors as partners on this issue. On this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” founder of independent publisher Motina Books Diane Windsor shares tips about how indie publishers can guide their authors to market their books successfully.
PARTICIPANTS
Diane Windsor is the founder of the traditional publishing company, Motina Books. Her mission is to publish books by and for mothers, giving women the chance to release their stories into the world. Diane works hard to create a partnership with her authors. Throughout the publishing process, Diane works closely with the author every step of the way – editing, formatting, cover design, distribution, and marketing.
Marketing, of course, is the most important aspect of publishing your book. You could write the best book in the world, but it doesn’t matter how good it is if no one knows about it. There is no easy solution for marketing your books. It takes just as much work as writing that first draft. And, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You have to think about your specific target audience, and come up with out-of-the-box ideas for reaching them.
Upcoming Books:
Descent Into Ulthoa by Gordon Bonnet (my sole Motina Man) - October 19 - A sci fi thriller about a man searching for his twin brother who disappeared ten years earlier.
In 2022, Motina Books has several books that will be released:
- Two non-fiction books on grief and loss.
- A historical fiction novel based on the true events of the Bath House Riot in El Paso, in 1917
- Two domestic thrillers
- One picture book to raise limb-loss awareness and another that contains 20 biographies of people with disabilities
- A memoir by a dancer who became a pilates instructor
- Several children's chapter books
Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Member Liaison, Christopher Locke helps guide the 3,700+ members as they travel along their publishing journeys. As one of his major projects, he oversees the IBPA NetGalley program, which generates buzz and garners reviews for indie publishers’ titles. He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSFor email marketing services, learn more about the IBPA member benefit with Constant Contact here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/constantcontactTo learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association, visit here https://www.ibpa-online.org/general/register_member_type.asp?Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineTwitter – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/
Follow or contact Diane Windsor on:
www.MotinaBooks.comDiane@MotinaBooks.comfacebook.commotinabooksInstagram - @motina_books