IBPA Publishing University 2025

Grab a yummy breakfast and learn about IBPA's committees, board, and volunteer opportunities.

Brooke Warner, Publisher of She Writes Press, in conversation with Jonathan Merkh (President and Publisher of Forefront Books), Angela Engel (Publisher and Founder of The Collective Book Studio), and Dr. Ayo Sekai (Founder, CEO, and Publisher of Universal Write Publications) about rethinking business models, what to do with business models that straddle more than one category, and issues like co-opting business model terms to the point of dilution. The panelists will talk about how they think about their own models, how they're changing with the times, and how they position themselves relative to traditional publishing and other models.

How to Successfully Partner With Your Distributor
With faculty Laura Stanfill, Jeff Tegge, and Rachel Zugschwert, with moderator and host Keith Riegert.

Distribution is one of the least-understood and most important pieces of the publishing landscape. What’s the difference between POD and current distribution models? What should publishers on the market for distribution be weighing? What should publishers with traditional distribution do to make their partnership successful? This session will provide actionable insights into building and maintaining successful distributor relationships that go beyond the basics of logistics and inventory. We’ll explore practical techniques to align goals, communicate effectively, and leverage your distributor’s strengths to maximize reach and sales.

The Start Strong Independent Publishers breakout sessions are for independent publishers who are just starting out and are looking for help navigating the basics of successful publishing. (Generally you will have been in the publishing industry for three years or less and have published fewer than ten titles.) 

Grab some food, meet a few sponsors, and connect with your community!

Grab your food and join this candid discussion with room for everyone to contribute. We'll talk and share about how we are all impacted in an industry and culture that is pulling back from diversity commitments, and generate ideas for how we move forward by building trust, authenticity, and mutual learning within the publishing community to help diverse books reach the readers who need them.

Book Reviews: Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool
With Cevin Bryerman (Publishers Weekly), Patricia Moosbrugger (Blue Ink Reviews), and Michelle Schingler (Foreword Reviews), moderated by Christopher Locke (IBPA's Director of Membership and Member Services).

Book reviews are among your most powerful marketing tools. They assure readers that your book is laudable and worth their time. But the process can be a bit mysterious. This panel, moderated by IBPA's Christopher Locke will give authors a peek behind the curtain. Curious about how reviewers are chosen? What they look for? How to know when your book is ready for review? Ways to avoid common mistakes that lead to negative reviews? This panel — including representatives of some of the most esteemed book review services for indie titles — will entertain these questions…and more!

The Start Strong Independent Publishers breakout sessions are for independent publishers who are just starting out and are looking for help navigating the basics of successful publishing. (Generally you will have been in the publishing industry for three years or less and have published fewer than ten titles.) 

Environmentally Responsible Production and Publishing
With Karla Olson, Elizabeth Cleveland, Jen Dedman, and Victoria Gallina.

More publishers than ever are investigating environmentally responsible production and publishing and choosing practices that reduce the carbon footprint of the books they make. In this panel of experts, Patagonia publisher Karla Olson leads a discussion between publishers and printers about the greener options available and how they affect the bottomline.

Together, this discussion between publisher and printer will highlight the considerations and options so that you, too, can produce books in a more responsible and environmental way.

The Start Strong Independent Publishers breakout sessions are for independent publishers who are just starting out and are looking for help navigating the basics of successful publishing. (Generally you will have been in the publishing industry for three years or less and have published fewer than ten titles.) 

Don't miss our closing session of raffle prizes and rapid-fire takeaways!