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Audience: Start Strong Independent Publishers clear filter
Thursday, May 15
 

1:00pm CDT

Preconference Workshop 1: Building a Publishing Company in Real Time
Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Building a Publishing Company in Real Time: A Boot Camp with Eddie Gamarra and Guests

For authors and independent publishers who are ready to launch their business and need the details on how to do it effectively. 

This session is the step-by-step process of setting up a publishing company from scratch. From developing a business plan to incorporating; from self-financing to crowdfunding; from accounting to deal making; from soliciting submissions to hiring freelance staff; from P&Ls to marketing plans, from printing and distribution to building/maintaining readership – attend this “how to journey” to see how it’s done and be ready to do it yourself! 
Speakers
avatar for Eddie Gamarra

Eddie Gamarra

Founder, Gamarra Media
Eddie Gamarra: Former college professor and now media right consultant/IP creator, Eddie runs Gamarra Media helping book folks navigate Hollywood.  Prior he was VP, Literary Affairs where he scouted & acquired books & other IP for Paramount's Nickelodeon & Awesomeness brands... Read More →
Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

1:00pm CDT

Preconference Workshop 2: Grants, Funding, & Other Opportunities for Under-Resourced Indie Publishers
Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Grants, Funding & Other Opportunities for Under-Resourced Indie Publishers with Joylynn M. Ross and Brandy Miller.
 
For author publishers and micro publishers who are figuring out the business of publishing 
 
Are you full of literary dreams, visions, and goals that are bigger than your budget? Don't get discouraged because in this workshop, you will be empowered and equipped with the resources, systems, strategies, and techniques to help you achieve, manifest, and reach them. If you are an author or publisher looking to build, scale, and grow your publishing business, and would like the resources you need to do so, then this is the workshop you don't want to miss. 
 
To help you maximize the workshop, consider investing in the following companion curriculum and resources: 
 
Make a Living as a Writer (hardcopy curriculum):  
https://www.pathtopublishing.com/conferencestore
 
Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business: Ways to Achieve Financial Literary Successhttps://www.pathtopublishing.com/actlikeanauthorbook

Speakers
avatar for Joylynn M. Ross

Joylynn M. Ross

CEO & Founder, Path To Publishing
Joylynn M. Ross is a 30+ year literary industry professional and the CEO of Path To Publishing, Co-founder of Path To Connections, and President of PTP Press. Joylynn has served on every corner of the publishing world and literary industry map. From self-published and traditionally... Read More →
avatar for Brandy M. Miller

Brandy M. Miller

Director of Program Development & Coordination, co-founder, Chief Acquisitions Editor, Path To Publishing/Path To Connections /PTP Press
Award-winning international speaker and author, Brandy M. Miller, met Joylynn M. Ross during an Experienced Writers Retreat in Las Vegas. The two began working together in 2019 and their partnership accelerated in 2021. They co-founded Path To Connections as the B2B side of Path To... Read More →
Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

1:00pm CDT

Preconference Workshop 3: Optimizing Amazon for Profit
Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Optimizing Amazon for Profit
Ian Lamont

Amazon Ads. Kindle Direct Publishing. Amazon Advantage. No matter which way you turn, Amazon is always finding another way to take a bigger slice of the revenue pie ... and leave less for publishers. So how can publishers put some of that money back into their own pockets?

An experienced independent publisher and Amazon seller, Ian Lamont has deep experience with Amazon programs. While he doesn't have a magic wand, he has insights and best practices that can help everyone from independent authors to distributed publishers make more money from sales on Amazon. 

Come prepared with your three biggest concerns about Amazon and your best listening skills. This fast-moving session will leave you with tons of notes and resources, and will feature an opportunity for on-the-spot evaluations of your own Amazon book listings. 
 
Topics will include:
  • The 10 Commandments of Amazon 
  • Detail Page Optimization for Books 
  • Amazon Search Fundamentals
  • Best Practices for Amazon Ads
  • Navigating Dark Patterns on Amazon     
  • Branding on Amazon, from A+ to Amazon Stores

Speakers
avatar for Ian Lamont

Ian Lamont

Founder, i30 Media Corporation
Ian Lamont is the founder of i30 Media Corporation (publisher of In 30 Minutes Guides) and Lean Media consulting. For more than 10 years, Ian has used a range of Amazon programs to grow his business, including Amazon Advertising, Amazon Seller Central, Amazon KDP, and Amazon Advantage... Read More →
Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

1:00pm CDT

Preconference Workshop 4: Business Management
Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Business Management
Tieshena Davis and Maria Dismondy

Full session description to come.
Speakers
avatar for Tieshena Davis

Tieshena Davis

CEO & Publisher, Publish Your Gift®
Tieshena Davis is the CEO of Publish Your Gift®, a hybrid publishing firm specializing in author branding for leaders at the top of their field. She is a seasoned award-winning entrepreneur, author and board director with over 24 years’ experience in strategic management, growth leadership, and corporate training. Tieshena... Read More →
avatar for Maria Dismondy

Maria Dismondy

Publisher, Cardinal Rule Press
Maria Dismondy uses her experiences as a former educator and author for over a decade to work with writers on getting their messages into the world as the publisher at Cardinal Rule Press. Maria is the founder of Making Spirits Bright, a nonprofit dedicated to providing access to... Read More →
Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

5:30pm CDT

Welcome Reception - Literature & Libations
Thursday May 15, 2025 5:30pm - 7:30pm CDT
Free reception for all conference attendees, as well as our MBPR and MIPA friends.

Come with a recommendation for an indie published book (published by someone else)!

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:30pm - 7:30pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101
 
Friday, May 16
 

8:00am CDT

Small Group Breakfasts (additional fee)
Friday May 16, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am CDT
Come and join your peers for interactive small group breakfast meetups around topics you have a shared interest in!

List your top 3 topics when you sign up and get ready to make new friends. When you arrive, you can choose the table you'd like to sit at—and move around—according to topics posted at the various tables! (Be sure to bring business cards and/or be ready to share your contact information.)

We'll shuffle the room seating so you'll have the opportunity to join three different group discussions over the hour and 45 minutes.

While we wish we could offer this event for free, there is an additional fee of $65 to register for a small group breakfast, which only partly offsets the cost of food. (The breakfast buffet will have vegan options as well as gluten-free options.) You can sign up for the small group breakfast here.
Friday May 16, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

11:00am CDT

Welcome and Opening Keynote: The Pillars of Publishing – Copyright and Freedom of Expression
Friday May 16, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Our program begins!

Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, IBPA's CEO, will welcome everyone and introduce Maria A. Pallante for our opening keynote:

The Pillars of Publishing – Copyright and Freedom of Expression
The legal framework that supports the publishing industry has never been more important. Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers, will discuss the bedrock principles that underpin the global publishing ecosystem: copyright and freedom of expression. The discussion will explore the landscape of copyright law and regulation, with a particular focus on exclusive rights of authors and publishers in their creative works, as well as the crucial role of freedom of speech and freedom to publish to our democracy and an informed citizenry.
Speakers
avatar for Maria A. Pallante

Maria A. Pallante

President and CEO, Association of American Publishers
Maria A. Pallante leads AAP’s strategic agenda and public policy portfolio, working with her talented team to advance and protect the laws that incentivize and protect creative and intellectual authorship. From 2011 to 2016, she served as Register of Copyrights and Director of the... Read More →
Friday May 16, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

12:00pm CDT

Lunch & Meet Our Sponsors
Friday May 16, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm CDT
Grab lunch and meet our sponsors!
Friday May 16, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm CDT

12:45pm CDT

Board Recognition
Friday May 16, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm CDT
Join us to thank our outgoing – and welcome our incoming – members of the IBPA Board of Directors.
Friday May 16, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

1:15pm CDT

Breakout 1 (Start Strong Independent Publishers) - Grant Writing, Fundraising, and Sponsorship Models
Friday May 16, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
With Laine Bradley and Dr. Katherine Newburgh

Details to be announced.

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.) 
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Katherine Newburgh

Dr. Katherine Newburgh

Founder, Books of Eden Publishing
Dr. Katherine Newburgh (also published as Katherine Hall) is an award-winning author, editor, and the founder of Books of Eden Publishing. She is the author of three books, including Finding Home: A Mystical Memoir, which won the silver medal in the 2024 international Coalition of... Read More →
avatar for Laine Bradley

Laine Bradley

Founder and Consultant, Vraiment Financial
Laine Bradley is a grant funding consultant and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in helping organizations and businesses secure significant financial resources. As the founder of Vraiment Financial, Laine has assisted independent publishers, nonprofits, and startups in... Read More →
Friday May 16, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

3:00pm CDT

Breakout 2 (Start Strong Independent Publishers) - Leveraging Tech (and AI) to Expand Your Business
Friday May 16, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Leveraging Tech (and AI) to Expand Your Business
With Ian Henzel, Florenza Lee, and Sierra Kay

Leveraging the right technologies is crucial for building your brand, reaching your audience, and driving sales. New publishers are constantly challenged with managing resources. Technology can help extend a publisher’s reach. This session will provide insights into AI and marketing technologies publishers can use to help streamline efforts and engage effectively with readers.

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.) 
Speakers
avatar for Ian Henzel

Ian Henzel

Managing Publisher, Rattling Good Yarns Press
Ian Henzel loves challenges. After retiring from a 42-year career in technology marketing, product management, project management, and quality assurance across Asia and Europe in 2019, Ian co-founded Rattling Good Yarns Press, LLC. The press focuses on shining a light on overlooked... Read More →
avatar for Florenza Lee

Florenza Lee

Executive Director of Publications, Words to Ponder Publishing Company, LLC
Florenza Lee is a multi-award-winning author and publisher known for her captivating children’s books that emphasize social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and manners. Dubbed the Book Doula, she has guided many writers to publication and founded Words to Ponder Publishing Company... Read More →
Friday May 16, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

4:15pm CDT

Friday Afternoon Keynote Panel: AI and Publishing - Opportunities, Challenges, and Transformation
Friday May 16, 2025 4:15pm - 5:30pm CDT
In this panel discussion moderated by Keith Riegert (President of the Stable Book Group and CEO of Perfect Bound), Mary Rasenberger (CEO of the Authors Guild), Amanda Zila, PhD (Co-Founder of Inkbloom), and Trip Adler (Founder and CEO of Created by Humans) will address the various opportunities, challenges, and transformations happening as AI impacts the publishing landscape.  

Topics will include: 
  • Acquisition management 
  • Copyright protection 
  • Fair use and ethical considerations 
  • Licensing opportunities  
  • Editorial, production, and marketing tools 
These industry experts will provide their insights into the emerging technologies that are rapidly changing our industry. With ample time for Q&A, the audience will also have the opportunity to share and engage on these topics.
Speakers
avatar for Mary Rasenberger

Mary Rasenberger

CEO, The Authors Guild
Mary Rasenberger is the Chief Executive Officer of the Authors Guild. Prior to joining the Guild in November 2014, Mary practiced law for over 25 years in the areas of intellectual property, media and technology, with special expertise in copyright law. Most recently, Mary was a partner... Read More →
avatar for Trip Adler

Trip Adler

Co-Founder & CEO, Created by Humans
Trip Adler is an entrepreneur and executive who has spent his career at the intersection of publishing and technology.   He is the co-founder and CEO of Created by Humans, an AI Rights licensing platform that connects creators and AI companies. The company is dedicated to preserving... Read More →
avatar for Amanda Zila

Amanda Zila

Co-Founder & CEO, Inkbloom
Amanda Zila, PhD is the CEO and Co-Founder of Inkbloom, an AI software platform helping publishers make more efficient acquisition, editing, and marketing decisions. Her previous experience includes innovation consulting, technology transfer, and neuroscience research. In her free... Read More →
avatar for Keith Riegert

Keith Riegert

President / CEO, The Stable Book Group / Perfect Bound
Keith Riegert is the CEO of the SaaS platform, Perfect Bound, as well as the president of The Stable Book Group. He serves on the Board of Advisors for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and is a member of the Board of Advisors and an adjunct professor at NYU’s Masters... Read More →
Friday May 16, 2025 4:15pm - 5:30pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101
 
Saturday, May 17
 

8:30am CDT

Breakfast and Intentional Membership
Saturday May 17, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
Grab a yummy breakfast and learn about IBPA's committees, board, and volunteer opportunities.
Saturday May 17, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

9:15am CDT

Saturday Morning Keynote Panel: Re-Thinking Business Models
Saturday May 17, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am CDT
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.
Speakers
avatar for Brooke Warner

Brooke Warner

Publisher, She Writes Press
Brooke Warner is publisher of She Writes Press and SparkPress, president of Warner Coaching Inc., and author of Write On, Sisters!, Green-light Your Book, What's Your Book?, and three books on memoir. Brooke teaches memoir intensives online and in person, and publishes around 50 memoirs... Read More →
avatar for Angela Engel

Angela Engel

Publisher & Founder, The Collective Book Studio
Angela Engel is the visionary founder of The Collective Book Studio, a publishing company committed to honoring the author’s voice throughout the entire creative process. With a rich background in traditional publishing, Angela has a keen eye for bringing beautifully crafted books... Read More →
avatar for Jonathan Merkh

Jonathan Merkh

President & Publisher, Forefront Books
Jonathan Merkh is a seasoned publishing executive with over 30 years of experience in the book industry. Throughout his career, he has worked with a diverse range of authors, including Brad Paisley, Glenn Beck, Dave Ramsey, and the Robertson family from Duck Dynasty, helping to turn... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Ayo Sekai

Dr. Ayo Sekai

Founder, CEO & Publisher, Universal Write Publications
Dr. Ayo Sekai stands as a force in academia, championing equity, intellectual rigor, and the amplification of Black scholarship. With over 20 years of groundbreaking leadership in publishing, she is the visionary Founder, CEO, and Publisher of Universal Write Publications, LLC (UWP... Read More →

Saturday May 17, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

10:40am CDT

Breakout 3 (Start Strong Independent Publishers) - How to Successfully Partner With Your Distributor
Saturday May 17, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm CDT
How to Successfully Partner With Your Distributor
Faculty and Details to be announced.

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.) 
Speakers
avatar for Keith Riegert

Keith Riegert

President / CEO, The Stable Book Group / Perfect Bound
Keith Riegert is the CEO of the SaaS platform, Perfect Bound, as well as the president of The Stable Book Group. He serves on the Board of Advisors for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and is a member of the Board of Advisors and an adjunct professor at NYU’s Masters... Read More →
avatar for Laura Stanfill

Laura Stanfill

Publisher, Forest Avenue Press
Laura Stanfill is the publisher of Forest Avenue Press and a freelance metadata consultant for distributed presses. She's the author of IMAGINE A DOOR: A Writer's Guide to Unlocking Your Story, Choosing a Publishing Path, and Honoring the Creative Journey, out April 2025 from Forest... Read More →
avatar for Jeff Tegge

Jeff Tegge

Vice President, Client Services, Baker & Taylor Publisher Services (BTPS)
Jeff is a native of the Chicago area. He holds a BA and an MA in History. He began his career in publishing in 1990 as an encyclopedia editor. Jeff has been involved in virtually every aspect of publishing over the past 34 years. Since 2006, he has held executive positions in book... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Zugschwert

Rachel Zugschwert

EVP Marketing and Associate Publisher, Lerner Publishing Group
Rachel Zugschwert is the executive vice president of marketing and associate publisher at Lerner Publishing Group. Previously, she has worked in book marketing at 1517 Media, Consortium Book Sales & Distribution, and Simon & Schuster. She has a Masters in Publishing from Pace University... Read More →
Saturday May 17, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

12:15pm CDT

Lunch and Meet Our Sponsors!
Saturday May 17, 2025 12:15pm - 1:30pm CDT
Grab some food, meet a few sponsors, and connect with your community!
Saturday May 17, 2025 12:15pm - 1:30pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

12:30pm CDT

Diversity in Publishing Roundtable Discussion
Saturday May 17, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
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.
Saturday May 17, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

1:40pm CDT

Breakout 4 (Start Strong Independent Publishers) - Book Reviews: Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool
Saturday May 17, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
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.) 
Speakers
avatar for Cevin Bryerman

Cevin Bryerman

CEO/President Content Services, Publishers Weekly
Cevin Bryerman is the CEO and publisher of Publishers Weekly, the international news platform of the book publishing industry. He has been at Publishers Weekly, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022, for more than 35 years, and prior to that in the magazine publishing industry... Read More →
avatar for Patricia Moosbrugger

Patricia Moosbrugger

Managing Partner, BlueInk Review
Patricia Moosbrugger is a managing partner of BlueInk Review, a professional book review service for authors. She started her career in publishing 35 years ago at Curtis Brown Literary Agency and worked in major publishing until founding her own literary agency in 2002. The Patricia... Read More →
Saturday May 17, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

3:30pm CDT

Breakout 5 (Start Strong Independent Publishers) - Environmentally Responsible Production and Publishing
Saturday May 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Environmentally Responsible Production and Publishing
With Karla Olson, Clare Davis, Liz Hunter, and Elise Gochberg.

Details to be announced.

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.) 
Speakers
avatar for Liz Hunter

Liz Hunter

Business Development Manager, Ingram Content Group
Liz Hunter is Business Development Manager at Ingram Content Group, focusing on large-scale projects in the Lightning Source print-on-demand business. Prior to joining Ingram, Liz worked in Field Sales management at Workman Publishing and Hachette Book Group.
avatar for Karla Olson

Karla Olson

Director of Books, Patagonia
Karla Olson is the Books Publisher at Patagonia, which publishes books as a mission outreach for Patagonia, the clothing company. She is the past chair of IBPA, president of IBPA affiliates Publishers and Writers of San Diego and Publishers and Writers of Orange County, and founder... Read More →
Saturday May 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101

4:40pm CDT

Closing Session and Raffle
Saturday May 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:30pm CDT
Don't miss our closing session of raffle prizes and rapid-fire takeaways!
 

Saturday May 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:30pm CDT
Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55101
 
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