Saturday, March 17, 2007
The Bay Area Independent Publishers Association
Welcomes Writers, Publishers, and Editors to San Anselmo’sSF Theological Seminary for our 2007 Independent Publishing Institute
Get Published!
An intensive one-day workshop on independent publishing and book marketing
8:00 – 8:30 A.M. Registration, continental breakfast, socialize with participants, meet sponsors.
8:45 Welcome & Introduction Co-Presidents Margaret Speaker Yuan/Kathryn Otoshi
9:00 – 9:45 A.M. Keynote AddressPutting Your Passion into Print Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry
A step-by-step, blow-by-blow program that shows you how to take an idea you’re passionate about, make
a book out of it, get it published, and deliver it into the hands, heads, and hearts of readers all over the
world.
We will teach you how to:
• Choose the right idea
• Come up with a blockbuster title
• Craft an attention-getting pitch
• Create a sellable proposal/manuscript
• Find the best agent/publisher/editor for you
• Develop sales, marketing, and publicity savvy
10:00 – 10:45 A.M. The Problem of Profitability Marion Gropen
Why is it so hard to make money publishing, and what can you do to cope?
Small publishers have special problems making a profit. Even good books,
well produced and well marketed, aren’t always enough. This session will
cover some of the less-obvious causes, including the cost of bridging the gap
between the large numbers of publishers and of bookstores, difficulties in getting
information upon which to make decisions, the lack of working capital, and the
prevalence of high overhead. We¹ll discuss several possible solutions to these
difficulties, as well as ways to evaluate those approaches in the context of your own operation.
11:00 – 12:00 P.M. Morning Breakout Sessions
12:00 – 1:00 P.M. Lunch
1:00 – 1:45 P.M. How to Lose a Million in Publishing Michael Bremer
In a relaxed and light-hearted talk, Michael will expose some of the biggest mistakes that authors
and publishers—new and experienced—make that can take a big bite out of your bottom (line).
1:45 – 2:45 P.M. Afternoon Breakout Sessions
3:00 – 3:45 P.M. Design and Production Pete Masterson
Pete Masterson will speak about the basic principles of book and cover design
and will focus on how to select a designer.
4:00 – 4:45 P.M. Marketing panel with Q & A Lin Lacombe, John Slack, Jill Lublin
Three marketing pros will discuss the art of publicity and promotion for the published and
unpublished authors, short story writers, and journalists. They’ll share their book marketing
techniques on how to create effective press kits, attract media in print, on the web,
on the air, and much more!
4:45 – 5:00 P.M. Closing remarks/Passing the Gavel BAIPA Presidents
Kathryn Otoshi passes the gavel to new Co-President Lin Lacombe
Please preregister by March 5, 2007. You may register at the door any time the day of the seminar.
The Seminar Speakers
Breakout Sessions
COPY EDITING Margaret Speaker Yuan & Jackie Baldwin
The founders of The StorySmiths will explain how the editorial
process refines and strengthens your work.
MARKETING Lin Lacombe
An independent publicity consultant. Lin will discuss the art of publicity
for the self-published author. She will provide a platform for discussion and
Q&A and valuable and timely hand-outs.
WEB BASICS Michael Bremer
A simple introduction to putting your books and publishing company on the
Worldwide Web. Not tech talk, just basic concepts.
MAKING MORE PROFITABLE DECISIONS
Tools and Techniques That Help You Pick Your Best Options
(morning only) Marion Gropen
Small publishers can’t afford mistakes. Learn more about evaluating your choices
and avoiding mistakes. Examples will include setting a price and a high discount special sale.
CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS Kathryn Otoshi
Thinking about writing, illustrating, or publishing a children’s picture book?
Discover the basics of putting one together in this fun, informative breakout session. Handouts included.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING Vicki Weiland
Concept—Chapter Placement—Logic—Flow
These are elements of the symmetry and grace of a well-written book.
Come to hear more! Includes Handouts/Q&A
WEB ADVANCED John Vonhof
We will look at the most profitable ways to use the Web to promote your books
including how to exploit the features of Amazon.
PUBLISHING YOUNG ADULT BOOKS Sumant Pendharkar
Author of an award-winning book for teens, Raising Yourself (www.hillviewbooks.com).
The YA market: pre-publication process, key reviewers, creating an impressive
media kit, book awards. Bring questions.
SURVIVING SUCCESS: What to Do Before, As and After a Book Breaks Out
(afternoon only) Marion Gropen
Not every company survives a bestseller. Why? Come find out. We’ll also cover
ways to prepare to support your books as they take off, as well as pitfalls to avoid.
YOUR BOOK: PLATFORM FOR SUCCESSPaula Hendricks & David Cook
Discover ways to create other revenue streams from your book—including repurposing
content, creating related products, and getting in front of paying audiences.
Marion Gropen
Marion Gropen has been helping publishers turn problems into
profits with her advice and classes since she founded Gropen Associates four
years ago. She brings to her clients and students her experience managing
finance and operations for Kodansha’s US publishing (8 years) and as
an accountant in a Simon & Schuster unit (5 years), as well as her MBA.
She focuses on small publishers because she believes in their importance,
and also because they’re more fun. You may have "met" her on-line in one
of the "lists" she moderates.
Visit her website at: www.gropenassoc.com
Arielle Eckstut
Arielle Eckstut is an agent who runs the West Coast office of the Levine
Greenberg Literary Agency. She is also the co-author of three books including
Pride & Promiscuity: The Lost Sex Scenes of Jane Austen (Simon & Schuster, 2001).
She has sold millions of dollars worth of books and midwifed dozens of authors
through the publishing process.
David Henry Sterry
David Henry Sterry is the author of six books, as well as a book doctor
and media coach for authors.His books include the YA novel Travis & Freddy’s
Adventures in Vegas (Dutton, 2006); the San Francisco Chronicle bestseller,
Chicken: Self-Portrait of a Young Man for Rent (HarperCollins, 2002);
and a second memoir, Master of Ceremonies (Grove/Atlantic, 2006).
A former professional actor who worked with everyone from Michael Caine to
Zippy the Chimp.
Arielle and David have appeared on or in over 250 media outlets including
NPR’s Morning Edition, The New York Times, USA Today, and The London
Times. They are married and live in San Rafael California.
Visit their website at www.puttingyourpassionintoprint.com
Michael Bremer
Michael Bremer is a writer, editor, publisher, writing coach, and the
founder of UnTechnical Press. He is the author of UnTechnical Writing,
a unique, honest, and witty book with a lateral approach to technical writing,
hailed by the Midwest Review. He is also the author of The User Manual
Manual and is a longstanding BAIPA Board member. Having previously
worked in the music industry, communications electronics, software
publishing, and game design, he knows how to make mistakes.
Trust him. http://www.untechnicalpress.com
Pete Masterson
Pete Masterson is author of Book Design and Production:
A Guide for Authors and Publishers, winner of the BAIPA
2006 Book of the Year award. Pete has been a freelance
book and cover designer for the past dozen years. Previously he
managed a book-oriented typesetting service and supervised production
of over 200 publications each year at NASA Ames Research Center.
He also owned a small local print shop that featured desk top
publishing, offset printing, and photocopying.
Visit www.aeonix.com for publishing hints.
Lin Lacombe
Lin Lacombe is an independent publicity consultant based in Sausalito,
involved in many media and publishing organizations. She is the newly elected
Co-President of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association for 2007
and Vice President/Public Relations Chair of the Women’s National Book
Association. Lin has experience in creating successful local and national
strategic public relations, marketing, and media campaigns and
events not only for publishing, but for hi-tech, financial, and business.
Jill Lublin
Jill Lublin is the author of two national best selling books,
Guerrilla Publicity and Networking Magic. She is a renowned strategist
and international speaker. As the CEO of the strategic consulting firm,
Promising Promotion, Jill has created successful techniques that implement
bottom line results. She is currently the host of the nationally syndicated radio
show, Do the Dream, is currently working on her third book, Heart Wired:
How to Win Friends and Influence People In Today’s World, and is
creator and host of the TV show, The Connecting Minute.
John Slack
John Slack is a book marketing specialist and co-author of the award
winning book, From Book Signing to Best Seller, which provides hundreds
of tips complete with checklists and website references to market your book.
This authoritative book is based on personal experience (including an 11-city
tour), research, and interviews with booksellers, publicists, and authors.
John is a BAIPA Board member.
Contact the Speakers
Jackie Baldwin
The StorySmiths
editors@storysmiths.com
707-996-1996
Michael Bremer
Untechnical Press
Voice/Fax: (510) 271-7129
michael@untechnicalpress.com
David Cook BAIPA Past President
415-454-1617
davidncook@earthlink.net
Arielle Eckstut
aeckstut@levinegreenberg.com
Marion Gropen
(888) 347-6736
Marion.Gropen@GropenAssoc.com
Paula Hendricks
415-975-0950
Lin Lacombe BAIPA Co-President (2007)
Communications Consultants
(415) 331-5151
llacombe@earthlink.net
Jill Lublin
415.883.5455
info@promisingpromotion.com
Pete Masterson BAIPA Past President
Aeonix Publishing Group
(510) 222-6743
pete@aeonix.com
www.aeonix.com
Kathryn Otoshi BAIPA Co-President (2006)
KO Kids Books
kathryn@kokidsbooks.com
Sumant Pendharkar
sumant@hillviewbooks.com
John Slack
bigjohn101hwy@yahoo.com
Margaret Speaker Yuan BAIPA Co-President
The StorySmiths
(415) 846-1887
books4women@yahoo.com
David Henry Sterry
sterryhead@earthlink.net
John Vonhof
info@footworkpub.com
Vicki Weiland
Editor
(415) 614-2533
vcweiland-writer@yahoo.com
Val Sherer (mailer layout)
Personalized Publishing Services
(415) 456-0247
valpub@yahoo.com
Our Purpose
The Bay Area Independent Publishers Association is a nonprofit educational
organization devoted to elevating the art of publishing.
We act as a liaison, clearinghouse, guide, and cheering section for those
who wish to pursue independent publishing. We provide educational programs,
networking, marketing opportunities, and information on industry
vendors and services.
Program information is listed on our website: www.baipa.net.
Bay Area Independent Publishers Association
P.O. Box E • Corte Madera CA 94976
Phone: (866) 622-1325 (Voicemail and fax)
Email: baipa@onebox.com • www.baipa.net
— Workshop Registration Form —
Early registration payment must be postmarked by March 5, 2007
Name ____________________________________________________
Phone ( ) ______________________________
Address ___________________________________________________
Email _____________________________________
City State/Zip ______________________________________________
Total amount enclosed: _______________________
Check enclosed for: ❏ $89 BAIPA member advance registration ($99 after March 5)
❏ $105 Nonmember advance registration ($115 after March 5)
(Non-member registration includes a 6-month membership in BAIPA)
Price includes continental breakfast, lunch, beverages, and break snacks.
Mail this form with your check made out to BAIPA to:
Bay Area Independent Publishers Association · P.O. Box E · Corte Madera, CA 94976
Questions? Phone: (866) 622-1325 (Voicemail) · Email: baipa@onebox.com
PLEASE NOTE: CONFIRMATIONS WILL NOT BE MAILED. If you need confirmation of your registration, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard with your registration check and form. Registrants who cannot attend may receive a voucher for next year’s event by writing to the BAIPA Board.
BAIPA is a nonprofit 501(c) (6) organization run by and for members, who share all information and undertake all activities under a shared, binding, general hold-harmless membership covenant.