Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)

The more independent publishers and their authors work together on their book marketing efforts, the better chance they have of selling more books. One of the main focuses of independent publisher Wordeee is figuring out how to leverage the relationships that their authors already have to maximize the reach of their book marketing efforts. Wordeee CEO Marva Allen and COO Patrice Samara join “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share the interesting book marketing tactics they employ with their authors, partnerships they’ve created for the film and audiobook rights of their books, and more. PARTICIPANTS MARVA ALLEN, CEO WORDEEE Ms. Allen was president and co-owner of USI, a multi-million-dollar technology firm that was thrice nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurship Award. She is the recipient of numerous business awards, including the IBM & Kodak Excellence Awards, and was named a Crain's 40 Under 40 Awardee for significantly achieving in business before her 40th birthday. Allen was a nominee for the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan. She holds a BSN from SGI in England; a B.S in Biology from the University of Michigan; and an M.S. in Health & Business Administration. As a noted book subject matter expert, Allen has been the 'go to‘ person for books for NPR, NBC, and was the on-air book contributor and commentator for Arise TV. She has been featured in the New York Times, NYSE Diversity Magazine (she rang the closing bell for Wall Street), Time Out, and various other magazines and periodicals. She spearheaded the First Literary Festival in Anguilla and hosted major events for Toni Morrison, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Maya Angelou, among many others. She consults with celebrities and high-profile authors who want out-of-the-box thinking on marketing, promoting, and selling their books. Ms. Allen is also the author of several books, including If I should Die Tonight; Camouflage; Protégée; and The Pianist and Min Jade under the nom de plume, C.C. Avram PATRICE SAMARA, COO A veteran entrepreneur in the communications, media and entertainment industries, Emmy, Parent’s Choice, and Cine Golden-Eagle-winner Samara brings global business skills and relationships that play heavily into Wordeee’s marketing and growth. An author and publisher, she has keen insight into the day-to-day operations of a myriad of successful public, private, and non-profit organizations in her forty-year career. Ms. Samara has worked in over fifty countries, has twice been an NGO Representative to the United Nations, and was the Senior Media Advisor to the 61st President of the UN General Assembly. A cross-cultural specialist, she is the author of seven Alphabet Kids children’s books, a multicultural series celebrating the similarities and applauding the differences in all of us. She is also the co-author with Marva Allen of North Star, North Star, an aspirational children’s book fostering community and inspiring children to be the best they can be. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Wordeee at...

To set your books and audiobooks up for the best chance at success, you need to make your titles available to purchase in as many retail outlets as possible. Author and book publishing consultant Erin Wright joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share her expertise about the most effective methods to distribute books and audiobooks to as many retail sites as possible, including details about how to best use IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, Author’s Republic, Bookvault, and more for your publishing goals. PARTICIPANTS Erin Wright is a full-time contemporary western romance author, but unless you're a fan of sexy cowboys, you've probably heard of her instead because of her work in the Wide for the Win Facebook group. She conned Suzie O'Connell (close writing friend and fellow cowboy romance author) into co-founding the Facebook group back in March of 2019, and has been avoiding writing books by posting in the group ever since. If you're thinking about going Wide, or if you're already Wide and just want to connect with other Widelings, be sure to come join Erin in the largest group on the internet for Wide authors. She'd be thrilled to have you! 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Make sure to connect with Erin for her consulting at work https://erinwright.net/consulting and https://erinwright.net/authors, as well as in the Wide for the Win Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wideforthewin Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Erin on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@erinwrightLV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/AuthorErinWright Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erinwrightbooks Twitter: https://twitter.com/erinwrightlv BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erin-wright Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorerinwright Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/erinwright

Amazon is still the world’s largest bookseller, so naturally, many independent publishers and author publishers want to know how they can succeed on the platform. IBPA is always working to help indie publishers take their businesses to the next level, so we invited Firebrand Technologies’ Director of Sales and Education Joshua Tallent as a guest on “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share his expertise. He discusses how the Amazon search algorithms work to garner more exposure for your books, how Amazon sales ranks are calculated, smart strategies for Amazon advertising, and more. PARTICIPANTS Joshua Tallent is the Director of Sales and Education at Firebrand Technologies, where his focus is on helping publishers of all sizes find solutions to their workflow and metadata problems. Joshua’s background is deeply rooted in ebook development, metadata, and other publishing technologies, and he is an acclaimed teacher and guide on the role of data in publishing. He serves as the Chair of the BISG Board of Directors and is the host of the BookSmarts Podcast, which features practical discussions and interviews about publishing data and technologies. In his spare time, Joshua enjoys teaching Bible studies, playing complex board games, and fiddling with his home automation system. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Make sure to check out Firebrand Technologies at:https://firebrandtech.com Also, check out the BookSmarts Podcast at: https://booksmartspodcast.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Publishing books is the main focus and source of revenue for independent publishers, but there are many alternative revenue streams that can be lucrative. President and Publisher for Gibbs Smith Books & Gift Suzanne Taylor joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share tips about the sidelines they create, including how they decide what products to make, which are the most popular, where they sell them, how they’re manufactured, and much more. PARTICIPANTS Suzanne Gibbs Taylor brings more than 35 years of publishing and retail experience to her role as President and Publisher for Gibbs Smith Book & Gift, where she leads all business development from idea to fulfillment. She has created, acquired, and developed multiple million-dollar brands, including the New York Times best-selling 101 Things® cookbook series (more than 15 million LTD revenue) and BabyLit® children’s series (more than 13 million LTD revenue), which was featured on the front page of the Sunday print edition of The New York Times. Her leadership on the company’s management team and board of directors contributed to transitioning to employee ownership and B Corp status. She currently volunteers on the PubWest Design Awards Committee and is a member of B Lab, the Independent Publishers Guild, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Print Production Professionals. She holds a BA in Journalism, English, and Secondary Education. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Make sure to check out the Gibbs Smith Book & Gift sidelines at: https://www.gibbssmithcovers.com/gift/index.html Also, check out their Spring 2025 catalog at: https://www.gibbssmithcovers.com/GS-Spring-Catalog.pdf Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Gibbs Smith Book & Gift on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@GibbsSmithBooks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gibbssmithbooks/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gibbssmithbooks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gibbs-smith

To garner as much attention for your books as possible, it’s important for independent publishers and author publishers to connect with audiences outside their network. Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share expert advice about how to land interviews on podcasts, blog sites, and with reviewers, including whether to pitch yourself or hire a publicist, how to best craft your pitch, how to promote the interview to get the most out of it, and much more! PARTICIPANTS Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including CLOSE THESE EYES. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. Matty also podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. She has written books on the business of short fiction, podcasting for authors, and how to succeed as an author speaker, and her articles have appeared in Writer’s Digest magazine. She serves as the Campaigns Manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). She lives with her husband, Wade Walton, and their dogs in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and enjoys vacationing on Mount Desert Island, Maine, and in Sedona, Arizona, and these locations serve as the settings for her novels. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Make sure to check out Matty’s books at https://www.mattydalrymple.com/about You'll find more information on her non-fiction platform at https://www.theindyauthor.com/ Also, check out ALLi at: https://selfpublishingadvice.org/author-awards-contests-rated-reviewed/ https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Ambika Sambasivan and Suhani Parikh each had their own successful independent publishing company, Yali Books and Modern Marigold Books, but when they met in 2022, they realized that their companies had similar missions and that they could be even more successful if they combined their businesses. Ambika and Suhani join “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share details about the challenges and positive experiences that they ran into during the process of merging to create their new publishing company Sambasivan & Parikh. They discuss the legal issues that had to be decided; how they updated their distribution systems; how they combined their different backend systems; and much more. PARTICIPANTS Ambika Sambasivan and Suhani Parikh are co-publishers at Sambasivan & Parikh, a community-centered children’s press working to foster a more equitable and just future through the power of storytelling. They bring together their independently founded presses, Yali Books and Modern Marigold Books, to create a platform for underrepresented voices in children’s literature, built on empathy and respect. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Make sure to check out the Sambasivan & Parikh website at https://www.sambasivanandparikh.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

One of the most important relationships independent publishers have is with their authors, so how can publishers ensure that it's a productive working relationship? American Academy of Pediatrics Senior Editor Kathryn Sparks joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share advice about how publishers can successfully work with their authors based on her two decades in the industry. She’ll share tips about setting reasonable deadlines and how to stick to them; the best ways to work with an author through the writing and editing process; and more. She’ll also share insights into how the independent publishing industry is doing at the moment, and what improvements could be made. PARTICIPANTS Kathryn Sparks is senior editor for the parent consumer line at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Prior to the AAP, she worked as the assistant to the publisher at Sourcebooks, Inc. Past industry experience also includes part-time literary assistant at the Chicago-based Tina Purcell Agency, and part-time assistant to best-selling author Claudia Gray. Her MG Novel, Reality Natalie, was published by Firedrake Books, Inc. She has served on the IBPA Editorial Advisory Committee, IBPA Advocacy Committee, and is currently on the IBPA Executive Committee and is co-chair of the IBPA Membership Committee. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Make sure to check out the American Academy of Pediatrics’ books at https://www.aap.org/en/shopaap/shop-by-product/parenting-resources/ Also, check out https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

One of the most effective methods for independent publishers and author publishers to sell books is through direct-to-consumer sales. Motina Books Publishing Owner Diane Windsor joins "Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share tactics that have worked best for her, including selling books directly through her publisher website, in-person events, and more. PARTICIPANTS Diane Windsor is the owner of Motina Books Publishing, which focuses on helping mothers and women bring their work to the world. She's passionate about helping her authors brainstorm creative marketing efforts for their books. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Motina Books here: www.MotinaBooks.com Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Motina Books on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motinabooks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motina_books/

One of the most consequential topics among independent publishers is how they can get their books into libraries. IBPA is always looking for ways to set indie publishers up for success, so we invited Becky Spratford on the podcast who has been working with the library market in multiple capacities for over two decades. Becky shares expert tips about how to collaborate with your local libraries to interest them in your books, how librarians make buying decisions, the best ways to approach a library about carrying your books, and more. PARTICIPANTS Becky Spratford [MLIS] is a Readers' Advisor in Illinois specializing in serving patrons ages 13 and up. She trains library staff all over the world on how to match books with readers through the local public library. She runs the critically acclaimed RA training blog RA for All. She is under contract to provide content for EBSCO’s NoveList database and writes reviews for Booklist and a horror review column for Library Journal. Becky is a 23-year locally elected Library Trustee [still serving], a former Board member for the Reaching Across Illinois Library System, and currently on the Executive Board of the Illinois Library Association. Known for her work with horror readers, Becky is the author of The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Horror, Third Edition [ALA Editions, 2021] and the forthcoming Why I Love Horror and You Should Too [Saga Press, Sept 2025]. She is on the Shirley Jackson Award Advisory Board and is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association, currently serving as the Association’s Secretary and Co-Chair of their Library Committee. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about the RA for All training blog here: http://raforall.blogspot.com Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Becky Spratford on: X: @RAforAll Bluesky: @raforall.bsky.social

Bookselling profit margins can be tight for independent publishers, but with some ingenuity, publishers can create additional revenue streams. Agate Publishing President Doug Seibold has had great success with his publishing company, as well as various endeavors related to publishing, so he joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss package trade publishing and his newest venture, Agate Publishing Academy. Doug also shares invaluable advice about how to successfully run a publishing business based on his decades of experience, including fostering a line of credit with your bank, improving your backlist revenue, and more! PARTICIPANTS Doug Seibold has been a writer, editor, and publisher for 40 years. In 2002 he founded Agate Publishing, based in Evanston, Illinois, which today comprises four trade imprints, an educational content development division, and a career development and training program for publishing launched in late 2023. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Agate Publishing at https://www.agatepublishing.com/ Learn more about Agate Publishing Academy at https://agatepublishingacademy.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

In a saturated book market where the Big 5 publishers carry a lot of weight, independent publishers have come up with some clever tactics to garner attention for their books. One such publisher is Muse Incorporated. Founder and CEO Leah Hernandez joins "Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share details about how she’s created strategic partnerships to grow book sales; how she’s gotten her books into the education market; helpful ways she’s raised funds for her publishing endeavors; and more. PARTICIPANTS Leah Hernandez is the Founder and CEO of Muse Inc., an award-winning publishing company known for its commitment to promoting diverse voices in adult fiction and nonfiction. Muse Inc. encompasses various imprints, including the esteemed Young Authors Publishing, which serves as the flagship imprint under the Muse brand. Leah's journey began with a degree in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration from Clark Atlanta University, providing her with the foundation for her entrepreneurial pursuits. Her leadership and contributions to the industry were recognized in 2021 when she was named one of Publisher's Weekly "Star Watch Nominees." Beyond her role at Muse Inc., Leah actively engages in initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion within the publishing world. She sits on the board of PubWest, an association of small to mid-sized publishers, as well as Portland State University's Masters Publishing Program to create more opportunities for people of color in the field. Under Leah's guidance, Muse Inc. has published over 40 books across all its imprints, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and expanding the literary landscape. Additionally, Muse Inc. proudly distributes works from two black-owned publishers, Through Us Books and POPOUT zine, furthering its commitment to supporting underrepresented voices in the industry. With a steadfast dedication to impacting the lives of others by providing a platform for storytelling, Leah continues to drive Muse Inc. towards its mission of inclusivity and empowerment in publishing. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Muse Incorporated here: https://www.museinc.net/ Check out these new titles: Kinfolk Meditations - https://www.museinc.net/product/kinfolk-meditation-deck Not Too Anything - https://www.museinc.net/product/not-too-anything Tempted To Taste It - https://www.museinc.net/product/tempted-to-taste-it Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Muse Incorporated on: Facebook● Instagram ●Twitter● Vimeo

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. PARTICIPANTS Joe Biel is a self-made autistic publisher and filmmaker who draws origins, inspiration, and methods from punk rock. Biel is the founder and CEO of Microcosm Publishing, Publishers Weekly's #1 fastest-growing publisher of 2022 and #3 in 2023. Biel has been featured in Time Magazine, Esquire, Art of Autism, Reading Glasses, Bulletproof Radio, Spectator (Japan), G33K (Korea), and Maximum Rocknroll, as well as on NPR and PBS. Biel is the author of A People's Guide to Publishing: Building a Successful, Sustainable, Meaningful Book Business, Good Trouble: Building a Successful Life & Business with Autism, and dozens more. Biel is the director of five feature films and hundreds of short films, including Aftermass: Bicycling in a Post-Critical Mass Portland, $100 & a T-Shirt, and the Groundswell film series. Biel lives in Portland, OR. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Microcosm and Joe Biel here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/artist/joe-biel Check out Biel’s A People's Guide to Publishing book and podcast! Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Microcosm on most platforms at: microcosm_pub

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. PARTICIPANTS Andrew Savikas is the COO at Holloway, publisher of some of the most respected resources available anywhere on teamwork, creative work, startups, technology, venture capital, and career development. He has previously held executive roles at Safari Books Online, getAbstract, and O'Reilly Media, where he organized the Tools of Change for Publishing conference. Andrew has also served on the boards of the Book Industry Study Group and the International Digital Publishing Forum. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Holloway here: https://holloway.com Learn more about Andrew Savikas here: https://andrewsavikas.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Holloway on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holloway-1/ X: https://twitter.com/holloway Follow Andrew Savikas on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsavikas/

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. PARTICIPANTS Dr. Kate Gale is Co-Founder and Publisher of Red Hen Press, a woman and queer-led publishing press in Los Angeles, and the Editor of the Los Angeles Review. She is the author of seven books of poetry, including The Loneliest Girl, The Goldilocks Zone, and Echo Light. Her debut novel, Under a Neon Sky, will be released with Three Rooms Press this April. Kate has also written six librettos, including Rio de Sangre, a libretto for an opera with composer Don Davis, which had its world premiere in October 2010 at the Florentine Opera in Milwaukee, WI. She teaches Poetry at Chapman University and speaks on independent publishing around the U.S. at schools like USC, Columbia, and Oxford University. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Red Hen Press and Dr. Kate Gale here: Website: https://kategale.com/home-1 Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Dr. Kate Gale on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkategale/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkategale/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorkategale Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/kate_gale?lang=en

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! PARTICIPANTS Alesha Brown is the Founder & CEO of Fruition Publishing Concierge Services™, a hybrid publisher devoted to helping authors find their voice, monetize their expertise, and create profitable author platforms. Alesha’s work led to her receiving the 2019 Inside Business’ Entrepreneurial Excellence award. Her expertise has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Authority Magazine, Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and iHeartRadio, just to name a few. Alesha is a renowned speaker at numerous author forums and publishing conferences in addition to being a best-selling author, copywriter, and magazine editor-in-chief. 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 assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Fruition Concierge Publishing Services here: https://fruitionpublishing.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

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. PARTICIPANTS Andrea Fleck-Nisbet is CEO of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), where she began her tenure in November 2022. Prior to that she was the founding vice-president and publisher of HarperCollin’s lifestyle imprint, Harper Horizon. Andrea spent fifteen years in sales, digital media and business operations at Workman Publishing and was Director of Content Acquisition at Ingram Content Group. She sits on the board of the Book Industry Study 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 assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

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. PARTICIPANTS Marc Visnick is the current COO and Publisher of TOKYOPOP. Founded in 1997, TOKYOPOP brings Asian pop culture to Hollywood and beyond. TOKYOPOP established the market for manga in North America, introducing the term to the English language in the process, and expanding the market in Germany, publishing thousands of books in both languages, distributing anime and Asian films on home video and television, licensing merchandise to consumer goods and companies, and creating graphic novels of both original content and major IP adaptations. TOKYOPOP’s core values focus on multiculturalism and diversity; aestheticism and artistic integrity; and passionate and positive storytelling. 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 assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about TOKYOPOP here: https://www.tokyopop.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow TOKYOPOP On: TOKYOPOP on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyopop TOKYOPOP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP Official Website: https://www.tokyopop.com/ TOKYOPOP on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyopop

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! PARTICIPANTS Tamara Mayo is the founder and CEO of Taevo Publishing, a traditional publishing house geared toward promoting the works of underserved BIPOC women writers. She was raised in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, where her love of reading sprouted into a hunger to play an active role in spreading diversity, equity, and inclusion in the publishing industry. Her publishing expertise incorporates 15+ years of experience in digital publishing, online instruction, and more. 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 assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about Taevo Publishing here: https://www.taevopublishing.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

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. PARTICIPANTS Keith Parent is Vice President of Publisher Services at Simon & Schuster. Keith originally joined S&S as a Sales Manager in the International Sales department in 2014 and returned to S&S in 2017 as an Account Executive in the Distribution Division. In 2022 Keith was promoted to Vice President of Publisher Services. In his role as Vice President, Keith manages the team tasked with supporting and maintaining all distribution client partnerships; providing sales, marketing, and publishing related strategic guidance to all independent publishers distributed by Simon & Schuster U.S. Prior to joining S&S, Keith held sales and business development roles with academic publishers such as Wiley, Sage Publications, and Congressional Quarterly Press. Keith is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland and a proud resident of Jackson Heights, Queens. 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 assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about applying for traditional distribution through Simon & Schuster here: https://www.simonandschusterpublishing.com/sns-distribution/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Keith Parent on: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-parent-34548523/

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. PARTICIPANTS Rebecca Vnuk is the Executive Director of LibraryReads. She has an MLIS from Dominican University and worked as a public librarian for a decade before becoming the editor for Collection Management and Library Outreach at Booklist magazine. Rebecca is the author of three reference books on the topic of Women’s Fiction, as well as a best-selling book on weeding library collections. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and sons (and is thankful that the tween still loves to read, at least!). 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 Lockeassists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership Learn more about LibraryReads here www.libraryreads.org Learn more about how publishers can get their books included in the LibraryReads top 10 lists here https://libraryreads.org/for-publishers Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow LibraryReads on: Facebook and Instagram - @libraryreads X - @libraryreads99