Do you remember Publishers Marketing Association? It’s now the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). And SPAN (Small Publishing Association of North America) is now the Association of Publishers for Special Sales (APSS). And there are new writing groups and publishing organizations forming all over the US.
There are also some old organizations that have kept the same names and who continue to provide a steady stream of resources and information for authors. SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) is one of those.
Are you involved? If you are an author or you’re aspiring to be, you should consider joining and participating in a group or organization where you can learn from others, receive pertinent and up-to-date information and glean resources that will be meaningful along your writing/publishing journey. The world of publishing is changing as we speak. There is a lot going on within this industry—thousands more people writing and publishing books and hundreds more starting services and reaching out to get a slice of the pie.
What you need throughout the process of writing, publishing and marketing your book is not a bunch of hype from an overzealous, money-hungry hawker of services or products. Instead, you should put yourself in a position where you can learn about the industry and work with those who have real experience and knowledge within the writing/publishing world. And the way to determine what steps to take and which company or individual to sign with or which promotional activities to pursue and which materials to read may well come from other authors you meet through forums and group meetings and the information you glean from the association.
SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org
IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association) http://www.ibpa-online.org
APSS (Association of Publishers for Special Sales) http://www.spannet.org
It will also behoove you to join up with a local group of writers/authors and network in person. Attend the lectures they provide. If you’re new to writing, sign up for a critique group. Attend a writers’ conference. And don’t just join—participate.
For tons more information about publishing and book marketing, check out my books here: http://www.matilijapress.com
For editing help: http://www.patriciafry.com (Sign up for my FREE enewsletter.)