By Nancy Hellekson & John Prince
On Wednesday next week the Independent Book Publishers Association Publishing University 2021 begins and runs until Saturday, April 10th. It’s one of the business and educational highlights of the year for indie publishers like Hallard Press.
Like many industries made up of small companies, indie publishers individually don’t have the resources to learn and grow successfully. That’s why organizations like IBPA are so valuable. In fact, we’d say that any indie publisher that does not belong to IBPA is probably not growing. Print and online publications and resources, University and other learning opportunities help us keep up with a fast-changing industry and help our authors achieve success.
This year the virtual University keynote speaker on April 8 will be Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt. Certainly the 400-pound gorilla in the bricks and mortar bookstore business, B&N sets the pace for the industry. Daunt, who also heads up Waterstone book stores in the UK has a global perspective on the industry as well as a local view from the B&N’s across the US. His comments are expected to include everything from how B&N is changing its book selection, the redesign of stores, and plans for new stores coming out of the pandemic.
We’ll be bringing our readers his comments and outlook for the future.
In addition, more than 80 other speakers will discuss everything from marketing to reviews to digital properties and design in the presentations, panels and workshops.
The first articles from the University will be in the April 12 edition of Hallard Press Gazette and we’ll continue until we’ve brought you all of the news.
Here’s your chance to participate!
Post the questions you have about indie publishing in the “Comments” section below. When possible we’ll bring up your questions in the sessions and report back.
So if we’re slow responding next week, it’s because we’re back in school learning the latest about indie publishing.
