CIPA September Meeting: September 17, 2011, 8:30 am

New Location! Lone Tree Arts Center*

Amanda Hocking sold 450,000 books in one month—99% of them were eBooks. John Locke, Joe Konrath, Vincent Zandri—the list is growing quickly of authors who have side-stepped the traditional avenue of publishing altogether. They’re digital publishers. They sell their books at ridiculously low prices through the Kindle store and other eBook outlets, and they’re making a killing.

You could be the next big eBook success story!

Ebooks are all the rage these days in publishing. Many authors see self-publishing through eBooks as a more viable method. They no longer have to predict demand and can bypass some of the traditional expensive services associated with publishing. Ebooks are also far more versatile than print publishing. You can include interactive video and audio, and eBooks are definitely a greener choice.

So what are you waiting for?

At CIPA’s opening session for the 2011/2012 year, we’re going to tackle the question that’s on everyone’s mind—How do you become a successful digital publisher? Just how important are eBooks in today’s ever-changing world of publishing?

This session is going to be a panel discussion, hosted by Dr. Patricia Ross, program director and Publisher for Hugo House Publishers. Our panel of experts have honed the agenda down to the essentials:

  • Conversion: how is it done? What does your designer need? What are the no-nos?
  • Formatting: basic set up, multi-media, links, copyright issues.
  • Listing: where to list, how to list, the pros and cons of multiple distribution channels (like Smashwords and Ingram).
  • Delivery: how do eBooks get delivered—from Amazon and from everywhere else?
  • Marketing: just because you put it there doesn’t mean it will sell. What are ways to let potential readers know your eBook is available? Is that ridiculously low $.99 the best price?
  • Alternative and non-traditional revenue paths for digital publishers.
  • Library project and eBooks—the wave of the future, and why this is important for you.

Our panel of experts include:

Brian Schwartz, CIPA Vice President is an EVVY award-winning author and creator of the 50 Interviews series, which published more than 20 titles in the last two years. He knows firsthand what works and what doesn’t.

Gail Nelson of e-book-design, has been a freelance artist, illustrator, and graphic designer since 1984. Her experience includes illustrating over 25 books and designing over 300 covers/layouts.

Gary Hall, Creative Director of Greystroke Creative is a seasoned graphic designer specializing in book design, eBook design and conversion, video book trailers, web video, and photographic illustration.

Helena Mariposa, owner of Mariposa eBook Transformation has been a professional writer and proofreader for the past eight years.  She won a first place  award for her short story from a local literary magazine and another story won honorable mention in Writer’s Journal.

Mandi Pralle is a designer and instructor with an MFA in graphic design. She is the owner of Visual Persuasion, an Adobe software training center in Denver.

Don’t miss this information-packed digital publishing event!  Saturday, September 17 from 8:30 a.m.—Noon at the brand-new Lone Tree Arts Center. See Map for directions. Register at https://www.cipacatalog.com. Cost is $15 dollars for CIPA members ($20.00 at the door), $30 for non-members.

*NOTICE: CIPA has changed meeting locations. All 2011-2012 CIPA Meetings will be held at the brand-new Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree, CO. (Just west of I-25 off Lincoln Ave. by Yosemite St.)