How To Publish Your Book Fundamentals

How To Publish Your Book Fundamentals - Virtual Conference

For anyone thinking about and wanting to write and publish a book, here is an opportunity to get the guidance and support you need to become a PUBLISHED author! FEB. 19, 2022

Sign up now and join us February 19 for the 4 HOUR event ($40 registration)

REGISTER NOW

 #selfpublishing #authors

Networking with the St. Louis Publishers Association

 Annual Vendor Showcase and Amy Collins Workshop

Over the past month the St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA) had the opportunity to present two valuable events. Over 100 attended the August 8th event that featured editors, publishers, illustrators, printers, graphic designers, and coaches. Both the vendors and attendees had positive feedback and established new connections, exchanged ideas and concepts, and enjoyed an evening of positive interaction.   

 

2018 Participating Vendors:

Davis Creative Author Consultants / My Two Cents Editing / Mission Possible Press / Beeson Editing Services /HF Group Book Partners /Pen and Publish / Editwright / Art by Shelley /Graphic Connections Publishing /Nehmen & Kodner Design /Comma Queen Editing /Carolyn Vaughan Design / Record Printing & Publishing  / Michelle Aschenbrenner Editing  / No Waste Publishing 

Amy Collins Workshop
On July 21^st we had the honor to host Amy Collins, president of  New Shelves, who presented a workshop filled with information on the Ins & Outs of Amazon and How to Get Books into Bookstores. This workshop proved to be another valuable opportunity for networking and learning available tools for successful methods to market books.  

Meet this years Book Publishing Professionals at the SLPA Service Provider Showcase

 Wed Aug 9 at Richmond Heights Community Center

Meet the Local Publishers

Alan Spector - A Writer's Journey

St. Louis Publishers Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Lessons Learned: A Writer’s Journey from Baseball Fields to Battlefields  -- presented by Alan Spector

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

In that regard, in 2006, when I was developing the manuscript of my first book, I was at a family gathering and asked a would-be-author cousin how her book was progressing. She excitedly reported she was working closely with her agent and editors at the publisher toward a final draft. In return, she asked me how I was doing on my early draft and what kind of feedback I had received. “Feedback?”
She was incredulous, “You mean you haven’t shared your work with others yet? When are you going to get out of your cave?”
I immediately knew what she meant, and added “get out of my cave” to my list of things I was learning about being an author. Sure, I had interviewed people for my book and done a lot of research away from the confines of my computer, but I was enjoying the actual writing process so much I hadn’t reached out to others to get any critical feedback.
My next steps were to 1) join a local writer critique group, 2) register for a couple of writers’ conferences, and 3) develop a list of willing beta readers — the first of which was my wife, who is now the more-than-willing first-reader on all of my manuscripts and is ecstatic when she gets to wield her red editing pen.
My list of lessons learned continues to grow, and First Lady Roosevelt was right. I’ve been learning from others’ mistakes — because I’m out of my cave. And I’ve been making plenty of my own. Here are but a few of the lessons that I’ll be glad to share with you in more detail at the SLPA meeting on February 8:

• Don’t quit your day job… unless you already have.
• Grow thick skin… rejection is inevitable.
• Everyone will have an idea for your next book… and some of them are good.
• Self-published? Tolerate Amazon… but market to direct sales.

I also look forward to hearing what you’ve learned from your mistakes and those of others — oh, and from successes as well. If you’re like me, you’ve had both. I hope to see you and learn from each other on February 8.
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Our regular Monthly Meeting location
(the second Wednesday of every month)

THE HEIGHTS: Richmond Heights Community Center
Argus Room
8001 Dale Ave.
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
Here's a link to Google Maps for location and directions.
Doors open at 6:30 PM for networking. Business meeting begins at 7:00 PM and continues till 8:30 PM or so with networking continuing afterward till about 9.

St. Louis Local Author Extravaganza Dec. 10 at Chesterfield Mall

Peter Green

If you’re looking for a perfect gift to thrill the readers on your list this holiday season, check out the St. Louis Local Author Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 10, at Chesterfield Mall.

 

“Dozens of authors who live and work in the St. Louis area will be here, ready to sign their books to make each one personalized for the recipient,” said Karen Hoffman, founder of Gateway to Dreams (G2D), a nonprofit organization. G2D will host the event in its first-floor store, The Business Lodge, located in the Sears wing. The event is co-sponsored by the St. Louis Writers Guild and St. Louis Publisher’s Association.

 “Our fiction authors represent a cross-section of genres--from mystery and thriller, to romance, to historicals and steampunk, to science fiction and fantasy,” said David Lucas, St. Louis Writers Guild president. “Our nonfiction authors write memoirs, motivational and inspirational books, to name a few.”

Brad Cook

Pat Dorsey

Cole Gibsen and T, w. Fendley

“Expect to find books suitable for everyone on your list, from young children, to teens and adults,” said Warren Martin, St. Louis Publishers Association president. “We will also have information about our organizations for the writers on your list who may be looking for a supportive community as 2017 nears.”

Among the authors slated to attend are Debbie Manber Kupfer, Steven M. Thomas, Brad R Cook, Jennifer Stolzer, Pat Dorsey, Warren Martin, Karen Hoffman, Bobbi Linkemer, Suzanne Topping, Melissa Rae, Darlene Reeves, Scott Shepherd, Donna Gamache, Robert Lucas, Wendy Everts, Paul Thiel, Marie Elliott, Arthur Hartz, Rebecca Povich, Izora D. Summers, and Derelene Hirtz.