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• Information in the UPCOMING DEADLINES section relates to IBPA member benefits and other industry deadlines and is for current IBPA members only.

• Listen to IBPA's Latest Podcast Episode:
  The CASE Act, small claims for writers and publishers, with guests Mary Rasenberger and Cheryl Davis of the Authors Guild
  New legislation in Congress will provide an affordable, efficient, and fair way for rightsholders to file copyright claims against infringers. We talk with the Authors Guild about what the CASE Act means for you and the ongoing fight against IP theft.

• IBPA Applauds Passing of the CASE Act, H.R. 2426 in the U.S. House of Representatives
  The Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act (CASE Act) is a proposed law that would provide a new means for copyright holders to seek payment for infringed works. Learn more here and in the IBPA podcast above.

• News Related to Audible Captions Program (updated October 31, 2019)
  “The litigation over Audible's Captions program goes on, but in a letter to the court this week Audible attorneys have asked federal judge Valerie Caproni to continue to hold off on ruling.” —Angela Bole, IBPA

• Can Bookshop Become the Indie Amazon? (from Publishers Weekly)
  “A startup competitor aiming to drive online sales revenue to indie bookstores, Bookshop is a B-Corp with a commitment in its corporate documents that it can't be sold to Amazon or another top retailer.” —Lee Wind, IBPA

• Publishing Trends to Watch in 2020 (from Publishing Executive)
  “Audio, consolidation, editors will rule the nation, reader metrics, 2020 politics talk! ‘We didn’t start the fire,’ but next year could be interesting for publishing.” —Leslie Turner, Encourage Books

• Congress Looking into Anticompetitive Behavior in the Digital Library Market (from Publishers Weekly)
  “This article about the ALA’s report to Congress about the impact of MacMillan’s library embargo explains the ALA’s position. It does not address small to mid-size indy publishers and authors. Where should we stand on this issue of access v. our own sustainability?” —Leslie Turner, Encourage Books

• Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI) Announces 2019 Award Winners
  “The honors recognize BMI members who not only contribute to the success of their organization, but also to the continued success of the book manufacturing industry.” —Matt Bauer, BMI

• How to Determine the Reading Level of a Book (from BookRiot)
  “How to determine the reading level of your book. Essential reading for children’s and YA publishers!” —Peter Goodman, Stone Bridge Press

• Did You Know IBPA Members Can Get a Free
  Foreword Reviews Magazine Subscription?
  Foreword Reviews offers IBPA members a complimentary one-year subscription to their print magazine! Subsequent year subscriptions are billed at $29.94 per year.

• How to Break Into Professional Speaking to Sell More Books
  With Jodee Blanco. Level: Foundational/Practical
  Learn how to use professional speaking to take your presence to a whole new level, sell more books, and create a lucrative second income source.
  December 11, 2019.

• “Ask an IBPA Board Member” Webinar Series: Rob Broder, Publisher of Ripple Grove Press (Online via WebEx)—FREE for IBPA Members
  Meet and discuss book industry trends with Rob Broder. Expertise: Children's Book Publishing. November 12, 2019.

• IWOSC/PALA Book Publicity Panel
  Moderated by Steven Sanchez (Vice President, Independent Writers Of Southern California), IBPA's Director of Marketing and Programming Lee Wind will be on a panel with Kathleen Kaiser (President, Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), Emanuela Cariolagian (Senior Public Relations & Transformation Strategist) and Desiree Duffy (Founder of Black Château Enterprises). November 4, 2019 in Culver City, California.

• Midwest Independent Publishers Association's (MIPA's) “Self-Evaluating Your Publishing Program"
  Elva Resa Publishing founder and publisher and IBPA Board Member Karen Pavlicin-Fragnito will talk about the key questions publishers should ask themselves about their books, portfolio, brand, and go-to-market strategy to self-evaluate their publishing programs and effectively seize their best opportunities. November 12, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

• China Children’s Book Fair 2019
  IBPA members save 15% on single-title display at the China Children’s Book Fair in Shanghai when they exhibit with Foreword Reviews! November 8-10, 2019.

• American Library Association Midwinter Meeting
  IBPA members save 15% on single-title display at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when they exhibit with Foreword Reviews! January 24-28, 2020.

• Book Manufacturing Mastered
  IBPA members save 10% on tickets for Book Manufacturing Mastered in NYC, an event designed to bring publishers, manufacturers, and other segments of the supply chain together to learn the latest in book production. February 10-11, 2020.

• IBPA Publishing University 2020
  IBPA members save $100 on tickets for IBPA Publishing University 2020 in Redondo Beach, California. April 2-3, 2020 (with preconference sessions on April 2nd).

• American Library Association Annual Conference
  IBPA members save $200 on single-title display at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference. June 25-30, 2020.

• Information in the UPCOMING DEADLINES section relates to IBPA member benefits and other industry deadlines and is for current IBPA members only.

• IBPA Response to Amazon Cutting Book Orders to Publishers
  This event should be a wake-up call for publishers to diversify their sales channels, to push consumers to other retailers, to advocate on behalf of local independent bookstores, and to be mindful about their own purchasing decisions as we approach the holiday season and beyond...

• What Facebook Pay Could Mean for the Future of Content Payments (from What's New In Publishing)
  “Do book publishers need to shift their paradigm about subscription-based publishing? Facebook just broadened this income-stream playing field with Facebook Pay.” —Leslie Turner, Encourage Books

• 5 Ways to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile (from NetGalley Insights)
  “LinkedIn can be a powerful tool in marketing your books and brand, and these suggestions are a good place to start or tune up.” —Lee Wind, IBPA

• Physical Books Still Outsell E-books — and Here’s Why (from CNBC)
  “According to Meryl Halls, managing director of the Booksellers’ Association in the UK, sales of print books still exceed ebook sales for reasons such as displaying what you love to read, more appealing and gorgeously designed covers, and the need to escape the screen.” —Kathryn Sparks, American Academy of Pediatrics

• The USPTO Wants to Know if Artificial Intelligence Can Own the Content It Creates, And It Wants the Public to Weigh in (from The Verge)
  “If a robot writes a poem, can the poem be copyrighted? And can poems under copyright be used to train that robot to understand poetry in the first place? The future of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IP (Intellectual Property) is being sorted out now.” —Lee Wind, IBPA

• How to Market a Book to Holiday Gift Guides (from Author Marketing Experts)
  “It’s not too late! Pitching to holiday gift guides.” —Peter Goodman, Stone Bridge Press

• How and Why to Build a Twitter Following While Unpublished (from Jane Friedman)
  “Building a Twitter following before your book comes out!” —Peter Goodman, Stone Bridge Press

• IBPA members can advertise in Foreword Reviews and connect to over 30,000 indie book lovers!
  IBPA members can now buy into cooperative ads (10 books/page) to run in the March/April 2020 issue of Foreword Reviews under a special IBPA umbrella. The cooperative ad provides a cost-effective way of reaching Foreword Reviews targeted readership via a trusted industry resource: IBPA! Limited to 20 spots.

• How Facebook and Instagram Can Help You Reach Your Readers
  With Madison Killen and Brad Cook of Facebook. Level: Foundational/Practical
  Two marketing managers at Facebook, one a publishing veteran, will show participants how to leverage Facebook and Instagram tools to help find your audience and spread the word about your book!
  December 4, 2019.

• How to Break Into Professional Speaking to Sell More Books
  With Jodee Blanco. Level: Foundational/Practical
  Learn how to use professional speaking to take your presence to a whole new level, sell more books, and create a lucrative second income source.
  December 11, 2019.

• “Ask an IBPA Board Member” Webinar Series: Richard Lena, Publisher of Brattle Publishing (Online via WebEx)—FREE for IBPA Members
  Meet and discuss book industry trends with Richard Lena. Expertise: Working with Authors.
  December 10, 2019.

• American Library Association Midwinter Meeting
  IBPA members save 15% on single-title display at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when they exhibit with Foreword Reviews! January 24-28, 2020.

• Book Manufacturing Mastered
  IBPA members save 10% on tickets for Book Manufacturing Mastered in NYC, an event designed to bring publishers, manufacturers, and other segments of the supply chain together to learn the latest in book production. February 10-11, 2020.

• IBPA Publishing University 2020
  IBPA members save $100 on tickets for IBPA Publishing University 2020 in Redondo Beach, California. April 2-3, 2020 (with preconference sessions on April 2nd).

• American Library Association Annual Conference
  IBPA members save $200 on single-title display at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference. June 25-30, 2020.

• Information in the UPCOMING DEADLINES section relates to IBPA member benefits and other industry deadlines and is for current IBPA members only.

• Listen to IBPA's lastest podcast episode:
  California’s new labor law and its impact on publishers, authors, and freelancers, with guest Jonathan Kirsch
  California’s new “gig economy” law, AB5, has unintended consequences for publishers, authors, and freelance editors and graphic designers: are they employees or independent contractors? How do you know? IP attorney Jonathan Kirsch summarizes the issues.

• Updated: IBPA Comments on Section 301 Investigation & Proposed Tariff on Printed Books
  “The tariffs on a range of children's books printed in China expected to hit on December 15th have been suspended.” —Angela Bole, IBPA

• Book Promotion 101: How to Launch a New Book (from BookBub Partners)
  “Packed with strategies, tips, and best practices - and probably some new things to try! ” —Lee Wind, IBPA

• 2020 Data Predictions for Publishers (from Publishing Executive)
  “2020 will be ‘The Year of the Partnership’ for the publishing industry, predicts Lotame’s Chief Marketing Officer. So, if your company’s unofficial theme song is Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘I Am a Rock’ you may need to rethink your business plan!” —Leslie Turner, Encourage Books

• Publishers Brace for California Labor Law Changes (from Publishers Weekly)
  “When is an independent contractor not an employee? IBPA's CEO Angela Bole, legal counsel Jonathan Kirsch, and other members of the community add clarity to this 2020 change in California law and its possible effects on independent publishing.” —Lee Wind, IBPA

• Tips to Optimize Your Book Descriptions (from Ingram Blog)
  “How to make your book metadata accurate, compelling, and complete.” —Peter Goodman, Stone Bridge Press

• To LLC or Not to LLC (or Inc.)
  With Jonathan Kirsch. Level: Foundational/Practical
  Publishing attorney Jonathan Kirsch will offer a checklist approach to the pros and cons of operating as a business entity. January 15, 2020.

• Save 50% when you subscribe to the full season of twelve (12) webinars
  Members usually pay $19 for new IBPA PubU Online webinars. Buying this six-month subscription takes the cost down to $9.50 a webinar!

• “Ask an IBPA Board Member” Webinar Series: Kristina Radke, NetGalley (Online via WebEx)—FREE for IBPA Members
  Meet and discuss book industry trends with Kristina Radke, Vice President of Business Growth & Engagement, NetGalley! Expertise: Book Reviews.
  January 14, 2020.

• American Library Association Midwinter Meeting
  IBPA members save 15% on single-title display at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when they exhibit with Foreword Reviews! January 24-28, 2020.

• Book Manufacturing Mastered
  IBPA members save 10% on tickets for Book Manufacturing Mastered in NYC, an event designed to bring publishers, manufacturers, and other segments of the supply chain together to learn the latest in book production. February 10-11, 2020.

• IBPA Publishing University 2020
  IBPA members save $100 on tickets for IBPA Publishing University 2020 in Redondo Beach, California. April 2-3, 2020 (with preconference sessions on April 2nd).

• American Library Association Annual Conference
  IBPA members save $200 on single-title display at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference. June 25-30, 2020.

• Frankfurt Book Fair
  IBPA members can showcase their books at the largest international book fair in the world. 2020 marks IBPA's 35th year at the Fair and we have a list of more than 550 international contacts with whom we request meetings in order to make contacts for you to license your rights throughout the world. Single-title display, full-shelf display, and booth rental available! October 14-18, 2020.

IBPA Elects Patagonia Books Director Karla Olson New Board Chair; Proposes Six At-Large Candidates

In addition to Olson’s election to the position of Board Chair, a separate IBPA Board Nominating Committee recently selected six candidates for election to the IBPA Board of Directors during the association’s 2020 Annual Members Meeting, to be held April 4, 2020 at 12:00 PM as part of IBPA Publishing University in Redondo Beach, California. If elected by the membership during the April meeting, the six candidates will serve two-year terms effective July 1, 2020.

The six candidates are:

• Karen Pavlicin-Fragnito, Publisher, Elva Resa Publishing (incumbent)
• Kelly Peterson, Director of Digital Strategy, Independent Publishers Group (incumbent)
• Lindy Ryan, President, Black Spot Books
• Kathy Strahs, Founder, Burnt Cheese Press (incumbent)
• Victoria Sutherland, Founder & Publisher, Foreword Magazine, Inc.
• Peter Trimarco, Co-Founder & Publisher, Notable Kids Publishing (incumbent)

Members of the IBPA Board Nominating Committee included: Angela Bole (IBPA CEO) Janice Butler (Ingram Content Group), Rana DiOrio (Creative Mint), Kelly Gallagher (Ingram Content Group), Maggie Langrick (LifeTree Media), Terry Nathan (IBPA COO), Karla Olson (Patagonia Books), Robert Price (Gatekeeper Press), Kristina Radke (NetGalley), Christopher Robbins (Familius), Marcella Smith (Marcella Smith Associates), Elizabeth Turnbull (Light Messages Publishing), and Brooke Warner (She Writes Press).

As part of its process, the IBPA Board Nominating Committee reviewed written letters of interest before settling on a short list of candidates for video interviews. Impressions from both the letters of interest and video interviews were considered prior to settling on the list of recommended candidates above.

Leaving the IBPA Board of Directors on June 30, 2020 is Robin Cutler (IngramSpark) and Leslie Browning (Homebound Publications), each of whom completes her second, and final, two-year term.

About the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

Founded in 1983 to support independent publishers nationwide, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) leads and serves the independent publishing community by providing advocacy, education, and tools for success. With over 3,100 members, IBPA is the largest independent publishing association in the US. Its vision is a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to professionally engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry. For more information, visit ibpa-online.org.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. CEO James Daunt to Deliver Opening Keynote Address at IBPA Publishing University 2020

During an interview at B&N’s flagship bookstore in New York City chronicled in a September 20, 2019 Publishers Weekly article, Daunt emphasized a “local first” philosophy that resonated with many IBPA members. As part of this thinking, Daunt stressed that any forthcoming makeover of B&N will be done by empowering store managers and other booksellers to create stores that meet the needs of their local communities.

"I couldn’t be more thrilled that Mr. Daunt has agreed to join the incredibly passionate membership at IBPA Publishing University this April," said IBPA CEO Angela Bole. "As an industry, we need Barnes & Noble to remain a healthy part of the supply chain. If it can also be a force for better connecting indie publishers to their local market, all the better."

Daunt, named B&N CEO in August 2019, also serves as Managing Director of Waterstones, the largest retail bookseller in the United Kingdom. He currently oversees 627 B&N stores in the United States, and 293 Waterstones locations across the U.K., Ireland, The Netherlands and Belgium.

In 1990, after an early career as an investment banker, Daunt opened his own bookstore in London, called Daunt Books. Daunt Books now has nine locations, mainly in London, and remains independently owned by Daunt.

In 2011, Daunt was appointed Managing Director of Waterstones when the struggling bookseller was bought by Russian businessman, Alexander Mamut. Waterstones was subsequently restored to profitability, a success that led to the acquisition of a majority stake in the business by Elliott Advisors in July 2018. Elliott acquired B&N in August 2019.

IBPA Publishing University 2020 takes place at the Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach and Marina Hotel in Redondo Beach, California from April 3rd-4th. For nearly three decades, the flagship event has brought hundreds of independent publishers from across the country together with experts and vendors for education, networking, and fun local events.

In addition to three packed days of education (with preconference sessions on April 2nd and full conference events on April 3rd-4th), attendees will enjoy a gala celebration of the 32nd annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award winners during the evening of April 3rd.

About the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

Founded in 1983 to support independent publishers nationwide, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) leads and serves the independent publishing community by providing advocacy, education, and tools for success. With over 3,100 members, IBPA is the largest independent publishing association in the US. Its vision is a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to professionally engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry. For more information, visit ibpa-online.org.

• Information in the UPCOMING DEADLINES section relates to IBPA member benefits and other industry deadlines and is for current IBPA members only.

• Listen to the Latest IBPA Podcast:
  Working with Amazon, Part 1: Amazon Advertising and Managing the Relationship, with guest Ian Lamont of i30 Media
  Amazon advertising can be a great way to boost discoverability, but you have to know what it costs and how to manage Amazon issues that arise. This is part 1 of our interview with Ian Lamont.

• California Creatives Rally to Repeal AB5 Legislation (from Publishers Weekly)
  “IBPA CEO Angela Bole comments on a recent rally to repeal California's AB5 labor law, which would reclassify some gig workers as company employees.” —Lee Wind, IBPA

• Self Help Book Sales are Rising Fast in the US (from The NPD Group)
  “NPD Research says your upcoming journaling, creativity, self-help/inspirational, and audiobooks should do well this year, so hit it!” —Leslie Turner, Encourage Books

• Where is the Diversity in Publishing? The 2019 Diversity Baseline Survey Results (from The Open Book Blog)
  “Lee & Low published this blog post, notably during ALA Midwinter, to focus our attention on the continued dearth of diversity in publishing. If ever there was a call to action for our membership, this is it. Be the change you seek in our industry.” —Rana DiOrio, Creative Mint
  and
  “Lee & Low’s four-year update to its study of staff diversity in the publishing industry shows small pockets of change. As independent publishers, what are we each intentionally doing to make sure our teams and the books we publish accurately reflect the diversity of the world we live in?” —Karen Pavlicin-Fragnito, Elva Resa Publishing

• WI15: Treeline Readies Targeted E-Marketing Product for Indies (from Publishers Weekly)
  “Alongside the launch of Bookshop at Winter Institute, Above the Treeline debuted Edelweiss360, a bookstore-to-consumer tool that offers indie booksellers an easy process to send customized emails based on a customer’s previous purchasing behavior. Another feature gives bookstores the opportunity to have their own individually branded, mobile-friendly website.” —Kathryn Sparks, American Academy of Pediatrics

• What The Controversy Over 'American Dirt' Tells Us About Publishing And Authorship (from National Public Radio)
  “Why is American Dirt covered in mud? NPR unpacks the controversy of the book and shines a light on the ‘whiteness’ of the publishing industry. ‘Cultural appropriation,’ ‘sensitivity readers,’ ‘seizing the Zeitgeist,’ and more are covered in this thought-provoking podcast. Where do you stand? Is it time for some self-evaluation?” —Leslie Turner, Encourage Books

• "Amazon Master Class: Keywords and Categories and Deep Dive Tools for Optimizing Your Amazon Page" with Penny Sansevieri
  Level: Advanced/Practical
  Internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert Penny C. Sansevieri will demonstrate how to determine keywords and categories and optimize your Amazon book page. Rescheduled for February 5, 2020.

• Save 50% when you subscribe to the full season of twelve (12) webinars
  Members usually pay $19 for new IBPA PubU Online webinars. Buying this six-month subscription takes the cost down to $9.50 a webinar, and we'll send you the video recording and presenter slides from the first webinar!

• “Ask an IBPA Board Member” Webinar Series: Leslie M. Browning, Homebound Publications (Online via WebEx)—FREE for IBPA Members
  Meet and discuss book industry trends with Leslie M. Browning, Founder & Publisher, Homebound Publications! (Expertise: general publishing) February 11, 2020.

• Book Manufacturing Mastered
  Meet IBPA CEO Angela Bole at Book Manufacturing Mastered in NYC, an event designed to bring publishers, manufacturers, and other segments of the supply chain together to learn the latest in book production. IBPA members save 10% on event tickets. February 10-11, 2020.

• The San Francisco Writers Conference
  Meet IBPA Board Chair Brooke Warner and IBPA Member Liaison Christopher Locke. Christopher will present “How to Get Book Reviews and Build Buzz with your Self-Published Book” on Sunday, Feb 16th. February 13-16, 2020.

• IBPA Publishing University 2020
  Meet IBPA staff & Board (and other members!) at IBPA Publishing University 2020 in Redondo Beach, California. IBPA members save $100 on event tickets. April 3-4, 2020 (with preconference sessions on April 2nd).

• American Library Association Annual Conference
  IBPA members save $200 on single-title or full-shelf display at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference. June 25-30, 2020.

• Frankfurt Book Fair
  IBPA members can showcase their books at the largest international book fair in the world. 2020 marks IBPA's 35th year at the Fair and we have a list of more than 550 international contacts with whom we request meetings in order to make contacts for you to license your rights throughout the world. Single-title display, full-shelf display, and booth rental available! October 14-18, 2020.