Thursday, March 19, 2009
March 19 "Small Press" meeting begins at 4 pm
Thursday, February 19, 2009
February Meeting: What Happens After You Hit the Bestseller Lists
Last summer, Epicenter Press had the only biography in print of Alaska's governor Sarah Palin. Literally thousands of orders came pouring in after Palin was announced as the vice-presidential candidate.
Join Epicenter's president and founder Kent Sturgis as he talks about how his company handled the rocketing demand, the need to reprint quickly, the closing window of opportunity as the election approached, and kept on track with the other books in their catalog. The February meeting of Book Publishers Northwest takes place at the Good Shepherd Center, Feb. 19, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This meeting is free for BPNW members. $5 for others. Please click on the link to the right for directions to the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
January 15 Meeting: The Elevator Pitch

How do you answer the question "What is your book about?"
Every author/publisher/illustrator needs a clear, concise and memorable answer to that question. If you are struggling with creating an engaging elevator speech, or if you have one that needs refreshing, you won't want to miss this session. Lorraine Howell, author of Give Your Elevator Pitch A Lift!, will take you through her step-by-step proven process for crafting your own 30-second commercial. In this tough economy, how you talk about your writing is the least expensive way to build buzz for your work. Her method helps you eliminate the verbal clutter, build confidence, and keep your networking conversations alive!
In this session you will learn tips, tools, and strategies for:
-Identifying your target audience/constituencies
-Developing key phrases and language that resonates with your audiences
-Keeping your "elevator speech" fresh and relevant
The Elevator Pitch meeting runs 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on January 15 at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside N., Room 221, Seattle, Washington. The meeting is free for Book Publishers Northwest members; $5 for others.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
November 20 Meeting: Promoting Fiction
Marketing mainstream fiction is not the same as marketing non-fiction. Your book will be tossed into the sharktank with ALL the other mainstream fiction books, and the fight for survival can be fierce.
When BPNW member Janey Bennett’s publisher announced that he was going back to graduate school and that all the marketing of her novel, The Pale Surface of Things, in both Canada and the US would be up to her, she began an education in fiction-marketing from point zero.
Fifteen months later, Bennett is a veteran of a fiction campaign including blogging, voice interviews on internet and cable (i.e., Sirius and Voice of America), book tours, trade shows, ad campaigns, bookclub discussions, and readings in churches and private homes. Pale Surface has received seven book-industry awards, is nearly through its first print run of 4,000, and will have a re-designed cover for its next print run.
Considering publishing fiction or already have novel or two on your list? Come to this meeting to learn more about how to promote your titles.
THE PALE SURFACE OF THINGS
by Janey Bennett
HOPEACE PRESS
ISBN 978-0-9734007-2-4
www.palesurfaceofthings.com
Grand Prize Second Place for All Fiction, Next Generation Indie Book Award
Gold Medal Winner, Multicultural Fiction Next Generation Indie Book Award
Gold Medal Winner, Multicultural Fiction USA BookNews BEST BOOK Award
Gold Medal Winner, Multicultural Fiction Indie Excellence Book Award
Gold Medal Winner, Best Use of Environmental Materials, PubWest Book Design Award
Silver Medal Winner, Multicultural Fiction & Non-Fiction, Nautilus Book Awards
Honorable Mention, General Fiction, Beach Book Festival Awards
Friday, October 17, 2008
Two Meetings in November
Making Book Trailers for the Web
November 20
Marketing Small Press Fiction
Each meeting takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside N., Room 221, Seattle, Washington.
Free for members
Thursday, October 16, 2008
October 16: Print Production
Book Publishers Northwest's next meeting will be October 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside N., Room 221, Seattle, Washington.
Speakers include:
Victor Judd, Americas Press
www.americas-press.com
Americas Press is high-quality, short-run digital paperback book printer. The printing plant is located in Houston, Texas, and company began doing short-run printing for NASA in the 1960s.
More recently, Americas press has evolved into short run book printing. “We have been very successful in the Southwest and began expanding nationally last year. It is still a small family run company that focuses on quality printing and customer service,” said Judd.
“I have been a printer since I studied it in high school in the late 60's,” he added. “Over the years I have worked in every department in a print shop. I became the West Coast rep for Americas Press in early 2007.”
Craig Pearson
Global Fulfillment
www.gloful.com
On-demand digital printing, variable data and off-set printing are services offered to compliment both projects and long term fulfillment programs.
Two Pacific Northwest based companies, Karla’s Hand Bindery and Fulfillment Solutions, joined together in 1997 under the combined name of Global Fulfillment. The company currently operates in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Recap of September Meeting on Pub U
Each year, IBPA provides one scholarship for a member of each affiliate association. Competition for the 2008 scholarship was fierce with numerous strong applications from BPNW members. Sexton's application was selected from the finalist by the IPBA Board.
At the Pub U, more than 100 industry professionals were instructors for the classes.
Some things Gail found particularly interesting and useful included:
1. Tips from the editors of Foreword magazine for getting your book reviewed in a major publication. (Gail distributed copies of the tip sheet; talk to her for more copies.)
2. When discussing your title, remember: It’s not about the boo – it’s about the benefits to the reader.
3. Offer yourself for free – e.g. teach a free seminar as a way to promote / sell your books.
4. Create cross buzz. That is, have multiple, self-reinforcing marketing efforts going on at the same time.
5. Speak! You are your book’s best advertisement.
Gail also had an opportunity to work the IBPA booth at BookExpo. When an Indian gentleman came by perusing the hundreds of books on the shelves there, Gail engaged him in a conversation and asked what he was interested in. He related that he was a buyer for one of the largest Indian book catalogs and showed her a sample catalog. She was able to talk to him about her title.
She also was able to talk to several experts about her book’s cover and got excellent and really focused feedback on how the cover could better convey what her book is about.
At the end of the meeting, Gail offered the following tips for attending Pub U or BookExpo:
·Go with a list of problems you want to solve and attend the classes, talks, etc. that will help you solve those specific problems.
·Tap the experts. Don’t be shy!
·Take comprehensive notes – especially for those “genius” ideas.
·Be really clear about who you want to talk to – both at BEA and Pub U.
This report submitted by Tom Masters
Monday, July 14, 2008
No BPNW meetings in July or August
Editor's Guild on Self-Publishing
July 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Richard Hugo House, Seattle, WA. Free for BPNW members.
PNWA Summer Conference
Northwest's largest writer's conference, July 17 to 20, 2008, Seattle, WA
NWABP Seminar on Web Marketing
All Day session, July 19, Portland, OR
Our next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on Sept. 18 at Good Shepherd Center.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
June 19 Meeting: Working with a Sales Rep
A sales representative for 30 years and, for the past 15 years, concentrating on the gift and card market, Tuura mostly sells to independent gift and book stores. "The product lines are in the Northwest theme," she said, "but I do stray and take on things that speak out to me. I tend to go to the arty things, as my college degree was Music and Art for Elementary Education."
The June 19 meeting takes place 4 pm to 6 pm at the Good Shepherd Center, 649 Sunnyside N., Room 221, in Seattle. This meeting is free for members of Book Publishers Northwest.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
May 15 Meeting: Marketing and PR for Publishers
The May 15 meeting takes place 4 pm to 6 pm at the Good Shepherd Center, 649 Sunnyside N., Room 221, in Seattle. This meeting is free for members of Book Publishers Northwest.
If you're interested in learning more about Purple Duck Marketing, email: susan@purpleduckmarketing.com or phone 425.896.8959.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
April 22 Meeting CANCELED
PNBA president Paul Hanson will try to reschedule this meeting later in the year.
Plan to come to our May meeting on PR at the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle.
Susan Burnash of Purple Duck Marketing will address how publishers can improve their PR on May 15, 4 pm, at Good Shepherd Center in Seattle.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
April 17: Meet the Editors
Join us on April 17 as Book Publishers Northwest presents “How to Polish a Manuscript to Perfection.” Don't miss these amazing independent editors: Nancy Burkhalter, Wendy Call, Waverly Fitzgerald, Karalynn Ott, and Michele Whitehead. Be ready to bring your questions to BPNW's April 17 meeting, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside N., Room 221, in Seattle.
This meeting is free for members of Book Publishers Northwest, Northwest Independent Editors Guild, and Seattle WritergrrlsNancy Burkhalter, Ph.D.
Legacy Consultants
burkhaltern@earthlink.net
http://www.legacyconsultants.com/, 206.250.8520
In my business, Legacy Consultants, I help clients complete nonfiction manuscripts, which can entail everything from reorganizing ideas to editing for grammar, punctuation, flow, and meaning. I also specialize in ghostwriting, including compiling personal, family-business, or corporate histories. This process demands expertise in interviewing, editing, organizing, and managing its design and printing. I have gained this expertise through 25 years as a writer and composition teacher. My education includes a master's in journalism and doctorate in linguistics. I also teach and coach writing.
Wendy Call
Writer in Residence, Richard Hugo House
Co-editor, Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide
http://www.wendycall.com/
wlc@wendycall.com
Wendy Call is a developmental and substantive editor for books published by trade and university presses. Specialties include biography, environment, international subjects, memoir, narrative nonfiction, political/social issues, travel writing, and literary translation from Spanish. She works with writers from the initial idea stage all the way to final manuscript submission.
Waverly Fitzgerald
Editor, Teacher, and Writing Coach
waverly@waverlyfitzgerald.com, 206.325.1452
I specialize in developmental editing, which means I love looking at books in progress or rough draft, when I can provide perspective and focus. I coach writers working on non-fiction books, providing accountability, feedback, and light line-editing. I teach classes on writing novels, non-fiction book proposals, and intermediate level craft issues.
Verve Editorial
Karalynn Ott
karaott@comcast.net, 206.781.3661
Michele Whitehead
michelekw@comcast.net, 206.650.6861
Verve Editorial is a Seattle-based freelance partnership of editors Michele Whitehead and Karalynn Ott. We offer comprehensive editorial services for authors, including developmental editing, substantive editing, and copyediting of fiction and nonfiction book manuscripts, as well as shorter works (essays, articles, contest submissions, query letters, and book proposals). Above all, we are dedicated to nurturing clear, resonant writing while respecting each writer's individual voice and style. We strive to help our clients draw on their strengths and come away reenergized about their projects.
Karalynn Ott is on the Steering Committee of the Northwest Independent Editors Guild and her interests include both fiction and nonfiction-particularly novels, creative nonfiction, travel and outdoors, memoir, and biography. Michele Whitehead has a decade of editorial experience that includes feature writing for several local publications and her interests include contemporary literary novels, historical and young adult fiction, and creative nonfiction such as travel, essays, and memoir.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Follow-up to March Power E-mail Meeting
Constant Contact Northwest Resources:
Email: michael@constantcontact.com
Web: http://seattle.constantcontact.com
Michael’s Phone: 866.373.2997
Customer Support Questions: 866.289.2101
Greater Seattle Metro Accounts Consultant: 800.239.0158 (Dann)
Email Quickstart or other Professional Services: http://seattle.constantcontact.com/services/index.jsp
A communications expert with more than seven years experience in education, marketing, and graphic design, Michael has led the development of successful educational programs and presentations for dozens of programs for small organizations. He has also helped organizations develop branding strategies to enhance their public awareness, including new strategies on how to market their organization on the Internet. Michael seeks to provide small businesses and organizations with the tools and knowledge to enhance their visibility and grow their business or organization through e-mail marketing and online surveys.
Join Michael's mailing list for more updates
Thursday, February 21, 2008
February Meeting: Pool Your Talents!
Bring your questions about a project, your search for some help, and/or your considerable talents to the next meeting of Book Publishers Northwest. This is a chance for the publishing community to show off latest projects, ask questions, and make a few contacts.
BPNW's February meeting will take place at Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford on Feb. 21, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The February meeting is free and open to the public.
All meetings scheduled for third Thursday of the month, 4 pm to 6 pm, at Good Shepherd Center. Meeting topics subject to change, please check this website frequently for more information.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Blog Tour Information from Tom Masters

The following information is provided by Tom Masters. For a complete PDF of his Blog Tour presentation, please contact him at tom.masters@orionwellspring.com
a blog tour is . . .
guest appearances of you and/or your book, on one or more relevant blogs, during a time close to the launch of your title.
• the blogosphere is big, with most topics & audiences represented
• blogs tend to be audience and/or topic focused
• topic / audience related blogs tend to link to each other, increasing reach
• blog “reach”is measurable
blog tours
• virtual, no travel
• advertise on your book site the blog(s) you’ll be a guest on
• light coordination
• exposure not limited by geography or time
• sell via links to online book sellers or publisher site
• inexpensive
blog tour tools
• template contact letters
• tracking spreadsheet
• author bio & photo
• book cover art & book description
• author statement
• sample interview
• purchase links & info
researching blogs
• technorati
scheduling considerations
• Blogs may have varying requirements
• Blog owners may be slow to respond
• Allow time to publicize your blog tour
• The number of blogs you contact depends on the availability of high traffic and high authority blogs in your topic space
publicize your blog tour
• online press releases
• blog or book web site
caveats
• blog touring takes time: research alone can be 4-8 hours per audience
• typical response rates from blog owners are about 20-25%
• not all comments will be favorable
For more information
Tom Masters
Orion Wellspring, Inc.
tom.masters@orionwellspring.com
blog: www.futureperfectpublishing.com
BPNW respectfully asks others to honor Masters' copyright on this material and to ask permission before reproducing.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Blog Tours A Blowout!
Tom Masters, author of Blogging Quick & Easy, gave simple step-by-step instructions on how to launch an author on a tour around the world. He ran out of handouts, but Tom will be making the information available for readers of this blog!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
January 17 Meeting: Blog Touring 101
Explore the reasons why an author or publisher might want to consider a blog tour as well as the planning, implementation and tracking of a blog tour.
This meeting is scheduled for 4 pm to 6 pm, January 17, in Room 221 at the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle WA. The Good Shepherd Center is located at 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. From the 45th or 50th N.E. exits, it is about eight blocks west of I-5.
Tom Masters will be leading this meeting. He sent the following examples of Blog Tours:
Cottage Tales
Ethnic Knitting Discovery
Ten Zen Seconds
Monday, December 17, 2007
Meeting Topics for 2008
Adapting Books for Amazon.com’s Kindle
Blog to Book: How to Make This Work
Book PR Tips
Cracking the Gift Market
Effective Marketing through E-mail
Getting Reviewed by PW
Making Book Videos
NW Regional Publishing
Selling through Social Networks
Understanding Google Ad Words
Used Book Websites Expand to Small Press Sales
Working with Freelance Editors/Proofreaders
The Board is also planning a survey of members and other subscribers to BPNW E-newsletter to better determine the needs of the membership and interest in various BPNW projects.
Members are encouraged to help with meetings. Comments are welcome! If you’d like to organize a meeting, volunteer as a speaker, or suggest a speaker, please contact BPNW at bpnwnews@aol.com.