For more commentary on Publishing University and BEA, go to www.PortGamblePublishing.com or attend the BPNW meeting at Scott’s Bookstore in Mt. Vernon on June 15 at 4 pm.
Margaret Doyle, Port Gamble Publishing, submitted the following article. Doyle founded Port Gamble Publishing in 2004. She was the 2006 PMA Publishing University scholarship recipient, represented BPNW at Pub U this year, and will be the speaker at our June 15 meeting at Scott's Bookstore. More information on the meeting can be found in the newsletter. Click on the link on the right to download a PDF copy of the newsletter.
From Doyle:
One of the most inspiring conversations I heard was the lunchtime interview by Jan Nathan, Director of PMA, of Paul Coates, Publisher of Black Classic Press, and Walter Mosley, author of 19 books, among them, the “Easy Rawlins” mysteries.
Paul Coates related how he heard Walter Mosley challenge the mainstream publishing industry as being dominated by white men, racist in fact if not in intention. Coates went to a Walter Mosley reading to thank him for his brave comments to publishers, and Mosley told him he was looking for a small black press to publish his next work. Coates related that he’d identified himself for so long as a black press, that to think of his publishing company as a small, independent press, required a mental adjustment.
But Coates came to match Mosley’s integrity with his own courage in taking on a major author, whose print run would be in the hundreds of thousands. Coates’ second challenge came in figuring out the finances of publishing a well-known author and a large print run.
Where would Black Classic Press get the money for printing, staffing, and promotion of a Walter Mosley publication? When meeting with Mosley’s previous publishers, they made an offer of financial assistance, and Coates thought they should take it. But Mosley wanted the integrity of truly publishing through an independent press, so he refused their offer. Paul described it as a unique experience “of saying no to someone who’s larger than me.”
Nathan questioned, “What should an author expect, or not expect from an independent publisher?” Coates replied that the author can’t expect of lot of money up front.
From the author’s standpoint, the publisher needs to keep author “informed of everything you do,” Mosley said. “Writers don’t know anything about publishing,” and “it behooves the publishing industry to inform writers into the reality of their world,” he added. Authors must understand returns, royalties, and other intricacies of this complex industry.
When Nathan asked Coates if he’d repeat the experience with another best-selling author, his honest answer surprised me: “Probably not, the stress is not worth it. There’s millions in, millions out, and nobody’s getting paid.”
“If you want to make a lot of money, go into real estate,” Coates concluded, which is ironic for me as my day job providing internet and marketing services to a small real estate company provides the ongoing budget in support of my publishing ventures.
However, Coates described the close friendship and respect that developed between Mosley and himself; a friendship that goes beyond royalties and best-seller lists. Coates did publish Mosley’s next book, What Next, a collection of social and political essays. Mosley felt that going with a major publisher would limit his freedom to express himself, so he again chose to work with Black Classic Press in 2003.
When Mosley was asked if he was disappointed that other successful black authors didn’t choose to support smaller black publishers; his response brought applause: “I’m disappointed in the same way I’m disappointed with the United States being in Iraq.” He clarified his statement by adding that we as a nation are experiencing two ideas at war: democracy and capitalism.
I can’t remember if it was Mosley or Coates who said, “If something is true and you know it’s true, you have to take an action.” But I do know that it’s an ideal that publishers as a class aspire to communicate; and that the brotherhood that Coates and Mosley found in their publishing relationship is one that I’ve seen played out over and over as members of the publishing profession help each other achieve and succeed.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Franca's Story Receives Two Awards at BEA
Franca's Story: Survival in World War II Italy won the Publishers Marketing Association’s Benjamin Franklin gold award for best interior design of a book using 1-2 colors. Seattle designers Peggy Zafarana and Lautaro Gabriel Gonda worked with author Diane Kinman on the book, published by Wimer Publishing Company of Mercer Island, WA.
The book also received ForeWord Magazine’s Silver Award: 2005 Book of the Year for Autobiography/Memoir. Kinman's debut memoir is based on the true story of her friend, Mercer Island artist Franca Mercati Martin, who helped her family and 300 elderly citizens live through the trauma of WWII in northern Italy. It provides a window into a fascinating time and an intriguing family determined to survive amidst increasing devastation and loss.
Librarians and booksellers across the U.S. selected ForeWord’s winners from 1,500 entries and 613 finalists. “The books were all wonderful,” said librarian Angela O’Kane. “It was hard to narrow it down.” Entries were judged on criteria including originality, writing and production quality, and patron/customer interest in the subject matter. Award announcements were made during ceremonies at the Book Expo of America held May 18-21, 2006, at the Washington, D.C., Convention Center. Book Expo of America is the largest trade show for the book industry in the U.S.
The book also received ForeWord Magazine’s Silver Award: 2005 Book of the Year for Autobiography/Memoir. Kinman's debut memoir is based on the true story of her friend, Mercer Island artist Franca Mercati Martin, who helped her family and 300 elderly citizens live through the trauma of WWII in northern Italy. It provides a window into a fascinating time and an intriguing family determined to survive amidst increasing devastation and loss.
Librarians and booksellers across the U.S. selected ForeWord’s winners from 1,500 entries and 613 finalists. “The books were all wonderful,” said librarian Angela O’Kane. “It was hard to narrow it down.” Entries were judged on criteria including originality, writing and production quality, and patron/customer interest in the subject matter. Award announcements were made during ceremonies at the Book Expo of America held May 18-21, 2006, at the Washington, D.C., Convention Center. Book Expo of America is the largest trade show for the book industry in the U.S.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Pioneer Distribution: Nonprofit Fulfillment Service
Looking for local fulfillment help?
At a recent BPNW meeting, Kent Sturgis of Epicenter Press (“Alaska Book Adventures”) recommended a warehouse/fulfillment center for publishers large and small. Sturgis said he likes doing business with the Pioneer Distribution Center at 606 S.Othello St. for three reasons.
First, Pioneer is a division of Pioneer Human Services, founded in 1963, a not-for-profit company that puts to work people from what a spokesman called “the fringes of society,” including reformed alcoholics and drug addicts, parolees, and others who want to turn their lives around.
Second, Sturgis said the prices are very competitive. “I don’t believe we could find this level of service anywhere else for the price,” he said.
Third, the company strongly emphasizes quality control, with an error rate under 1%. Sturgis found out about Pioneer from Sasquatch, which has warehoused and shipped books from Pioneer for several years. Pioneer is interested in serving publishers ranging from the Sasquatch and Epicenter size down to the “one pallet” publishers.
For more information, contact David Lawson at (206)768-5151 or email the company at pds@p-h-s.com. For more information about Pioneer Human Services, visit www.pioneerhumanservices.org.
At a recent BPNW meeting, Kent Sturgis of Epicenter Press (“Alaska Book Adventures”) recommended a warehouse/fulfillment center for publishers large and small. Sturgis said he likes doing business with the Pioneer Distribution Center at 606 S.Othello St. for three reasons.
First, Pioneer is a division of Pioneer Human Services, founded in 1963, a not-for-profit company that puts to work people from what a spokesman called “the fringes of society,” including reformed alcoholics and drug addicts, parolees, and others who want to turn their lives around.
Second, Sturgis said the prices are very competitive. “I don’t believe we could find this level of service anywhere else for the price,” he said.
Third, the company strongly emphasizes quality control, with an error rate under 1%. Sturgis found out about Pioneer from Sasquatch, which has warehoused and shipped books from Pioneer for several years. Pioneer is interested in serving publishers ranging from the Sasquatch and Epicenter size down to the “one pallet” publishers.
For more information, contact David Lawson at (206)768-5151 or email the company at pds@p-h-s.com. For more information about Pioneer Human Services, visit www.pioneerhumanservices.org.
PNBA Wants Author Proposals For Fall Trade Show
Dear Publishers, Publicists and Reps:
It’s time to send PNBA your author proposals for the fall show, which will be October 12-14 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
Our shows are a terrific opportunity to introduce, or reintroduce,your books and authors to hundreds of booksellers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana.
Authors who appear at our shows get invited to speak and sign in NW bookstores, win PNBA awards, and find their books on the Book Sense Picks lists and the Pacific NW Indie Bestseller lists.
Deadline for proposals is June 30.
Sincerely,
Jamie
Please request author proposal forms from:
Jamie Passaro
PNBA Executive Assistant
317 W. Broadway, Ste. 214
Eugene, OR 97401
Tel: 541-683-4363, Fax: 541-683-3910
www.pnba.org
2006 Fall Show: Thursday - Saturday, October 12-14,
Oregon Convention Center, Portland
It’s time to send PNBA your author proposals for the fall show, which will be October 12-14 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
Our shows are a terrific opportunity to introduce, or reintroduce,your books and authors to hundreds of booksellers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana.
Authors who appear at our shows get invited to speak and sign in NW bookstores, win PNBA awards, and find their books on the Book Sense Picks lists and the Pacific NW Indie Bestseller lists.
Deadline for proposals is June 30.
Sincerely,
Jamie
Please request author proposal forms from:
Jamie Passaro
PNBA Executive Assistant
317 W. Broadway, Ste. 214
Eugene, OR 97401
Tel: 541-683-4363, Fax: 541-683-3910
www.pnba.org
2006 Fall Show: Thursday - Saturday, October 12-14,
Oregon Convention Center, Portland
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
May 18 Meeting: Printing Outside United States
Is it cheaper to print in the United States, Canada, or Asia? Learn how the decision depends on the job and the best ways to save money on a project. Representatives from Amica (with printing plants in Asia) and Richard Thomas of Hemlock (based in Canada) discuss how to handle international printing projects with local book publishers.
The meeting takes place on May 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside N., Room 221. For more information, see www.bpnw.org or e-mail bpnwnews@aol.com (voice mail # 941-6514).
This session is FREE for 2006 BPNW Members (membership is counted by company so more than one person from a company is welcome to attend for free). Nonmembers are welcome. There will be a nonmember fee of $15 per person for this session.
CALL FOR BOOKS: Have you printed a project outside the United States in the last year? Bring your book to this meeting and share your story. A display of books printed outside the United States will be set up for this meeting.
The meeting takes place on May 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside N., Room 221. For more information, see www.bpnw.org or e-mail bpnwnews@aol.com (voice mail # 941-6514).
This session is FREE for 2006 BPNW Members (membership is counted by company so more than one person from a company is welcome to attend for free). Nonmembers are welcome. There will be a nonmember fee of $15 per person for this session.
CALL FOR BOOKS: Have you printed a project outside the United States in the last year? Bring your book to this meeting and share your story. A display of books printed outside the United States will be set up for this meeting.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
One Sock Press Joins BPNW
Please welcome the following new member to BPNW.
ONE SOCK PRESS
William C. Branley
861 Taurnic Place NW
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Ph: 206-842-5207
info@onesockpress.com
www.onesockpress.com
Description:
A small publisher with one fiction title, "Sea Changes," coming out in 2006.
One Sock Press is interested in fiction, memoir, cooking, and music.
ONE SOCK PRESS
William C. Branley
861 Taurnic Place NW
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Ph: 206-842-5207
info@onesockpress.com
www.onesockpress.com
Description:
A small publisher with one fiction title, "Sea Changes," coming out in 2006.
One Sock Press is interested in fiction, memoir, cooking, and music.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
One Publisher's Report on Wordstock
Wordstock in Portland, Oregon, came roaring back from its newcomer success last year to give a great show. My table was right inside the entrance. The reading stages each took up a third of the north wall of the exhibition halls, instead of in the four corners of the room like last year. The writing and selling workshops were featured in smaller rooms outside the exhibition hall.
Attendance seemed to be down from last year, but still busy for the most part. Last year was a rainy weekend; this year was sunny and warm. Attendees seemed to be in two major groups: those who’d come to attend the workshops and pitch their own writing and those who came to hear the authors’ readings. Last year, the crowd seemed more generally curious and book-seeking. My sales were 23 books this year to 27 last year.
In general, the reading authors included more nationally known authors this year. If any author has been disappointed by audience turnout at a signing, consider the 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon author slot. It pitted Gore Vidal against Carolyn Radziwill (cousin-in-law to Kennedy clan). Vidal had all his seats filled and an overflow standing crowd at his theater, while Radziwill had maybe six people listening to her.
There seem to be many writers and writers’ organizations in Portland. I found the Independent Publishing Resource Center table to advertise all sorts of resources (including computers and graphics programs) for do-it-yourself publishers. It’s a non-profit organization based in Portland and promotes “zines” low-cost, lower-grade publications, usually of a personal nature.
My only wish for Wordstock was that I brought someone to work the table with me so that I could browse and chat more.
Margaret Doyle
Port Gamble Publishing
The Fisherman's Quilt
ISBN 0976 109 905
Attendance seemed to be down from last year, but still busy for the most part. Last year was a rainy weekend; this year was sunny and warm. Attendees seemed to be in two major groups: those who’d come to attend the workshops and pitch their own writing and those who came to hear the authors’ readings. Last year, the crowd seemed more generally curious and book-seeking. My sales were 23 books this year to 27 last year.
In general, the reading authors included more nationally known authors this year. If any author has been disappointed by audience turnout at a signing, consider the 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon author slot. It pitted Gore Vidal against Carolyn Radziwill (cousin-in-law to Kennedy clan). Vidal had all his seats filled and an overflow standing crowd at his theater, while Radziwill had maybe six people listening to her.
There seem to be many writers and writers’ organizations in Portland. I found the Independent Publishing Resource Center table to advertise all sorts of resources (including computers and graphics programs) for do-it-yourself publishers. It’s a non-profit organization based in Portland and promotes “zines” low-cost, lower-grade publications, usually of a personal nature.
My only wish for Wordstock was that I brought someone to work the table with me so that I could browse and chat more.
Margaret Doyle
Port Gamble Publishing
The Fisherman's Quilt
ISBN 0976 109 905
Monday, April 24, 2006
Franca's Story Finalist for Design Award
Franca's Story: Survival in World War II Italy has been named as one of three finalists in the 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition, in the following category: Interior Design, 1-2 color. The designer is Peggy Zafarana with assistance by Lautaro Gabriel Gonda, both of Seattle. The book was published by Wimer Publishing Company.
For the title, Zafarana used Bodoni Book, a typeface with its origins from Giambattista Bodoni of Parma, Italy in 1798. The text is set in Adobe Jenson Pro, based on the classic forms of the Venetian Renaissance-Antiqua of Nicholas Jenson (1470) and the italic typefaces used by the master scribe Ludovico degli Arrighi early in the 16th century.
For the title, Zafarana used Bodoni Book, a typeface with its origins from Giambattista Bodoni of Parma, Italy in 1798. The text is set in Adobe Jenson Pro, based on the classic forms of the Venetian Renaissance-Antiqua of Nicholas Jenson (1470) and the italic typefaces used by the master scribe Ludovico degli Arrighi early in the 16th century.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Should BPNW Go to Portland Trade Show?
The Board of BPNW is pondering whether to rent a table for the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Fall Trade Show in Portland. We have displayed books in the past at this show which usually draws a larger crowd than the Spring Trade Show in the Seattle area.
Because of the October date of the show, most of our usual volunteers cannot be there (we have a very small corp of regular volunteers who have done every show in the past few years).
So, before we say "yes" to PNBA in Portland, BPNW needs a firm commitment from our members that they not only want to display and, possibly, sell books at this show, but that they are willing to do some of the work. In return, those who work this show could have free entry to the show and free display space. Travel and lodging will be at the publisher's own expense.
We need to know the following from our members by the end of the April. Please answer 1, 2 or 3. Please be honest in your answer, especially if you answer 1, as we will take this a pledge of your willingness to work.
1. I am willing to pay my way to Portland in October to work a booth at this show. I am willing to take orders for other people's books as well as my own. I understand that I may have to pack and unpack boxes.
2. I am not able to go to Portland that week, but I would be willing to pay for someone else to show my book there and make a financial contribution to cover BPNW's expenses for such things as flyers or catalogs.
3. No, I don't want the group to spend its resources on this. I'll make my own arrangements if needed. Bonus question: if you answer 3, would you be interested in working with other BPNW publishers so all your displays are located in the same area?
More details about the Fall Show in Portland can be found at www.pnba.org.
Your thoughts appreciated. If the majority of members do not respond to this request, we'll take it as a sign that the interest in this show is not there. Please send your response to bpnwnews@aol.com.
The results of this survey will be posted on the website and in the May newsletter.
Because of the October date of the show, most of our usual volunteers cannot be there (we have a very small corp of regular volunteers who have done every show in the past few years).
So, before we say "yes" to PNBA in Portland, BPNW needs a firm commitment from our members that they not only want to display and, possibly, sell books at this show, but that they are willing to do some of the work. In return, those who work this show could have free entry to the show and free display space. Travel and lodging will be at the publisher's own expense.
We need to know the following from our members by the end of the April. Please answer 1, 2 or 3. Please be honest in your answer, especially if you answer 1, as we will take this a pledge of your willingness to work.
1. I am willing to pay my way to Portland in October to work a booth at this show. I am willing to take orders for other people's books as well as my own. I understand that I may have to pack and unpack boxes.
2. I am not able to go to Portland that week, but I would be willing to pay for someone else to show my book there and make a financial contribution to cover BPNW's expenses for such things as flyers or catalogs.
3. No, I don't want the group to spend its resources on this. I'll make my own arrangements if needed. Bonus question: if you answer 3, would you be interested in working with other BPNW publishers so all your displays are located in the same area?
More details about the Fall Show in Portland can be found at www.pnba.org.
Your thoughts appreciated. If the majority of members do not respond to this request, we'll take it as a sign that the interest in this show is not there. Please send your response to bpnwnews@aol.com.
The results of this survey will be posted on the website and in the May newsletter.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
April 20 Meeting: Changing Distribution Needs
Gary Lothian, Northwest sales manager for Ingram Book Company, discusses the changing distribution and tracking models for books and how these changes impact a small publisher’s sales to the traditional bookstore market. He will be joined by Kent Sturgis, board president of PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association. PMA and Ingram have created a new distribution program for small publishers who normally might not qualify for distribution by a larger firm like Ingram.
Ingram Book Company is the leading wholesale distributor of books to independent and chain bookstores. The Ingram Book Group also includes Ingram Library Services Inc., America’s largest and fastest-growing distributor of books, audiobooks and videos to libraries; Ingram International Inc., the leading U.S. distributor of books and audiobooks to the world; and Ingram Fulfillment Services, which ships books directly to consumers.
PMA Board President Kent Sturgis is co-founder and president of Epicenter Press Inc., a regional trade publisher with 120 nonfiction titles focusing on Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
The meeting takes place on April 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside N., Room 221. For more information, click on the link for directions (right side of this page).
Ingram Book Company is the leading wholesale distributor of books to independent and chain bookstores. The Ingram Book Group also includes Ingram Library Services Inc., America’s largest and fastest-growing distributor of books, audiobooks and videos to libraries; Ingram International Inc., the leading U.S. distributor of books and audiobooks to the world; and Ingram Fulfillment Services, which ships books directly to consumers.
PMA Board President Kent Sturgis is co-founder and president of Epicenter Press Inc., a regional trade publisher with 120 nonfiction titles focusing on Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
The meeting takes place on April 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside N., Room 221. For more information, click on the link for directions (right side of this page).
Monday, April 03, 2006
Benjamin Franklin Finalists Announced
The Benjamin Franklin Awards finalists were announced this month. The awards will be given during BEA in May.
Two titles published by BPNW members have been named. The titles are:
Am I A Color Too? Illumination Arts (Multicultural)
Cayman, Second Edition, Eaglemont Press (Travel/Essay)
If we have missed any BPNW members or their titles, please e-mail bpnwnews@aol.com.
Two titles published by BPNW members have been named. The titles are:
Am I A Color Too? Illumination Arts (Multicultural)
Cayman, Second Edition, Eaglemont Press (Travel/Essay)
If we have missed any BPNW members or their titles, please e-mail bpnwnews@aol.com.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Barnes & Noble Moves Silverdale Store
Barnes & Noble announced today that they will be moving their Silverdale, WA, location. The new store will be located at 10317 Silverdale Way Northwest and will replace the existing Barnes & Noble at 3108 Northwest Randall Way. The new location opens in November and will stock close to 200,000 book, music, DVD and magazine titles and include a cafe.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Barnes & Noble Adds Northgate Location
Shelf Awareness reported on March 23 that Barnes & Noble will add a new store to the Seattle scene. The company will close the B.Daltons currently operating at the Northgate Mall and open 200,000 square foot bookstore with a café.
The Northgate Barnes & Noble is scheduled to open in the spring of 2007.
Shelf Awareness is a free e-newletter covering topics of interest to booksellers.
The Northgate Barnes & Noble is scheduled to open in the spring of 2007.
Shelf Awareness is a free e-newletter covering topics of interest to booksellers.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Working With Freelance Editors
Richard Hugo House presents "What's In It For You? Working with a Freelance Editor," on Thursday, April 6, from 7-9 p.m. Local editors Barbara Sjoholm, Leslie Miller and Ann Gosche discuss when you should consider, how you can expect to benefit, and what is should cost to work with a professional freelance editor on a manuscript. Admission cost is $5.
Richard Hugo House is located at 1634 11th Ave. This is part of the House's InPrint Series.
Richard Hugo House is located at 1634 11th Ave. This is part of the House's InPrint Series.
Add to ForeWord Book of the Year Awards.
A Hike For Mike was named as a finalist in the travel essay category. It was published by BPNW member Dreams Shared Publications.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Kahle Leads Writing Class
Former PNWA president and current BPNW member Peter Kahle will lead a two-month writing class for novelists. The ten two-hour sessions will feature lectures and writing exercises along with chapter critiques of participants' work. Class will cover material from Vogler's Writer's Journey, John Gardner's Art of Fiction and E. M. Forster's Aspects of a Novel.
Kahle is the author of Naked at the Podium and Tempest: A Prose Narrative. Class will be held on Tuesdays, April 4 - June 6, from 7-9 p.m., at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N.85th Street, Seattle, WA.
The cost for the full session is $195. For more information, go to 74th Street.
Kahle is the author of Naked at the Podium and Tempest: A Prose Narrative. Class will be held on Tuesdays, April 4 - June 6, from 7-9 p.m., at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N.85th Street, Seattle, WA.
The cost for the full session is $195. For more information, go to 74th Street.
BPNW Members Recognized in ForeWord Awards
ForeWord Magazine announced finalists this month for its 2005 Book of the Year Award. As always, Book Publishers Northwest members were well represented on this list. Among the titles named were:
The Pen and the Key (Anthologies), 74th Street Productions
Franca’s Story (Memoir), Wimer Publishing
Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes (Children’s Picture Book), Illumination Arts
Adventures of Riley (Environment), Eaglemont Press
Mission to Madagascar, (Environment), Eaglemont Press
A jury of librarians, booksellers and reviewers are selected to judge the categories for entry, and they select winners and finalists based on editorial excellence and professional production as well as the originality of the narrative and the value the book adds to its genre.
If any BPNW member was missed in this announcement, please e-mail bpnwnews@aol.com.
The Pen and the Key (Anthologies), 74th Street Productions
Franca’s Story (Memoir), Wimer Publishing
Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes (Children’s Picture Book), Illumination Arts
Adventures of Riley (Environment), Eaglemont Press
Mission to Madagascar, (Environment), Eaglemont Press
A jury of librarians, booksellers and reviewers are selected to judge the categories for entry, and they select winners and finalists based on editorial excellence and professional production as well as the originality of the narrative and the value the book adds to its genre.
If any BPNW member was missed in this announcement, please e-mail bpnwnews@aol.com.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Horowitz Calls PNBA Spring Trade Show
"A Smashing Success"
I sold three books at the PNBA publishers' trade show, and I consider my day there a smashing success.
No, I am not delusional. I also met owners of five bookstores who told me that they would be delighted to host me for an author reading. Another bookstore owner for whose store I have read before invited me back to read. These connections will make for a phenomenal autumn tour and probably many future readings, and book sales, over the years. I am thrilled!
I also had numerous excellent conversations with bookstore owners, authors, and fellow publishers. Some took a Rose Alley Press brochure and promised to consider ordering one or more of our titles through a wholesaler. Others praised the beauty of our books and the eloquence of their poetry. Again, I am thrilled!
Moreover, I promised an author with whom I will read in The Dalles this April that I would help him research a publishing niche in which he maintains special interest. At the trade show I discovered a publisher in Montana that might help him enormously. I can at least offer contact information and a recommendation. I feel triply thrilled!
Last, each sale of a book was accompanied by a thoughtful, provocative conversation. We traded ideas, not simply books and cash.
At this year's Spring PNBA Trade Show, I developed and deepened social connections, initiated relationships with owners of venues previously unknown to me, exchanged provocative ideas, and learned ever more about the changing landscape of Pacific Northwest publishing and bookselling. Yes, that is a success.
David D. Horowitz
President, Rose Alley Press
www.rosealleypress.com
No, I am not delusional. I also met owners of five bookstores who told me that they would be delighted to host me for an author reading. Another bookstore owner for whose store I have read before invited me back to read. These connections will make for a phenomenal autumn tour and probably many future readings, and book sales, over the years. I am thrilled!
I also had numerous excellent conversations with bookstore owners, authors, and fellow publishers. Some took a Rose Alley Press brochure and promised to consider ordering one or more of our titles through a wholesaler. Others praised the beauty of our books and the eloquence of their poetry. Again, I am thrilled!
Moreover, I promised an author with whom I will read in The Dalles this April that I would help him research a publishing niche in which he maintains special interest. At the trade show I discovered a publisher in Montana that might help him enormously. I can at least offer contact information and a recommendation. I feel triply thrilled!
Last, each sale of a book was accompanied by a thoughtful, provocative conversation. We traded ideas, not simply books and cash.
At this year's Spring PNBA Trade Show, I developed and deepened social connections, initiated relationships with owners of venues previously unknown to me, exchanged provocative ideas, and learned ever more about the changing landscape of Pacific Northwest publishing and bookselling. Yes, that is a success.
David D. Horowitz
President, Rose Alley Press
www.rosealleypress.com
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Spring Cleaning: Is All Your Information Up to Date?
We’re currently spring-cleaning the BPNW database. 2005 members who have not renewed for 2006 will be removed from the on-line directory this month. We will also stop sending out hard copies of the newsletter to nonmembers (other than media).
Is your directory information current? Click on the directory (see right) and then follow the directions. If you cannot open the directory, it may be because your browser blocks “forwarding” (this is a feature of some versions of Internet Explorer). Please e-mail bpnwnews@aol.com and we will send you direct links to the appropriate pages.
Is your directory information current? Click on the directory (see right) and then follow the directions. If you cannot open the directory, it may be because your browser blocks “forwarding” (this is a feature of some versions of Internet Explorer). Please e-mail bpnwnews@aol.com and we will send you direct links to the appropriate pages.
PNBA, Friday, March 17, Trade Show Exhibition
As always, Book Publishers Northwest saw the most traffic at the table during the morning. PMA provided us with “March is Small Press Month” posters, which were eagerly snapped up by booksellers (we ran out in the first hour). Special thank you to Lisa at PMA for making this give-away possible.
By having something to give away, we were able to get booksellers to stop and chat for a minute. This gave them an opportunity to look more closely at various books and pick flyers for items that might suit their store.
Two stores mentioned very specific needs. Members should contact them if they have something that suits these bookstores:
Baker Street Books, 32709 Railroad, Black Diamond, WA 98010
This store is a general bookstore, but they particularly want books with a Scottish theme!
Fort Nisqually Museum, 5400 N. Pearl Street #11, Tacoma WA 98407
The Museum is expanding their bookstore and is seeking books about the early history of Washington or the Pacific Northwest. The Fort was built in the 1850s and they are very interested in books about that period.
Several of our members had their own tables or booths at the show. We would be very interested in hearing about their experiences. E-mail comments to bpnwnews@aol.com about what worked and what didn’t work for you at this Trade Show. We’ll be using this information to improve our own presentations.
Special thank you to Christine Quinn, Bob Powers, Lani Jacobsen, and Rosemary Jones, who all volunteered time to run the table.
By having something to give away, we were able to get booksellers to stop and chat for a minute. This gave them an opportunity to look more closely at various books and pick flyers for items that might suit their store.
Two stores mentioned very specific needs. Members should contact them if they have something that suits these bookstores:
Baker Street Books, 32709 Railroad, Black Diamond, WA 98010
This store is a general bookstore, but they particularly want books with a Scottish theme!
Fort Nisqually Museum, 5400 N. Pearl Street #11, Tacoma WA 98407
The Museum is expanding their bookstore and is seeking books about the early history of Washington or the Pacific Northwest. The Fort was built in the 1850s and they are very interested in books about that period.
Several of our members had their own tables or booths at the show. We would be very interested in hearing about their experiences. E-mail comments to bpnwnews@aol.com about what worked and what didn’t work for you at this Trade Show. We’ll be using this information to improve our own presentations.
Special thank you to Christine Quinn, Bob Powers, Lani Jacobsen, and Rosemary Jones, who all volunteered time to run the table.
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