San Francisco is 49 square miles surrounded by reality – at least that’s what a member of the 1960s psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane believed. Next month, the famed city by the bay welcomes authors, publishers, artists, and technologists for a hard look at the reality of independent publishing in 2014.
On March 21st and 22nd, Publishing University – an annual weekend-long conference from the Independent Book Publishers Association – comes to Fisherman’s Wharf. Angela Bole, IBPA executive director, gives CCC’s Chris Kenneally a preview of what’s become the country’s premier educational event for independent publishers and self-published authors.
“The conference is in its 30th year, so it has a really strong history and a lot of support in the community. But we did spend a lot of time trying to figure out how could we make a conference that’s been around for 30 years feel new and fresh to the attendees,” says Bole.
“One thing that we focused on is making the conference about the attendees themselves,” she explains. “We’ll have some experiential workshops, targeting content for specific verticals, as well as more networking and organized brainstorming sessions, so attendees can really get to know each other, learn from each other, and speak to the IBPA motto – helping each other achieve and succeed.”
General sessions speakers Ivory Madison, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Red Room and Jim Milliot, Co-editorial Director, Publishers Weekly, add their own perspectives on “Pub U,” along with Shannon Bodie, Art Director and Partner, Lightbourne, Inc.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed