IBPA Publishing University 2026: Full Schedule

9:00am PDT

Market with Precision. Sell at Scale. (IngramSpark free workshop for conference attendees)

Thursday May 14, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Selling more books isn’t about doing more marketing — it’s about doing the right marketing in the right order. In this fast-paced, strategy-driven workshop, industry experts break down the three-level framework that turns visibility into credibility and credibility into revenue. From metadata and market positioning to branding, retailer expectations, paid promotion, and global expansion, you’ll learn how to build a marketing engine that scales. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your U.S. reach or expand internationally, you’ll leave with a clear, actionable framework you can implement immediately.

Attention earns awareness. Trust earns loyalty. Strategy earns sales.

Speakers

Leigh Pierce

Sr. Key Account Sales Manager, Ingram Content Group

Leigh Pierce is a Sr. Key Account Sales Manager at IngramSpark, part of Ingram Content Group, where she helps independent publishers and authors grow strategically through print-on-demand and self-publishing solutions. Over her eight years at Ingram, she’s built a career on empowering creators—starting... Read More →

Vivaca Leburu

Key Account Sales Manager, Ingram Content Group

Vivaca Leburu is a Key Account Sales Manager with nearly two years of experience supporting independent publishers and authors at Ingram. She is passionate about helping books gain strategic positioning and strong retail and wholesale traction. With eight years of prior experience in the fashi... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Thursday Workshops

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers

12:00pm PDT

Thursday Workshop: Grants, Funding, & Other Opportunities for Under-Resourced Indie Publishers

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 3 (2nd floor)

For author publishers and micro publishers who are figuring out the business of publishing

Are you full of literary dreams, visions, and goals that are bigger than your budget? Don't get discouraged because in this workshop, you will be empowered and equipped with the resources, systems, strategies, and techniques to help you achieve, manifest, and reach them. If you are an author or publisher looking to build, scale, and grow your publishing business, and would like the resources you need to do so, then this is the workshop you don't want to miss.

To help you maximize the workshop, consider investing in the following companion curriculum and resources:

Make a Living as a Writer (hardcopy curriculum):
https://www.pathtopublishing.com/conferencestore

Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business: Ways to Achieve Financial Literary Success: https://www.pathtopublishing.com/actlikeanauthorbook

Speakers

Brandy Miller

Director of Program Development & Coordination, co-founder, Chief Acquisitions Editor, Path To Publishing/Path To Connections /PTP Press

Award-winning international speaker and author, Brandy M. Miller, met Joylynn M. Ross during an Experienced Writers Retreat in Las Vegas. The two began working together in 2019 and their partnership accelerated in 2021. They co-founded Path To Connections as the B2B side of Path To Publishing after getting turned away by investors the moment they... Read More →

Joylynn M. Ross

CEO & Founder, Path To Publishing

Joylynn M. Ross is a National Best-Selling author and award-winning publisher who has 30+ years of experience in the literary world and publishing industry. Coined the Master Literary Educator, having published over 40 books in multiple genres under various pen names, Joylynn teaches both the craft... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 3 (2nd floor)

Thursday Workshops

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers

12:00pm PDT

Thursday Workshop: Marketing Launch Plan Workshop: Build, Customize, and Scale Your Book Campaigns

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Marketing Launch Plan Workshop: Build, Customize, and Scale Your Book Campaigns

In this hands-on workshop, attendees will create a customized launch plan for a specific book title—while simultaneously learning how to scale and adapt that plan across multiple titles for long-term publishing success.
Launching a book is only part of the journey—positioning it effectively in the market determines its success. This workshop is designed to help publishers, authors, and marketing teams connect the dots between publishing and promotion by identifying clear paths to reach readers, generate sales, and build brand equity for future titles.
Participants will create and leave with a title-specific personalized marketing toolkit that includes:

Target reader and buyer identification
Title-specific business model strategies (retail, non-traditional retail, specialty markets, and supplemental revenue streams)
Universal marketing strategies and actionable steps
Customized promotional activities and marketing tools
Event, traditional media, and digital engagement pitch letter models
One genre/topic-specific media list
Specialty market outreach overview and strategies
Social media marketing plan template and engagement strategies
Book trailer template
Media video pitching tutorial

This workshop is ideal for authors, publishers, and marketing professionals looking to develop powerful, repeatable book launch systems that build visibility, drive sales, and create long-term success.

Speakers

Jared Kuritz

President and CMO, STRATEGIES PR and Zoundy

Jared Kuritz is President and CEO of STRATEGIES Public Relations, a boutique firm advising authors, publishers, and thought leaders on business modeling, literary development, publishing strategy, and book marketing for more than 25 years. A former Director of the nationally recognized La Jolla... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Thursday Workshops

Audience For This Session Everyone, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Start Strong Independent Publishers

12:00pm PDT

Thursday Workshop: Optimizing Amazon for Profit in an AI Age

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 7 (2nd floor)

Optimizing Amazon for Profit in an AI Age
Presented by Ian Lamont

Amazon Ads. Kindle Direct Publishing. Vendor Central. No matter which way you turn, Amazon is always finding another way to take a bigger slice of the revenue pie ... and leave less for publishers. So how can publishers put some of that money back into their own pockets?

An experienced independent publisher and Amazon seller, Ian Lamont has deep insights into ever-evolving Amazon programs and new AI features. While he doesn't have a magic wand, he has best practices that can help everyone from independent authors to distributed publishers make more money from sales on Amazon.

Come prepared with your three biggest concerns about Amazon and your best listening skills. This fast-moving session will leave you with tons of notes and resources, and will feature an opportunity for on-the-spot evaluations of your own Amazon book listings.

Topics will include:

An Amazon Roadmap for Publishers in an age of AI
Detail Page Optimization for Books
Search and Rufus Fundamentals
Best Practices for Amazon Ads
Branding on Amazon, from A+ to Amazon Stores

Speakers

Ian Lamont

Founder, i30 Media & Lean Media Consulting

EMAIL: [email protected]

Ian Lamont is the founder of i30 Media and the creator of the Lean Media framework. He started his publishing business in 2012 with a single how-to guide, which has since expanded to a complete line of utility nonfiction (the IN 30 MINUTES series) as well as several ancillary product... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 7 (2nd floor)

Thursday Workshops

Audience For This Session Everyone, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Start Strong Independent Publishers

12:00pm PDT

Thursday Workshop: Starting Your Publishing Business

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

For Start Strong Independent Publishers.

Learn the basics of starting your own traditional publishing company. Whether you are at square one or already running another kind of publishing-related operation, this program will introduce the key points you need to know in order to get your traditional press up and running. Doug Seibold started his company, Agate, in 2002 with little more than a cell phone, a laptop, and an internet connection, and is eager to share his experience and perspective with aspiring publishers. This program will cover:

Finding potential funding sources—grants, investors, banks
Determining your publishing topics and acquisition strategy
Understanding the publishing financial timeline
Deciding who to hire and when to hire them

Participants should leave with a fuller understanding of everything that goes into a publishing startup.

Provide Feedback

Speakers

Doug Seibold

President, Agate Publishing

Doug Seibold has been a writer, editor, and publishing professional in Chicago for 40 years, during which time he worked as a staffer for various magazines and also published journalism about books, dining, and education in newspapers and magazines in Chicago, New York, and Washington. In 2002... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

Thursday Workshops

Audience For This Session Everyone, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Start Strong Independent Publishers

5:00pm PDT

Welcome Reception - Literature & Libations

Thursday May 14, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

Powell's City of Books, 3rd Floor Pearl Room

Join us at Powell's flagship store, 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 -- it's the largest independent bookstore in the world!!

Free reception for all IBPA Publishing University conference attendees, IBPA Think Tank for Established Publisher attendees, as well as our Pacific Northwest publishing industry friends.

[Getting to Powell's City of Books From the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center:
Option A:
Mass Transit, Red Line Train

Walk to the TriMet MAX light rail stop outside the hotel.
Board the Red Line train going west to City Center or Beaverton direction.
Scan your credit card or Apple/Google Pay on your phone to pay. Cost is $2.80.
Get off at the “Galleria SW 10th Avenue" station which is the 6th stop.
Walk north on 10th Ave to Powell's City of Books, approximately 6 minutes (0.3 miles).]

Option B:
Walking

Distance is 1.3 miles, approximately 30 minutes

[Getting to Powell's City of Books From Portland State University:
Option A:
Mass transit Portland Streetcar: From PSU student union, walk north about a block to the SW Park & Mill transit stop. Streetcar is NS Line (North South Line) going north toward NW 23rd Ave. Get off the streetcar at the NW 10th & Couch station. Go immediately around the corner to the W Burnside Powell's City of Books entrance.
Option B:
You can also use the Max Green or Yellow line, board at PSU South/SW 6th & College MAX Station taking train headed to Clackamas TC, get off at 6th & Pine stop, and walk 1/3 mile north-east to Powells.]

Thursday May 14, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Powell's City of Books, 3rd Floor Pearl Room 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR. 97209

Community Building

Audience For This Session Everyone, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Established Independent Publishers, Start Strong Independent Publishers, Executives and Key Staff

8:00am PDT

Breakfast with Small Group Ask the Experts, Peer Tables, and Open Tables (included)

Friday May 15, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am PDT

Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Three Options for Friday Breakfast:
(1)
Group Ask-the-Experts 1: 8:15am-8:40am
Group Ask-the-Experts 2: 8:45am-9:10am
Group Ask-the-Experts 3: 9:15am-9:40am

Every group “Ask the Experts” consultation on Friday morning has open spaces that are available for any attendee. You’ll see the topics and experts for each time slot posted on each table. The sign also lists the names of those who have reserved seats, and the number of open spaces. You can see the Group Ask the Experts schedule as an attached file on this session in Sched.

(2)
There are also peer tables (with no designated expert) during Friday morning where folks will gather to discuss Children’s Publishing, Hybrid Publishing, Distribution, Book Marketing, and Author-Publishing (a.k.a. Self-Publishing).

(3)
Tables with no signs are open seating, where chance and serendipity will be your guide to new conversations, colleagues, and friends!

Friday May 15, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am PDT
Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Community Building

Audience For This Session Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Everyone, Established Independent Publishers, Start Strong Independent Publishers

11:00am PDT

Welcome and Opening Keynote by Donald Miller: Rise Above the Noise. Connect With More Customers.

Friday May 15, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Our program begins!

Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, IBPA's CEO, will welcome everyone and introduce our opening keynote speaker,
Donald Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Building a StoryBrand.

Rise Above the Noise. Connect With More Customers.
In 2017, Dave Ramsey called Building a StoryBrand the most effective framework for cutting through digital noise. Over 1 million copies of the book have sold, and global brands like TREK, TOMS, and The Economist use it to drive growth. Whether you own a publishing business, are marketing a book or a cause, or building your publisher or author brand... Donald Miller’s proven seven-part story formula can help your message cut through the chaos because brand storytelling captures attention, transforms customers’ lives, and fuels business growth.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Andrea Fleck-Nisbet

CEO, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

Andrea began her tenure as CEO of the Independent Book Publishers Association in November 2022. Prior to that she was the founding vice-president and publisher of HarperCollins’ lifestyle imprint, Harper Horizon. Andrea spent fifteen years in sales, digital media, and business operations... Read More →

Donald Miller

CEO; New York Times bestselling author of Building a StoryBrand, StoryBrand and Coach Builder

Donald Miller is the CEO of StoryBrand and Coach Builder. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Building a StoryBrand 2.0, Marketing Made Simple, Coach Builder, and How to Grow Your Small Business. He’s consulted with thousands of companies to help them clarify the... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Plenary

Audience For This Session Everyone, Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

12:00pm PDT

Lunch & Meet Our Sponsors (and Donald Miller Book Signing)

Friday May 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:40pm PDT

Hyatt Regency Portland, Oregon Convention Center - Regency Ballroom & Foyer

Grab lunch (included with your conference registration) and meet our sponsors!

Friday May 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:40pm PDT
Hyatt Regency Portland, Oregon Convention Center - Regency Ballroom & Foyer

Community Building

Audience For This Session Everyone, Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

12:40pm PDT

Rittenhouse Award Presented to Mark Ouimet

Friday May 15, 2026 12:40pm - 1:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Join us for the Rittenhouse Award presentation, given to Marc Ouimet, and presented by Brooke Warner!

Speakers

Mark Ouimet

Mark Ouimet has had the good fortune to spend his entire adult career in the book world. From being a buyer and manager at the Stanford Bookstore to working in sales, marketing and executive leadership at Publishers Group West; through learning how to be a publisher at North Atlantic Books and... Read More →

Brooke Warner

Publisher, She Writes Press

Brooke Warner is publisher of She Writes Press, an imprint of The Stable Book Group. She is a memoir coach and author of Write On, Sisters!, Green-light Your Book, What's Your Book?, and three books on memoir. She’s also a TEDx speaker (“Green-light Revolution”), weekly podcaster (of “Memoi... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 12:40pm - 1:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Community Building

Audience For This Session Everyone, Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

1:15pm PDT

Breakout 1 (Hot Topics A) - Audiobooks: Leveraging Subrights, Production, and Distribution for Success

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Designed for both self-published authors and independent presses, this panel provides key insights for capitalizing on your content. Learn how to sell your audiobook rights, navigate the complexities of production (DIY vs. studio), and master distribution channels (retailers, libraries, direct) to ensure your titles—in all formats—reach the widest possible audience and maximize revenue.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Michele Cobb

Fractional Chief Revenue Officer, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

Michele Cobb is a leading expert in the $2.2 billion North American audiobook industry, and over the past decade of digital transformation has been a sought-after speaker at more than 100 conferences in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. A partner at Forté Business Consulting... Read More →

Brad Rose

VP, Content Strategy, Hoopla

Tavia Gilbert

Founder/CEO, Talkbox Productions

Tavia Gilbert is a Grammy-nominated voice actor, an Odyssey Award-winning director, a keynote speaker, and the writer and producer of multiple international award-winning podcasts. As the founder, CEO, and creative director of Talkbox Productions, an international consultancy and content devel... Read More →

Victoria Gerken

Publisher, Podium Entertainment

Victoria Gerken has welcomed independent authors into the Podium family since 2016. She previously worked with authors in traditional publishing roles - at Random House and Alfred A. Knopf - where she was a publicist and sold subsidiary rights. She got her first taste of entrepreneurship in pub... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Everyone, Executives and Key Staff, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

1:15pm PDT

Breakout 1 (Hot Topics B) - A Post-Funnel Approach to Book Marketing (with AI)

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

The rules of discovery have changed. The old funnel model of ads and keywords and the funnel of “reader magnet → nurture email → sale” is collapsing under the weight of AI-driven discovery and content saturation. Sarah Bean of Book Launchers shares how successful author-publishers are replacing funnels with ecosystems that attract readers through visibility, trust, and ongoing connection.

Attendees will learn:
Why “lead magnets” and traditional funnels are failing and what’s replacing them.
How LLMs and AI discovery are reshaping how readers find and evaluate books (and how to make this work in your favor).
Making the new Ecosystem Framework work for you.

You’ll leave with a roadmap to evolve your author platform for the post-funnel era and create a world where content is surfaced by algorithms, not ad campaigns.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Sarah Bean

Head of Marketing and Partnerships, Book Launchers

Sarah Bean is Book Launchers’ marketing expert and strategist. With over 20 years of publishing and entertainment experience, Sarah has helped over 800 authors launch and market their books. From best-seller strategies to leveraging stages for sales, she works with authors to identify their... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Everyone, Executives and Key Staff, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

1:15pm PDT

Breakout 1 (Publishing 101) - Market Research for Emerging Publishers

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 7 (2nd floor)

Market Research for Emerging Publishers: Before saying “yes” to a manuscript, smart publishers know to dig deeper. This session will walk author-publishers and emerging presses through the essential steps of market research that inform sound publishing decisions. Learn how to evaluate an author’s platform and audience potential, analyze genre and category trends, identify comparable titles, and study cover and metadata patterns that signal market positioning. We’ll also discuss the need to assess who else is publishing in your space, track performance post-publication, and refine your future acquisitions strategy. Whether you’re preparing to launch your first title or building a sustainable list, this session will give you ideas and tools to publish with confidence and clarity.

Presented by Michelle Halket, Publisher of Central Avenue.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Michelle Halket

Publisher, Central Avenue

Michelle Halket is a proud techno- and bibliophile with a background in economic and market research. After seventeen years at the helm of Central Avenue, she is happily immersed in words, paper stock, and devices of all kinds. She’s the sort of person who asks a lot of questions, tries most things... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 7 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Start Strong Independent Publishers

3:00pm PDT

Breakout 2 (Hot Topics A) - Direct to Consumer (D2C) Advantages, Issues, and Solutions

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

As trade sale margins get squeezed, selling direct to consumers offers larger margins and the ability to have direct (and continued) communication for promotion of future sales to the same customer. How do you calculate the ROI cost for acquiring new customers? How do you sell direct to consumers without alienating your trade channels? What solutions exist for managing orders, shipping, and customer communications? And what else do you need to consider?
Join Lee Klancher (publisher, Octane Press), Marty Schoenleber III (Sr. Manager, IngramSpark), and Jason Glaspey (co-founder, Fleet of Geniuses) for this panel that will unpack what you need to know about steering your publishing business to include a D2C strategy.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Lee Klancher

Publisher, Octane Press

Lee Klancher has spent more than 30 years in the publishing industry as a publisher, editor, and author. In 2010, he founded Octane Press, an independent trade press which publishes transportation titles and has won more than 40 independent publishing awards. The company leans heavily into direct-to-consumer... Read More →

Jason Glaspey

Co-Founder, Fleet of Geniuses

Jason Glaspey has spent 25 years on all sides of publishing and content. He started his career managing the website for a car magazine, went on to start multiple online businesses, which turned into opportunities to write two published books. He's ghost-authored a book and produced multiple e... Read More →

Marty Schoenleber III

Sr. Manager, IngramSpark Distribution & Promotional Services, IngramSpark

Marty Schoenleber III is a publishing strategist who has managed marketing and sales for hundreds of bestsellers across every genre. He manages IngramSpark Distribution and Promotional Services at Ingram Content Group, overseeing distribution, marketing, and promotional services for thousands of independent... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Everyone, Executives and Key Staff

3:00pm PDT

Breakout 2 (Hot Topics B) - Large Print Books - Why and How to Add Them to Your Publishing Program

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

Large-print books are one of the fastest-growing opportunities in publishing, yet many authors and publishers are still unsure how to approach them. In this session, attendees will learn why large-print editions matter, who relies on them, and why librarians are actively seeking to add more large-print titles to their collections. You may be surprised by the range of readers who benefit from this accessible format.
We will walk through the research that shaped our production process and discuss where large-print books are currently selling, both in libraries and the trade market. Participants will gain an understanding of key design specifications, pricing structures, and best practices for creating metadata that improves discoverability and supports library acquisition.
Although this session is designed with publishers in mind—especially those exploring how to broaden their catalogs and increase library placement—individual authors will also find valuable, practical guidance. We will cover how authors can independently produce high-quality large-print editions of their books through platforms such as IngramSpark or KDP, ensuring these formats can be offered alongside standard editions.
Attendees will leave with a clear sense of why large-print publishing is worth the investment, along with the tools and knowledge needed to begin producing professional, library-standard editions that meet reader needs and expand market reach.

Please note we had a technical hiccup with the audio recording for this session. We hope to post the full audio as soon as possible.

Speakers

Teri Rider

CEO and Acquisitions Manager, Publisher, Torchflame Books, Top Reads Publishing

Teri Rider is an active member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Teri serves on the Legislation and Standards Committee and co-authored the official criteria for hybrid publishing. She founded Top Reads Publishing in 2015 and, in 2024, expanded her vision by acquiring Torchf... Read More →

Jori Hanna

Director of Marketing and PR, Torchflame Books

Jori Hanna is a Colorado-based bibliophile and publishing professional with a B.S. in Professional Writing from Taylor University. Since 2019, she has worked across the industry in roles including author assistant, marketing consultant, junior literary agent, acquisitions editor, developmental... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Everyone, Executives and Key Staff

3:00pm PDT

Breakout 2 (Publishing 101) - AI-Powered Self-Editing

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 7 (2nd floor)

AI-Powered Self-Editing: Align with Reader Expectations, Cut Costs, and Prepare for Market

The most expensive editing pass is the one that discovers your book isn't delivering on its core promise to the reader. What if you could diagnose and fix these "reader expectation gaps" before your manuscript ever reaches a human editor? This session offers a strategic, cost-saving "pre-edit" process using AI. Join AI editing expert Erin Servais and IBPA award-winning author-publisher Linda Ruggeri for a practical, business-focused workshop. They will demonstrate how to use AI as a predictive "beta reader" to analyze whether your book's structure, pacing, and clarity align with the specific expectations of your target reader. This session is designed to save you significant money by empowering you to fix big-picture problems yourself. Attendees will learn how to create an "AI Reader Persona" for their genre, get actionable feedback on their manuscript's market alignment, and ensure their book meets reader expectations from page one.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Erin Servais

Founder, AI for Editors

Erin Servais helps editorial professionals upskill with artificial intelligence through her AI for Editors training programs. Since 2023, more than 1,000 people across 20+ countries have turned to AI for Editors to learn how to use AI tools safely and effectively in their publish... Read More →

Linda Ruggeri

Nonfiction Editor, The Insightful Editor

Linda Ruggeri is a bilingual (English/Spanish) nonfiction author, editor, and speaker based in Napa Valley, California. She is the author of the award-winning book Networking for Writers (2025 IBPA Gold Medal) and co-author of Networking for Freelance Editors. As the founder of The Networking Studio... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 7 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers

4:15pm PDT

Friday Afternoon Keynote Panel - Reaching Readers Beyond Bookstores, Libraries, and Retail Markets

Friday May 15, 2026 4:15pm - 5:30pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

As it becomes increasingly difficult to profitably sell books through traditional sales channels (including Amazon), more publishers and authors are exploring direct-to-consumer platforms, emerging technologies, and old-fashioned community building opportunities to reach readers. This panel will explore a variety of options for marketing and selling to readers outside of traditional trade channels.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Brooke Warner

Publisher, She Writes Press

Fauzia Burke

Founder & President, FSB Associates

Fauzia Burke is a pioneer in digital book publicity, with over 20 years of experience shaping the publishing industry. As the Founder and President of FSB Associates, she has worked with a wide array of authors, from first-time writers to renowned names like Alan Alda, Arianna Huffington... Read More →

George Walkley

Chairman, non-executive director, advisory board member, Midas, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Bristol University Press

George Walkley is an AI strategist, consultant and board director. He advises organizations on the strategic impact of artificial intelligence and developed an award-winning accredited training programme on generative AI. He has worked with more than 300 organizations in 15 countries... Read More →

Judith Anderle

Chief Commercial Officer, LMBPN Publishing

Judith Anderle is Chief Commercial Officer at LMBPN® Publishing, where she leads global commercialization, marketing, and growth strategy for one of the most influential digital publishers in science fiction and urban fantasy. Since joining LMBPN in 2017, she has built and scaled the company... Read More →

Michael Anderle

Chief Executive Officer and Founding Author, LMBPN Publishing

Michael Anderle is a prolific science fiction and fantasy author best known for creating expansive, interconnected story worlds built around strong, evolving characters. He is the creator of The Kurtherian® Gambit, a genre-blending universe that has grown into a global, multi-series franchise... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 4:15pm - 5:30pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Plenary

Audience For This Session Everyone, Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

8:00am PDT

Breakfast, Board Recognition, and Intentional Membership

Saturday May 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am PDT

Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Grab a yummy breakfast (included with your conference registration) and starting at 8:30am learn about IBPA's committees, board, and volunteer opportunities. We'll also thank our outgoing – and welcome our incoming – members of the IBPA Board of Directors.

Saturday May 16, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am PDT
Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Community Building

Audience For This Session Everyone, Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

9:15am PDT

Saturday Morning Keynote: Matt Braly on Merging the worlds of Content Creation and Business: Lessons from Amphibia and Beyond

Saturday May 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am PDT

Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Merging the Worlds of Content Creation and Business: Lessons from Amphibia and Beyond

As the creator, writer, and producer of the popular Disney show Amphibia (with projects in development at Sony & Netflix), Matt Braly wears two hats – as a content creator as well as a producer pushing projects toward green light. In this exclusive keynote for IBPA Publishing University attendees, Matt will share his insights into how to:

Translate content creation into a viable business model
Pitch your ideas to business folks who want to translate your vision to a bottom line
Cultivate a fandom across media
Surround yourself with the right team to support your vision, and
Stay motivated to keep going when reality sets in.
Ground yourself creatively

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Matt Braly

Animator, Writer, Director & Producer

Matt Braly is an Annie Award winning Thai/American animator, writer, director & producer. He is best known for creating Disney's Amphibia - a cult classic Emmy nominated animated show about three teen girls who get sent to a magical & dangerous world of talking frogs. With over 15 years of ex... Read More →

Saturday May 16, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am PDT
Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Plenary

Audience For This Session Everyone, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors), Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers

10:40am PDT

Breakout 3 (Hot Topics A) - Cover Design & Live Critique Panel

Saturday May 16, 2026 10:40am - 12:10pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Don’t judge a book by its cover is a nice saying, but books get judged by their covers all the time—and it happens in an instant. Join this panel of experts to learn what covers say and how they can help you sell your books.

The first 30 minutes of this session will be three TED-style talks by our faculty experts on book design, covering genre expectations, accessibility, design trends (and whether you should pay attention to them), and more!

The balance of the session (the next 60 minutes) will be a live critique panel by our experts, JuLee Brand (Publisher, W. Brand Publishing), Jeniffer Thompson (Creative Director, Monkey C Media), and Damon Freeman (Founder and Creative Director, Damonza).

If you’re planning to attend this session, you’re welcome submit no more than TWO cover designs for possible critique to our online form by May 4, 2026: https://wkf.ms/4sQAbnq
You may also bring physical books to the session, but priority will be given to the covers submitted online.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

JuLee Brand

Publisher, W. Brand Publishing

JuLee Brand is a graphic designer, art director, publisher, and storyteller with over 30 years of experience across music, television, and publishing. Founder of W. Brand Publishing and StorySessions™, she specializes in helping authors uncover clarity, meaning, and connection through guid... Read More →

Damon Freeman

Founder and Creative Director, Damonza

Damon Freeman is the founder and Creative Director of Damonza, one of the most recognized book design studios in indie publishing. His team has created covers for bestselling authors and major publishers including HarperCollins, Thomas & Mercer, and Simon & Schuster, as well as thousands of independent... Read More →

Jeniffer Thompson

Creative Director, Monkey C Media

Jeniffer Thompson is an author branding coach, book marketing strategist, and publishing consultant who helps authors clarify their message and build sustainable visibility. She co-founded Monkey C Media in 2004, an award-winning book cover and website design studio, and hosts Th... Read More →

Saturday May 16, 2026 10:40am - 12:10pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers

10:40am PDT

Breakout 3 (Hot Topics B) - Protecting Your Rights

Saturday May 16, 2026 10:40am - 12:10pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

In today’s rapidly evolving publishing landscape—shaped by AI, new distribution models, and shifting industry norms—understanding contracts isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Whether you’re an author or an independent publisher, this interactive session will equip you with the foundational knowledge you need to protect your intellectual property and confidently navigate agreements of all kinds. Our expert panel will break down the essentials of copyright and walk through the most common contracts you’re likely to encounter—from author and publisher agreements to distribution, licensing, and service provider contracts.

Designed for a wide range of experience levels and business models, this session goes beyond theory. After a brief overview, the conversation will turn to real-world questions and scenarios, with ample time for audience Q&A.

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to craft agreements that safeguard your rights and practical strategies for negotiating terms that work in your favor.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Kurt Brackob

Director, Histria Books

Dan Foutz

Managing Member, Live On Media, LLC

Dan Foutz is an attorney and consultant specializing in media, entertainment, publishing, sports, and technology. As the founder of Foutz Legal Services, a division of Live On Media, LLC, Dan advises media companies, publishers, agents, and creators on contract drafting, negotiation, and strategi... Read More →

Judith Anderle

Chief Commercial Officer, LMBPN Publishing

Saturday May 16, 2026 10:40am - 12:10pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers

12:15pm PDT

Lunch, Ask the Experts, and Meet Our Sponsors! (and Matt Braly Book Signing)

Saturday May 16, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm PDT

Hyatt Regency Portland, Oregon Convention Center - Regency Ballroom & Foyer

Grab some food, meet a few sponsors, and connect with your community!

Ask the Experts one-expert-with-one-attendee sessions will also happen at this time:
(3) 1:00pm-1:15pm ; (4) 1:20-1:35pm
Sign up information to come.

Saturday May 16, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm PDT
Hyatt Regency Portland, Oregon Convention Center - Regency Ballroom & Foyer

Community Building

Audience For This Session Everyone, Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

1:40pm PDT

Breakout 4 (Hot Topics B) - Equity Innovations in Publishing (Yes, Even Now)

Saturday May 16, 2026 1:40pm - 2:40pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

The environment for diverse books has grown hostile and sales to schools and libraries are down. But the audience for diverse books is larger than ever—and the need is greater than ever, too.
How can we innovate to advance equity across publishing – from who works in our industry to who and what gets published and promoted?
This interactive session will start with brief presentations about:
•The BLK Bestsellers list, presented by Troy Johnson (President, African American Literature Book Club)
•The work to expand diverse BISAC codes, in particular for books about Indigenous subjects and communities, presented by Wiley Barnes (Director, Chickasaw Press)
•And a new grant program for independent publishers to help them publish children’s books with Jewish themes and characters.
The session attendees and our faculty will then engage in a group sharing and brainstorm about further innovations that currently exist and/or that we might create.
IBPA believes in the power of diverse books, and in the importance of mission-driven independent publishers to publish those books so that every reader can find themselves—and learn about others—in the books they read.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Lee Wind

Chief Content Officer, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

As the Chief Content Officer for the Independent Book Publishers Association, Lee Wind (he/him) helps shape the direction of IBPA’s educational programs, book marketing opportunities, and role in the industry. A book blogger and author himself, Lee is passionate about empowering... Read More →

Troy D Johnson

President, African American Literature Book Club

Troy D. Johnson is the founder and president of the African American Literature Book Club (AALBC), a leading platform for the discovery and promotion of Black literature. A longtime publishing-industry leader, he serves on the board of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and is a fou... Read More →

Wiley Barnes

Director, Chickasaw Press

Wiley Barnes, Chickasaw Press, holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Oklahoma State University. He has spent twenty-six years forging a career in publishing, writing, printing, photography, and graphic design, with the last nineteen years at the Chickasaw Nation. During that time, he has had the pleasure... Read More →

Saturday May 16, 2026 1:40pm - 2:40pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 5 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers

3:30pm PDT

Breakout 5 (Hot Topics A) - Reaching a Gen Z Audience

Saturday May 16, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Gen Z, the first fully digital generation, is surprisingly turning to analog experiences and physical books. New survey data from Immersive Media and Books 2025 reveals these digital natives seek physical materials to combat isolation, build reader identities, and discover content organically—often through library spaces.
In this session, professors Kathi Inman Berens and Rachel Noorda explore this paradox and provide actionable strategies for publishers navigating Gen Z's unique reading behaviors.

Attendees will learn:
Key findings from the Immersive Media and Books 2025 survey on Gen Z reading preferences and discovery patterns
Why physical books and library spaces matter to digital natives, and what this means for print and digital publishing strategies
How libraries function as critical discovery points in the Gen Z reader journey—and how publishers can leverage these touchpoints
Practical strategies for reaching Gen Z readers through both physical and digital formats
How to build meaningful connections with Gen Z that convert library borrowers into book buyers

What you'll gain:
Concrete insights to inform your publishing strategy, marketing approaches, and format decisions when targeting the Gen Z market, plus a deeper understanding of how this generation builds lasting relationships with books and authors.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Speakers

Rachel Noorda

Associate Professor, Portland State University

Dr. Rachel Noorda is Director and Associate Professor of Publishing at Portland State University. She is the co-author of two reports for the American Library Association about Gen Z and millennial public library use and the digital public library ecosystem.

Saturday May 16, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Willamette 1 (2nd floor)

Breakout Sessions + Ask the Experts

Audience For This Session Start Strong Independent Publishers

4:45pm PDT

Closing Session and Raffle

Saturday May 16, 2026 4:45pm - 5:30pm PDT

Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Don't miss our closing session of raffle prizes and rapid-fire takeaways!

Attend this session for your chance to win one of our great raffle prizes -- and we'll draw the winner of the Treasure Hunt (Visit all the conference sponsors to get a chance to win $500 IBPA credit plus a FREE pass to IBPA Publishing University 2027)!

Saturday May 16, 2026 4:45pm - 5:30pm PDT
Hyatt Regency - Regency Ballroom (2nd floor)

Community Building

Audience For This Session Everyone, Start Strong Independent Publishers, Established Independent Publishers, Author Publishers (A.K.A. Self-Published Authors)

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