IBPA Publishing University 2026

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, he founded Agate Publishing in his basement with a laptop, cellphone, and internet connection, and grew it into a diversified small independent publishing company with four trade imprints and two other learning-related lines of business. The newest of these, Agate Publishing Academy, helps aspiring publishing professionals and writers learn more about how the industry works. He also produces the semi-regular Substack, “What Publishing Is.” He lives in Evanston, Illinois.

**

Doug's “Ask the Experts” consult schedule is:

Fri May 15, 8:15am-8:40am                  
Table 1
Group
Topic: Independent Publishers
Seats reserved for: Crystal Daye - DayeLight Publishers, Glenn McMahan / Upriver Press, Kim Werker, Nine Ten Publications
6 Open Spaces

Fri May 15, 8:45am-9:10am        
         
Table 5
Group
Distribution
Seats reserved for: Eric G Reid, Sarah Gonzalez - Third Coast Publishing, Mitch Baranowski Thunderhouse Media Group
6 Open Spaces

Sat May 16, 2:50pm-3:05pm
Table 5A
One-on-One
General Publishing Consultancy
Cynthia Wildridge, Limestock PRess