IBPA Publishing University 2026

Please note that the last minute, MJ is unable to attend the IBPA PubU 2026 conference. 
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Mary Jo (“MJ”) Courchesne is the owner and principal consultant of Gryphon Publishing Consulting, LLC and is also Rights & Permissions Manager for the mathematics curriculum publisher Big Ideas Learning. She is a publishing veteran with over 25 years of experience in trade, academic, and direct-response publishing. Her company specializes in supporting the licensing, subsidiary rights, and permissions efforts of independent publishers worldwide. MJ served as adjunct professor for 16 years in The George Washington University’s Masters in Professional Studies in the Field of Publishing where she taught courses on copyright and permissions. She is also a polished presenter at conferences and meetings. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) where she is also a member, is active with the Rights Committee of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), and holds memberships with the Copyright Alliance, American Book Producers Association, and the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. She has also served on the board of experts with the National Association of Writers and Editors (NAIWE). A staunch supporter of arts and cultural organizations, she also serves as vice president on the board of directors for The Big Easy in Buffalo. She resides in Buffalo, NY with her husband and two rescued dogs.