SLPA News & Views Archive

Enjoy these issues of the SLPA newsletter, filled with useful content for our members and friends!

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2020 News & Views

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – May 2020 

Selected highlights:

·       May 13 meeting:

"Relaunch! How to Recharge Older Books to Boost Sales Today"
                    Presented by Dean Klinkenberg via Zoom.us

·       Newsletter Articles

–   "Relaunch! How to Recharge Older Books to Boost Sales Today " - Preview of the May 13 monthly meeting presented by Dean Klinkenberg

--  "Use Amazon Advertising Like a Pro" by Keri Barnum

-    Last Month's Recap:

"How Authors Can Connect with Readers and Inspire Sales Without Leaving Home"

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Vivian Gibson, The Last Children of Mill Creek

·       Events to look forward to in 2020

-- May 13 via Zoom.us -- "How to Recharge Older Books to Boost Sales Today" Dean Klinkenberg

-- "Use Amazon Advertising Like a Pro" with Keri Barnum

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – April 2020 

Selected highlights:

·       April 8 meeting:

"How Authors Can Connect with Readers and Inspire Sales Without Leaving Home"
                    Presented by Bob Baker and Lou Bortone via Zoom.us

·       Newsletter Articles

--   "How Authors Can Connect with Readers and Inspire Sales Without Leaving Home" 

–   "Relaunch! How to Recharge Older Books to Boost Sales Today " - Preview of the May 13 monthly meeting presented by Dean Klinkenberg

-    Last Month's Recap:

"St. Louis Writers Guild Saturday workshop Writers in the Lodge conference

·       Events to look forward to in 2020

-- Apr 8 via Zoom.us -- "How Authors Can Connect with Readers and Inspire Sales Without Leaving Home"

-- May 13 via Zoom.us -- "How to Recharge Older Books to Boost Sales Today"Dean Klinkenberg

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – March 2020 

Selected highlights:

·       March 11 meeting:

"Your SLPA: Members Get More!"
                    Presented by SLPA Board Members

·       Newsletter Articles

--   "Your SLPA: Members Get More!"Confessions of a Kidlit Author by Kerri Holloway

--   "Authors Journey Panel" - Preview of the April 8 meeting by Jo Lena Johnson

–   "How to Publish Your Own Book" - Preview of the Saturday April 25 workshop

-    Last Month's Recap:

"Getting to Yes" - review of Confessions of a Kidlit Authorpresentation by Jody Feldman

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Lonnie Whitaker, Mulligan Runs for Office

·       Events to look forward to in 2020

-- Mar 11 -- Your SLPA: Members Get More!

-- Mar 19 -- Happy Hour with the SLPA

-- Apr 8 -- Authors Journey Panel

-- Apr 25 -- Saturday workshop at St. Louis Community College -- Meramec "How to Publish Your Own Book"

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – February 2020 

Selected highlights:

·       February 12 meeting:

" Confessions of a Kidlit Author:
                    Mistakes, Failures, and Other Mishaps that Led to Publishing Success" 
                 Presented by Jody Feldman

·       Newsletter Articles

--   "Getting to Yes" by Jody Feldman

--   "Tell Us What You Want to Know" - SLPA Member survey

                    Mistakes, Failures, and Other Mishaps that Led to Publishing Success"

–    Last Month's Recap:

"Your Book is Published! Now What? (How to Promote Your Work as an Author)"

      Presented by Fred E. Miller of NO SWEAT! Public Speaking!

--    Fred's Three-Legged EXPERT Stool

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Mike Bizelli, Last Day on a Chain, book about animal rescue

·       Events to look forward to in 2020

-- Feb 12 -- Confessions of a Kidlit Author:

                    Mistakes, Failures, and Other Mishaps that Led to Publishing Success

-- Mar 11 -- Your SLPA: Members Get More!

-- Apr 25 -- Saturday workshop at St. Louis Community College -- Meramec "How to Publish Your Own Book"

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – January 2020 

Selected highlights:

·       January 8 meeting:

"Your Book is Published! Now What? (How to Promote Your Work as an Author)"

      Presented by Fred E. Miller of NO SWEAT! Public Speaking!

·       Newsletter Articles

--   Your Book is Published! Now What? (How to Promote Your Work as an Author) by Fred E. Miller

--   Preview of this next month's meeting "Confessions of a Kidlit Author:

                    Mistakes, Failures, and Other Mishaps that Led to Publishing Success"

–    Last Month's Recap: "Pitchapalooza: The One Minute Book Marketing Challenge" 

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Peter Green, his parents' personal stories, including:   Dad’s War with the U.S. Marines, Ben’s War with the U.S. Marines, Radio: One Woman’s Family in War and Pieces, and more!

·       Events to look forward to in 2020

-- Jan 8  -- Your Book is Published! Now What? (How to Promote Your Work as an Author)

-- Feb 12 -- Confessions of a Kidlit Author:

                    Mistakes, Failures, and Other Mishaps that Led to Publishing Success

-- Mar 11 -- Ask The Board (Membership Benefits)

 

2019 News & Views

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – December 2019

Selected highlights:

·       December 11 meeting:

"Pitchapalooza: The One Minute Book Marketing Challenge" Presented by Bob Baker 

·       Newsletter Articles

–   "The Importance of Getting Great Book Reviews" by Peggy Nehmen

--   Preview of this month's meeting "Pitchapalooza: The One Minute Book Marketing Challenge"

--   Your Book is Published! Now What? (How to Promote Your Work as an Author) by Fred E. Miller

–    Last Month's Recap: "Put Your Book on Amazon -- The Easy Way" 

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Ned Lips, 3-novel series: Reset, First Steps, and Entwined  

·       Events to look forward to in 2019 and 2020

-- Dec 11 -- Pitchapalooza: The One Minute Book Marketing Challenge

-- Jan 8  -- Your Book is Published! Now What? (How to Promote Your Work as an Author)

-- Feb 12 -- Confessions of a Kidlit Author:

                    Mistakes, Failures, and Other Mishaps that Led to Publishing Success

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – November 2019

Selected highlights:

·       November 13 meeting:

"Put Your Book on Amazon -- The Easy Way!" Presented by Pat Dorsey 

·       Newsletter Articles

–    "Put Your Book on Amazon -- The Easy Way!" by Pat Dorsey

--   Preview of next month's meeting "Pitchapalooza: The One Minute Book Marketing Challenge"

–    Last Month's Recap: Book Clubs - "What Every Author and Self-Publisher Should Know" 

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Georgie Herz, Jess Joins Friends and Family 

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

-- Nov 13 -- Put Your Book on Amazon -- The Easy Way!

-- Nov 16 -- Saturday workshop at St. Louis Community College -- Meramec "How to Publish Your Own Book"

-- Dec 11 -- Pitchapalooza: The One Minute Book Marketing Challenge

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – October 2019

Selected highlights:

·       October 9 meeting:

“Book Clubs: What Every Author and Self-Publisher Should Know ”

panel: Gina Gibbons, Damita Morris, Jo Lena Johnson 

·       Newsletter Articles

–    Preview of the November monthly meeting "Put Your Book on Amazon -- The Easy Way!"

–    Last Month's Recap: YouTube for Authors

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Debbie Frick, Conversations About Autism 

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

-- Oct  9 -- Book Clubs: What Every Self-Publisher & Author Should Know

-- Oct 16 -- SLPA Happy Hour at Earthbound Brewing

-- Nov 13 -- Put Your Book on Amazon -- The Easy Way!

-- Nov 16 -- Saturday workshop at St. Louis Community College -- Meramec "How to Publish Your Own Book"

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – September 2019

Selected highlights:

·       September 11 meeting:

“YouTube for Authors ” presented by Bob Baker

·       Newsletter Articles

--   YouTube For Authors -- How to Attract Readers and Sell More Books Using Video by Bob Baker

–    Preview of the November Saturday workshop at St. Louis Community College -- Meramec "How to Publish Your Own Book"

–    Highlights  from the St. Louis Small Press Expo

–    Last Month's Recap: SLPA Vendor Showcase

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Xu Fangfang, article about her book Galloping Horses, and her world travels

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

-- Sept 11 -- YouTube for Authors

-- Oct  9 -- Book Clubs: What Every Self-Publisher & Author Should Know

-- Oct 16 -- SLPA Happy Hour at Earthbound Brewing

-- Nov 16 -- Saturday workshop at St. Louis Community College -- Meramec "How to Publish Your Own Book"

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – August 2019

Selected highlights:

·       August 14 meeting:

“SLPA Vendor Showcase” hosted by the St. Louis Publishers Association

·       Newsletter Articles

–    IBPA PUBLISHING University Conference Highlights by Joanne Adams  

–    Preview of the SLPA Vendor Showcase

–    Highlights  from the Saturday workshop: Fire Up Your Book Project! presented by Robin Cutler

–    Last Month's Recap: Getting Your Book Into The Local Library

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA Board member Jo Lena Johnson presents an imprint from her Mission Possible Press:

        Black Hearts White Minds 

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

--  Aug 14 -- SLPA Vendor Showcase

-- Aug 17 -- St. Louis Small Press Expo

-- Sept 11 -- YouTube for Authors

-- Oct  9 -- Book Clubs: What Every Self-Publisher & Author Should Know

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – July 2019

Selected highlights:

·       July 10 meeting:

“How to Get Your Book Into The Local Library” 

Presented by Jennifer Alexander

·       Newsletter Articles

–    How to Get Your Book Into The Local Library by Jennifer Alexander 

–    Self-Publishing Trends 2018-2019 by Robin Cutler 

·       KUDOS Corner -- SLPA member Carol Weisman:

        Becoming One of the Grateful Dead: Where There's a Will, There's a Way 

·       Last Month's Recap -- Finding Fans to Market Your Book

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

–   July 10 -- Getting Your Book Into The Local Library

–   July 20 – Robin Cutler Saturday workshop: Fire Up Your Book Project!

--  Aug 14 -- SLPA Vendor Showcase

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – June 2019

Selected highlights:

·       June 12 meeting:

“Marketing Your Books by Finding Fans Rather than Simply Pushing Unit Sales” 

Presented by Martin McConnell

·       Newsletter Articles

–    Build a Loyal Fan Base for Long-term Success by Martin McConnell 

–    Self-Publishing: It's Easier Than You Think by Robin Cutler 

·       KUDOS Corner -- These Boys Are Killing Me by Terry Baker Mulligan

·       Last Month's Recap -- Authors Journey Panel

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

–   June 12 – Finding Fans to Market Your Book

–   July 10 -- Getting Your Book Into The Local Library

–   July 20 – Robin Cutler Saturday workshop: Fire Up Your Book Project!

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – May 2019

Selected highlights:

·       May 8 meeting:

“Author Journey Panel”  Moderated by Jo Lena Johnson

·       Newsletter Articles

–    Author Journey Panel bios: Brad Cook; Jo Lena Johnson; T.W. Fendley; Peter Green

·       KUDOS Corner -- The Block Manager an imprint of SLPA member and publisher of Pen & Publish

·       Last Month's Recap -- Make Your Book Designer Happy

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

–   May 8 – Author Journey Panel

–   June 12 – Finding Fans to Market Your Book

–   July 20 – Robin Cutler Saturday workshop

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – April 2019

Selected highlights:

·       April 10 meeting:

“Make Your Book Designer Happy ” presented by Patrick Dorsey and Peggy Nehmen

·       Newsletter Articles

–    How to Publish Your Own Book: What I Wish I Knew by Kerri Holloway

·       KUDOS Corner -- Silence Is Not an Option: A Memoir of Overcoming Abuse, Anxiety, and Depression
      by SLPA Member Argentina Parra 

·       Last Month's Recap -- Easy Social Media Marketing for Authors

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

–    Apr 13 – How to Publish Your Own Book -- Saturday workshop

–    May 8 – Author Journey Panel

–    July 20 – Robin Cutler Saturday workshop

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – March 2019

Selected highlights:

·       March 13 meeting:

“Easy Social Media Marketing for Authors” presented by Bob Baker

·       Newsletter Articles

–    Your Most Important Marketing Piece by Peggy Nehmen

--   Make Your Book Designer Happy -- Preview of April 10th meeting

featuring SLPA Board Members Patrick Dorsey and Peggy Nehmen

–    How to Publish Your Own Book -- Preview of April 13th Saturday workshop 

·       KUDOS Corner -- Big River Steampunk Festival  type-in demonstration for authors;

Elaine Spencer of Monroe Street Press 

·       Last Month's Recap -- Getting Into Independent Bookstores

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

–    Mar 13 – Easy Social Media Marketing for Authors

–    Apr 13 – How to Publish Your Own Book -- Saturday workshop

–    July 20 – Robin Cutler Saturday workshop

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – February 2019

Selected highlights:

·       February 13 meeting:

“Getting Into Independent Bookstores” presented by Amanda Clark-Ball and Cameron Collins

·       Newsletter Articles

–    Getting Into Independent Bookstores by Amanda Clark-Ball

–    Easy Social Media Marketing for Authors with Bob Baker

·       SLPA Book Corner -- Galloping Horses: Artist Xu Beihong and His Family in Mao's China by Xu Fangfang 

·       Last Month's Recap -- The Power of Press: Publicity for Authors

·       Events to look forward to in 2019

–    Feb 13 – Getting Into Independent Bookstores

–    Mar 13 – Easy Social Media Marketing for Authors

–    Apr 13 – How to Publish Your Own Book -- Saturday workshop

–    July 20 – Robin Cutler Saturday workshop

 

2018 News & Views

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – November 2018

Selected highlights:

·       November 14 meeting:

“All About Editing” presented by Andrew Doty and Karen Tucker

·       Newsletter Articles

–    A Quick Reference to the Different Stages of Editing by Andrew Doty

–    Pitchapalooza! Preview of the December 12th meeting with Bob Baker

·       Events to look forward to in 2018

–    Nov 14 – All About Editing

–    Nov 14 – Annual Member Meeting to elect the 2019 Board

–    Dec 12 – Polish Your Pitch: The One-Minute Book Marketing Challenge

–    Jan 9 – The Power of Press: Publicity for Authors

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – October 2018

Selected highlights:

·       October 10 meeting:

“Successes and Failures” panel presentation hosted by Jo Lena Johnson

·       Newsletter Articles

–    Successes and Failures by Jo Lena Johnson

–    All About Editing – Preview of the November 14^th meeting

By Andrew Doty and Karen Tucker

·       SLPA Book Corner – Sugar Hill, Where the Sun Rose Over Harlem

by Terry Baker Mulligan

·       Events to look forward to in 2018

–    Oct 10 – Author Discussion Successes and Failures

–    Oct 19 – Legendary Planet’s Candle Game @ Medici Media Space

–    Oct 26 – Legendary Planet’s Candle Game @ The Book House

–    Nov 3 – Saturday Workshop: How to Publish Your Own Book

–    Nov 14 – All About Editing

–    Nov 14 – Annual Member Meeting to elect the 2019 Board

–    Dec 12 – Polish Your Pitch: The One-Minute Book Marketing Challenge

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – September 2018

Selected highlights:

·       September 12 meeting:

“Audiobooks: From Your Words to Their Ears”

·       Newsletter Articles

–    Audiobooks: From Your Words to Their Ears

by George Sirois

–    Successes and Failures – Preview of the October 10^th meeting

To be hosted by Jo Lena Johnson

·       SLPA Book Corner – Write the Winning Proposal: One Writer’s Proven Methods That Have Won Over $8.1 Billion in Business

by Patrick Dorsey

·       Events to look forward to in 2018

–    Sep 12 – Audiobooks: From Your Words to Their Ears

–    Oct 10 – Author Discussion - Successes and Failures

–    Nov 3 – Saturday Workshop: How to Publish Your Own Book

–    Nov 14 – All About Editing

–    Nov 14 – Annual Member Meeting to elect the 2019 Board

–    Dec 12 – Polish Your Pitch: The One-Minute Book Marketing Challenge

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – August 2018

Selected highlights:

·       August 8 meeting:

“SLPA Vendor Showcase”

·       Newsletter Articles

–    The Origin & History of the St. Louis Publishers Association

by Dan Malan

–    Audiobooks: From Your Words to Their Ears – by George Sirois

·       SLPA Book Corner – Moments: An Inspirational Devotional Journal: Stories and Words to Inspire, Confront and Conquer Everyday Life Situations

by Rhoda Banks

·       Events to look forward to in 2018

–    Aug 8 – SLPA Vendor Showcase

–    Sep 12 – Audiobooks: From Your Words to Their Ears

–    Oct 10 – Author Discussion Successes and Failures

–    Nov 14 – All About Editing

–    Nov 14 – Annual Member Meeting to elect the 2019 Board

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – July 2018

Selected highlights:

·       July 11 meeting:

“How to Market Your Book in the Social Media Age”

Presented by David Strom

·       Newsletter Articles

–    How to Market Your Book in the Social Media Age by David Strom

–    SLPA Vendor Showcase – preview of upcoming showcase August 8

–    Amazon and beyond – preview of upcoming workshop July 21

·       SLPA Book Corner – Your Book Could Be Featured Here! (invitation)

·       Events to look forward to in 2018

–    Jul 11 – How to Market Your Book in the Social Media Age

–    Jul 21 – Saturday workshop with Amy Collins: Amazon and Beyond

–    Aug 8 – SLPA Vendor Showcase

–    Sep 12 – Audiobooks: From Your Words to Their Ears

–    Oct 10 – Author Discussion Successes and Failures

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – June 2018

Selected highlights:

·       June 13 meeting:

“The Importance of Building Your Visual Identity”

Presented by Peggy Nehmen

·       Newsletter Articles

Podcasts for Authors by Peggy Nehmen

How to Market Your Book in the Social Media Age by David Strom

·       SLPA Book Corner – Hilltop Doc: A Marine Corpsman Fighting Through the Mud and Blood of the Korean War  by Leonard Adreon

·       Events to look forward to in 2018

–    Jun 15 – 17 Gateway Con

–    Jul 11 – Digital Tools to Market Your Book

–    Jul 21 – Saturday workshop with Amy Collins: Amazon and Beyond

–    Aug 8 – SLPA Vendor Showcase

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – May 2018

Selected highlights:

·       May 9 meeting:

“Brave Rave: Writing & Marketing Children’s Books”

Presented by Raquel Hunter

·       Newsletter Articles

Getting Your Book Done Right: Four Key Steps by Raquel Hunter

The Importance of Building Your Visual Identity by Peggy Nehmen

·       SLPA Book Corner – Cherry Blossoms in Twilight: Memories of a Japanese Girl

by Yaeko Sugama-Weldon & Linda E. Austin

·       Events to look forward to in 2018

–    May 9 – Brave Rave: Writing & Marketing Children’s Books

–    Jun 15 – 17 Gateway Con

–    Jul 11 – Digital Tools to Market Your Book

–    Jul 21 – The Ins & Outs of Amazon & Getting Your Book Into Book Stores & Beyond

–    Aug 8 – SLPA Vendor Showcase

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – April 2018

Selected highlights:

·         April 11 meeting:

“Book Description Blast: A Crash Course in Drafting and Crafting Marketing Copy”

Presented by Meghan Pinson

·         Newsletter Articles

Elements of a Great Book Description by Meghan Pinson

Brave Rave: Writing & Marketing Children’s Books by Raquel Hunter

·         SLPA Book Corner – Making Sense of Your High Sensitivity

by Cliff Harwin

·         Events to look forward to in 2018

–     Apr 14 – Saturday workshop - How to Publish Your Own Book: What You Need to Know

–     May 9 – Brave Rave: Writing & Marketing Children’s Books

–     Jun 15 – 17 Gateway Con

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – March 2018

Selected highlights:

·         March 14 meeting:

“Hypnotic Book Marketing: How to Create Descriptions and Sales Offers

That Mesmerize Readers and Sell More Books”

Presented by Bob Baker

·         Newsletter Articles

How to Get Your Emails Opened and Read  by Bob Baker

Book Description Blast: A Crash Course in Drafting and Crafting Marketing Copy

by Meghan Pinson

·         SLPA Book Corner – Jump-Start Guide for a Start-Up Online Business

by Margaret Cook

·         Events to look forward to in 2018

–     Mar 14 – Hypnotic Book Marketing

–     Apr 11 – Book Description Blast!

–     Apr 14 – Saturday workshop - How to Publish Your Own Book: What You Need to Know

–     May 9 – Field Trip to a Book Manufacturer: Jaffe Book Solutions

–     Jun 15 – 17 Gateway Con

 

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – February 2018

Selected highlights:

·         February 14 meeting:

“Publishing and Marketing Panel Discussion”

Presented by Jennifer Geist and Heather Tearney

·         Newsletter Articles

“The End” Is Just the Beginning by Heather Tearney

Hypnotic Book Marketing: How to Create Descriptions and Sales Offers

That Mesmerize Readers and Sell More Books by Bob Baker

SLPA Book Corner – It’s All in the Cards... The Emperor

by Lauren Taylor

·         Events to look forward to in 2018

–     Feb 14 – Publishing and Marketing Panel Discussion

–     Mar 14 – Hypnotic Book Marketing

–     Apr 11 – Make Your Book Description Sing

–     Apr 14 – Saturday workshop - How to Publish Your Own Book: What You Need to Know

–     Jun 15 – 17 Gateway Con

St. Louis Publishers Association News & Views – January 2018

Selected highlights:

·         January 11 meeting:

“Build Your Audience and Credibility with Confidence!”

Presented by Jo Lena Johnson

·        Newsletter Articles

3 Tips to Immediately Improve Your Communication by Jo Lena Johnson

Publishing and Marketing Panel Discussion

Preview of upcoming February meeting, presented by Jennifer Geist & Heather Tearney

SLPA Book Corner – Grace in a  Wintry Season

by Edwin Steinmann

·         Events to look forward to in 2018

–     Jan 10 – Build Your Audience and Credibility with Confidence!

–     Feb 14 – Publishing and Marketing Panel Discussion

–     Mar 14 – Hypnotic Book Marketing