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As independent publishers we know that each dollar we spend must be carefully planned and make a significant contribution to our company’s success. If you’ve never attended Publishing University, now is the time to budget the resources so you can benefit from this important educational event. IBPA knows what independent publishers need and we have designed this program with you in mind. If you’ve attended The IBPA Publishing University several times before, then this is the year to come back. Take a look at the Advanced Track Program we have developed for previous attendees and experienced publishers.

• I’m just starting my publishing venture. What do you recommend for a first-timer at Publishing University?
• I went last year. What could possibly be there for me again?
• I thought the University was just for new publishers—what’s changed?
• I need to learn more about . . . [publicity, sales/marketing, editorial/printing, Web-focused]. How can Publishing University help me?
• How do I sign up and where can I stay?
• How do I learn more?

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• Step 1: Start by planning ahead. Publishing University classes are grouped by subject matter (tracks), and you can find a complete listing under the Tracks tab. It’s tempting to want to do it all, and of course you want to get your money’s worth, but spending 15 minutes in each of the more than 35 sessions is definitely not the best approach or use of your time. One solution for doubling your exposure is to use the buddy system – you attend the Publicity Track, your friend attends the Marketing Track, and then you share notes. And remember that all the sessions are available after the University in audio format, so it’s easy to pick up the recording for any classes you may have missed.
• Attend Tuesday’s Welcome class. This is a valuable overview of the Publishing University experience, Welcome to the 2009 Publishing University provides tips and tricks for getting the most out of your University experience. IBPA President, Florrie Binford Kichler, IBPA Affiliates Chair, Bob Goodman, and Publishing University Educational Chair, Robin Bartlett, are your Mapquest ™ for navigating the University efficiently and effectively and will tell you how to get the most bang for your buck.
• Here’s a recommended class schedule for first-time attendees. Consider these class choices to see how well they coincide with your goals and objectives:
  Tuesday: attend full program.
  Wednesday: Ask Experts, 1A, 2E, 3F, 4B.
  Thursday: Ask Experts, 5C, 6F, 7E, 8C.

• Half of our classes are brand-new — Everything from 1E. Octopus Marketing, and 2C. Book Trailers, to 3A. From Ho Hum to Hooked: How to Have a Killer Press Release.
• Ask the Experts — Early Bird sessions are back by popular demand. Offered both Wednesday and Thursday mornings, these sessions provide you with a one-on-one opportunity to get free consulting advice from a publishing professional.
• Hot topics in Internet Marketing. These are included in every track. Be sure to check out 3F. Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Fundamentals of Web 2.0, 4F. How To Build a Strong Technical but Manageable Presence on the Social Web, and 6E. How to Create Massive Visibility Online.
• Here is a recommended class schedule with you in mind:
  Wednesday: Ask Experts and Advanced Track.
  Thursday: Ask Experts, 5C, 6F, 7E, 8C.

• Back by Popular Demand is our Advanced Track custom designed for more experienced attendees? Meet three of the following five criteria to attend this mini grad course in publishing:
• previous attendance at Publishing University
• three or more years in publishing
• publishing as your primary business
• at least $250K in annual sales
• five or more titles published
• You won't want to miss the keynote speech by Sara Nelson former editor-in-chief of Publishers Weekly, plus a jam-packed day of programming designed especially for the “veteran,” and you'll enjoy a unique learning and networking opportunity. Plan you schedule around these advanced track classes: Expertising: Above and Beyond Dynamite Publicity Tactics, Web 2.0 and Social Media Tools and Techniques, The Choreography of Big Sales and Marketing Campaigns, How to Make More Money with Special Sales.

• Want publicity pointers? Try taking these classes:
  Wednesday: Ask Experts, 1C, 2E, 3A, 4A
  Thursday: Ask Experts, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8E
• Need to sharpen up on the most recent sales and marketing concepts? Here's a recommended class schedule:
  Wednesday: Ask Experts, 1E, 2C, 3C, 4C
  Thursday: Ask Experts, 5E, 6G, 7B
• Do editorial and printing woes have you down? Here's your class schedule:
  Wednesday: Ask Experts, 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D
  Thursday: Ask Experts, 5E, 6G, 7B
• Want to focus on the latest Web tools? Focus on these classes:
  Wednesday: Ask Experts, 1E, 2E, 3F, 4F
  Thursday: Ask Experts, 5E, 6E, 7E, 8D

With eight tracks and more than 35 classes featuring everything from protecting your copyright to revealing secrets of attracting maximum publicity attention, it’s hard to imagine a facet of publishing not covered. Add our three informative and inspirational keynote speeches and you have the finest educational event in book publishing!

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Explore this website! When you’re finished, if you still have questions, you can reach a real, live person at IBPA, the Independent Book Publishers Association's home office. Call 310-372-2732.

Attend the 2009 IBPA Publishing University. It’s the only event of its kind. Designed for independent publishers by independent publishers. This year’s theme, The Future of Publishing: How to Thrive in a Digital World will be the consistent thread in every class you attend, whether it’s marketing, sales, publicity, editorial or general publishing.