What’s New for You at PMA-U

by Robin Bartlett and Brian
Jud

The 2007 PMA University, to
be held in New York City on May 29 through May 31, will feature more than 100
book industry experts and more than 70 courses to help you succeed in
independent publishing—and half of the courses are brand-new. The 2007 theme is
Stretching Your Publishing Boundaries with Passion, Planning, and
Profitability!

PMA’s three-day publishing bonanza
begins with an orientation and quickly accelerates to a Speed-dating Your Distributor
event where you can listen to and learn from experienced and knowledgeable
representatives from the industry’s top distributors and wholesalers. As a
distribution speed-dater, you will move from one company’s representative to
another’s, find out what each company has to offer, and learn how to choose the
right partner for your list.

The afternoon of the first day
will be packed with concurrent sessions to help you become a better publisher
and marketer. If you are new to the business, you will want to attend Getting
Started as a New Publisher. And publishers at any level of proficiency can
discover tips and techniques about direct marketing, copyright and other legal
issues, and basic publicity skills in courses taught by experts in their fields.

You’ll also have an opportunity to
hear from—and question—a panel of POD advocates talking about digital-printing
technology and its uses in publishing and marketing. Or you may choose classes
where you’ll learn about niche marketing, budgeting basics, and Staying Small,
Staying Profitable.

The next two days, May 30 and 31,
are jam-packed with more information on marketing—including Internet
marketing—finance, legal issues, design and production concerns, and editorial
considerations, as well as advice on sales, publicity, and general business
topics. To top things off, Marcella Smith, director of small press and vendor
relations from Barnes & Noble, will host a special five-part program in
which you can meet with and ask questions of the B&N buyers for your genre.

As attendees at previous PMA
Universities already know, its many information-packed courses are developed
and led by member publishers and industry leaders who freely share ideas and
applications you can put to good use in your day-to-day business. They will
help you get started in publishing or improve and enhance the profitability of
your established publishing enterprise.

Watch for the PMA University
insert in next month’s Independent
to register and take advantage of special program and hotel pricing.

Robin Bartlett
(robin@robinbartlett.com) is a senior account executive with the American Heart
Association and educational chair of PMA University.

Brian Jud
(brianjud@bookmarketing.com)
is the author of Beyond the Bookstore and <span
style=’font-size:11.0pt’>The Marketing Planning CD-ROM.