You’ll likely notice something special about this issue of IBPA Independent. In addition to the general content this magazine is prized for, throughout the next pages you’ll find a focus on awards with the goal of celebrating the different contests and winners raising our profile as a community of independent publishers. Award recognition can be …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA CEO — Over the past year, a team of IBPA board members, staff, and professional consultants have been working hard to refresh and reshape this magazine. Our goal has been to create an updated look for a valued member benefit without losing the thoughtful content and practical analysis that …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA Chief Executive Officer — “The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” These words, from Japanese scholar Kakuzo Okakura, ring true to me. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how people and organizations embrace change. In my personal life, it’s never the same day twice: …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA Executive Director — It’s January and you know what that means: a new year stretches before us ripe for the filling. If you’re like me, you have many exciting projects on your plate and plenty of trends to consider. In honor of this busy time, I thought I’d pull …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA Executive Director — Did you know that IBPA, as the largest national association of publishers, supports 24 regional affiliates that may be of benefit to you? This December, as you think about ways to make the next year a successful one for your publishing business, perhaps you could add …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA Executive Director — Last month I had the pleasure of dining with Rana DiOrio, founder of Little Pickle Press and member of IBPA’s board of directors. As dinner companions go, Rana is topnotch. Her unbelievable knack for picking great restaurants is surpassed only by her always direct and meaningful …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA Executive Director — In this month’s Director’s Desk, I’m going to pull the curtain on a recent IBPA board of directors meeting. IBPA’s board of directors is a 14-person leadership team—13 voting members plus the chair—tasked with setting the association’s strategic direction and managing its cash reserves. The best …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA Executive Director — When you’re overburdened with e-mail and cranky people make it their job to interfere with your day; when your printer messes up your order, your distributor doesn’t stock enough books to cover your author tour, you’re late on one deadline or another . . . again; …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA Executive Director — This month’s “Director’s Desk” is special to me because in it I get to introduce you to a fantastic new member of IBPA’s office staff, Mimi Le. Mimi joined IBPA in May 2015 as our new project coordinator, member benefits specialist. Many of you enjoyed working …

(DIRECTOR’S DESK) By Angela Bole, IBPA Executive Director — This month marks the beginning of my third year as IBPA’s executive director. I know it’s cliché, but it’s absolutely astonishing to me how quickly time flies. It’s true what Ferris Bueller said: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in …