PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2019 Compiled by Alexa Schlosser, Managing Editor, IBPA Independent magazine — Three IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ winners in various design categories discuss their process and strategies. The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award program, which include fifty-six categories recognizing excellence in book editorial and design, are regarded as one of the highest national honors for …

PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2018 by Kristin Fields, Associate Editor, IBPA Independent magazine — The world of independent book publishing is new to Imbrifex Books, but they’re quickly rising to the top. Imbrifex Books is relatively new to the independent book publishing space. In fact, it was just last year, in 2017, that their first books were published. …

PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2018 interview by Alexa Schlosser, Managing Editor, IBPA Independent magazine — An interview with Audio Publishers Association executive director Michele Cobb and past Audie Award winner Tavia Gilbert In the spirit of awards season, IBPA Independent wanted to chat with the head of a program that continues to grow year over year, Michele …

PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2018 by Alexa Schlosser, Managing Editor, IBPA Independent magazine — Author publisher/photographer Mark Kelley has been entering the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™ since the 1990s—and taking home wins. Mark Kelley is a self-described “photojournalist first and publisher second,” but really, he does both well, and has been doing so since the early ’80s. …

PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2018 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine — Are independent publishers making strides toward engaging more diverse audiences? IBPA asked a sample of IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™-winning authors and publishers to weigh in on diversity and inclusion in the publishing industry. Here’s what they had to say. Goodreads, Kirkus Reviews, and The …

PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2017 by Angela Bole, CEO, Independent Book Publishers Association — “Keep Austin Weird” is the slogan adopted by the Austin Independent Business Alliance to promote independent businesses in Austin, Texas. As the Independent Book Publishers Association, we can certainly get on board with that! That’s why we’re bringing the annual IBPA Publishing University …

PUBLISHED JUNE 2017 by Maggie Anton, Talmud Scholar and Writer A self-published author examines how the world of publishing has changed in the past decade. It was spring 2004 when I was finally forced to admit that my literary agent was unlikely to find a buyer for my historical novel, Rashi’s Daughters, in time for …

PUBLISHED JUNE 2017 by Ebonye Gussine Wilkins, Founder, August Rose Press Paying rapt attention to readability, the inside cover details, and overall branding will bring you closer to snagging a big win for your book. In early April, IBPA ushered in a new cohort of award-winning indie books via the annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ …

PUBLISHED JUNE 2017 Interviewed by Alexa Schlosser, Managing Editor, IBPA Independent An interview with the new executive director of the National Book Foundation. Lisa Lucas’ road to executive director of the National Book Foundation may have been “higgledy-piggledy,” but, one year in, she is certain it’s a perfect fit. We caught up with Lucas to …

PUBLISHED JUNE 2017 Compiled by Alexa Schlosser, Managing Editor, IBPA Independent A handful of 2017 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ winners discus what makes submitting to awards worthwhile and offer tips for those looking to medal. Jennifer Scroggins, Vice President, KiCam Projects Title: Beautiful Scars Authors: Lori Highlander and Kilee Brookbank Category: Inspirational >> Do you …