Founded in 1983, Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association serving independent publishers throughout the United States.
IBPA is a community of more than 3,000 small to mid-sized publishers who share an interest in advocacy, education, and tools for success.
They also provide a monthly magazine and industry resources, advertising opportunities, and publishing events.
Membership Benefits
As the largest not-for-profit trade association for publishers in the United States, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) is committed to empowering publishers to lead and serve the industry. IBPA has over 3,000 members and provides advocacy, education, marketing programs and tools for success. IBPA’s core values of independence and inclusivity are at the heart of the organization, which strives to create a publishing industry where everyone has access to a voice and can express themselves through the content they read.
Membership benefits include networking with other publishing professionals, access to member resources, access to industry events and trainings, as well as discounts on book production services, printing, publicity services, and more. IBPA also hosts a number of monthly meetings on Zoom that feature speakers on topics such as marketing, distribution, writing, editing, production and more.
IBPA Members can also enjoy special pricing on leading book printer and order fulfillment service Acutrack. This partnership enables IBPA members to take advantage of Acutrack’s technology-driven platform, one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways of printing and fulfilling books today.
As a member, you’ll also receive IBPA’s Industry Standards Checklist to help you identify and address industry pitfalls and inaccuracies. This checklist is intended to help you and your publisher make informed decisions when choosing a format, editing services, and other elements that go into the creation of your book. It’s a vital tool for authors, publishers, and other industry professionals to ensure they are publishing a quality product that represents their substance and is worthy of being embraced.
Advertising Opportunities
As a not-for-profit organization, the Independent Book Publishers Association is able to offer its members a variety of unique advertising opportunities. This includes the most cost-effective of all: cooperative marketing. Specifically, IBPA will bundle, pack, and ship promotional mailers to libraries, schools, bookstores, book reviewers and the general public. Using this service will save you time, money and a few extra pounds on your postage bill. IBPA also has a monthly publication to help you keep tabs on what the industry has to offer. You can view it online or by subscription if you prefer. IBPA has been serving the independent publishing community for over 30 years and is an organization that you can count on to help you achieve your publication goals.
Publishing University
IBPA’s Publishing University is a weekend-long conference for independent book publishers. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded peers, listen to a range of experts, and learn from industry leaders.
It’s also an excellent way to network with vendors and gain access to valuable resources that can help you grow your business. It includes a variety of seminars, lectures, vendor presentations, social events, and more. In 2023, IBPA’s Publishing University will take place at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa in San Diego.
The Independent Book Publishers Association is a trade association that serves book, audio, and video publishers. Its mission is to advance the professional interests of its members through advocacy, education, marketing programs, and tools. Its membership is diverse and includes small, independent, and large publishers.
Since its founding in 1983, IBPA has grown to serve more than 4,000 member publishers worldwide. The organization is governed by a voluntary board and offers beneficial programs and information to all members, regardless of size or experience.
Another organization that is worth looking into is the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). It is mainly online, and provides its members with a magazine, a member forum, discounts in the publishing industry, partnerships with vendors, literary festivals, and Q & A sessions.
In addition, ALLi’s website has an Industry Standards Checklist that aims to promote honesty and transparency in the industry. It will be useful to both self-published and traditionally published authors as it outlines standards that should guide reviewers, contests, and membership associations in their selection of books.
A few other organizations that would be worth checking out are the Association of Illustrators, which has thousands of members in 38 countries and is a good resource for finding illustrators who have work suitable for your project. It also has an annual conference, discounts for members, educational opportunities, a membership directory, and awards for illustration.
The Mediterranean Editors & Translators (MET) is a group for English-language editors working in the Mediterranean region. They hold an annual conference, provide a directory of their members, and offer workshops and panel discussions throughout the year.
Book Awards
Whether your book is an established best seller or is new to the market, competition can give it additional recognition. The Independent Book Publishers Association offers a number of awards to help you reach your goal of publishing an award-winning book.
The Independent Book Publishers Association recognizes a wide range of books from a diverse array of genres and publishers. These awards offer authors and publishers an opportunity to gain additional marketing and publicity, and they can also be a good way to get the attention of literary agents who represent indie books.
SPCK, a leading religious publisher, won the IPG Specialist Consumer Publisher of the Year Award in 2018. It re-established itself as a thriving publishing business after being almost bankrupt a few years ago. Its success was built on a strategy of publishing fewer books better, adding much more digital content and rebranding its imprints.
Another award that IBPPG offers is the Eric Hoffer Book Award for Freethinking Writing and Independent Books of Exceptional Merit. The prize was founded at the beginning of the 21st century to honor freethinking writers and independent books of exceptional merit by bringing their work to a wider audience.
This award is a prestigious literary prize that is open to non-fiction and fiction authors from around the world. It is based on the idea that fiction and non-fiction written with integrity and honesty can make a difference in our society. It encourages the kind of brave and creative publishing that has a positive impact on our environment.
If you are interested in entering a book for this award, you will need to send your manuscript along with an entry fee. You will then receive an email stating if your submission is selected as a finalist or winner.
These awards are designed to give your book the attention it deserves and may be a good way to gain national recognition. They often offer stickers, cash prizes and national media releases/promotion with winners and finalists.
Many local libraries host writing contests to help local authors get the recognition they deserve and elevate their careers. The perks of being recognized by librarians include increased credibility and visibility in the library community, which will help your book reach a wider audience.