Indie Authors and Libraries: A Perfectly Bookish Match!
2025-02-27 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
Libraries have undergone significant transformations over the past century, evolving from quiet, restrictive strongholds of books into welcoming community centers where people are encouraged to gather, explore, and learn. The relationship libraries and librarians have with indie books and authors has also changed significantly over time. Join Melissa Bobe, 2024 Indie Author of the Year, as she leads this session focusing on how these changes have impacted the presence of indie authors in libraries. She will offer advice for both authors and librarians on how to make the most of what can be a mutually beneficial and truly wonderful relationship.

Creating Your Story as an Audiobook
2025-04-24 15:00 - 16:00
Join Kevin Stillwell, Head of Self & Indie Publishing and Distribution at John Marshall Media, for a discussion on navigating the waters of audiobook production and distribution for self-published authors and indie publishers. In this webinar he’ll cover what you’ll need, and what you’ll need to know to get into this booming market.About Kevin Stillwell:
Back in the late 20th century, Kevin Stillwell started his journey as an actor in Boston. His colorful career includes theatre, film, & television as an actor, director, teacher, fight choreographer and stuntman. Through his work in Shakespeare, he was introduced to the world of voice over work in general, and audiobook narration specifically.
Kevin now has 1,000 narration credits to his name, has directed 100 author narrations, and produced over 400 titles in all genres. He is a five-time Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award winner and is in high demand from both publishers and authors.
Kevin is now the Head of Indie Publishing and Distribution for John Marshall Media & Lantern Audio Distribution, where he is building the division into one of the premier studios for independent authors looking to have their works brought to life through narration. Kevin’s expertise on both sides of the microphone has brought about exceptional opportunities for his Self & Indie publishing clients and helped JMM’s growth in the audiobook industry.

Building unique audiences—yours for the creating
2025-08-21 15:00 - 16:00
No matter the form your novel takes, there are audiences to be had outside of the norm. Discover how you can use your novel’s themes and your passions—whether they be cooking, kite flying or dog breeding—to connect with readers beyond traditional genres. In this interactive workshop you’ll use worksheets and brainstorm affordable and free ways for reaching new readers that are as unique as the author you are.

About the speaker:
Debra Borchert is the award-winning author of the Château de Verzat series (Her Own Legacy, Her Own Revolution, Her Own War), its companion cookbook, Soups of Château de Verzat, and Give ’Em Something to Talk About, Word-of-Mouth Drives Book Sales, A Marketing Workbook for Spreading the Word. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Writer, among others. She is also a sought-after presenter.

Please note: our parent company, Lyrasis, hosts IAP Expert Sessions, and you may be asked to create an account with Lyrasis Learning to register for this free virtual event.

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The Seven Ps of Publishing Success
2025-09-23 15:00 - 16:00
Drawing from his rich experiences in both traditional and independent publishing, seasoned author and industry expert Mark Leslie Lefebvre will delve into the essential principles that underpin a successful publishing journey. Looking at the principles of Practice, Professionalism, Patience, Progression, Persistence, Partnership, and Patronage, Mark provides real-world examples, and insider knowledge that will equip you with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of the publishing world. Whether you are a budding author or an experienced writer looking to elevate your career, this talk will help you with ideas on how to take your publishing endeavors to new plateaus.

About Mark Leslie Lefebvre:
Mark Leslie Lefebvre is a Canadian author, speaker, and publishing consultant known for his extensive contributions to the digital publishing world. Born in Ontario, he has a background steeped in both traditional and independent publishing. Mark has authored numerous works of horror, science fiction, and non-fiction, blending a passion for storytelling with a keen understanding of the publishing industry. As a former director of self-publishing and author relations at Kobo, Mark has been instrumental in shaping digital publishing platforms. He continues to inspire writers through his books, podcasts, and seminars on writing and publishing success.
Please note: IAP Expert Sessions are hosted by our parent company, Lyrasis, and you may be asked to create an account with Lyrasis Learning to register for this free virtual event.

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Winning Recognition: How to Submit Your Self-Published Book for Awards
2025-10-16 15:00 - 16:00
Want to boost your book’s visibility and credibility? Winning a book award can help indie authors gain recognition, attract new readers, and enhance marketing efforts. Join Tiffany Duck, librarian and consultant, in this webinar where you’ll learn how to identify the right awards for your book, prepare a compelling submission, and avoid common pitfalls. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned indie publisher, this session will equip you with the tools to navigate the world of book awards with confidence. Join us and take the next step toward gaining well-deserved recognition for your work!

About Tiffany Duck:
Tiffany Duck is a librarian and consultant, as well as the owner of LitDext LLC, a company specializing in literacy and information services. She has thirteen years of experience as a public library manager in various library systems. Tiffany has served as the Co-Chair of the BCALA Literacy Awards Committee for the past eight years and the Chair of the BCALA Self-publishing eBook Awards for the past seven years. As an Executive Team member, she built long-lasting relationships with community partners.
She also facilitated many innovative and diverse initiatives that expanded the library’s reach into the community. Tiffany played a pivotal role in enriching the library’s offerings through diverse collections that reflect the community’s varied voices, and actively supported self-published authors by providing programming opportunities for writers, poets, and local talent. Tiffany is an adjunct instructor in the Library and Information Science programs at the University of North Carolina Greensboro and the University of Alabama.

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How to Use the Fundamentals of Role-Playing Games like D&D to Write Your First Draft in Record Time
2025-12-11 15:00 - 16:00
Want to write a novel but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve written a few pages, only to be waylaid by frustration, distraction, or boredom? Fear not, intrepid hero, for there is another way. In this presentation, award-winning urban fantasy novelist S.G. Tasz explains how you can borrow concepts from role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons to help get words on the page in record time.

About S.G. Tasz:
S.G. Tasz is a multi-award-winning fantasy novelist from Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to her published novels, her work has appeared in anthologies for the Nevada Humanities and the Henderson Writers Group. When she’s not working on her next book, she’s running critique groups for the Sin City Writers, appearing at local venues as a member of the Coffee House Tours book signing organization, or cheering on her favorite sports teams, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Green Bay Packers. For more information on her latest publications, visit www.sgtasz.com.
Please note: our parent company, Lyrasis, hosts IAP Expert Sessions, and you may be asked to create an account with Lyrasis Learning to register for this free virtual event.
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Traditional-to-Indie Publishing
2026-01-22 15:00 - 16:00
While many indie authors dream of “being discovered” – i.e., taking an indie-to-traditional publishing path – for some authors, it goes in the other direction. What does it take for a traditionally published author to go indie? Whether you’ve been published traditionally, indie, or you’re not yet published, in this session, 2025 Indie Author of the Year, Cynthia Swanson, will explore what goes into the indie decision, the pros and cons of this publishing method, and the must-have attributes of a successful independently published book.

About Cynthia Swanson:
Cynthia Swanson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the psychological suspense novels The Bookseller, The Glass Forest, and Anyone But Her. In addition to being named 2025 Indie Author of the Year by the Indie Author Project, Cynthia has won the Indie Author Project contest in Mystery/Thriller, received the Colorado Book Award, the WILLA Literary Award, and been a finalist for the High Plains Book Award and the Colorado Authors League Award. She is also the editor of the Colorado Book Award-winning anthology Denver Noir. She lives with her family in Denver. Find Cynthia online at www.cynthiaswansonauthor.com and follow her on Bluesky (cynswanauthor) and Substack (The What If Journal).

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https://vimeo.com/1158516716?fl=pl&fe=sh

Interested in sharing your expertise in a future IAP Expert Session? Fill out this form to be considered as a presenter.

The Importance of Research for Novels and Memoirs
2026-03-26 15:00 - 16:00
Why is research important for writing novels and memoirs? What can it provide for the writer besides historical accuracy? What does it do for the reader? More importantly, what does research do for the writer? And what are the important kinds of research that a writer can do to make his story successful? Join Michael C. White, award-winning author and 2024 Indie Author Project Annual Contest Runner-Up, as he walks you through how to approach research in a way that enriches your writing and brings your story to life.
Register here for the event

About Michael C. White:
Michael C. White is the author of seven novels, including Soul Catcher, A Brother’s Blood, a New York Times Book Review Notable Book; The Blind Side of the Heart, A Dream of Wolves and The Garden of Martyrs, which was made into an opera. His novel Beautiful Assassin won the 2011 Connecticut Book Award for Fiction. His last novel, Resting Places, was recently selected as a runner-up for the 2024 Indie Author Project General Fiction Award. A new novel, Skunktown, will be published by Regal House Publishing (2027).
Please note: our parent company, Lyrasis, hosts IAP Expert Sessions, and you may be asked to create an account with Lyrasis Learning to register for this free virtual event.

Interested in sharing your expertise in a future IAP Expert Session? Fill out this form to be considered as a presenter.
