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Local Voices

Winter Writer's Weekend Shows Authors How to Get Their Books into Readers' Hands

More authors than ever before are self-publishing today, and that means more competition to get a book onto bookstore shelves. How do you move from writer to bestselling author? By getting your books into the hands of your readers.

Open Door Publications’ second annual Winter Writers’ Weekend in Lambertville, NJ, is designed to provide authors with everything they need to develop an Author’s Platform to market and sell their books, including how to break the bookstore barrier. 

This year’s event has been expanded to three days, Friday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 2. Karen Hodges Miller, publisher and CEO of Open Door Publications, an independent book publishing house, will give the opening address, “What You Need to Know About Publishing Today,” during the Friday night Meet and Greet, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge St., Lambertville, where attendees will meet and socialize with fellow authors and  seminar speakers.

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Saturday and Sunday seminars will be held at the Lambertville House 18 Bridge St., Lambertville. Seminars will focus on all aspects of book publishing and marketing, with special emphasis on getting your book into bookstores. Featured speakers include Amy Collins, of New Shelves book distribution services, Rhenda Fearrington, Barnes and Noble, and Eric Maywar, owner of Classic Books in Trenton.

Enjoy Lambertville’s historic atmosphere. Explore galleries, antique shops, and the Zaggat-rated restaurants of this river town while staying at the Lambertville House, a classic boutique hotel situated one block from the Delaware River. A quick stroll across the bridge brings you to more of the lively arts scene and eclectic stores in New Hope, Pennsylvania. 

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Cost for the weekend is $275. Registration can be made at http://www.opendoorpublications.com/winter-writers-weekend/.

 

Our experts and their topics are:

Karen Hodges Miller: “What You Need to Know about Publishing Today” is the publisher and CEO of Open Door Publications LLC. Since 2006 the company has helped dozens of authors bring their own ideas to market. Karen created her own series of books for authors. Write Your Book! Your Book from Concept to Publication gives an overview of the writing and publishing process. Finish Your Book! A Time Management Guide for Writers is a practical and inspirational guide for the busy writer who must find time to write while juggling a business and personal life. Sell Your Book! 100 Tips and Techniques includes over 100 practical, specific tips for book marketing along with interviews with a variety of nationally-known publishing and marketing experts.

Amy Collins: “Available Wherever Books Are Sold: Brick and Mortar Sales and Distribution,” has over 25 years’ experience selling and marketing books. In 2006 she created a book sales company which quickly turned into New Shelves Distribution, the fastest-growing book distribution company in North America. New Shelves offers book sales, warehousing, and book distribution as well as consulting and marketing for publishers and authors.

Sherrie Wilkolaski: “All about E-Books,” is the ultimate resource for helping independent authors put their words in front of readers.  A public relations and marketing whiz, she blends real world experience as a best-selling author with insider knowledge of publishing.

            Eileen N. Sinett:Connecting with Your Audience,” is a consultant, facilitator, author and speaker. Her signature program, Speaking that Connects, raises the bar on presentation excellence and her book of the same name highlights a Thinking/Doing/Being process that drives both speaker and audience satisfaction.

            Lisa Snyder: “Simple Websites to Sell Your Book,” is a website designer from Silver Hoop Edge. She will discuss how to create a simple one-page book website. Lisa works with clients to create an uncomplicated, welcoming digital space to showcase their business or project, attract prospective readers, and keep connected to current fans. 

Eric Maywar: “Creating a Successful Book Signing Event,” has owned bookstores that support local authors for 12 years in New Hope, PA, and Trenton, NJ.  He has worked with hundreds of local and regional authors hosting book signings, selling their books on consignment, planning street fairs and giving media assistance. 

Laura Pedrick: “It’s Not Just a Headshot,” Laura has been a mainstay of The New York Times photographic coverage of New Jersey for over 20 years as well as a frequent contributor to magazines such as Time, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, Reader's Digest, Businessweek and New Jersey Monthly. She has a soft spot for authors and artists. Memorable shoots have included Joyce Carol Oates, Paul Muldoon, Elizabeth Gilbert, CK Williams, Richard Ford, John McPhee, and Toni Morrison.

Attendees at the Winter Writers’ Weekend will have the opportunity for a photo session with Laura for an additional charge.

Ed Alpern: “Your Book Trailer,” has over 30 years in local, network and corporate television, and 18 years as a freelance videographer as Alpern Communications, LLC. Ed won a National Emmy Award for his work on the CBS News program 48 Hours.

Rhenda Fearington: “Working With Barnes and Noble,” as the manager of a Barnes and Noble in the Philadelphia area for over 20 years, Rhenda has inside knowledge of how authors can work with their local Barnes and Noble store as well as corporate headquarters to get placement for their books. When not assisting authors, Rhenda delights audiences with her jazz vocals at various locations throughout the area.

 

Jodi O’Donnell-Ames author of “The Stars that Shine,” and Dr. Kevin Kita, author of “Healing Journeys,” will share their experiences in publishing and marketing their books in an open questions and answer session.

 


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