PALA - Publishers Association of Los Angeles, Affiliate of PMA, Publishers Marketing Association
PUBLISHING BOOKS AND IDEAS ~ EDUCATION FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS

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    President,
    Gary Young
    president@pa-la.org

    Vice President-Membership,
    Sharon Goldinger
    membership@pa-la.org

    Secretary,
    Gemini Adams
    secretary@pa-la.org

    Treasurer,
    David Evans
    treasurer@pa-la.org

    Administrative Director
    Susie Smith
    info@pa-la.org


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    PAST PALA MEETINGS & SPEAKERS

    GET ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PUZZLING PUBLISHING QUESTIONS

    FREE, Members-only meeting
    Tuesday, July 18, 2006, 7:00 pm
      Need an opinion about a potential cover design?

      Not sure if you should spend money on exhibiting at an upcoming trade show? Have questions about distribution?

      Want some feedback on potential titles for your next book?

      YOUR questions can be answered at the next PALA meeting.

      Our July meeting will be a gigantic brainstorming session, at a PALA member's home in Los Angeles (near the 10 Fwy and Crenshaw Blvd.).

      Bring your books, cover design drafts, marketing ideas, requests for referrals, and anything else related to publishing and get answers from the other members in our group. Take advantage of the collective wisdom of your fellow publishers and publishing colleagues.


    GETTING PRINT MEDIA COVERAGE FOR YOUR BOOK

    Monday, June 19, 2006, 7:00 pm
      How do you get your book mentioned or reviewed in a feature article? What is the best way to pitch an editor? Do elaborate press kits impress editors? Are books published by small presses given the same consideration as those by the larger publishers? How should you follow up, and how often?

      Join us at the June 19, 2006, meeting and learn the answers to these questions, and more, from our experts. Bring your questions about this much-requested subject.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

      MARIA RUSSO, Editor, Calendar section of the "Los Angeles Times." Russo handles book and culture features. Before coming to the "Times" she was an editor and writer at the "New York Observer," the "New York Times Book Review" and "Salon."

      ROBERT ITO, Book Editor, "Los Angeles Magazine." His work has appeared in the "Village Voice," "Salon," the "London Independent" and the "New York Times," and he has contributed to "Words Matter: Conversations with Asian American Writers" and "The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature."

      LEO SMITH, Features Editor, "Daily Breeze." Smith started working as a stringer at UPI, then moved to the "Oakland Tribune," where he worked in the features department as well as reporting for the newspaper's gossip columnist and writing a health column. He spent more than 10 years with the "Los Angeles Times," writing features, entertainment, business and news, mostly for the Ventura County edition. He came to the "Daily Breeze" in 1989 as a features reporter and in 1990 took over the role of editor of the features section and "Rave!" magazine.


    WORKING MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH DISTRIBUTORS

    Wednesday, April 19, 2006, 7:00 pm
      What are distributors looking for from publishers? What are the best ways to work more effectively with your distributor? What kinds of strategies motivate sales reps and increase sales?

      Aaron Silverman will answers these questions as well as address a range of distribution issues, from presenting new titles to bookstore buyers to publishers' obligations and distributors' expectations of publishers in support of sales efforts.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
      AARON SILVERMAN is president, cofounder and coowner of SCB Distributors. A third-generation Southern Californian who has always worked in the book business, in 1984 he established Aaron Blake Publishers, publishing a series of literary maps. From this venture in 1988, emerged SCB Distributors. Beginning with one book, today SCB Distributors is a multimillion dollar corporation distributing 3,500 titles from over 110 publishers to chains and independent bookstores across North America.

      RICHARD McNEACE handles sales in Southern California for Faherty & Associates, a publishers' representation group. He began his career selling books to bookstores in 1989 with Yale University Press. Since that time, he has represented a variety of publishers and has covered territories throughout North America. He is the regional representative for IPG (Independent Publishers' Group), a distributor that enjoys a special relationship with PMA through its Small Press program, which invites small publishers to be evaluated by a team of industry experts for an opportunity for national


    LEGAL ISSUES FOR PUBLISHERS

    Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 7:00 pm
      Do you have up-to-date information about electronic rights, trademark rights, print-on-demand, and changes in publishing law?

      All publishers need to be concerned with these issues and other legal matters.

      We are thrilled that one of the most respected experts in publishing law, Jonathan Kirsch, will cover current legal issues and address new developments and other legal matters that all publishers should know as well as take your questions.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

      JONATHAN KIRSCH is a publishing and intellectual property attorney based in Los Angeles. He is also an expert witness on publishing industry matters, an adjunct professor on the faculty of New York University's Professional Publishing Institute, a book review columnist for the "Los Angeles Times," and the author of five books on the Bible as literature and the history of religion.

      Jonathan specializes in publishing law and copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property matters. His clients include book, magazine, newspaper, audio, video, and electronic publishers; authors; agents; distributors; designers; and artists and photographers, among other publishing industry businesses and professionals.

      Jonathan is the author of two leading reference works on publishing law, "Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law for Authors, Publishers, Editors and Agents" (Acrobat Books) and "Kirsch's Guide to the Book Contract for Authors, Publishers, Editors and Agents" (Acrobat Books).


    WRINGING MORE VALUE OUT OF YOUR WORK

    Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 7:00 pm
      Just printing one edition (version) of your book is not enough. The hard parts were the writing and the pre-press; they required lots of time and lots of money. Now discover how to turn your books into other editions: large print, e-books, audiobooks and more. See examples, get the step-by-step plans. Serve those audiences that can't read your paper book.

      Additional editions are sweet--the frosting on your publishing plate. This presentation will add to your bottom line. Dan will share ways you can easily make more money on your existing books.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

      DAN POYNTERis an author of more than 100 books, has been a publisher since 1969 and is a Certified Speaking Professional. He is an evangelist for books, an ombudsman for authors, an advocate for publishers and the godfather to thousands of successfully published books. His seminars have been featured on CNN, his books have been pictured in "The Wall Street Journal" and his story has been told in "US News & World Report." The media come to Dan because he is the leading authority on book publishing. A founding member of PALA, Dan travels more than 4,000 miles each week to share, inspire and empower writers, publishers and professional speakers through keynotes and seminars.


    GET ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PUZZLING PUBLISHING QUESTIONS

    Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 7:00 pm
      Our January meeting will be a gigantic brainstorming session. Bring your books, cover design drafts, marketing ideas, requests for referrals, and anything else related to publishing and get answers from the other members in our group. Take advantage of the collective wisdom of your fellow publishers and publishing colleagues.

      PLEASE NOTE: This meeting is open to PALA members only--no guests for this meeting.

      In order to have time to answer as many questions as possible, please come prepared with your questions (you'll have two minutes to present your questions), and our group will spend five minutes giving you as many answers as possible. A meeting facilitator and timer will help ensure that we fit in as many member questions as possible.


    Creating Bestselling Books and Bestselling Careers

    THIS Wednesday, November 30, 2005, 7:00 pm
      Bestselling author Gregory Godek will provide an insider's look at how to create a bestseller. He'll share the guerrilla marketing techniques that he uses with such success--and he'll explain how other authors can do the same. Greg will share the strategies and concepts that helped him sell 2.5 million copies of "1001 Ways to Be Romantic" and another million copies of 13 more titles.

      You will learn broad strategies and specific tactics for selling books, creating your image, and building your business by utilizing your book(s) most effectively. Using bestsellers--others and his own--to illustrate his points, Greg will engage us in on-the-spot brainstorming, so you can learn what works and what doesn't for your book.

      Godek doesn't pretend it's easy to achieve success in publishing or that there are easy answers to many of the problems publishers face. That may be the best reality check today's author or publisher can receive. Don't miss this chance to be educated, entertained and motivated by this guerrilla marketer, bestselling author, and master speaker.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

      GREGORY J.P. GODEK,is best known as the author of one of the most successful self-published books of all time: "1001 Ways to Be Romantic." As a speaker/author and then publisher/marketer, Greg knows the business of books from every angle: he's an author, publisher, (former) bookstore owner, promoter, publicist, speaker, consultant and entrepreneur. He has written fourteen books, sold four million copies, and founded his own publishing firm, Casablanca Press; then he got smart and sold the company so he could devote himself full-time to writing, speaking and marketing. Greg has appeared on "Oprah," "Donahue," "The Today Show" and "Good Morning America" and has been featured in the "New York Times," the "Los Angeles Times," "Cosmo" and "People" magazine.

      Greg has made his living for fifteen years by selling his books to the public out of bookstores, not from back-of-room sales or by manipulating Amazon.com to make it look like his books are bestsellers. Instead he creates books that are distributed through traditional book venues and then creates a national image via the media, which in turn motivates people to purchase his books and attend his seminars.


    THE INS AND OUTS OF MARKETING PLANS: Charting the Course for Your Book's Success

    Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 7:00 pm
      It's a tough market out there. All the more reason for publishers to strategically chart out a savvy plan of marketing success for their books. And don't overlook it! Many distributors won't touch a book without seeing a solid marketing plan.

      So join us on Wednesday, October 19, when our panel will discuss the elements they feel create a dynamite marketing plan. Our panel of publishers and a marketing expert will talk about their own marketing plans and answer the questions on your mind. How do you get the clearest possible vision of your market? What factors should you consider in creating a marketing timeline? How do you target the media outlets that will best serve your title? What is the range of distribution channels that you might include in the plan?

      Plus, time allowing, we'll brainstorm a plan on the spot for one or more audience members!

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

      DR. ANGEL GIBSON,is the publicist for Mandeville Press, as well as an active minister. Mandeville, a small LA-based publishing firm that focuses on "contemporary teachings of the spiritual heart," produces the work of NYT's bestseller John-Roger, educator and counselor Dr. John Morton, and lecturer and humorist Dr. Paul Kaye. At Mandeville, Gibson has had experience with marketing plans and promotional campaigns for seven books. Mandeville titles include "Spiritual Warrior: The Art of Spiritual Living" by John-Roger, "The Blessings Already Are" by John Morton, and "What's It Like Being You? Living Life as Your True Self!" by John-Roger with Paul Kaye.

      PATRICIA FITZGERALD, is the author and publisher of The Detox Solution, an IPG Small Press Bestseller. Fitzgerald, a licensed acupuncturist and a certified clinical nutritionist, has an active practice in Santa Monica. The clinician lectures internationally and is often interviewed by the media. Earlier career experience in marketing at 20th Century Fox helped her write a marketing plan that was part of the package securing her acceptance with IPG?s small press distribution program.

      PENNY C. SANSEVIERI, is a book marketing and media relations specialist. Dealing day to day with marketing and promotion, she is aware of the latest trends and market changes. Sansevieri will discuss the marketing plan for "Don't Call Me Mother: Breaking the Chain of Mother-Daughter Abandonment" by Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D. Sansevieri is the author/publisher of "From Book to Bestseller: An Insider's Guide to Publicizing and Marketing Your Book!" as well as the novels "The Cliffhanger" and "Candlewood Lake."

      JIM RIORDAN, has been the publisher at Seven Locks Press for 11 years. Seven Locks Press publishes 20-25 titles a year and distributes titles for other, smaller publishers. Seven Locks authors have included a Pulitzer Prize winner, a United States Congressman, a member of Parliament, and a variety of journalists, celebrities, and sports figures. Current titles include "Abuse of Power: How the Government Misuses Eminent Domain" by commentator Steven Greenhut, "Mingling with Lions" by celebrated sports cartoonist Murray Olderman, and "More Mommy Magic: 450 Ways to Nurture Your Child" by writer-poet Adria Manary.

      ROBIN QUINN, an award-winning editor, writer, and book shepherd--is the moderator and producer of our panel.


    HOW TO GET ON THE RADIO

    Wednesday, September 21, 2005, 7:00 pm
      How do you get on the radio? What training do you need? What is the best way to pitch a radio show? Should you approach the host or the producer? How often should you follow up? What will make you a good guest in the eyes of the host, the producer, and the show's listeners?

      Join us at the September 21, 2005, meeting and learn the answers to these questions and more from four radio and publicity experts. Bring your questions (and your best one-sentence pitch about your book or expertise--just in case you get a chance to pitch) about this much-requested subject.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

      ANITA HALTON, specializes in promoting books and authors. Since 1986, she has headed Anita Halton Associates, a literary publicity firm that provides personalized hands-on public relations services to the publishing industry. Prior to founding her own firm, Anita began honing her professional skills in New York, first at Little Brown and Company, then as the publicity director of Farrar, Straus & Giroux. She later served as associate publicity director at Charles Scribner's Sons and Macmillan. Authors she has worked with include Norman Mailer, Lillian Hellman, Christopher Isherwood, Susan Sontag, John McPhee, Thomas Moore, James Redfield, Larry Dossey, MD, and Jon Kabat-Zinn.

      MINDY STEINMAN, is the producer of "Air Talk with Larry Mantle" on KPCC Radio, Los Angeles's NPR station.Her varied career paths have ranged from television production to acting, from travel writer to tour guide. Before joining the AirTalk production team Mindy was KPCC's Weekend host.

      JILL PIKE, producer/cohost of "The Young Turks Show" on Sirius Satellite Radio, is currently considered "the voice for the nonpolitical expert" on the show. Jill transitioned from college student to production assistant/researcher/associate producer/assignment editor with the lure of National Enquirer TV (later renamed Uncovered TV), where she stayed for three years. The experience with National Enquirer TV led her to work on a variety of pilots, as well as Animal Planet's reality series "The Jeff Corwin Experience." Returning to school at Loyola Marymount University, she graduated with a BA in television production.

      LINDA MCKENZIE, founder of www.healthylife.net, a Web-based radio network, has aired her program "Creative Health & Spirit" since 1995 to over 26 million people, giving information on the positive aspects of life and health. CHSR HealthyLife.net--The Positive Radio Network is dedicated to enhancing positive health & spirit. Topics covered include natural health and wellness, spirituality and awareness, inspiration and motivation, family and children's issues, relationship issues, the environment, psychology, philosophy, and world consciousness. CHSR HealthyLife.net is on a 24/7 schedule and can be heard over the Internet, several syndicated Internet affiliate stations, and 400 million palm pilots worldwide. It is listed on and linked to over 1000 Internet Radio Locator and Web sites.



    GET ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PUZZLING PUBLISHING QUESTIONS

    Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 7:00 pm
      * Need an opinion about a potential cover design?

      * Not sure if you should spend money on exhibiting at an upcoming trade show?

      * Curious if advertising works for books?

      * Want some feedback on potential titles for your next book?

      YOUR questions can be answered at the next PALA meeting.

      Our July meeting will be a gigantic brainstorming session. Bring your books, cover design drafts, marketing ideas, requests for referrals, and anything else related to publishing and get answers from the other members in our group. Take advantage of the collective wisdom of your fellow publishers and publishing colleagues.

      PLEASE NOTE: This meeting is open to PALA members only--no guests for this meeting.

      In order to have time to answer as many questions as possible, please come prepared with your questions (you'll have two minutes to present your questions), and our group will spend five minutes giving you as many answers as possible. A meeting facilitator and timer will help ensure that we fit in as many member questions as possible.


    TWO SMORGASBORDS - Anniversary Meeting

    Monday, May 9, 2005, 7:00 pm
      PALA's second anniversary meeting and celebration is coming up soon!
    • A smorgasbord of food to celebrate PALA's second anniversary.
    • A smorgasbord of topics you've requested (including how to get and use testimonials, market timing--the best time to launch your book and lead times, and receive the latest copy of our resource directory)
    • Plus elections for the 2005-2006 PALA officers.

    HOW TO MAKE THE MEDIA FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU

    Wednesday, April 6, 2004, 7:00 pm
    • What will make your release attract the media's attention?
    • Does the media like to receive fax or e-mail releases?
    • What day of the week is best to send a release?
    • What releases have gotten the best responses? And, most importantly, why?
      Getting publicity is one of the most important ways to jump-start your marketing and promotion. Paul Krupin will describe and reveal the tactics he uses, having developed unparalleled expertise in his fee-for-service news release distribution business. Much of his advice is drawn from a direct analysis of this powerful resource--or survey responses from media journalists.

      He sends out over a million news releases each year on behalf of hundreds of authors and publishing companies. He has worked with numerous best-selling authors on everything from Chicken Soup to Net events to electronic newsletters.

      Paul will share his real-life PR success (and horror) stories and proven tactics to successfully getting publicity for your books and authors. If time allows, Paul will offer specific analyses of members' individual projects. (Bring your book and release with you.)

      You can download his book "Trash Proof News Releases" in an e-book (pdf file) format at www.Imediafax.com.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

      PAUL J. KRUPIN is President of Direct Contact, which operates IMEDIAFAX--The Internet to Media Fax Service, and author of the book "Trash Proof News Releases." He is a long-time PR guru who has developed sure-fire strategies for getting publicity. His book covers the entire gamut of the how, why, when and where of news release construction, delivery and follow-up in today's fast-evolving media environment. His news release service offers the state of the art in custom targeted publicity services.

    HOW TO KEEP YOUR BACKLIST YOUR FRONTLIST

    Monday, March 14, 2004, 7:00 pm
      You've done all the right things to launch your book and you've been successful. Initial sales were good, but what do you do now that it's no longer "officially" a frontlist title? How do you keep your book in front of the public, in front of the media, and in front of bookstore buyers? What are bookstore buyers looking for in backlist books? What kind of publicity can you create after an initial launch? What's the best way to use book groups? How do you keep your distributor and bookstores interested?

      Come learn tips and tricks from some of the best in the business-- L.A. publisher Paddy Calistro of Angel City Press; well-known author Diane Leslie; and Eileen Lynch, manager of Dutton's Beverly Hills--as they relate their success stories and experiences as to what has worked well for them and their books.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

      PADDY CALISTRO is the publisher and co-founder of Angel City Press, an independent book publishing company based in Santa Monica. Angel City Press produces best-selling, highly visual, coffee-table gift books about Southern California history as well as popular-culture gift books. One of Paddy's most recent accomplishments is "My California"--a book Angel City Press published in association with CaliforniaAuthors.com--an anthology of writings donated by 27 of California's best writers, with ALL sales proceeds going to the California Arts Council.

      DIANE LESLIE is a bookseller, book group leader, and writer of fiction including the novels "Fleur de Leigh's Life of Crime" and "Fleur de Leigh in Exile," both published by Simon & Schuster.

      EILEEN LYNCH is the manager of Dutton's Beverly Hills. Eileen started her bookselling career at Dutton's Brentwood in 1992.


    THE BUCK STARTS HERE: Learn about Special Sales

    Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at the RAND Corporation
      Do you want to sell more books? With no returns? Learn where to find new and profitable markets for your titles and how to contact them effectively.

      You can sell your books through discount stores, supermarkets, airport bookstores, museums, zoos and parks. Find lucrative opportunities in gift shops, associations, and specialty stores. You can also sell more books through niche book clubs, mail-order catalogs, government agencies, military exchanges, and academic markets. And you don't need to create new titles in order to sell more books.

      Your existing titles represent an untapped gold mine for increased sales and profits. You can turn your current product line into major sales by finding new markets for existing titles, providing your information in a different format, locating new users for your existing information, and finding new uses for your basic information. It's not difficult if you know the secrets, and you will know them after attending this presentation.

      ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

      Brian Jud is active in special-sales marketing. He is the author of the "Publishers Weekly" title "Beyond the Bookstore" and "The Marketing Planning" CD-ROM that accompanies it. He is also the creator of "Book Market Map"--directories for nonbookstore marketing--and the editor of the "Book Marketing Matters" newsletter on special-sales topics. Brian developed the Special-Sales Profit Center, a Web-based, targeted, contact-management system. And Brian is the host of the television series "The Book Authority" and has aired five hundred shows. In addition, he is the author, narrator and producer of the media-training video program "You're On the Air."

    GET ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PUZZLING PUBLISHING QUESTIONS

    January MEMBERS ONLY meeting

      Need an opinion about a potential cover design?

      Not sure if you should spend money on exhibiting at an upcoming trade show?

      Curious if advertising works for books?

      Want some feedback on potential titles for your next book?

      YOUR questions can be answered at the next PALA meeting.

      Our January meeting at a PALA member's home in Culver City will be a gigantic brainstorming session. Bring your books, cover design drafts, marketing ideas, requests for referrals, and anything else related to publishing and get answers from the other members in our group. Take advantage of the collective wisdom of your fellow publishers and publishing colleagues.


    THE INS AND OUTS OF MARKETING ON THE WEB

    MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2004
      The options for marketing on the Web are so voluminous, where do you start? What do you try next?
      • How can publishers take advantage of the cheapest way (but not necessarily the most effective) to communicate a message to potential buyers?
      • What and how much text should be in the subject line?
      • What are some ways to deal with or get past ISP filters?
      • Pop-up ads. E-mail newsletters. Blogs. Direct e-mails.Google ads. Buying keywords on search engines? How effective are these?
      • How do you sell directly from your Web site? Do associate programs work? How complicated does your Web site have to be?
      • How many links should you have? Does it matter how many you have? What should you link to?
      • Should you buy e-mail lists? Whom should you buy from? Is using a third-party e- mail blast company a better option?

      Bring your experiences and your questions to share at our next PALA program on marketing on the Web.

      OUR PRESENTER:

      JEFF BLACK, publisher of IFILM and Hollywood Creative Directory, has been using the Web to market for several years. He'll be sharing his experiences as well as tips he's gathered and suggestions that may be helpful to your publishing efforts.

    HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF EXHIBITING AT A TRADE SHOW

    Monday, October 18, 2004
      As publishers we have many opportunities to exhibit at trade shows: Bookseller Association shows, BEA, and the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, to name a few.
      • What are the best ways to maximize your exhibiting dollars? Can (or should) the approach you use at BEA be the same as for the L.A. Times Festival of Books?
      • How many times (and with what message) should you contact potential attendees before the event?
      • How and when should you follow up with them?
      • Is it best to have fresh flowers or candy (or a clown?) in your booth?
      Driving booth traffic and generating sales leads (or actual sales) are just two of the topics that will be discussed at this month's meeting.

      OUR PRESENTERS:

      SAM MANFER is an expert salesperson who combines his personal experiences along with humor and stories to show salespeople how to succeed by implementing his sales strategies and tactics. Through his work as a professional speaker, consultant, writer, and seminar leader in sales and personal development, he has educated and inspired over 10,000 new and experienced salespeople and sales managers in all types of business and industries. Sam has personally participated as a vendor, organizer, host and participant in hundreds of trade shows throughout the country.

      Sam has served as the business development manager for British Petroleum, where he took floundering product lines and turned them into dynamic, profitable businesses. He was also vice president of sales and marketing for Gemcor and planning manager for Fisher-Price Toys. He received the Top Performer's Award from Quaker Oats and the Triple Threat Award from British Petroleum. Sam is also the author and publisher of "Take Me to Your Leaders: A Step by Step System to Substantially Increase Sales by Establishing Executive Relationships."

      JENNIFER DERSH is a co-founder of Big World Productions, Inc. Jennifer and her partners' kids-to career mentoring games have been in the marketplace for just a year and are already being used by parents, school districts, youth groups, after school programs, juvenile justice facilities, youth-at-risk organizations and corporations.

      "Big" What do you want to be when you grow up? was selected as a Top Educational Toy of 2004 by Creative Child Magazine, has received Learning Magazine's Teachers' Choice Award, and has the distinguished "TTT" (Toy Tips Trusted) Mark of Excellence from the Toy Research Institute. Additionally, "BIG" has been selected as the official game of the MS. Foundation's 'Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work' program for 2005.

      A PALA member, Jennifer's background ranges from Burn ICU Nurse to Nurse Recruiter at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to Director of Healthcare Marketing for an international advertising agency to Managing Partner/Principal of her own recruitment advertising agency, Kidd, Schneider & Dersh.

      Jennifer has exhibited at numerous trade shows throughout her career, including the LA Times Festival of Books at UCLA this past spring, and will provide her unique insights from her varied career experiences. Learn how to select the right trade show for your product. Don't miss out on determining what works and what doesn't and tips to help you get the outcome that you desire!


    MEDIA TRAINING: BE PREPARED FOR YOUR NEXT APPEARANCE

    Monday, September 20, 2004
      Whether it's your 1st interview or your 100th interview, everyone needs media training. But how do you know what hooks and messages to convey and how best to convey them? You know the media likes prepared questions, but how do you prepare for ones you don't give the media ahead of time?

      Two expert media trainers will be our presenters at the September 20, 2004, meeting, sharing their vast knowledge of these subjects as well as tips on how not to sound "salesy" during an interview, what colors are best to wear for television appearances, how to create sound bites and weave in your personal stories and how to avoid interviewing pitfalls.

      We encourage you to invite your authors to this program.

      OUR PRESENTERS:

      NANCY GREYSTONE has been involved in communications for more than 20 years. In television she worked at "Good Morning America." She was the producer of a number of highly successful talk-radio shows, including "The Tom Snyder Show" and "The Larry Elder Show."

      More recently, she was the vice-president of a leading communications company, specializing in media training and strategizing. As head of the book division, she trained many authors, including several with the Chicken Soup for the Soul book franchise; Laura Davis, co-author of "The Courage to Heal"; and authors from Thomas Nelson, Dutton and Entrepreneur Press. Many of her clients have appeared on "Oprah," "The Today Show," and CNN.

      ANN CONVERY, M.A., is a business communication trainer who has worked with clients such as former mayor Richard Riordan and top professionals in the fields of medicine, law, business, health and beauty. For 14 years she has prepared clients for CNN, "60 Minutes," the "New York Times," the "Los Angeles Times," "Vogue" and "People." Nancy is also an accomplished writer and won the acclaimed Writer's Guild Fellowship Award.

      Ann created "Speak Your Business in 30 Seconds or Less" and has taught "Presentation Skills" at UCLA Extension and "The PR Power Panel" at the Learning Annex in Los Angeles and New York and has been interviewed by "Elle," "Cosmopolitan," ABC-TV, "Fitness," "Woman's Day," and "Entrepreneur." She has written several columns on presentation skills for the "L.A. Business Journal." Ann's second book was just picked up in hardcover by Harper Collins.

    DOES YOUR BOOK INSPIRE SIDELINES?

    Wednesday, July 21, 7:00 pm
      Ever wondered if you should create a set of notecards, a poster, or a mug to go along with your book?

      We'll help you find out at this month's informative PALA meeting.

      • Would your idea be a good product for the gift market? How many should you make?
      • How should you test your idea?
      • What vendors should you use?
      • What production tips will save you money?
      To get the answers to these questions and more, join us at our July 21st program. If you've ever considered whether your book is a good candidate for sidelines, don't miss this meeting!

      ADDITIONAL PANELIST:

      JUDY MILLER is the San Diego sales representative for the Stephen Young Showroom of Los Angeles, a nationally recognized leader in the gift for over thirty years. She has represented a broad range of product lines including books, gifts, and personal care items. Over the past ten years, Judy has developed a diverse account base that includes small, single proprietor shops, museums, hotels, and large department store chains.

      PANEL PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED:

      SUSAN DeLAND, Head of Retail and Merchandising for the J. Paul Getty Museum. Susan oversees product development, merchandising strategies, marketing, manufacturing, and financial and inventory management for the Getty Museum.

      Previously, Susan had her own consulting firm, which assisted both for- profit and non-profit retail businesses, as well as held the positions of Vice President, Enterprise Development for the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and Director of Merchandise Operations for the Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Before embarking on a museum career, Susan was a buyer and director of product development for Port O' Call Pasadena's five stores in southern California.

      ELISABETH ZOZOM, Senior Production Coordinator for Getty Publications. Elizabeth worked for Running Press in production and Intervisual Communications as a designer and production coordinator prior to coming to the Getty.


    THE OPPORTUNITIES AND PITFALLS OF E-PUBLISHING

    Monday, June 14, 2004, 7:00 pm

      Should you incorporate e-books into your publishing line? Whether you're an author or a publisher, this technology is here to stay, and now is the time to learn and hone your skills to improve your sales and exposure.

    • What are "eBooks?
    • How do you produce them? What are the security issues?
    • How do you make them part of your publishing program?

      Panelists:
      John W. Warren will discuss RAND Corporation's experiences with e-books in their dealing with Amazon, Netlibrary, and Elibrary among others. John directs marketing efforts for the publishing division of the RAND Corporation. He has fourteen years experience in marketing, strategic planning, national and international sales, direct mail, publicity, online marketing and electronic publishing.

      Rennie Gabriel, Gabriel Publications will discuss his success in converting his p-book to an e-book (how he did it, who he used to do it, etc.) and achieving the number 1 ranking at Amazon in April 2002 of his e-book, WEALTH ON ANY INCOME. Award winning Author and Publisher (80 titles for 2004). His book, Wealth On Any Income, was ranked as the # 1 ebook for Amazon (4-4-02). Rennie has been a UCLA Instructor, Dept of Business and Management since 1992. He is ranked in the top 5% of financial planners globally. He is President of The Financial Coach, Inc and Gabriel Publications.


    "TWO SMORGASBORDS"

    Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at 6:30 p.m.
    • A smorgasbord of food to celebrate PALA's first anniversary
    • A smorgasbord of topics you've requested (including what to do with remainders, how to choose a publicist, information about media trainers)

      Plus elections for the 2004-2005 PALA officers.

      Can you help? If you've had experience (good or bad) selling remainders or working with a media trainer or a publcist please contact Sharon by April 30.


    LEGAL UPDATE

    Monday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m.
      Our speaker will be Jonathan Kirsch, noted publishing attorney, author, and L.A. Times book reviewer. He will cover current legal issues that every publisher needs to know, including:
    • Electronic Rights: Getting real about what they are and what they're worth
    • Trademark Rights: The "silent threat" in standard book contracts
    • Print-on-Demand: What every publisher needs to know in order to get them and keep them
    • "Changed Market Conditions" Clauses: Why authors hate them and publishers need them


    ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT 4-COLOR PRINTING, BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO ASK

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2004 AT 6:30 P.M.
      Have you been wondering about 4-color printing:
    • Can 4-color printing be done cost effectively in the United States?
    • How do you deal with customs, etc. if you're using an overseas printer?
    • What questions should you ask?
    • Should you use a printing broker?

      Panelists will include Alex Kotichas of the Printing Council, a printer and printing broker, and Dwight Tomkins from Walsworth.

    SELLING FOREIGN RIGHTS

    MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 AT 6:30 P.M.
      Subjects to be covered include:
    • which books are good candidates for foreign language sales
    • how to find interested foreign publishers
    • how to find foreign rights agents/representatives
    • dos and don'ts of contracts
    • royalties

      OUR SPEAKER:

      Our speaker will be Jan Nathan, who most Los Angeles publishers already know, either personally or by reputation. Jan is the Executive Director of Publishers Marketing Association and one of the leading figures in the independent press world. Representing PMA, Jan attends the Frankfurt Book Fair (the world's most active venue for foreign rights sales) each year. She also has frequent opportunities to meet with foreign publishers at other industry events, including Book Expo America. Jan has a great deal of inside knowledge on the topic of foreign rights, and we are extremely fortunate that she is available to share it with us.





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