Two events in one! MBPR is pleased to host a Freelance Fair in conjunction with the November luncheon meeting. The topic is a timely one and is sure to generate great discussion. The Fair will run for the hour preceding the meeting (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and will provide exhibitors the opportunity to display samples of their work and meet with publishers attending the luncheon meeting, which will run from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Keep reading for further details on luncheon reservations and exhibitor registration.

As our world of publishing is quickly changing, so too are the methods we use to help our books reach readers. This discussion combines the perspectives of professionals from different publishing avenues on new technologies and platforms and how to best incorporate them with traditional publicity tactics. Panelists will also share insights and predictions on the landscape of book promotion and the ways in which reaching readers will continue to evolve.

Panelists

Dara M. Beevas is a writer, editor, blogger, speaker, and indie author. She mentors other indie authors as Vice President of Beaver’s Pond Press, an award-winning mentoring publisher in the Twin Cities. She was previously an acquisitions editor for the American Chemical Society and has also worked at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She received her master’s degree in publishing from George Washington University and was selected as an emerging writer by the Givens Foundation for African-American literature. She is the founder of Wise, Ink, an online community for indie authors. She is the author of The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider’s Guide to Self-Publishing.

Sara Lien is the owner of Lien Public Relations. Sara holds a B.S. in journalism from Stephens College and a J.D. from Concord Law School. She is a former sportswriter for Real Sports Magazine, Women’s Sports Wire, and Cedar Rapids Gazette. Sara has worked with CBS, CNN, Headline News, and the 700 Club, as well as Minneapolis media such as Kare 11, WCCO, Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, and KMSP Fox 9.

Lindsay Matvick is the senior publicist at Lerner Publishing Group. She also serves on the board of directors for the Minnesota Library Foundation and as a member of the YALSA Awards and Booklist Marketing Taskforce. Prior to children’s book publishing, Lindsay worked in television as a promotions producer at ABC, CBS, and NBC stations across the country. Lindsay’s love for books was inspired by her mother who is a children’s book author. Her favorite part of the day is family reading time with her husband, Clay, and son, Jack.