Anita Dickason
Award-Winning Author
Author Associations
An Independent Author's Ally
A plethora of sites exist for advertising and promoting a book title. While many are noteworthy, their value can be limited to the hope the advertising will result in additional book sales.
Associations for an Independent Author are often overlooked as a resource and advertising opportunity. In some cases, membership fees can be recouped through discounts for products and services.
The educational opportunities are limitless. Association workshops address a multitude of topics. Whether it is improving writing skills, learning how to network, marketing techniques, or social media interaction, the workshops have one goal; how to help an author.
The publishing environment is in a constant state of flux. Articles published by Associations keep an author abreast of the latest happenings.
Depending on the association, authors have access to an array of marketing opportunities. Books can be displayed at major trade shows and book events. Pre-launch services are available. Press releases, interviews, radio shows, swag bags, and contests are just a few examples of the marketing opportunities for an Independent Author.
The Independent Book Publishers Association, IBPA, is a nonprofit association for independent authors and publishers. According to their website, they are the largest publishing trade association in the U.S. IBPA offers an extensive list of discounted services.
These include but are not limited to advertising, bookstore catalogs, business services such as discounts for FedEx, Dell, and Staples. Other discounts are offered for design services, distribution, and editing. For users of Grammarly, there is a very nice discount. The print services include free title setup and revisions for titles loaded to IngramSpark. This is a significant savings for an author who intends to utilize IngramSpark's distribution network.
In addition, the IBPA provides an extensive list of marketing services through NetGalley, trade show magazines, press releases, conferences, trade shows, book events, and more.
Workshop shops, forums, and other educational opportunities are ongoing. To learn more, please visit their website.
The Alliance of Independent Authors, ALLi, (pronounced al-eye, not al-ee) is a nonprofit association that is run by indie authors for indie authors. In addition to discounts for numerous self-publishing services, they offer an international array of networking opportunities.
www.allianceindependentauthors.org/
Association of Independent Authors, AiA, is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the independent author. “Our vision: independent publishing will be the preferred, first choice, for all authors.” http://www.independent-authors.com/
Romance Writers of America, (RWA) is a nonprofit trade association whose goal is to promote the interest of romance writers. Based in Houston, Texas, the association includes 120 local, online, and international chapters.
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Their site states they are the only professional, nonprofit organization, specifically for individuals who write and illustrate for children and young adults. Their mission is to support the creation and availability of quality children’s books in every region of the world.
For authors of western novels, the Western Writers of America, WWA, boasts historians, nonfiction authors, young adult, romance writers, songwriters, poets, and screenwriters for film and television. “We all have one thing in common—our work in every medium is set in the ever-changing American West.”
Mystery Writers of America is dedicated to mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre.
State or regional associations also provide networking opportunities and services to connect with other authors and events in your locale. Listed below are a few state associations. For Texas authors, Texas Author's Association has transitioned to Authors Marketing Guild as they extend their reach beyond Texas.
Many people work behind the scenes to provide writing, publishing, and marketing resources to an Independent Author. Don't pass up the opportunities offered by Author Associations.
Authors Marketing Guild
https://authorsmarketingguild.com
Georgia Writers Organization
Pacific Northwest Writers Association
Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association
Florida Authors & Publishers Association