Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)

Are you thinking about publishing children's picture books — or trying to make your existing press more profitable?  This episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” is packed with practical, on-the-ground advice you will not find in a how-to guide.  Michele McAvoy, Founder and Publisher of The Little Press, walks through the full journey of bringing a picture book to market: how to find and work with illustrators print-on-demand vs. offset printing the real costs of shipping and production the business models that can keep your company afloat and much more! If you're an independent publisher or author-publisher trying to figure out how the pieces fit together, this conversation is your roadmap. GUEST BIO Michele McAvoy is a multi-award-winning children’s author and founder and publisher of The Little Press, an independent children’s publisher of picture books through young adult, launched in 2020.  The Little Press books have received much acclaim including three Junior Library Guild Gold Standards in this Fall 2026 season alone. Her personally authored books include Willa the Werewolf, Buckingham Gets a New Shell, and Cookie & Milk. As a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years and a certified K–6 educator, Michele brings a distinctive combination of publishing, legal, business, and classroom experience to her work championing children’s literature and the creatives who make it.  HOST BIOIndependent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,900 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-associationTo learn more about Michele’s books, visit https://michelemcavoy.com/ Check out The Little Press at https://littlepresspublishing.com/ This episode is presented by RPI Print and Blurb. Learn more at https://www.rpiprint.com/ 

Most publishers’ media pitches get deleted in five seconds — and it's usually because of fixable mistakes. In this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” strategic media coach Mary O’Donohue reveals: why many pitches to the media fail what to send (and never send) once a producer says yes which media formats actually move book sales and more This episode is essential listening for any publisher who wants press coverage that works. GUEST BIO Mary O’Donohue is a media insider who's spent decades working behind the scenes on high-profile television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and Meet the Press. She’s also a #1 bestselling parenting author and strategic media coach who works with disruptive women nonfiction authors whose book and brilliance belong in the national spotlight. Using her behind-the-scenes publicity and book marketing strategies, Mary's clients have reached media audiences of more than a billion people - without a publicist. HOST BIOIndependent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,900 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-associationTo learn more about Mary O’Donohue’s media strategies services and books, visit https://www.maryodonohue.com/ Check out Mary’s Authors in Media YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@AuthorsInMedia Also, check out Mary’s free Profitable Publicity Private Podcast at https://www.maryodonohue.com/profitablepublicityprivatepodcast This episode is presented by BiblioMax. Learn more at https://bibliomax.com/ 

In this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA), PTP Press Publisher Joylynn Ross explains why one of the most important conversations an independent publisher can have with their team and their authors should happen before the publishing process even begins. By aligning with your team’s and the author's visions for the book, defining clear goals, and creating a shared strategy for success, publishers can build stronger partnerships and set realistic expectations from day one. You'll also discover why a book's success depends on more than the publisher's efforts alone. Joylynn discusses how authors play a critical role in marketing and audience building—and how having these conversations early can lead to better collaboration, stronger results, and more successful books for everyone involved. GUEST BIO National Essence Magazine Best-Selling Author and award-winning publisher of PTP Press, Joylynn M. Ross, has written over 40 books and publications in multiple genres under various pen names and works with and for major and indie publishers in the capacity of content creator, ghostwriter, editor, creative, copy and business writer, and literary and publishing consultant. Not only has Joylynn sold over one-million copies of her own books, but in her roles as acquisitions editor and literary agent, Joylynn has single-handedly pitched and secured millions of dollars in sales and rights to enterprises such as Walmart and Kensington Publishing Corp. As a business subject matter and storytelling expert, Joylynn’s brands, Path To Connections and Path To Publishing, are the B.O.S.S. of the literary world, publishing industry, and small business ecosystem when it comes to the business of strategic storytelling. And over the past three decades they’ve helped other business owners and organizations become the B.O.S.S. of theirs.HOST BIO Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,900 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-association To learn more about Joylynn’s brands, visit www.pathtoconnections.com,  www.joylynnMross.com, www.PathToPublishing.com, and www.ptppress.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoylynnRoss IG: https://www.instagram.com/blessedselling_author_enjoy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enjoywrites Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/enjoywrites Substack: https://joylynnmross.substack.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ActLikeanAuthorThinkLikeaBusiness TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@confrontationalspeaker This episode is presented by World of Books. Learn how to enter their Sustainable Story Award here: worldofbooks.com/pages/sustainable-story-award.

How can independent publishers achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace? In this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” AdventureKEEN Publisher and COO Molly Merkle shares advice about the power of niche publishing and the strategies publishers can use to build loyal readers, stronger sales, and resilient businesses. You’ll learn practical tactics about: - growing your backlist through publisher acquisitions and mergers - revitalizing older titles through redesign and repackaging - how to build strong relationships with specialty retailers and distribution partners - and more! Whether you're looking to grow your publishing company, strengthen your backlist, increase profitability, or better understand your target audience, this episode is packed with real-world insights and proven publishing strategies you can put into action right away. GUEST BIO Molly Merkle began her career in book publishing nearly 40 years ago as an intern during college, then moved to full-time work for Menasha Ridge Press, one of AdventureKEEN Publishing's now seven imprints. In early 2023, she was named AdventureKEEN’s publisher and continues to serve as its COO. Merkle has been key to executing the company’s vision for growth, including the acquisition and integration of several independent presses over the years. She’s also helped lead the company through hardship and challenges, which are a fact of life for entrepreneurial publishers. Merkle serves on the board of The Publishers Cooperative, a group of established and emerging independent publishers committed to creating a strong, diverse, equitable, and inclusive publishing industry together. Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,900 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Learn more about the AdventureKEEN at https://adventurewithkeen.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-association Follow the AdventureKEEN on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adventurekeen/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adventurewithkeen/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@adventurekeen LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/adventurekeen/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@adventurekeen Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/adventurekeen.bsky.social Blog - https://adventurewithkeen.com/blog/ Learn more about The Publishers Cooperative at https://thepublisherscooperative.com/ Learn more about the Book Industry Charitable Foundation at https://bincfoundation.org/ This episode is presented by Total Printing Systems. Learn more at https://www.tps1.com/

Every standout book has one thing in common: a strong editorial process behind it.  In this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” the Editorial Freelancers Association’s Director of Professional Development Asher Rose Fox demystifies what it really takes for independent publishers, author-publishers, and authors to transform a manuscript into a market-ready book—covering every stage of editing, what you can expect to invest, and how to collaborate effectively with editors. If you’re serious about publishing a book that readers—and reviewers—take seriously; this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. PARTICIPANTS Asher Rose Fox (they/them) has been an editor and activist for over 30 years. A longtime member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, Asher is proud to serve the freelance editing community as the EFA’s Director of Professional Development. They’ve held staff editorial roles at Publishers Weekly, About.com, PCMag, and The Annals of Improbable Research; freelanced for innumerable clients, including Strange Horizons, Popular Mechanics, nonsense nyc, Anesthesiology News, and many individual authors; and volunteered with 10%+, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, Arisia, Readercon, and Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives. Asher has also co-edited the groundbreaking and award-shortlisted anthology Long Hidden, delighted Twitter as GRAMMARHULK, and played a human aerodrome for paper airplanes at the Ig Nobel Awards. They make things better. Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures. LINKS Learn more about the Editorial Freelancers Association at https://www.the-efa.org/ Follow the EFA on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EFAFreelancers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/efafreelancers/ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/efafreelancers.bsky.social YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@efa1970/featured?themeRefresh=1 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/efafreelancers/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-association This episode is presented by Friesens Corporation. Learn more at https://www.friesens.com/