Celebrating Excellence: 2024 Women in Publishing Summit Award Winners

by Women in Publishing Summit | Mar 10, 2025

We are so excited to announce our Women in Publishing Awards Programs! 2024 is the first year that we’ve given awards, and we look forward to making this the way we close each March Event at the Women in Publishing Summit.

The Women in Publishing Summit honors women making a meaningful impact in the publishing industry. From editors and publishers to author advocates and trailblazers, our annual awards recognize excellence, leadership, and a commitment to uplifting others through books and storytelling.

We’re thrilled to announce the 2024 Women in Publishing Award winners — five outstanding women whose work is shaping the future of publishing:

🏆 Woman of the Year: Karen Strauss

Founder of Hybrid Global Publishing, Karen has been a leader in the publishing industry for over 30 years. Known for her innovative hybrid publishing strategies and dedication to empowering authors, Karen continues to pave the way for independent and traditionally published authors alike.

Connect with her on Instagram!

🏆 Lifetime Achievement Award: Pam Sheppard

With decades of experience as an editor and publishing consultant, Pam has guided countless authors through the writing and editing process. As founder of Sheppard Edits, she is celebrated for her editorial excellence and lifelong dedication to the craft of storytelling.

Connect with her on Instagram!

🏆 Editor Partner of the Year: Linda Ruggeri

A bilingual Latina editor and co-founder of The Networking Studio, Linda brings a unique voice and inclusive lens to her editorial work. She specializes in nonfiction and bilingual projects, and is a champion for both emerging authors and fellow editors.

Connect with her on Instagram!

🏆 Publishing Trailblazer of the Year: Alesha Brown

As founder of Fruition Publishing, Alesha is known for helping authors turn their stories into powerful personal brands. She’s a fierce advocate for women and minority voices in publishing and is redefining what success looks like for independent authors.

Connect with her on Instagram!

🏆 Publishing Professional of the Year: E. Danielle Butler

Founder of EvyDani Books, Danielle is committed to publishing authentic, diverse stories—especially from women and communities of color. A ghostwriter, author, and speaker, she empowers authors to share their truth and amplify their voices with confidence.

Connect with her on Instagram!

We are so proud to recognize these incredible women for their achievements, leadership, and ongoing commitment to excellence in publishing.

👏 Please join us in celebrating the 2024 Women in Publishing Award winners!

3 Types of Book Accolades That Build Credibility

The Reader Is Your Co-Writer: Speculative Fiction with Heather Davis

Your Voice Is the Revolution: Why Women’s Books Matter More Than Ever in 2026

Memoir Authors – Guide to the 2025 Women in Publishing Summit

by Women in Publishing Summit | Feb 21, 2025

For the Memoir Authors

We know there are many options when it comes to choosing a virtual conference for authors, so we’re breaking down the workshops in the Women in Publishing Summit by tracks and areas of focus. The Women in Publishing Summit is a virtual event for authors and publishing professionals that runs from March 5 to 8, 2025.

We focus on building community, educating our community, and creating an environment for support, encouragement, and sharing of resources. While the conference is virtual and runs “live” in zoom over the course of the event, all sessions are recorded, and you can rewatch them as many times as you’d like through the end of the year. We also have networking, community-building events, and special bonus sessions.

This is the breakdown of workshops that are specific to memoir authors, however, you’ll find that there are many sessions throughout the conference that will help you understand routes to publishing, marketing, business growth, and more. Check out the full schedule here.

Day 1 – Writing/Mindset for Memoir Authors

Hiding Real People in Real Stories
Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane

Find out what steps you can take to avoid identifying real people in your nonfiction book. Discover how to create pseudonyms, avoid compromising safety, and write about people who would rather fade into the background of your story. Since 2007, Roxanne’s unique and multi-award winning method of storytelling has changed the lives of thousands of budding authors, allowing them to bring their messages to life in nonfiction books with structure, connection to the reader and potential profit. She is a prolific ghostwriter, author, workshop facilitator, writing mentor and journalist.

The Art of the Literary Sex Scene (Fiction and Memoir)
Victoria Hetherington & Patricia Westerhof

This session will provide writers of fiction and memoir techniques for writing character-driven, tasteful, and powerful sex scenes that work in today’s marketplace. Some say CanLit’s a snooze, and erotic writing can’t be literary — and we say, time to wake up and get steamy! What better time to explore the art of the literary sex scene than a workshop designed by women for women writers in a women-identified space? Join Canadian authors Patricia Westerhof and Victoria Hetherington for this seminar exploring this crucial yet under-taught component of literary fiction.

The (Hidden) Costs & Challenges of Publishing
Karen Strauss

Learn all you need to know about getting your book published, whether working with a publisher or self-publishing on your own. Karen Strauss is the publisher of Hybrid Global Publishing. Designed to publish books by speakers and entrepreneurs and other indie authors, Hybrid Global is an independent publisher who offers author services such as editorial, custom cover and interior design, distribution and marketing. Karen has worked in publishing for more than 30 years with broad experience in all aspects of publishing, sales, marketing, strategic planning and distribution.

Day 2 – Routes to Publication for Memoir Authors

Catching Legal Red Flags in a Memoir Before They Catch You
Tisha Morris

Learn to spot potential legal risks and what to do about them in order to minimize risks, while maintaining the literary quality of your memoir. Publishing Attorney Tisha Morris walks you through a legal checklist of defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright, and other legal red flags to help you minimize the risk of legal exposure, not to mention unnecessary legal fees. Tisha Morris is an author and the founder of Morris Entertainment Law where she practices entertainment law with a mission to help diverse voices tell their story for a better world.

Audiobooks: From Microphone to Marketplace
Mary Catherine Jones

Mary Catherine will give an insider’s perspective on the burgeoning Audiobook industry and discuss multiple ways to create an audiobook—from bootstrapping to pro-production and everything in-between! Mary Catherine Jones is the Owner and Executive Producer of The Audiobook Experience at Voice Over Vermont. For over 15 years she has been helping authors find their voice by helping them create amazing, award winning audiobooks.

Day 3 – Marketing & Book Launch for Memoir Authors

How to Write Six Months of Branded Content from Your Book for Increased Book Sales
Monica Miller

Monica Miller will guide published authors on leveraging their nonfiction books into a wealth of marketing content to expand their reach and boost sales. Marketing is often one of the most daunting challenges authors face after publishing, but this session will teach you how to repurpose your written content into a dynamic marketing plan that saves time, energy, and frustration. Discover how to elevate your marketing game by transforming your book into a continuous stream of engaging content that attracts new readers, clients, and opportunities.

Marketing Your Memoir So It Sells
Jennifer Wilkov

Memoir writers know that marketing their inspiring life stories in their books is 100% their responsibility but most don’t have the skillset or knowledge to create a winning marketing plan for it. It’s time to build a plan to successfully market your memoir so it sells. In this presentation, Jennifer S. Wilkov, the founder of Your Book Is Your Hook, LLC, will show you how to master the art of determining what belongs in your memoir marketing platform—and what doesn’t—before, during, and after it has been published.

Day 4 – Business Growth for Memoir Authors

BookBub Basics for Authors: Boost your Platform with LitRing
Samantha Williams

Learn how to make BookBub work for you! From account creation to BookBub ads and everything in between, join the promo masters of LitRing and Aurora Publicity for this platform training to bring in new readers for your books. Samantha Williams is a passionate marketer with almost a decade of experience in publishing. She is the owner of LitRing, a book promotions company, and the founder of Aurora Publicity, a marketing and author assistant company. With degrees in advertising, marketing, and PR, she often refers to herself as “The Matchmaker” for authors and assistants.

Beyond the Bestseller: Creating Multiple Revenue Streams for Authorpreneurs
Alesha Brown

Alesha Brown will share step-by-step guidance and examples, ensuring attendees can transform their books into thriving businesses. Alesha Brown is the Founder & CEO of Fruition Publishing Concierge Services®, a hybrid publisher devoted to helping authors find their voice, monetize their expertise, and create profitable author platforms. Alesha’s work led to her receiving the 2019 Inside Business’ Entrepreneurial Excellence award and 2023 Women in Business Achievement award.

What is the Women in Publishing Summit?

The Women in Publishing Summit is a four-day virtual event running from March 5 to 8. All sessions are recorded, and you can rewatch them as many times as you’d like through the end of the year. We also have networking, community-building events, and special bonus sessions. It’s a LOT of fun! The best part is that you get to be a part of the WIP community all year long with free bonus post-conference webinars, monthly networking sessions, and access to sponsor discounts.

Get your ticket now!

beginner author, women in publishing summit, 2025, ticket, publishing, sponsor

3 Types of Book Accolades That Build Credibility

The Reader Is Your Co-Writer: Speculative Fiction with Heather Davis

Why You Should Consider a Self-Publishing Service Provider

The Women in Publishing Summit Will Take Place March 5–8, 2025

by Women in Publishing Summit | Feb 20, 2025

The eighth annual Women in Publishing Summit will take place March 5–8, 2025. This online conference for women features workshops, panels, networking events, and more to help aspiring and published authors grow their craft, and to give publishing professionals opportunities to expand their network and skills. This event attracts writers, poets, publishers, editors, designers, marketers, publishing assistants, and other professionals who contribute to the creation and promotion of books. This year’s event is sponsored by Hybrid Global Publishing.

The summit is hosted by Alexa Bigwarfe, a USA Today best-selling author, speaker, publisher, and author coach. Bigwarfe’s publishing journey began with her first book, Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother, written after the loss of her infant daughter to offer hope to other mothers in their darkest times. The process of writing, publishing, and seeing how her book impacted others gave her a sense of purpose—and ignited her love for the publishing world. Now, Bigwarfe runs Write | Publish | Sell, focusing on empowering authors to build their platforms, grow their businesses, and reach new readers. She leads the Women in Publishing Summit to help strengthen a community of writers and publishing professionals. The publishing world can be challenging and isolating, but Bigwarfe finds that “in community, we can truly empower, encourage, and support each other. We’re better together.”

The Women in Publishing Summit is more important this year than ever. This event aims to highlight the power of stories and books, uplift women’s voices in the publishing industry, and foster an inclusive community.

The summit will kick off with a keynote address from Deraeé Henderson on March 4. Henderson is an author and speaker passionate about inspiring others to embrace their purpose. Some of the 40+ sessions offered this year include Writing and Editing with Your Audience in Mind from Kathy Meis, Why People Buy: Using Psychology to Sell More Books with Chelsea Bennett, Be Contagious Instead of Going Viral with Markeyla Henton, Book Reviews: Getting More Stars Than You Know What to Do With from Hannah Jacobson, and Beyond Courses: Crafting Immersive Learning Experiences with Digital Workbooks presented by Parchelle Tashi. Sessions are divided along four tracks: Beginner, General, Intermediate/Advanced, and Professional. Each day also has a theme: Writing & Mindset on day one, Routes to Publication on day two, Marketing & Book Launch on day three, and Business Growth on day four. There will be multiple networking opportunities each day, panels, live sponsor booths, and a publisher speed dating event.

Ticket holders gain access to the Women in Publishing community all year long with pre- and post-conference webinars, recordings of the live sessions from the conference, special offers from event sponsors, an active Facebook group, and monthly networking sessions.

The Women in Publishing Summit is the largest online conference for women, and those who identify as women, in publishing. The four-day event is a combination of live workshops, panel discussions, networking events, and special events, run completely online. Contact the team at support@womeninpublishingsummit.com. For more information, visit womeninpublishingsummit.com.

Hybrid Global Publishing was founded to provide innovative options for talented authors to publish on a level playing field with traditional publishers. The team has a combined 80 years of experience in the publishing industry, having published more than 1,400 authors since 2008. They make publishing easier and more profitable by managing all the details and complexities of production, distribution, marketing, and sales. It starts with an idea for your book and then the delivery of your manuscript to providing support and other promotional capabilities for worldwide distribution. Hybrid Global Publishing is a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers and authors to provide a complete publishing experience.

Get your ticket now!

Social Media Marketing World 2026: The Takeaways Powering Our Next Social Media Intensive

Team Picks for the 2025 Women in Publishing Summit

Introducing the 2024 Platinum Sponsor: IngramSpark

Meet the 2025 Sponsors at Live Exhibit Booths

by Women in Publishing Summit | Feb 18, 2025

The Women in Publishing Summit would not be possible without the support from all 38 of our sponsors. If you have a ticket to the 2025 Summit, you’ll get two opportunities to meet the sponsors, learn about the resources and offers they have for our community, and ask all your questions! The Sponsor Exhibit Booths will be open on day 0 and day 3 of the conference. At these events, you’ll have the chance to join Zoom breakout rooms and chat directly with expert book marketers, editors, publishing service providers, and more!

These events are exclusive to ticket holders, so if you haven’t gotten your ticket yet to the 2025 Women in Publishing Summit, get it now!

Live Sponsor Exhibit Booths

Summit Day 0: Tuesday, March 4, 1:00–2:30 PM Eastern/NY Time

Summit Day 3: Friday, March 7, 3:00–4:00 PM Eastern/NY Time

Meet all the sponsors and learn about their offers here: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/sponsors/

Day 0 Sponsor Exhibit Booths

Tuesday, March 4, 1:00–2:30 PM Eastern/NY Time (Zoom Room A)

Publishing, Self-Publish Services & Printing: Lulu, PublishDrive, BookFunnel, MCRL & Board Book Printing, Warren Publishing, Luminare Press, Ingenium, Bublish, FriesenPress, Curios

Marketing & Promotion: Book Award Pro, Abundantly Social, Bublish, Children’s Book Mastery, Ingenium, Curios

Editorial & Coaching Services: ProWritingAid, Ignite & Write, Chanticleer, Heart of the Story Editorial & Coaching, Children’s Book Mastery, Your Book Is Your Hook

Audiobooks: The Audiobook Experience

Meet the Sponsors:

Book Award Pro is how authors find the perfect reviews and awards for their books. Trusted by authors and professionals around the globe, Book Award Pro operates the world’s largest database of legitimate reviews and awards. AI technology curates accolades specific to your book. The Free Plan ($0/month) finds review and award opportunities specific for your book. Learn more about Book Award Pro and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/bookawardpro

Abundantly Social is an award winning Social Media Marketing agency for authors and small businesses. We specialize in every aspect of book publication, book promotion, digital marketing, and creating Amazon Best Sellers. Learn more about Abundantly Social and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/abundantlysocial

Lulu is a self-publishing and print-on-demand platform that puts you in control. Since 2002, Lulu has empowered over two million authors, creators, educators, and businesses from all over the world to publish, print, and prosper. With Lulu’s global distribution network, direct sales solutions, and industry-leading print-on-demand technology, writers can share their stories while growing their brand, audience, and bank account. Learn more about Lulu and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/Lulu

ProWritingAid is the essential toolkit for storytellers helping over 3 million writers craft their stories and bring them to life. Tell your story with ProWritingAid. We’re the always on, always helpful AI writing assistant. Learn more about ProWritingAid and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/PWA

Your Book Is Your Hook is a full service consulting practice serving book writers, screenwriters, playwrights and wannabes as well as the entire publishing industry. Services include 1:1 consulting for writing, marketing, and getting published. https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/yourbookhook

PublishDrive helps you easily self-publish ebooks online, audiobooks, and print books to thousands of stores worldwide. One click, publish everywhere. Learn more about PublishDrive and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/publishdrive

MCRL & Board Book Printing: Whether you’re printing your first or fifteenth book, MCRL’s offset printing team takes the time to answer questions, share recommendations, and manage the itty bitty details. Self-publishers will also appreciate our competitive pricing, high-quality standards, and environmental focus. Learn more about MCRL & Board Book Printing and their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/mcrl

Warren Publishing is the number one indie publisher in the Carolinas, providing excellence in hybrid publishing since 1988. We specialize in providing a caring and vibrant publishing process where ideas are nurtured and authors receive personal attention. We accept submissions of trade fiction (thrillers, women’s fiction, historical fiction, romance, sci-fi/fantasy), literary fiction, nonfiction, memoir, self-help, poetry, children’s books, business books, and more. Learn more about Warren Publishing and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/warren

Ignite & Write: Roxanne’s unique and multi-award winning method of storytelling has changed the lives of thousands of budding authors since 2007, allowing them to bring their messages to life in nonfiction books with structure, connection to the reader and potential profit. A prolific ghostwriter, author, workshop facilitator, writing mentor and former print journalist, Roxanne’s presentations are charged with powerful content and tangible tools that remove the mystery from storytelling and ignite a thought-provoking and emotion-evoking theatre within the mind. Learn more about Ignite & Write and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/ignitewrite

BookFunnel is an eBook and Audiobook Delivery Service for Indie Authors and Small Publishers. Whether it’s delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out ebooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel does it all. Learn more about BookFunnel and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/bookfunnel

Children’s Book Mastery: Discover how to successfully plan, write, publish and market your children’s books and more! Publishing a children’s book can seem like a nightmare. Our expert video sessions make publishing books for kids a dream. Learn more about Children’s Book Mastery and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/ChildrensBookMastery

Bublish is a one-stop solution for authors who want to self-publish high-quality books, distribute and market them effectively, and fully monetize their work. Learn more about Bublish and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/bublish

Luminare Press offers a wide range of options for authors who want to publish professionally while keeping full control of their work and 100% of the royalty. They are a professional team of designers, editors, and publishing experts who help both first-time and experienced authors publish their books, offering personalized services for whatever level of help is needed. Learn more about Luminare and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/luminare

Chanticleer Book Reviews offers editorial book reviews, manuscript overviews, editorial services, writing contests, book awards, an author conference, workshops, and book marketing opportunities to help authors achieve their publishing goals. Learn more about Chanticleer:

https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/chanticleer

Heart of the Story Editorial & Coaching Services: Book coach and editor Sara Letourneau works with fiction and nonfiction authors and writers to help them develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need so they can finish their manuscripts, polish them for publication, and stay focused and motivated as they reach for their writing goals and embrace their creativity. Learn more about Heart of the Story and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/heartofstory

The Audiobook Experience at Voice over Vermont, LLC is a boutique audiobook production company providing a custom recording experience for authors. We work with authors who want to narrate their own books… and those who definitely do not! Learn more about The Audiobook Experience and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/voiceoververmont

FriesenPress is a 100% employee-owned publishing services provider that offers editing, design, production, audiobooks, and promotional support to authors looking to self-publish. Their mission is to embrace each book as their own and empower their authors to share their best stories with the world. To date, they’ve partnered with thousands of authors and have published over 10,000 titles (and counting). Learn more about FriesenPress and take advantage of their offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/friesenpress

Ingenium Books a hybrid publisher looking for stories that awe, inspire, enlighten, and challenge. Whether fiction or nonfiction, they are interested in stories that demonstrate our innate resilience, that transformation is possible. Their ideal authors are professional women who are writing crime thrillers, women’s fiction, or historical fiction. (Of course we’ll take a look at nonfiction, too.) Learn more about Ingenium and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/ingenium

Curios is a direct sales and engagement platform where authors can sell/distribute ebooks and audiobooks directly to their readers while keeping 100% of the sale. Additionally, authors get access to readers’ email and contact information for any transactions so they can communicate directly with them. Curios has created a $1 MILLION creator fund that offers up to $12,000 to authors for joining the platform and distributing their books on the Curios Marketplace. We want to put the power back into the hands of the author! Learn more about Curios and take advantage of their special offer: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/curios

Day 3 Sponsor Exhibit Booths

Friday, March 7, 3:00–4:00 PM Eastern/NY Time (Zoom Room A)

Publishing, Self-Publish Services & Printing: Lulu, PublishDrive, MCRL & Board Book Printing, Warren Publishing, Luminare Press, Ingenium, Old Mate Media, Curios

Marketing & Promotion: Book Award Pro, Bublish, Ingenium, Old Mate Media, Curios

Editorial & Coaching Services: Chanticleer, Heart of the Story Editorial & Coaching, Old Mate Media