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
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
The countdown is on for the 2025 Women in Publishing Summit, sponsored by Hybrid Global Publishing!
Each year, I ask my team to tell me which sessions THEY are looking most forward to in our upcoming conference. Here’s what they said!
Before we get into the picks, I want to recognize the selection committee. These women spent hours pouring over hundreds of submissions, looking at our requirements, and trying to balance the schedule so we have great content for beginner, intermediate, and advanced authors, as well as the professional attendees. They do this voluntarily and in service to the community.
So please, help me recognize:
Pam Sheppard, a seasoned and sought-after guest expert. Pam spent over 25 years in Sales and Marketing with Big Five publishers: Simon & Schuster, Random House, and Crown Publishers. She spent 9 more years selling for over 40 mid-sized and small publishers as a commissioned representative, which overlapped with 20 years of editing and consulting new and experienced writers for their independent or traditional publishing projects. New applications of her COMP Analysis reports have supported the marketing efforts of authors and independent publishers alike. Pam now uses her vast knowledge to help authors by: developing an idea, evaluating a manuscript in any stage of its development, designing a formal book proposal, or offering a deep dive into a COMP marketing analysis. Learn more at https://www.shepedits.com/
Danielle Butler, a purpose-driven ghostwriter, author, creative strategist, and social justice warrior. Danielle is a seven-times independently published author. Her award-winning children’s book series, The Adventures of Zoe & Zachary, has landed her in the midst of industry and corporate conversations on diversity in the children’s publishing space. Danielle’s ghostwriting has supported the goals of individuals, organizations, and brands. Learn more at https://www.edaniellebutler.com/
Linda Ruggeri, a bilingual editor, an award-winning author, and a full-service freelance nonfiction editor based in Los Angeles. Linda is skilled in all areas of publishing: writing, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, translating, self-publishing, and book marketing. Her specialty is memoir (historical, family, medical, professional, travel, spiritual, cultural), cookbooks, gardening books, and how-to guides. Her clients include first-time authors, experienced writers, ghostwriters, as well as publishers. Learn more at https://www.theinsightfuleditor.com/
We owe them a HUGE thank you for the hard work and time spent pulling together this incredible lineup of speakers!
Hiding Real People in Real Stories (Nonfiction) with Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane:With professional guidance from award-winning ghostwriter 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.
Fail Smarter: The Secret to Creative Resilience with Gabriela Pereira:Gabriela Pereira will share a two-pronged approach to creative resilience: (1) how to use iteration to optimize your creative process, and (2) how mindfulness techniques can help make you a more adaptable and effective writer.
Raewyn (Director of Marketing)
The Art of Writing from Different POVs with Jacci Turner:Jacci will provide important steps to take and pitfalls to avoid when writing from various points of view.
Choosing the Right Fit: How to Research, Communicate with, and Hire the Right Editor for Your Work with Sara Letourneau: During this session, you’ll learn strategic, value-centered tips that will help you find not just any editor, but the right editor for you and your project. You’ll walk away with these and other takeaways: which steps to take before contacting prospective editors about your project, important questions to ask as you send out inquiries and talk to editors, and red flags to watch out for when interacting with editors.
Cayce (Publishing Assistant & Fun Manager)
Art of the Literary Sex Scene: A Workshop with Victoria Hetherington and Patricia Westerhof: The panel will provide writers of fiction and memoir techniques for writing character-driven, tasteful, and powerful sex scenes that work in today’s marketplace.
Maddie (Systems Extraordinaire)
Media and workbooks and marketing are my faves.
How to Write Six Months of Branded Content from Your Book for Increased Book Sales with Monica Miller:Monica Miller will teach published authors how to leverage their nonfiction book to write up to six months of branded online content from their book to boost book sales and increase visibility.
Beyond Courses: Crafting Immersive Learning Experiences with Digital Workbooks with Parchelle Tashi:Discover how to move beyond traditional online courses and create captivating, interactive learning experiences for your audience using innovative digital workbooks and other cutting-edge learning assets.
Amy (Sponsor Coordinator & Website Admin)
Substack 101 for Newbies: What You Need to Know if You Want to Gain an Audience with Claire Tak: This workshop will cover basics and what people should know before they start a Substack. I will share my personal story of what I learned in the last few years. I have two Substacks both with different purposes. I will cover why Substack is so popular now and what makes it different than WordPress or Squarespace. I will also give basics of what to do when you’re first starting out and what to be aware of.
Write it Ugly: Dismantling Perfectionism to Finish the Darn Book with Brooke Black:Brooke Black will guide writers to shift their focus from perfection to progress by dismantling notions of perfectionism and imposter syndrome, embracing their craft, and thriving in their editor-author partnership to finish their manuscripts– with confidence.
I started a Substack this year and I need to edit some of my backlog and part with it even if it’s ugly.
Cay (Community Manager)
Funding Your Goals with Sharissa Bradley: Sharissa Bradley will provide actual step-by-step directions for applying for writing grants, as well as providing crowdfunding and presale options to get funds for completing and publishing a manuscript.
Annie (Affiliate Program Manager)
Writing dialogue can be such a challenge for me.,
Strategies For Writing Dialogue that Drives Plot and Deepens Character:The team of Peggy Joque Williams and Christine DeSmet will provide actionable strategies for writing dialogue that drives plot, deepens character, and delights the reader, while also avoiding common mistakes and clichés.
Alexandra (Event Coordinator)
Genre: The Key to Writing a Story that Works with Savannah Gilbo:Savannah will teach the importance of determine your story’s genre—both the sales/marketing category AND the content genre (aka what KIND of story you’re actually writing). She’ll also share how identifying your genre can help you write better books.
Genres have been growing and evolving so much, and I think it’s fascinating.
Creating Business from the Gaps in Publishing: a panel led by Linda Ruggeri – the panel is going to educate freelancers on ways to grow their business – which as a freelancer, I can’t wait to sit in on this one.
Alexa (Event host)
Can I say they’re all my favorite???
As a publishing professional, I’m really excited about the sessions we have to help publishers and freelancers grow, like:
How to Manage Royalties (for Publishers) with Boni Wagner-Stafford of Ingenium Books
Ready to Uplevel Your Publishing House? with Michelle Vandepas of GracePoint Publishing
For all of our authors looking to grow businesses or have a book that supports their business, I am really excited about Parchelle Tashi’s session: Beyond Courses: Crafting Immersive Learning Experiences with Digital Workbooks. I’m actually working with Parchelle now on some digital workbooks for book marketing, and I am super excited about this workshop!
This is just a sample of the amazing schedule we have put together! There truly is something for everyone. We will continue to highlight sessions from each path right here on the blog.
If you’re reading this, I think I can safely assume that you are a writer who wants to be a better writer. And what do writers need more than anything? Help with editing! Many of us know the editing process can feel like a slog. It’s difficult to take that deep breath and dive back into our work with a critical eye. But we know it’s a necessary evil to make our writing the best it can possibly be. Editing can be a lot of work for one person, and even the best writers and editors among us can still miss those tiny errors. So beyond hiring professional help, what can we do? We can get ourselves a personal writing assistant with a sharp eye.
ProWritingAid is your personal writing assistant, combining AI-powered analysis with human expertise. ProWritingAid can help anyone and everyone become a great writer and storyteller. Beginners to experts can benefit from their in-depth analyses and learning material. With ProWritingAid, you stay in the driver’s seat as you write—it’ll never try to write your novel for you. They also value security. Your personal writing is never stored or used to train AI. You can also join their online community and attend free writing events with industry experts and bestselling authors.
ProWritingAid is special because it offers a comprehensive suite of writing tools designed to help writers improve their craft. It provides in-depth analysis and actionable feedback on grammar, style, and readability, helping writers polish their work to perfection. The platform integrates seamlessly with popular writing apps like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Scrivener, making it easy to use wherever you write.
ProWritingAid also offers a plagiarism detection feature, a contextual thesaurus, and various reports to address specific writing concerns. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, ProWritingAid is a valuable tool for writers of all levels, from students to professional authors. It’s an easy-to-use product that’s like having a writing coach right in your laptop!
What does ProWritingAid do?
By integrating seamlessly with popular writing tools like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Scrivener, it makes editing and refining your writing easier and more efficient. ProWritingAid also offers a plagiarism checker, a contextual thesaurus, and various reports to address specific writing concerns, making it an indispensable resource for writers of all levels. Whether you’re a student, a professional author, or just someone who wants to be a better writer, ProWritingAid offers the tools you need to elevate your work to the next level.
What kind of author needs ProWritingAid?
ProWritingAid is a valuable tool for various types of authors:
First-Time Authors: who need guidance on grammar, style, and readability to ensure their work is polished and professional.
Self-Published Authors: who want to enhance their manuscripts without the help of a traditional editor.
Established Authors: who are looking to refine their writing and maintain a high standard across their works.
ProWritingAid provides detailed feedback and tools to help authors at all stages of their writing journey, making it a versatile and essential resource.
How can I learn more about ProWritingAid?
Check out the ProWritingAid website to find out how they can help you become a better writer!
Have you ever been in this situation? You’ve written the book, you’ve edited it until it shines, you’ve had beta readers read it, and now you feel it’s ready to be published. But then you get stuck. You don’t know what steps to take next. You may have decided to go to the self-publishing route because you’ve heard great things and you think it’s the best choice for you. But you’re still thinking, “Now what?”
Enter: PublishDrive. They can do it all. They not only help you self-publish your book but provide all the ins and outs you might not even know about!
Their platform is intentionally designed to help and empower authors succeed. With PublishDrive, authors can publish their books globally with just a few clicks, reaching readers in over 100 countries. Their platform also offers marketing tools, sales analytics, and royalty management, making it easier for authors to focus on their writing while the platform handles the rest. This all-in-one approach makes PublishDrive a valuable partner for authors looking to navigate the complexities of self-publishing and reach a global audience.
One of the really unique things about PublishDrive is that it provides self-publishing services to both authors and publishers. And at the Women in Publishing Summit that is who we also serve! PublishDrive has a revolutionary way of looking at and providing self-publishing services.
What does PublishDrive do?
PublishDrive is a digital publishing platform designed to empower authors and publishers at every stage of their publishing journey. It offers a range of services and tools, including global book distribution to over 400 stores and 240,000 libraries in more than 100 countries, ensuring authors can reach a worldwide audience. The platform supports ebook, print-on-demand, and audiobook formats, providing flexibility and extensive market access.
What kind of author needs PublishDrive?
Independent Authors and Self-Publishers: Writers who are looking to self-publish their works while maximizing reach and efficiency. These clients benefit from tools like global distribution, AI-powered metadata optimization, and royalty management, which help streamline the publishing process and improve book discoverability.
How can I learn more about PublishDrive?
To learn more about PublishDrive, you can visit their official website. There, you’ll find detailed information about their services, including book formatting, distribution, marketing tools, and sales tracking. They also offer resources like tutorials and guides to help you get started. Additionally, you can explore their blog and help center for more insights and support.
Female Founder and CEO
Kinga Jentetics is a visionary entrepreneur who has been recognized for her contributions to the publishing industry. Kinga made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Media in 2017 and was named one of the Top 100 European Female Founders by The Hundert. She is passionate about using new technologies like blockchain and AI to shape the digital publishing landscape. Under her leadership, PublishDrive has become a leading platform for indie publishers, offering global ebook distribution, promotional tools, and financial services tailored for independent authors.
Hi, Amy here again, I’m a self-published author who has used Lulu as a service for print on demand books. I needed very specific books printed: special edition hardbacks for a giveaway and Lulu delivered! Lulu is great because they know exactly what an author needs! They make the creation of books seamless with each step and the books always look great!
Lulu is set apart as a self-publishing option because they have a comprehensive suite of services. With Lulu, authors are empowered to take control of their publishing journey. With print-on-demand technology, authors can avoid the costs and risks associated with large print runs. Lulu also provides distribution services, making it easier for authors to get their books into bookstores and online retailers.
In my experience, Lulu is extremely user-friendly, allowing authors like me to focus on their writing while Lulu handles the technical aspects of publishing. Additionally, Lulu offers a range of marketing and promotional tools to help authors reach a wider audience and build their brand. This combination of services and support makes Lulu a valuable partner for authors looking to self-publish their work successfully.
We’re excited to welcome Lulu to the 2025 Women in Publishing Summit as a Silver Sponsor. Lulu is on a mission to make the world a better place, one book at a time. They use sustainable practices and innovative print-on-demand products to make this happen.
What does Lulu do?
Lulu is a self-publishing company that offers a range of services to help authors publish and distribute their books. They provide print-on-demand (POD) services, which means books are printed only when an order is placed, reducing the need for large upfront print runs. Lulu also offers distribution services, making it easier for authors to get their books into bookstores and online retailers.
What kind of author needs Lulu?
Lulu is ideal for authors who want to self-publish their books with minimal upfront costs and retain control over the publishing process.
It’s perfect for:
First-time Authors: who want to publish their first book without the hassle of managing inventory.
Experienced Authors: looking to publish additional works with a reliable and efficient platform.
Authors with Niche Topics: who may not have the backing of a traditional publisher but have a dedicated audience.
Authors Seeking Global Distribution: wanting to reach readers worldwide without the need for large print runs.
Authors Who Value Creative Control: preferring to make decisions about their books’ content, cover design, and pricing.
How can I learn more about Lulu?
To learn more about Lulu, you can visit their official website: Lulu. There, you’ll find detailed information about their services, how to get started with self-publishing, and resources to help you through the process. You can also explore their blog and tutorials for step-by-step guidance.
