An e-Publication of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association

Independent Publishers Working Together

November 2010
April 2011

Inside— President’s Letter But before that, don’t miss this month’s
meeting. This Saturday, April 16, Beth-
With the CIPA EVVYs completed and any Siegler will talk about creating a
President’s Letter the awards presented, CIPA is moving website from one of the most popular,
April Meeting ahead with many more of the new pro- user-friendly, free, software programs
CIPA EVVY Winners grams we’ve instituted this year. The available. While I haven’t used Word-
form to submit your books, for our Press, I’m eager to learn. Marty Dickin-
Library e-Book Partnership Online Catalog, is up and running and son told us, at a previous meeting, that
Affiliate Offerings ready to receive your submissions. This he and his wife create new websites
Online Catalog is a huge benefit for our members. Be every day. WordPress is a program that
sure to take advantage of it. See Page 5 will allow you to do just that, thus in-
Friends of CIPA
for details. creasing your presence online.
Writer’s Digest Contest
We launched our first cooperative pro- I’m looking forward to seeing you on
Bookstore Blowout
gram with Independent Booksellers on Saturday.
Join CIPA Sunday at the Boulder Book Store.
Board Members Carolyn Jennings, Mary Ramstetter and - Nancy Mills, President
I read parts of our books, talked about
Important Dates the process of writing and signed books
after our presentations. It was a won-
Saturday, April 16 derful afternoon. Liesl Freudenstein, of
Member Meeting the BBS, did a marvelous job of setting
Bethany Siegler, UniqueThink up the room and making sure our
Red Lion Hotel books were displayed in a number of
locations around the store. Thanks to
the Boulder Book Store, for all your Liesl Freudenstein & Helen Rich-
Saturday, May 21 hard work. ard of the Boulder Book Store
Member Meeting
This is a significant step in CIPA’s new
Jamie LaRue, Douglas County Librar-
mission and it’s important, if we want
ies to continue, that our CIPA members
support these events. We had a nice
Find us on: crowd as you can see from the pic-
tures. Watch your email for more infor-
mation about the next event.
While all the specifics of our Douglas
CIPA Authors’ Panel
County Libraries e-Book Partnership
haven’t been finalized, the basic con-
tract is ready to go. We’re starting with
www.CIPACatalog.com CIPA EVVY winners and a few other
Colorado Independent Publishers Association books that have proved to be popular.
P.O. Box 101975, Denver, CO 80250-1975 See Page 4 for more details.
Phone: 303-365-CIPA (2472)
Admin@CIPACatalog.com Jamie LaRue of DCL is our scheduled
speaker for the May meeting. We’ll
©2011 Colorado Independent Publishers Association officially and formally ink the agree- Mary Ramstetter, Carolyn Jennings
ment at that time. & Nancy Mills

1 Colorado Independent Publishers Association

April 16 Meeting — complex, for new writers and publishers as well as experienced
authors and publishers.
How to Grow an Author Website with
Sell More Books on Amazon Table hosted by Brian Montgom-
WordPress ery of Montgomery Vendor Services. Brian helps self-publishers
make money working through Amazon.com’s Advantage Pro-
Whether you’re just starting gram and Kindle Direct Publishing.
out or you’re an established
E-book Design Table hosted by Gail Nelson and Sandy Lardinois
writer/publisher, you need a
of e-book-design. Gail and Sandy provide custom layout and
site to grow along with your
design services for authors and publishers.
business; one you can easily
manage on your own. Editing Table hosted by Susan Hindman of Wordwise Editing.
Learn why working with an editor can make the difference be-
WordPress is great for non- tween a good book and a great book.
Bethany Siegler
tech people. It lets you effort-
lessly create pages (Home, About, Contact), add new Blog Newbie Table hosted by Karen Reddick, Executive Director of
posts, upload images and videos, and even sell your books, all CIPA. Karen has been there, done that, and can answer your
from one simple-to-use toolset. Start as small or large as you most pressing publishing questions.
need and as you grow, WordPress grows with you. Bethany Printing Table hosted by Mike Daniels of Sheridan Books. Mike
provides action steps to help you get started or take your site has many years under his CIPA belt, serving as Past President,
to the next level. and Brigade Chair.
AND GET THIS ADDED BENEFIT... We begin each meeting with Just $15 (members) or $30 (nonmembers)
Roundtable sessions from 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. and then start our
general meeting at 9:30 a.m. These Roundtables are designed Sign up NOW
to help anyone with any genre, with any question, simple or Early Bird Special Ends Today!

2 Colorado Independent Publishers Association


CIPA EVVY & Tech Award Winners
And the Winners Are . . .
Here is a list of the 2011 CIPA EVVY Award
winners. Congratulations to all who
achieved this prestigious award! Remem-
ber, you can purchase photos from the
banquet HERE.
Past President’s Award (given to the book that had the high-
est overall score).
When Crises Strikes, Allidah Poole Hicks & Bonnie Knuti, Good
Neighbors Publishing
How To
1st Place When Crisis Strikes Allidah Poole Hicks & Bonnie
Knuti, Good Neighbors Publishing
2nd Place Horse Photography Carol Walker, Painted Hills Pub-
lishing
Inspirational
1st Place Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty Neil Hanson, High
Prairie Press
3rd Place If These Ears Could Sing Michael Gannon, DMF Pub-
lishing
Juvenile
1st Place Ghost over Boulder Creek Elaine Pease, Filter Press

Autobiography Memoirs
1st Place Bound for Rogue Island R.J. Rubudeau, Beacon Hill 1st Place 3MPH the Adventures of One Woman’s Walk Around
Publishing Group the World Polly Letofsky
2nd Place The Rise & Fall of Captain Methane Dorsey Alan 2nd Place I'll be There to Write the Story Maria Weber, Pinon
Wingo, Outskirts Press Valley Press
3rd Place If These Ears Could Sing Michael Gannon, DMF Pub-
Biography lishing
1st Place Beyond the Land of Gold Rebecca Valentine, Thomp-
son Media Nonfiction Experiences
2nd Place (tie) Beyond the Land of Gold Rebecca Valentine,
Business/Finance Thompson Media
1st Place Leadership in a Wiki World Rod Collins, Dog Ear Pub- 2nd Place (tie) Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty Neil Hanson,
lishing High Prairie Press

Childrens Self-Help
Merit One Wacky Wasp Brent Sampson, Outskirts Press 1st Place The Key to Job Success in Any Career Frank B. Leibold,
Merit Queen Vernita meets Sir Heathy Bean the Astronomer Ph.D., Outskirts Press
Dawn Menge & Heath Rhodes, Outskirts Press Merit Psych Consults Robert J. Mignone, M.D., Outskirts Press

Fiction Spirituality/Religion
1st Place The Beads of Lapis Lazuli Doris Kenney Marcotte, 3rd Place (tie) Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty Neil Hanson,
Outskirts Press High Prairie Press
Merit Gatsby's Last Resort R. J. Rubadeau, Beacon Hill Publish- 3rd Place (tie) I'll be There to Write the Story Maria Weber,
ing Pinon Valley Press
Distinguished Achievement Danielle's True Desire Isioma Merit Whispers of Joy Joy Anderson, Outskirts Press
West, iUniverse Merit Art, Experience, and Faith William Squires, Outskirts
Press
History
1st Place Landscapes on Glass Jack Turner, Durango Herald Travel
Small Press 3rd Place 3MPH the Adventures of One Woman’s Walk Around
2nd Place Beyond the Land of Gold Rebecca Valentine, the World Polly Letofsky
Thompson Media (Continued on Page 8)

3 Colorado Independent Publishers Association

Library e-Book Partnership Affiliate Offerings
CIPA is now accepting submissions
to participate in the CIPA Library e-
SPANnet.org
Book Partnership with Douglas The Small Publishers Association (SPAN) provides valuable re-
County Libraries. sources for building a better publishing business. We encourage
CIPA members to join SPANnet’s free online community where
The first submissions to be accepted
authors, publishers, and service providers network to consider
will be CIPA EVVY award-winning
publishing options and to help each other create opportunity. A
titles that placed 1st, 2nd, or
growing network benefits everyone. Click HERE to create an ac-
3rd during the 2007-2011 contests.
count and invite your colleagues to participate!
If we do not achieve the number of
titles the library wishes to purchase, SPANpro This website provides a premium education program
CIPA will consider CIPA EVVY win- with course outlines on Book Promotion, eBook Production, Get-
ners from earlier years. If you have ting Radio & TV Publicity, and more. CIPA Members Special Dis-
current and older titles, you may count - Only $60 per year - Join Today!
submit all of them at once.
Here's how it works: Contact: Brad Poulson, SPAN Director bradpoulson@spannet.org
719.475.1726 for more information.
1. The Electronics Rights Holder (author or publisher) sub-
mits information to CIPA for the CIPA EVVY award-
winning title(s) that is/are available in ePub format. Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers
2. CIPA will verify the information provided.
Association (MPIBA)
3. CIPA will notify the Library that the title is available to Announces Reading the West Book Awards. This program is
purchase. sponsored by MPIBA and assists publishers, authors, and book-
sellers in promoting and building sales for exceptional books and
4. The library reviews the submitted titles and notifies CIPA authors in the Mountains and Plains region. Reading the West
of which ones they want to purchase. The library will pay selections are adult and children's titles that exemplify the best in
no more than the lowest retail price for an e-book version writing and/or illustrations and whose subject matter deals with
of the title. our region, or whose authors and illustrators live in the region.
5. CIPA will direct the Electronics Rights Holder to an online Get more information at the MPIBA website.
form where they will upload data, book cover image, and
the ePub file. The library controls this data. CIPA will not
download the ePub file but will have access to the data
and book cover image for use in its own Online Catalog.
The form is available online CLICK HERE, and may be accessed
at any time.
6. Once the library confirms that it has the data, book cover
image, and correctly functioning ePub file, it will pay CIPA
for the title.

(Continued on Page 5)

4 Colorado Independent Publishers Association


CIPA’s Online Catalog
CIPA is in the process of con-
structing an Online Catalog that
will provide exposure for books
written and published by CIPA
members. The catalog will pro-
vide direct links from members'
books to their own sales web
page where visitors can review
and purchase those books.
The catalog is an offshoot of the Library e-book Partnership
with Douglas County Library District and Red Rocks Commu-
nity College Library, but is separate in the fact that all CIPA
members are eligible for inclusion in the new Online Catalog
although a cap on entries will be set.
(Library e-Book Partnership Continued from Page 4)
7. The library adds DRM to the ePub file and puts it into its e-
book loan program.
8. CIPA pays the Electronic Rights Holder.
The important thing right now is to get your CIPA EVVY award-
winning books into ePub format.
If you need help converting your books to ePub format, CIPA has
a list of Associate Service Providers who can help you with your
conversions.
We look forward to receiving your Opt-in to participate in this
ground-breaking project.

CIPA members have the opportunity to showcase their books

in this Online Catalog, where the catalog sections range from
Autobiography to Workbook and everything in between. The
titles are organized by genres shown under "CATALOG" in the
main menu bar on the CIPACatalog.com website and also on
the left column navigation bar under the "CATALOG" header.
These titles will also be used as promotion for future trade
shows, events and distribution to booksellers.

If you are a current CIPA member and would like to have your
published book(s) listed in this catalog, CLICK to go to the sub-
mission form.

5 Colorado Independent Publishers Association

Friends of CIPA Writer’s Digest Contest
Ed Greene, of CBS 4, was the first in-
ductee into the Colorado Independent It’s not too late to compete in the 80th An-
Publishers Association Friends of CIPA nual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition.
program on Saturday, March 19, 2011 Grand prize: $3,000 cash and a trip to the
at the CIPA EVVY Awards Dinner. Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City.
Compete and win in 10 categories.
Friends of CIPA is an elite, invitation-
only group of outstanding individuals CIPA’s own Doug Koktavy won 1st Place 2010 in Life Stories
recognized for their dedication to lit- Category for his warm and heartfelt book, The Legacy of
eracy, books, reading and publishing. Beezer and Boomer. And long-time CIPA member, Dom Testa
won Grand Prize in 2005 for Galahad 1: The Comet’s Curse.
With this distinction comes an Honor- They entered, they won, and so can you!
ary Lifetime Membership in CIPA mak-
Entry Deadline is May 2, 2011. www.WritersDigest.com
ing Ed eligible for complimentary participation in all CIPA events
and programs.
CIPA welcomes Ed with gratitude and appreciation.

6 Colorado Independent Publishers Association

Join CIPA Today—Here’s Why: About CIPA
1. Monthly meetings - Our monthly meetings offer expert Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) member-
industry professionals geared to jump start your writing, ship is open, without discrimination, to all persons who wish
publishing, or book sales, along with Free Advice from our to further the cause of independent publishing. CIPA, one of
series of Roundtable hosts. the largest and most active publishing related groups in the
country, has 300 members, including authors, publishers, edi-
2. Early Bird Sign-up Discounts for CIPA Meetings and tors, illustrators, layout and cover designers, printers and oth-
Events. ers who help one another to learn by sharing from their varied
experiences.
3. The CIPA College - A monthly series of courses developed
CIPA’s mission is to encourage cooperative efforts and the free
around all aspects of successful independent publishing.
exchange of information, experience and expertise to help our
4. The annual CIPA EVVY Awards and TECH Awards - A book members achieve, survive and prosper while also assisting the
competition program that honors the best of our members' writing and marketing of their books through cooperative ven-
books by providing an independently judged competition in vari- tures, education and networking.
ous genres and technical categories.
Besides our regular monthly meetings with professional
5. Access to over 50 Associate Service Providers where you can speakers and programs, roundtable discussions with experts in
find the best of the best in editing, book cover design, layout, the publishing/writing fields, and networking with like-minded
marketing, printing, and more. individuals.
For the new author, the would-be author or the published
6. Trade Show Opportunities where CIPA members can promote author, membership in CIPA allows you to tap into the vast
their books at such industry trade shows as Mountains and experience of some of the brightest publishing experts in the
Plains Independent Booksellers Association (MPIBA), Colorado nation.
Association of Libraries (CAL), and others.

7. Vote at Membership Meetings - Members’ voices count with

CIPA!
Trouble Logging In?
As with anything new, there will be questions. CIPA’s new web-
8. Place an Ad in CIPA’s monthly Signature newsletter and be
site is no exception. The good news is: It's easy to use, really!
seen by over 400 industry professionals.
Here's what you do:
9. Inclusion into CIPA’s Online Book Catalog. 1. Go to http://www.CIPACatalog.com
2. Click on the Sign In link on the very top tool bar
10. An opportunity to participate in the Library e-Book Partner- 3. Not a member? Click on Create an Account
ship. 4. Enter your email
5. The password is Cipa2011 (capital "C")
11. CIPA Discount Coupon Book - Coupons to meetings, events, 6. Click "OK" button at the bottom and you'll be good to go
and the CIPA Bookstore.
A new video tutorial has been added to the website for help
12. Network with your Clan - Meet and greet like-minded writ- with logging in and using the shopping cart. Take a couple min-
ers, authors and industry professionals. utes to view this short video tutorial.
Join CIPA and successfully navigate the independent publish- Still having trouble? Contact admin@cipacatalog.com.
ing maze.

7 Colorado Independent Publishers Association

 Bookstore Blowout! (EVVY Awards Continued from Page 3)

Come to the April Meeting and
buy any book at the CIPA book-
store for 50% off!
2011 CIPA EVVY TECH Awards
Cover Design
1st Place Ghost Over Boulder Creek Cathy Morrison
2nd Place Landscapes on Glass Durango Herald Small Press
3rd Place I am Equus Outskirts Press

Layout & Design

1st Place Landscapes on Glass Durango Herald Small Press
2nd Place I'll be There to Write the Story Nick Zelinger
3rd Place When Crisis Strikes Ronnie Moore

Illustrations
1st Place Horse Photography Carol J. Walker
2nd Place Beyond the Land of Gold Travis Thompson

Printing
1st Place The Spring Classics Friesens

Editing
1st Place Called: Women Hear the Voice of the Divine Melanie
Mulhall
2nd Place Magical Sex, Extraordinary Love Karen Reddick

Would you like to place an ad in the Non-

Size Associate Member Price
Member
Signature? Per 1 2 3
Ads must be submitted on the second Wednesday of issue issue issues issues
each month for the next issue of the Signature. 1/8 page $50 $40 $75 $100

Accepted formats are .jpg, .gif or .pdf

1/4 page $75 $55 $95 $125
The CIPA Board retains the right to review and approve
all advertising submitted.
1/2 page $100 $80 $135 $195
Email your ad to admin@CIPACatalog.com
Call 303.347.2923 with any questions. Full page $150 $135 $225 $315

8 Colorado Independent Publishers Association

 CIPA Board Members 2010-2011

Nancy Mills, President Dan Miller, Vice President & Herb Tabak, Treasurer
College Dean

Joyce Miller, Secretary Sue Hamilton, Immediate Past Kenn Amdahl, Programs &
College Co-Chair President Trade Shows

Ravay Snow-Renner, EVVY Chair Mary Walewski, PR Neil Erickson, Memberships

Terrie Wolf, Memberships Mike Daniels, Board Member Karen Reddick, Executive Director

9 Colorado Independent Publishers Association