Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)

Christopher Locke

"Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)" wants to make you a smarter publisher by giving you access to powerful ideas, strategies, and tools for success. Our interview guests are independent publishers, author publishers, and hybrid publishers, as well as distributors, printers, reviewers, booksellers, marketers, visionaries, and opinion leaders from all sectors of the book publishing industry. We are sponsored and supported by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the largest book publishing association in the U.S. serving independent publishers and author publishers. IBPA’s vision is a world where every independent publisher has the tools and knowledge needed to professionally engage in all aspects of the publishing industry. Your host is IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services Christopher Locke.

  1. 3d ago

    The Book Editing Roadmap: Every Stage Your Book Needs

    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/

    45 min

  2. Apr 30

    An Insider’s Guide to Selling Your Books to Schools and Educators

    Breaking into the education market can transform your publishing business—but many independent publishers and author-publishers don’t know where to start. On today’s episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” Teacher Created Materials Publisher, Trade Division Kyra Ostendorf pulls back the curtain on how books actually get into schools and classrooms, revealing the strategies, positioning, and industry know-how to turn your titles into trusted classroom resources. If you’re ready to unlock a powerful new revenue stream and get your books directly into the hands of students, this episode shows you how. PARTICIPANTS  Kyra Ostendorf is Publisher, Trade Division at Teacher Created Materials, where she leads Free Spirit Publishing, Shell Education, and Curiosity Unlocked Books. With leadership experience spanning educational publishing, curriculum development, and early childhood education, she previously served as Vice President of Education at Kaplan Early Learning Company and as Acquiring Editor at Redleaf Press, where she helped grow the publishing portfolio by more than 200 titles. Kyra holds an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. from Macalester College. 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 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 X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Learn more about Teacher Created Materials at https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com/ Follow Teacher Created Materials on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tcmpub LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcmpub/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tcmpub/ X - https://x.com/tcmpub This episode is presented by Marquis. Learn more at https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/marquis

    36 min

  3. Mar 26

    From Local to Global: How Independent Publishers Land International Rights Deals

    Want to take your books beyond the U.S. and into global markets—but not sure where to start?  In this episode, Gryphon Publishing Consulting Owner Mary Jo Courchesne breaks down the entire process of selling international rights, so independent publishers can turn their books into opportunities around the world. You’ll learn: how to determine whether your title is a good fit for international markets how to research genre trends in other countries how to connect with international publishers how major rights marketplaces like the Frankfurt Book Fair, London Book Fair, and more help publishers land deals and so much more! If you want to expand your book’s reach—and revenue—beyond your home market, this conversation gives you a clear, practical roadmap for getting your books into readers’ hands across the globe. This episode is presented by MetaComet Systems. Learn more at https://metacomet.com/?utm_source=ibpa&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=2026 PARTICIPANTS Mary Jo (“MJ”) Courchesne is the founder of Gryphon Publishing Consulting, a permissions and licensing company serving independent publishers. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), is a member of the Rights Committee of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), the American Book Producers Association, and the Copyright Alliance. She also serves as secretary on the board of directors for The Big Easy in Buffalo. She resides in Buffalo, NY. 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 IBPA Publishing University here: https://www.publishinguniversity.org/ Sell more books to the international market with IBPA’s Frankfurt Book Fair and DropCap book marketing programs here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/ListofBenefits#sellmorebooks Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Check out Gryphon Publishing Consulting here: www.gryphonpublishing.co

    39 min

  4. Feb 26

    Live Events, Real Results: Marketing, Logistics & Sales Tips for Independent Publishers

    In a crowded marketplace, a well-executed in-person event can do more than sell books—it can elevate a publisher’s brand, build lasting reader relationships, and open doors to new opportunities.  In this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” W. Brand Publishing Founder JuLee Brand will dive into practical, real-world advice for independent publishers who want to turn live events into powerful marketing and sales engines.  Topics Include:   what materials you need to bring   smart logistical planning that keeps your event running smoothly  proven strategies for promoting your appearance and drawing a crowd  and more!  If you’re ready to boost book sales and expand your publishing company’s visibility, this conversation is for you. PARTICIPANTS JuLee Brand is a graphic designer, art director, publisher, and storyteller with over 30 years of experience across music, television, and publishing. Founder of W. Brand Publishing and StorySessions™, she specializes in helping authors uncover clarity, meaning, and connection through guided conversation. Her work is rooted in a simple belief: words—and how they’re presented—matter. 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 many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Check out JuLee Brand’s books at https://www.wbrandpub.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 W. Brand Publishing on: Facebook & Instagram: @wbrandpub Today's episode is presented by Gatekeeper Press — where authors are family. Gatekeeper Press empowers indie authors with expert publishing, editing, and global distribution services—providing full, white-glove concierge support every step of the way.  Retain 100% of your rights, royalties, and creative control at gatekeeperpress.com.

    48 min

  5. Jan 29

    Funding 101 for Independent Publishers: Grants, Fellowships, and Other Creative Ways to Raise Money

    Running an independent press on a tight budget? You’re not alone — and you’re not out of options. This episode of Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA) explores funding opportunities many indie publishers miss. Shero Comics founder Shequeta Smith shares practical advice on finding and securing grants, fellowships, paid creative opportunities, and other nontraditional funding sources to help sustain and grow your publishing program. She also discusses how Substack can boost visibility and become an additional revenue stream for your brand. If you’re looking for smarter ways to fund your publishing goals, this episode is full of actionable ideas you can start using now. PARTICIPANTS Shequeta L. Smith is an award-winning writer, director, and the founder of Shero Comics, a Los Angeles–based multimedia company creating empowering comics, films, and games centered on women and girls of color. Since launching the company in 2016, she has independently sold more than 8,500 books worldwide and expanded the Shero universe into dolls, apparel, and branded merchandise. Smith is also the creator of SheroCon, a women-centered comic and creative tech convention, and recently made history as the first African-American comic creator featured at the Korea Manhwa Museum. In recognition of her work in comics and her impact on Los Angeles youth, she was named the 2025 Los Angeles Lakers & Comerica Bank Woman of Diversity. 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 many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Check out Shequeta Smith’s books at www.shequeta.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 Shero Comics on: www.instagram.com/sherocomics www.tiktok.com/@sherocomics www.youtube.com/@sherocomics Today's episode is presented by Gatekeeper Press — where authors are family. Gatekeeper Press empowers indie authors with expert publishing, editing, and global distribution services—providing full, white-glove concierge support every step of the way.  Retain 100% of your rights, royalties, and creative control at gatekeeperpress.com.

    37 min

  6. 12/25/2025

    Unlocking AI: Expert Tips Every Independent Publisher Needs Now

    Every single day, there are news stories about artificial intelligence (AI)—most notably, controversies about unethical practices by companies that offer AI services—so independent publishers are trying to determine if using AI is the right fit for their businesses. Author and Indie Author Magazine Co-Founder and Publisher Chelle Honiker joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share her expertise on the subject, including the ethical concerns about using AI, what the most effective AI platforms are for publishers, how AI can be used to help publishers run their businesses more efficiently, and much more. PARTICIPANTS Chelle Honiker is the co-founder and publisher of Indie Author Magazine, IndieAuthorTraining, Indie Author Tools, and Direct2Readers.com. Her team of more than 80 writers, editors, trainers, and support staff provides resources and insights that help authors navigate the complexities of self-publishing. Her role as the programming director for Author Nation, an annual conference in Las Vegas, further exemplifies her commitment to fostering a community where authors can grow and succeed. With a career spanning over two decades in executive operations and leadership, Chelle has honed her skills in managing complex projects and delivering impactful training programs. Her experience as a speaker and TEDx Organizer has taken her to many countries, where she has shared her insights with diverse audiences. 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 many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Check out Chelle Honiker’s books at https://chellehoniker.com/ Also, learn more about Indie Author Magazine at https://indieauthormagazine.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Today's episode is presented by Gatekeeper Press — where authors are family. Gatekeeper Press empowers indie authors with expert publishing, editing, and global distribution services—providing full, white-glove concierge support every step of the way.  Retain 100% of your rights, royalties, and creative control at gatekeeperpress.com.

    43 min

  7. 11/27/2025

    Audiobooks: Insider Tips to Produce & Sell Titles More Profitably

    Audiobook sales have been on the rise for many years, and they show no signs of stopping; so many independent publishers are hoping to take advantage of this boom. But there are important factors to consider first. Will the return on investment be worth the cost of producing an audiobook? How do you produce a quality audiobook on a lean budget? What genres perform the best as audiobooks? Do you market your audiobook differently than your print and ebooks? Podium Entertainment has had great success in the audiobook market, so Publisher Victoria Gerken joins the podcast today to answer those questions, as well as discuss their transition from being an audiobook-only publisher to now also publishing print and ebooks. PARTICIPANTS Victoria Gerken is the Publisher at Podium Entertainment. She has welcomed independent authors into the Podium family since 2016. She previously worked with authors in traditional publishing roles - at Random House and Alfred A. Knopf - where she was a publicist and sold subsidiary rights. Victoria got her first taste of entrepreneurship in publishing as the founder of the Random House Speakers Bureau. 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 many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Learn more about Podium Entertainment here: www.podiumentertainment.com Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Podium Entertainment on social media: @podiumentertainment

    44 min

  8. 10/30/2025

    Best (and Worst) Book Marketing Strategies

    The question that IBPA staff probably gets asked the most by publishers is: How do I sell more books. We’re always happy to help, so IBPA’s Chief Content Officer Lee Wind joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share advice on the most effective and ineffective book marketing tactics, including how you can get your book vetted so bookstores, librarians, and consumers will be more likely to buy it; how you can make your books more discoverable to buyers; how you should successfully market your book pre-publication, during the launch, and post publication; and much more. PARTICIPANTS Lee Wind (he/him) is IBPA's Chief Content Officer, and is constantly iterating IBPA's book marketing programs to help our members' books achieve and succeed. A book blogger and author published by six different independent presses himself, Lee is passionate about empowering and amplifying independent voices. As an author, Lee writes stories to empower kids and teens to be their authentic selves and change the world—the same books that would have changed his life as a young gay, Jewish kid. Lee is also the co-founder of We Are Stronger Than Censorship, a nonprofit program that buys and donates two books to offset every one book challenge. You can visit Lee's author website at leewind.org 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/ Sell more books with IBPA's book marketing programs: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/ListofBenefits#sellmorebooks Support independent publishers whose books have been banned through the We Are Stronger Than Censorship campaign: https://www.wearestrongerthancensorship.org/ Check out IBPA Chief Content Officer Lee Wind’s books here: https://www.leewind.org/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Follow Lee Wind here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamleewind/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leewind Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/leewind.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/leewindauthor

    47 min
See All (125)

Trailer

4.4
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

"Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)" wants to make you a smarter publisher by giving you access to powerful ideas, strategies, and tools for success. Our interview guests are independent publishers, author publishers, and hybrid publishers, as well as distributors, printers, reviewers, booksellers, marketers, visionaries, and opinion leaders from all sectors of the book publishing industry. We are sponsored and supported by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the largest book publishing association in the U.S. serving independent publishers and author publishers. IBPA’s vision is a world where every independent publisher has the tools and knowledge needed to professionally engage in all aspects of the publishing industry. Your host is IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services Christopher Locke.

Information

You Might Also Like