In their work, book producers confront a great number and variety of tasks: from project development and contract negotiation to graphic design and special sales. The American Book Producers Association was established expressly to help its members meet these and other challenges. Dedicated to maintaining high professional standards within the industry, the association provides a specialized network that can be invaluable to independent entrepreneurs. Members meet at luncheons each month to discuss common problems (and solutions), recent successes, and industry news. They help each other by providing freelancer referrals, suggesting joint ventures, and in countless other ways. And they work to help each other produce better books. If you are thinking of joining soon, please consider attending one of the luncheons that are held on the third Wednesday of most months from September through June. Just call or e-mail the ABPA office to make a reservation and arrange for payment ($35). You are sure to enjoy the networking and advice that can be so helpful in an industry as atomized as ours. All working book producers in the United States and Canada are invited to join. You must have at least one book under contract as a packager or have produced at least one book during the past two years and be approved by the ABPA board to qualify for membership. (Established publishing professionals who are leaving a publishing company to become book producers can join without having a book under contract). Annual dues of $595 fund association activities and the ABPA office, which coordinates ABPA functions and responds to public inquiries. The membership year begins September 1; however, you can join at any time during the year. If you join after April 1, your dues will be prorated when you renew. The Board of Directors reviews membership applications monthly. If you would like to apply for membership, please fill out the application form online or request that an application form be sent to you from the office by phone, mail, or e-mail. (There is also an online information request form.) Membership Benefits Annual ABPA membership directory mailed to hundreds of acquisition editors at leading publishing houses Directory of editors who acquire packaged books, updated semiannually Annual party attended by acquiring editors from all the major publishing houses Annotated publishing contracts designed to help members negotiate better deals Monthly luncheons with presentations by publishing professionals, regularly attended by editors who buy from book producers Annual seminar on book producing Opportunities to discuss all aspects of book producing with experienced colleagues Potential for referrals and co-productions with other book producers Ongoing publicity program to promote book producing in the national and trade media Monthly newsletter with a transcript of each luncheon speaker's presentation as well as association and member news   Click here to complete the online membership application.

What is a Book Producer? | Why Publishers Use Packagers | Becoming a Member Member Directory | Workshops | Members Only| Book of Note | Home