Publishing Descriptors

Top 10 Publishing Trends (webinar)

10.30am Saturday 30 August
Jim Azevedo of Smashwords

Jim Azevedo of Smashwords discusses book publishing trends and contemporary issues transforming the future of authorship. You’ll learn how the playing field isn’t just level – it’s tilted to the indie (aka self-published) author’s advantage.  You’ll understand why the former stigma of being a self-published author is evaporating and being replaced with growing pride and professionalism. Delivered from the perspective of ebook self-publishing, this programme will provide writers with the knowledge to confront challenges and take advantage of the opportunities in book publishing today.

Pre-publication steps for publishing your ebook

1pm Saturday 30 August
Leeanna Morgan

Have you written the next Jack Reacher novel and don’t know what to do next? Leeanna Morgan will demystify the world of self-publishing and show you how to share your book with the world. In this workshop you will learn about formatting, branding, covers, metadata, and the importance of awesome front and back matter. This workshop is valuable for writers publishing their book in ebook and/or print formats.

Publication steps for publishing your ebook

3pm Saturday 30 August
Leeanna Morgan

In this workshop, Leeanna Morgan will show you how to create your author account and upload your ebook to online retailers. We will also discuss pre-orders, websites, newsletters, advertising, and social media marketing. This workshop is valuable for writers publishing their book in ebook and/or print formats.

Creating your print book using online print on demand (POD) services.

10am Sunday 1 September
Leeanna Morgan

If publishing your book in hardcover or paperback formats seems daunting, this is the workshop for you! Leeanna will guide you through the process of creating your book using Amazon’s POD service and discuss the differences between IngramSpark, Draft 2 Digital and other POD services. Topics covered include formatting, pricing, covers, distribution, and set-up costs.

Traditional Publishing: Getting through the door

11.30am Sunday 1 September
Eboni Waitere

Content to be confirmed.

Publishing Panel

2pm Sunday 1 September
Convened by Simon Minto

A panel discussion with representatives from Annual Ink, HUIA Publishers, One Tree House and Magpie Pulp, answering the questions you wish you’d thought to ask.

Conversation Facilitators

The conversation stream provides opportunities for participants to engage in informal discussions on a range of topics pertinent to writers.

Vivian Thonger

Vivian Thonger of Kerikeri is a writer, poet and performer with degrees in psychology and creative writing. She moved to New Zealand in 2014, having previously lived in London, Cornwall, the Netherlands and Washington DC. A master moderator, interviewer and qualitative research professional for 30 years, Vivian has conducted hundreds of creativity sessions and trainings. She has twice been resident poet/wordsmith at CollaboratioNZ.  She is co-founder of the Bay of Islands Writing Group and member of Poetry Posse performance poets collective. Vivian’s flash fiction has been published in Bonsai: Best Small Stories from Aotearoa New Zealand (2018), Flash Frontier, Micro Madness and Flash Flood. Her poetry has appeared in Fast Fibres and Offshoots. She is twice winner of Northland’s Best Short Story prize. Vivian will facilitate a conversation about flash and micro fiction.

Piet Nieuwland

Piet Nieuwland lives near Whangarei. He has worked as a forester and as a conservation strategist. His poems and flash fiction have been published in numerous international print and online journals, including Landfall, Sonic Boom, Sky Island Journal, Otoliths, Atlanta Review, Pure Slush and Geometry. He is commissioning editor of Fast Fibres Poetry, performs poetry regularly, and sometimes writes poetry reviews. Piet will facilitate a conversation about poetry.

Briar Wood

Briar Wood grew up in South Auckland. Until 2012, she lived in London, where she published poetry, fiction and essays while working as a university lecturer. Her Welcome Beltane (Palores Press, 2012) made poetic links between family histories and contemporary places. Briar’s recent collection, Rāwāhi focuses on her return to Northland, the place of her Te Hikutū ki Hokianga, Ngāpuhi Nui whakapapa. Rāwāhi was shortlisted for the Poetry Award at the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Briar has a PhD in Literature and tutors students in NorthTec’s Diploma of Creative Writing. Briar will facilitate a conversation about creating voices in fiction and poetry.

Zana Bell

Photo credit: John Stone

Zana Bell grew up in Zimbabwe. When she immigrated to New Zealand she began teaching while writing on the side – just to see if she could. This led to the international publication of six novels in various genres. Her articles and short stories have appeared in Landfall, New Zealand Geographic, History Scotland, Next and on National Radio. She is interested in all things historical, but women’s stories are her particular interest. Her writing has gained several awards including Single Titles Ten Best Books of the Year and the RWNZ Koru Award for Long Fiction. Zana has a PhD in Creative Writing and tutors students in NorthTec’s Diploma of Creative Writing. Zana will facilitate a conversation about pursuing the craft of writing.

Eboni Waitere

Eboni Waitere will be presenting a session about cultural considerations in writing. Eboni’s bio is here.

Publishing Presenters

The publishing stream focuses on information about publishing, with ebook publishing covered on Saturday and print publishing on Sunday.

Jim Azevedo

Jim Azevedo is the marketing director at Smashwords, the largest distributor of self-published ebooks. Since 2008, Smashwords has helped more than 140,000 authors, publishers and literary agents around the world release over 500,00 titles and distribute their work globally to top ebook retailers, subscription services and public libraries. Jim, a convert from Silicon Valley’s tech industry, brings a unique perspective to Smashwords’ indie ethos cultivated from his 17 years drumming, recording and touring with a local punk/metal/hard rock band.  Twitter:  @Smashwords or @jazzervedo. Jim will be joining us from San Diego via the powers of technology. He will present a webinar on current ebook trends.

Leeanna Morgan

Leeanna Morgan’s debut novel was published in 2014. Since then, she has published 32 contemporary romance novels and become a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys the creative and business side of writing and, as an indie-author, looks forward to growing an even more successful writing career. With more than $1 million dollars in sales, self-publishing has given Leeanna opportunities she never thought possible. Sharing what she has learned with other writers adds value to her life and makes her feel proud to be a New Zealand author. For more information visit: www.leeannamorgan.com Leeanna will present two sessions on preparing and uploading ebooks, as well as a session on print on demand. She will also present a session on plot in the writing techniques stream.

Eboni Waitere

Eboni Waitere’s iwi affiliations are Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne. She is the Executive Director at HUIA Publishers. HUIA strives to contribute to the awareness, education and understanding of Māori perspectives. Eboni will present a session on traditional publishing, as well as a conversation about cultural considerations in writing. She will also represent HUIA publishers on the publishing panel.