Research Resources & Regional Publishing Organizations

Research Resources

University of California Melvyl System
The University of California provides a catalog for books and periodicals in all of the UC libraries. You can use MELVYL to search by title, author, or subject. When you receive the list of publications on hand, you can see which of the UC libraries carry it.
Libraries U-Search
You can search public access libraries all over the world by starting at the University of Saskatchewan Web site.
The Internet Movie Database
You can search the movie database to find the exact name of the movie, as well as the full credits and more details on most people in the credits.

Regional Organizations for Authors and Publishers

(This is just one example of the type of information you will find in the WPN Market Update—in the member area of the WPN Web site.)
These are not writers’ organizations, but associations for authors, hopeful authors, independent publishers and others interested in or involved in the publishing field. When you belong to one or more of these 24 organizations, you won’t get your writing critiqued. Instead, you will learn about authorship, the publishing industry and you’ll have the opportunity to network with your peers. (See also Writer’s Organizations.)
Arizona Book Publishing Association
Tempe Arizona
http://www.azbookpub.com
This organization boasts 150 members. Membership dues are $125/year and benefits include monthly meetings, a newsletter, author events, an awards program and more.
Authors and Publishers Association
Houston, TX
http://www.authorsandpublishers.org
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at Café Express, River Oaks, Houston at 6: p.m. For membership information contact info@authorsandpublishers.org.
Bay Area Independent Publishers Association
Corte Madera, CA
http://www.baipa.net
Formerly the Marin Small Publishers Association, BAIPA is an educational institution dedicated to elevating the art of the independent author-publisher. Meetings are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of the month at the First Congregational Church, North San Pedro Road in San Rafael. Meetings start at 9 a.m. for those with questions. The main meeting starts at 10. Dues are $40/year with six month and three year memberships available. For more information contact baipa@onebox.com
Book Publishers Northwest
http://www.bpnw.org
This is a trade organization for professionals representing the book publishing community. Most organization events are held in the Seattle area, but BPNW encourages members to meet in other cities. They recommend subscribing to their BPN news blog. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Good Shepherd Center in Seattle. See site for directions.
Colorado Independent Publishers Association
Denver, CO
http://www.cipabooks.com
The dues structure is a little complicated—but I can tell you that it ranges from $25/year for a student to $220 for an associate group membership. Renewals range from $25 to $195. It looks as though they offer quite a lot for the money. If you live in the Denver area, visit their site and see what’s available that might benefit your business.
Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association
Avon, CT
Southeast Division CAPA
Pawcatuck, CT
http://www.aboutcapa.com
Meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month in Avon. Dues are $48 for single member and $60 for family membership. Brian Jud (of Beyond the Bookstore fame) is the founder of this organization, which provides face-to-face networking opportunities, speaker/experts, monthly newsletter and focuses on educating the author and independent publisher.
Consortium of Northern Publishers
Fairbanks, AK
Phone: 907-474-4969 for more information.
Great Lakes Independent Publishers Association
Royal Oak, MI
Email glipa@tm.net for more information.
Hawaii Book Publishers Association
Honolulu, HI
http://www.hawaiibooks.org
Independent Publishers Association Canada
Calgary, AB
http://www.obpo.ca
Independent Publishers of New England
Gloucester, MA
http://www.ipne.org
This organization is of and for independent book publishers in the 6-state New England region. They offer a free monthly conference call member meeting where you can bring your questions and your expertise.
Michigan Black Independent Publishers Association
Lansing, MI
Email: mbipa_mi@hotmail.com
Mid-Atlantic Book Publishers Association
Baltimore, MD
http://www.midatlanticbookpublishers.com
Membership is $25/year for individuals. Groups of two or more people and organizations/companies should contact Donna Wessel at donna@americanliterarypress.com for these membership fees. This organization offers meetings now and then. Subscribe to their newsletter to learn when the next meeting will be held. One interesting aspect of this organization is their forum. If you live in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia or Washington DC, join up and join in.
Midwest Independent Publishers Association
St. Paul, MN
http://www.mipa.org
MIPA has been active in the book industry since 1982. Their purpose is to provide educational and marketing opportunities for its members. They represent the independent presses of their region in the MBA (UMBA Trade Show) each year and they offer book awards. Monthly meetings consist of a networking period, business and a speaker. Membership is $50/year for individuals—$25 for additional partner member.
New Mexico Book Association
Santa Fe, NM
http://www.nmbook.org
This is a statewide nonprofit organization servicing all book professionals: publishers, authors, editors, illustrators, booksellers, librarians, designers, writers, etc. They present professional development workshops, a monthly newsletter, monthly networking luncheons and more. Membership is $50/year. If you can’t get your questions answered via their website, call 505-231-1755 or email mail@nmbook.org.
Northern California Publishers and Authors
Sacramento, CA
Http://www.norcalpa.org
NCPA is an alliance of independent publishers, authors and publishing professionals in Northern California. You may have known this organization as Sacramento Publishers and Authors. In 2004, however, they changed the name. If you would like information about dues, how to join, etc., check out their website or contact info@norcalpa.org.
Northwest Association of Book Publishers
Wilsonville, OR
http://www.nwab.org
The mission of NWABP is to help independent publishers market and produce books. Dues are $75 year plus a one-time processing fee of $5 for new members. They provide a newsletter, have meetings and present seminars throughout the year.
Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario
Toronto, ON
http://www.obpo.ca
OBPO was incorporated in 1990 and currently has a membership of 43 Ontario-based Canadian-owned book publishing houses. For more about the dues structure, meetings, etc., visit the website.
Publishers and Writers of San Diego
http://www.publisherswriters.org
This is a professional association for the publishing community in San Diego. Their mission is to educate business-minded self-publishers and authors. They provide meetings the last Saturday of each month (except November and December). Meetings are generally held in or near Encinitas. Visit their website for more specific information and to apply for membership.
Publishers Association of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.pa-la.org
PALA membership is open to all publishers, vendors and participants in the publishing industry who are doing business in the greater Los Angeles area. They provide educational and informative publishing programs, networking with publishers and suppliers and cooperative marketing. Meetings cost $5 per member to attend and $15 for nonmembers. Check their website or contact Susan Reyto at treasurer@pa-la.org for membership and meeting information.
Publishers Association of the South
Panama City, FL
http://www.pubsouth.org
House members are trade and university publishers whose offices are located in 18 southern states. They also offer associate memberships for practically anyone else who is involved in or interested in the publishing field. Annual dues vary from $200 for businesses with 1-5 employees to $400 for businesses with 12 employees or more. See website for benefits.
St. Louis Publishers Association
St. Louis, MO
http://www.stlouispublishers.org
Annual membership is $72/year, 2nd member (in your business or family) and student fee, $48/year. They provide a monthly newsletter and monthly meetings. Nonmembers can attend meetings for a $6 fee. Meeting times: 6:30 p.m. at the Lodge at Des Peres. It looks like meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
The Greater New York Independent Publishers Association
New York, NY
Email: tntclassics@aol.com for more information.
Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association
Gaylord, MI
http://www.uppaa.org
This regional organization is located in the Saline/Lake Linden area of Michigan. Dues are $20 month or $30 for family/partner membership. They promote networking opportunities for members and present conferences. Members also receive a free subscription to their newsletter.

NOTE:

If your region isn’t represented here, let us know and we will attempt to locate a publishing organization near you. Send an email to info@spawn.org.
Or you can be proactive in locating an organization in your area. Just do a Google search. Type in “publishing organization” and your city, county or state name.
Courtesy of WPN.org