Kudos from 2007 Publishing University Attendees...
"PMA-U 2007 was better than ever! I wouldn’t have believed it possible to surpass 2006, but you did. It was worth every penny and every minute away from my office.
I have learned SO much from PMA that all I can say is that I wish I’d discovered it much sooner. A lot of wasted time and money could have been saved, and my company would be much further along in its development had I know of PMA in 2000 rather than 2004.”
—Karen Gray, Acacia Publishing, Inc., Phoenix, AZ
“I want to commend you on a event well done, I truly learned so much at PMA and was so impressed with the workshops and the facilitators. Everyone was helpful and accessible. It was an experience that has propelled me to another level with my publishing company.”
— Deborah Bellis, President, Reflections Publishing, Inc., Inglewood, CA
“Bravo, great job in delivering a high-impact, value-added, meaningful and moving experience. It was my first and I have been to many, many professional development conferences in my years as a marketing/PR director and now coach, but have never been around such incredibly supportive and generous board members, presenters and support staff. I was incredibly impressed with how generous everyone was with their time, expertise and counsel.”
“I came to the conference looking for insight into the distribution process and walked away with much, much more. I will highly recommend PMA and the conference to all my coaching clients who are in the process of writing and promoting books.”
—Renee Peterson Trudeau, President, Career Strategists, Austin, TX
Author of The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life
“Now I know why colleagues told me it is so worth the money! I gathered more information and made more contacts than I could have in probably three years of work on my own.”
—Pamela Waterman, The Discovery Box Publishing, Mesa, AZ
“I can’t begin to tell you how invaluable those three days were for me. As an independent publisher just starting out, the sessions were everything that I needed to learn. I was so very impressed with the professionalism and preparedness of the presenters. They are to be highly commended for their willingness to volunteer their time and give back to their association. Thank you all so very much for your time and extensive effort to help newcomers like me learn so much more about my new career choice!”
—Tula Wingerson, Empty Harbor Productions, Conroe, TX
“A fantastic educational and networking opportunity.”
—Michael Rubin, Wachtel & Martin, Portsmouth, NH
“Fantastic experience! The seminars were packed with information that I have already started to use. Because I am just starting out as a publisher it was also very valuable to chat with others who have already gone down the path that’s in front of me.”
—Cheryl Gorn, Secondhand Publishers, Latham, NY
“This is my second year and again I had a great time, returned to work fired up with tons of ideas on how to market SHRM books.”
—Nicole Gauvin, SHRM, Alexandria, VA
“An absolutely incredible learning experience! Every new publisher should make it mandatory on their list to attend PMA-U!”
—Kathryn Otoshi, KO Kids Books, Mill Valley, CA
“I made great connections, I learned a boatload, and most importantly, I learned the areas where I really need to improve our capabilities. Small publishers face a huge amount of hurdles in the marketplace. The PMA University gives you a vital leg up.”
—John DiCocco, BallMarker Press, LLC, Belmont, MA
“At the dawn of this new century, we realize that information is king and knowledge is supreme. And if we are to succeed, we must be willing to listen, learn and share the information we acquire by reading and by experience. The Publishing University gives us the chance to succeed!”
—Ray Driver, CEO, Reflections Publishing, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
“I will not know the full benefit of attending PMA University for months because I came away with so many useful ideas to incorporate—from hands-on tips to new ways to think about the very large world of publishing. It’s a brave new publishing world. I can’t think of a better place than PMA-U to explore that world.”
—Doris Baker, Fitter Press, LLC, Palmer Lake, CO
“PMA-U is invaluable to any independent publisher, new or established. The open invitation to ask questions, the opportunity to learn from others’ experience, and the sheer inspiration of meeting people who are producing and selling excellent books makes PMA-U a high point of the year.”
—Toni Albert, Trickle Creek Books, Mechanicsburg, PA
“Attending PMA and networking with colleagues is a shot-in-the-arm of great info and renewed motivation to tackle another year in the difficult world of publishing.”
—Susan E. Lanza, Buttonberry Books, Lebanon, NJ
“Being new to the publishing world, I was very pleased to find out about the Publishing University. Prior to the sessions, I was learning as I was going and had many questions that were hard to find answers for. The sessions were very informative and helpful for me to have a better understanding of the industry. Many of the speakers were authors or small publishers that shared their experiences, good and bad, and had great tips to avoid the mistakes they made and most importantly to sell more books. In addition, I was able to learn what the large book retailers base their buying decisions on in detail directly from the buyers. Not only was I able to learn from successful authors, publishers, and book retailers, but I made many great contacts. If anyone is just starting out or if your book isn’t selling as great as you think it should, I highly recommend attending the Publishing University.”
—Cres Ramirez, Imagination International, Los Angeles, CA
“The university provided a great atmosphere to learn and share ideas. I left with helpful resources and confidence to grow my marketing plan.”
—Colleen Nitznik, Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
“PMA University is a great training ground for new staff members, for young houses, and for professionals testing new ground—be it in new niches, new technologies, new markets, or new distribution channels.”
—Rebecca Irwin-Diehl, Judson Press, Valley Forge, PA
“I must say that my experience at PMAU was everything I expected and then some. There were a variety of relevant topics to choose from and the speakers were knowledgeable and sometimes entertaining. Each topic was tangible, meaning that I didn’t leave with a swirl of ideas with no clear direction on how to implement them. I left with concrete plans!”
—Natasha Moore, Apostolic Experience Publishing, Hazelwood, MO
“As a ‘newbie’ publisher of both fiction and non-fiction, I found PMA’s conference to be extremely useful. We’re going again next year. I enjoyed the classes—and learned a tremendous amount—and was very pleased with the contacts I made.”
—Katie Thompson, Hammersmark Books, Hartley, IA
“Being a businessman by trade and first-time author, PMA University was a great resource for me. I left with an abundance of information that I was able to put to use immediately. The event was well-organized, great staff and a group of very knowledgeable and informative speakers. PMA University is a must for a first-time author as well as a more established author that needs to brush up on the newest trends and techniques being utilized by the book trade.”
—Tom Ruff, President and CEO, Tom Ruff Company
Author of How to Break into Pharmaceutical Sales: A Headhunter’s Strategy
“PMA provided the most current, valuable and dynamic information on whole range of topics, vital to new and established publishers. Each daily break out session gave at least four choices of classes to attend. There’s something for everyone. I took pages of notes and am just now pulling jewels from them, including special websites to check out, blogs, relevant books to order, etc. The staff putting on the event appeared to be working overtime to tirelessly help, support and contribute to the overall success. There was always someone to answer questions. I’m looking forward to next year’s event, as I know the information will be “cutting edge.” Thanks for doing such a great job in 2007!!!”
—Dee Dee Phelps, Altergate Publishing, Los Angeles, CA
“I felt grateful for my accomplishment in 2 months with the support of knowledgeable and supportive friends. PMA 2007 and BEA were the culmination of a fantastic 2 month journey. I kept raving so much about the PMA training that others thought I worked for PMA. ALL I have to say is — get the word out there about PMA and its support for self-publishers.”
—Phyllis T. Reid, Philmar Foundation for Purposeful Living, Miami, FL
“PMA University 2007 helped to take my publishing education to the next level and provided unique opportunities to network with industry veterans. There is also a great sense of camaraderie among everyone!”
—Amanda Willis, MSB Media Group, LLC, Austin, TX
“I wish I had attended PMA Publishing University before I opened my publishing house for business. In less than three days, I learned an incredible amount of applicable information that I’m transferring to positive action.”
—Frank Gromling, Ocean Publishing, Flagler Beach, FL
“I was an introverted neophyte going into the 2007 Publishing University. However after an intensive three days of practical instruction, I left NYC more confident about my publishing abilities, better able to make publishing decisions, and with a bag full of business cards from other publishers who were willing (and have since the show) to share their wisdom and guidance with me.
—Courtenay S. Brown, National Association of Home Builders, Washington, DC