Small Publishers Association Of North America (SPAN): Independent Publishing, Book Packaging
About Us
Our purpose is to bring success to small publishers, self-publishers, and authors! We are your one-stop online resource for book publishing know-how. We work to advance the image and profits of self publishers and independent publishers through education and marketing opportunities. We help our members sell more books and make greater profits. The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN) is the premier voice of independent publishing and the second largest such association in the world. We concentrate on your need to sell more books. Faster. Smarter. Easier. SPAN is a nonprofit professional trade association that will show you how to make -- and save -- money. Here you'll discover complete details to help you become more successful. Our members are independent presses, self-publishers, and savvy authors who realize if their books are to be successful, they must make them so. These are entrepreneurial companies that intend to not just survive, but thrive in the 21st century. Describe you? Then visit our various pages for facts, fun, and financial gain.
Our purpose is to bring success to small publishers, self-publishers, and authors!
We are your one-stop online resource for book publishing know-how. We work to advance the image and profits of self publishers and independent publishers through education and marketing opportunities.
We help our members sell more books and make greater profits.
The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN) is the premier voice of independent publishing and the second largest such association in the world. We concentrate on your need to sell more books.
Faster. Smarter. Easier.
SPAN is a nonprofit professional trade association that will show you how to make -- and save -- money. Here you'll discover complete details to help you become more successful.
Our members are independent presses, self-publishers, and savvy authors who realize if their books are to be successful, they must make them so. These are entrepreneurial companies that intend to not just survive, but thrive in the 21st century. Describe you? Then visit our various pages for facts, fun, and financial gain.
What Is SPAN?
The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN) emerged out of a need for energized, decisive leadership. When COSMEP folded in February of 1996, a void was left in our industry. We are committed to filling that void--to being your best, most creative, most dynamic source for revenue-generating information and money-saving tips. Savvy authors who seek to more effectively promote and sell their own books are also welcome. SPAN is your unique outreach opportunity to network with smaller presses who may be interested in publishing your manuscript. Our vision is to be a beacon of light for small presses and self-publishers, to create entrepreneurial opportunities for new publishers to take their place in this rich tradition while providing existing independent press with powerful tools to foster faster growth. Together, we can form a strategic alliance to celebrate this exciting movement and forge a partnership of vitality and prosperity. Those in independent publishing are possessed of a generosity of spirit. This same attitude of givingness is part of the SPAN tradition: we nurture you as a member, have faith in your vision, offer you a sense of community. SPAN sets the standard for independent publishing as we move into the new millennium. The outpouring of letters and notes that accompanied many of your SPAN membership checks was so gratifying. We wish we could thank each of you personally. The comments have ranged from "I can't think of any two people better able to form up the new organization and make it hum" to "I totally support you," from "Thanks for taking up the slack" to "How truly fortunate our industry is to have you two taking hold of this void and producing a vehicle for us." Another said, "Your enthusiasm is contagious and I know you will bring your dynamic and forceful energy to SPAN." They go on and on: "Thanks for your contribution to our field," "A professional organization for self-publishers and small presses is definitely a must. Many thanks for forming SPAN," and "I believe in you both and feel that you will lead us in a great way." What a vote of confidence! What a challenge you give us! We vow to continue doing our best to deserve your trust. But good intentions go only so far. An organization needs vision. Planning. Financial stability. Management capability. We will not take from the many to benefit the few. Each program must be self sustaining in its own right. We intend to assure SPAN's financial health by carefully analyzing, monitoring, and controlling useful programs and services for you, our valued members.
The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN) emerged out of a need for energized, decisive leadership. When COSMEP folded in February of 1996, a void was left in our industry. We are committed to filling that void--to being your best, most creative, most dynamic source for revenue-generating information and money-saving tips.
Savvy authors who seek to more effectively promote and sell their own books are also welcome. SPAN is your unique outreach opportunity to network with smaller presses who may be interested in publishing your manuscript.
Our vision is to be a beacon of light for small presses and self-publishers, to create entrepreneurial opportunities for new publishers to take their place in this rich tradition while providing existing independent press with powerful tools to foster faster growth. Together, we can form a strategic alliance to celebrate this exciting movement and forge a partnership of vitality and prosperity.
Those in independent publishing are possessed of a generosity of spirit. This same attitude of givingness is part of the SPAN tradition: we nurture you as a member, have faith in your vision, offer you a sense of community. SPAN sets the standard for independent publishing as we move into the new millennium.
The outpouring of letters and notes that accompanied many of your SPAN membership checks was so gratifying. We wish we could thank each of you personally. The comments have ranged from "I can't think of any two people better able to form up the new organization and make it hum" to "I totally support you," from "Thanks for taking up the slack" to "How truly fortunate our industry is to have you two taking hold of this void and producing a vehicle for us."
Another said, "Your enthusiasm is contagious and I know you will bring your dynamic and forceful energy to SPAN." They go on and on: "Thanks for your contribution to our field," "A professional organization for self-publishers and small presses is definitely a must. Many thanks for forming SPAN," and "I believe in you both and feel that you will lead us in a great way." What a vote of confidence! What a challenge you give us! We vow to continue doing our best to deserve your trust.
But good intentions go only so far. An organization needs vision. Planning. Financial stability. Management capability. We will not take from the many to benefit the few. Each program must be self sustaining in its own right. We intend to assure SPAN's financial health by carefully analyzing, monitoring, and controlling useful programs and services for you, our valued members.
Membership Benefits & Programs
Discover 23 Ways to Become More Profitable You could benefit from membership in an organization that tailors information and programs to boost your bottom line. Membership in SPAN will give you an edge in this fast-paced, fast-changing industry.By joining SPAN your sales and profits will grow by accessing our special training and marketing opportunities. Additionally, because we're almost 1,300 strong, we have the clout to negotiate special member discounts to help you save big dollars. Details, codes and phone numbers for many of these benefits can only be found in SPAN's Membership Resource Directory. Join today to get your copy. SPAN's 23 Benefits can help you sell more books and make more profits: You'll find information-rich articles and columns to help you work smarter, plus PR and sales tactics to make you more profitable in the 24-page award-winning monthly newsletter. You’ll learn how to become a marketing master and accelerate your book sales enormously at our action-packed Conference and Workshop, October 22-24 in Philadelphia, PA. If you can't be there in person, be sure to order the CD and workbook. You can get huge discounts on shipping your books from the printer. Savings go right to your bottom line, securing you up to 64% discounts on freight. Additionally, our FedEx Ground small package shipping plan cuts normal costs by 10 to 20%. SPAN and jumbo wholesaler Baker & Taylor have partnered to create a program to SPAN members. Baker & Taylor offers a $50.00 discount off the regularly priced $295.00 Partner Program. Access to health insurance awaits you and your employees. Investigate many creative options to meet your needs. Members look in your Member Resource Directory or go to assurantaffinity.com/span for more information. Experience indicates you can increase your retail sales by at least 10% by taking Visa and MasterCard orders—even if you're a new business and home-based—via your very own credit card merchant status. You can participate in the American Booksellers Association's "Book Sense" program at a 50% discount. Bring your book to the attention of hundreds of independent booksellers across the U.S. You can buy inexpensive book stickers that say "Autographed Copy," "Local Author," or "Great Gift Idea" to separate your book from the herd. You receive the benefit of inexpensive advertising rates. Collectively we have enormous purchasing power to reach booksellers, wholesalers, librarians, etc. with discounted ads. Get a great price on Publishers Weekly. Now you can afford to subscribe to this important weekly magazine, the "bible" of the industry. The Combined Book Exhibit offers you an unprecedented opportunity to display your books for a reasonable price at various educational, library, and bookseller shows both in the U.S. and abroad. Planning a trip? You can get discounts on Avis car rentals by mentioning the Avis Worldwide Discount number assigned to SPAN. Get timely book selling tips and tricks from our e-mail newsletter. Pinpoint your colleagues by location, genre, or contact name in the annual membership resource directory. You will prosper using the networking opportunities available by sharing with other members about their successes and great new ideas. At last . . . publishers' liability insurance gives you peace of mind and financial protection at affordable rates! You can effectively sell your books on the Internet. Reach customers around the world and keep 100% of your sales by participating in SPAN's unique online Independent Publishers Bookstore. SPAN members get discounts on both Publishers Assistant Software and Myrlyn Publishing Software. Click their names for more information. Online Discussion Group offers help with your questions, expert advice, and a "community" of colleagues. Every publisher goes through a lot of office supplies each month. Now you can purchase these necessities at a special reduced price. ForeWord Magazine is dedicated to promoting independent publishers. SPAN members get discounts on display ads and subscriptions. For more information go to ForeWordMagazine.com Save from 10 to 20% on selected books, tapes, and services from well known publishing experts including Tom and Marilyn Ross, Brian Jud, Rick Frishman, and Fern Reiss. Click here SPAN Members receive exclusive discounts and specials at SPAN's Online Promotional Products Store. You can get more exposure by developing strategic marketing solutions using top-quality promotional products, corporate apparel and creative techniques. So you can see why more and more independent presses are investing in their company's growth by joining SPAN. It's the best $95 you'll ever spend. Naturally, you'll want to take action today to reserve your place in this dynamic organization. Join now by charging your membership fee to your Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express or send us a check -- and start receiving these valuable benefits right away.
Discover 23 Ways to Become More Profitable You could benefit from membership in an organization that tailors information and programs to boost your bottom line.
Membership in SPAN will give you an edge in this fast-paced, fast-changing industry.By joining SPAN your sales and profits will grow by accessing our special training and marketing opportunities.
Additionally, because we're almost 1,300 strong, we have the clout to negotiate special member discounts to help you save big dollars.
Details, codes and phone numbers for many of these benefits can only be found in SPAN's Membership Resource Directory. Join today to get your copy.
SPAN's 23 Benefits can help you sell more books and make more profits:
So you can see why more and more independent presses are investing in their company's growth by joining SPAN. It's the best $95 you'll ever spend. Naturally, you'll want to take action today to reserve your place in this dynamic organization.
Join now by charging your membership fee to your Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express or send us a check -- and start receiving these valuable benefits right away.
E-zine
Sign up for our informative e-zine "About Books Insights," our E-mail NewsletterKeeps You on the Cutting Edge We produce a quarterly e-mail newsletter to keep members apprised of news, fresh review and marketing opportunities, trends, and reminders of important deadlines. Every member with an e-mail address receives this illuminating newsletter. We were delighted by the positive reaction. Dozens of you e-mailed or called to say you liked the added benefit. Here are some of the comments: A most useful newsletter. Lots of help on promotion and marketing is just what I need, and of course, on a low budget. I printed the newsletter off to take to the library with me, and to restudy. Also e-mailed it to a couple of non-SPAN members who are publishing. Indeed I will be following up on many of your tips. Between the SPAN newsletter and this one, there is no excuse for a publisher to not get their books into the public’s eye—unless they don’t want to put out the energy and effort required. MEGAWATTS! Many thanks!—Lorraine Peoples, GloBooks Publishing WOW, what a useful ezine. This reflects you so well. You’re all about serving others, and this is packed with interesting and useful information.—Sam Horn Thanks for the great on-line newsletter. I look forward to receiving the next issue. The piece on catalogs hit home—I’m a printer of books and catalogs. I immediately copied the catalog article and e-mailed it to the marketing director at Hart Graphics with great expectations that any of the directories could lead to additional prospects.—Barbara Hagen, Hart Graphics EXCELLENT—all information is valid and helpful—thank you for the FIRST 100% non-BS newsletter I’ve ever received.—Jeffrey Gitomer, CSP Absolutely wonderful information. I hope to be able to put some of it to use. After two years of trying to market my book on a real shoestring, some of your ideas may finally let me see some results. I have an historic, unique, one-of-a-kind book and just can’t seem to reach the right audience. Thanks!—Cecile Meagher, CALM Productions I just finished reading the newsletter I received today, and I was so blessed by the articles and information that I wanted to write and tell you how good it is. As a fledgling author and not-really-often-enough promoter of my work, I especially appreciate the practical tips about where to get information about promotional resources that were included in the articles. Part of my under-graduate studies included library science courses, so they really spoke to the researcher in me and my comfort level with doing the leg work. Thanks again.—Mary Ann Hastings, Libre Press
Sign up for our informative e-zine
"About Books Insights," our E-mail NewsletterKeeps You on the Cutting Edge
We produce a quarterly e-mail newsletter to keep members apprised of news, fresh review and marketing opportunities, trends, and reminders of important deadlines. Every member with an e-mail address receives this illuminating newsletter.
We were delighted by the positive reaction. Dozens of you e-mailed or called to say you liked the added benefit. Here are some of the comments:
A most useful newsletter. Lots of help on promotion and marketing is just what I need, and of course, on a low budget. I printed the newsletter off to take to the library with me, and to restudy. Also e-mailed it to a couple of non-SPAN members who are publishing. Indeed I will be following up on many of your tips. Between the SPAN newsletter and this one, there is no excuse for a publisher to not get their books into the public’s eye—unless they don’t want to put out the energy and effort required. MEGAWATTS! Many thanks!—Lorraine Peoples, GloBooks Publishing
WOW, what a useful ezine. This reflects you so well. You’re all about serving others, and this is packed with interesting and useful information.—Sam Horn
Thanks for the great on-line newsletter. I look forward to receiving the next issue. The piece on catalogs hit home—I’m a printer of books and catalogs. I immediately copied the catalog article and e-mailed it to the marketing director at Hart Graphics with great expectations that any of the directories could lead to additional prospects.—Barbara Hagen, Hart Graphics
EXCELLENT—all information is valid and helpful—thank you for the FIRST 100% non-BS newsletter I’ve ever received.—Jeffrey Gitomer, CSP
Absolutely wonderful information. I hope to be able to put some of it to use. After two years of trying to market my book on a real shoestring, some of your ideas may finally let me see some results. I have an historic, unique, one-of-a-kind book and just can’t seem to reach the right audience. Thanks!—Cecile Meagher, CALM Productions
I just finished reading the newsletter I received today, and I was so blessed by the articles and information that I wanted to write and tell you how good it is. As a fledgling author and not-really-often-enough promoter of my work, I especially appreciate the practical tips about where to get information about promotional resources that were included in the articles. Part of my under-graduate studies included library science courses, so they really spoke to the researcher in me and my comfort level with doing the leg work. Thanks again.—Mary Ann Hastings, Libre Press
SPAN's Information for Independent Publishers
SPAN's `Partner Program` At the request of several regional publishers’ associations, we have launched a `Partner Program` that offers substantial savings. Instead of the usual $95 annual membership fee, those who belong to the following organizations can now join SPAN for only $60. That’s a $35 savings! And we’ll save you lots more...on freight, small package shipments, office supplies, publisher’s liability insurance, and more! Our current Partners are: To take advantage of the reduced $60 Partner Program rate, simply go to the membership form and indicate which `qualifying organization` when you join. Q. Why should I join SPAN if I'm a member of PMA (Publishers Marketing Association)? If you are serious about your publishing business, you should make the investment to join both organizations. Knowledge is power. The more you know about the publishing industry the more you can make it work for you! Our newsletter constantly receives rave reviews for the useful money-making, money-saving content. Many people have commented that it alone is worth the annual dues. SPAN also offers its members a unique benefit: up to a whopping 60% discount on freight shipments. This savings goes right to your bottom line. We also save you money on many products and services you need regularly. (See Membership Benefits) Q. Is the money it costs to join SPAN really well spent? If you're in the publishing game--or you are an author with a book out--you won't find a better investment for $95. For about 27¢ a day you have at your disposal guidance from the leaders in this industry. You have ongoing, tangible, specific information you can use to make money on your books. As Marva Collins observed, `Success doesn't come to you . . . you go to it.` Q. How much does it cost to join SPAN and how can I become a member? SPAN Membership is a great investment. You will receive valuable industry and marketing information and all the benefits that go along with membership. Regular Membership (for small presses and self-publishers): $95 in the U.S.; Canadians please pay in U.S. funds Associate Vendor Member (for those who supply products and services to the publishing industry): $120 per year in the U.S.; Canadians please pay in U.S. funds
SPAN's `Partner Program`
At the request of several regional publishers’ associations, we have launched a `Partner Program` that offers substantial savings. Instead of the usual $95 annual membership fee, those who belong to the following organizations can now join SPAN for only $60. That’s a $35 savings! And we’ll save you lots more...on freight, small package shipments, office supplies, publisher’s liability insurance, and more! Our current Partners are: To take advantage of the reduced $60 Partner Program rate, simply go to the membership form and indicate which `qualifying organization` when you join.
Q. Why should I join SPAN if I'm a member of PMA (Publishers Marketing Association)?
If you are serious about your publishing business, you should make the investment to join both organizations. Knowledge is power. The more you know about the publishing industry the more you can make it work for you! Our newsletter constantly receives rave reviews for the useful money-making, money-saving content. Many people have commented that it alone is worth the annual dues. SPAN also offers its members a unique benefit: up to a whopping 60% discount on freight shipments. This savings goes right to your bottom line. We also save you money on many products and services you need regularly. (See Membership Benefits)
Q. Is the money it costs to join SPAN really well spent?
If you're in the publishing game--or you are an author with a book out--you won't find a better investment for $95. For about 27¢ a day you have at your disposal guidance from the leaders in this industry. You have ongoing, tangible, specific information you can use to make money on your books. As Marva Collins observed, `Success doesn't come to you . . . you go to it.`
Q. How much does it cost to join SPAN and how can I become a member?
SPAN Membership is a great investment. You will receive valuable industry and marketing information and all the benefits that go along with membership.
Regular Membership (for small presses and self-publishers): $95 in the U.S.; Canadians please pay in U.S. funds
Associate Vendor Member (for those who supply products and services to the publishing industry): $120 per year in the U.S.; Canadians please pay in U.S. funds
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