Estate plans exist to protect your assets and provide for your beneficiaries. A copyright is designed to do the same; that’s why the life of a copyright is 70 years past the life of the author. This presentation will teach you what comprises an estate plan and how your copyright fits into it, so that your copyright can continue to provide value even after you’re no longer able to manage it. Key Takeaways: Learn the basics of an estate plan, including the difference between a will and a trust Learn the basics of copyrights as they relate to estate planning Learn how you can incorporate your copyrights into your estate plan BONUS: We’re also pleased to welcome Gary Ware, a SCORE volunteer, who will share practical guidance on how to structure your author business to make it more valuable—and more appealing to a potential future buyer or successor. Here’s the chat: GMT20260801-160347_RecordingnewChat About Our Speaker [...]

Winning any of the 10,000+ quality Book Awards given annually is a big boost to authors – even bestsellers – because winning has more benefits and much more prestige as a much rarer accolade. Add that awards are easy and inexpensive to apply for, that thousands of book buyers/owners of stages/the media seek out award winners over other authors, and that books published decades ago (if their content isn’t out of date) have equal chances of winning thousands of the 10,000 annual awards – and it’s obvious awards pursuits belong in many book marketing plans. This masterclass describes • The dozen benefits awards bring their winners • 10 things those benes translate into for authors • Book awards compared to bestsellers • The lay of the land of awards and awarding programs: how they work, what they include, common elements and realities, typical submission process components, the essentials to win • How to best work with [...]

Thinking about self-publishing your book, but not sure where to start or what to do first? In this intensive two-hour workshop, Ruth Schwartz of Wonderlady Books will walk you through the real-world process of turning your manuscript into a professional, market-ready book—without costly missteps. Whether you’re a first-time author or already in progress, this session will give you a clear roadmap, current industry insights, and practical next steps you can act on immediately. Here’s the link to the chat:GMT20260620-170101_RecordingnewChat Here are the slides: SP101_Workshop_Updated_June2026 What You’ll Learn The Publishing Landscape—Today Key differences between traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing How self-publishing has evolved—and what’s changed recently   The Real Self-Publishing Process A clear, step-by-step overview from manuscript to finished book What actually matters (and what doesn’t) Where authors most often get stuck   Production Decisions That Make or Break Your Book Why professional editing, formatting, and cover design matter What you can do yourself—and what’s worth outsourcing   Platforms & Distribution [...]

  Audiobooks are no longer a “nice-to-have.” They’re a powerful revenue stream and relationship-builder — when approached strategically. In this dynamic, insight-packed session, BAIPA President Becky Parker Geist — Founder & CEO of Pro Audio Voices and AMPlify Audiobooks — will walk you through exactly how to make your audiobook investment succeed. Whether you’re exploring audio for the first time or already have titles in the market, this program will give you the clarity, tools, and strategy to move forward with confidence. Thinking about producing an audiobook? It starts before you hit record. You’ll learn how to leverage a smart pre-production strategy so your audiobook is positioned for success from day one. The right decisions early on can dramatically increase your return on investment. Already have an audiobook? Great. Now let’s make it work harder for you. Discover how new distribution opportunities in 2026 are shifting the landscape — creating more ways than ever to [...]

Join Bob Heyman and Viktor Grant for a two-hour presentation on How AI has affected Search Engine Optimization and Recent Developments in AI for Authors since Bob Heyman’s previous BAIPA presentation. Bob will present the recent developments from 10am to 11am and Viktor will join him to discuss GEO from 11am to noon. Key Takeaways: Learn how to update a website in the age of AI for optimal SEO. Learn what “GEO is the new SEO” means. Learn how to use the newest AI tools as an author for research, writing, editing, illustration and marketing.   Here’s the link to the chat:GMT20260418-171209_RecordingnewChat   More on our Speakers: Bob Heyman and Viktor Grant About Our Speaker Bob Heyman is credited with coining the terms “Edutainment” and “Search Engine Optimization” (SEO). He is the author of six digital marketing business books and is the author of the Kidzter series of children’s chapter books about music history. His pioneering internet marketing agency Cybernautics established the first agency SEO [...]