Speakers
The industry of self-publishing is a delicate balance of both business and craft. As self-published authors, not only do we need to tell a captivating story, but we also need to know how to find and keep readers. The ASPC brings to you professionals from both the foundations of business and craft to help you unlock the secrets of success.
J. W. WEBB
EPIC FANTASY AUTHOR
How to Know When to Click Publish & Getting Started
J. W. Webb is an English writer living here in Georgia. Mostly he writes fantasy, though sometimes diverts in even stranger directions. His epic saga titled the Legends of Ansu blends the mystic grandeur of JRR Tolkien with the gritty realism of GRR Martin. Webb's characters are three dimensional and flawed, their world a tapestry of vivid color and constant motion. All the books feature beautiful bespoke sketches by the late Tolkien Illustrator Roger Garland.
BEN MEEKS
AWARD-WINNING SOUTHERN FANTASY AUTHOR
The Art of Selling at Events
Ben grew up in Dahlonega, the biggest small town in the North Georgia mountains. He spent his childhood appreciating nature and as he grew older was able to have a wide variety of unusual and exciting experiences. Ben was able to travel internationally, including Europe and India. He participated in, and won, a martial arts competition, was hit by a ricocheting bullet, and was in a high speed car chase. He also received a late night phone call from the secret service, who he hung up on.You can connect with Ben on his website at www.authorbenmeeks.com or follow him on Instagram or Facebook, user authorbenmeeks.
CRAIG MARTELLE
AUTHOR
Marketing with Confidence
Craig Martelle runs the 20Booksto50k® group as well as the 20Books conferences held around the world. He keeps it not-for-profit to help the most authors in the most ways. Hundreds of authors have changed the trajectory of their careers because of the 20Books group. So many have realized their words have value.
Craig also runs the International Association of Science-Fiction and Fantasy Authors, a professional group designed to help SFF authors put their work into the hands of SFF readers.
Besides his philanthropic work with authors, Craig is a successful author in his own right with well over one hundred books published with a great number of bestsellers. His books have sold nearly 500,000 copies in the United States and abroad.
*Craig Martelle will be virtually presenting his talk live during the conference.
LISA CRON
AUTHOR OF WIRED FOR STORY, STORY GENIUS, AND STORY OR DIE
Wired For Story: What Your Reader’s Brain Really Craves, and How to Deliver It
Lisa Cron is the author of Wired for Story, Story Genius and most recently, Story or Die: How to Use Brain Science to Engage, Persuade, and Change Minds in Business and in Life. Her video course, Wired for Story: How to Become a Story Genius can be found at CreativeLive.com, and Writing: The Craft of Story at Lynda.com. Her TEDx talk, Wired for Story, opened Furman University’s 2014 TEDx conference. She spent a decade in publishing, and has been a literary agent, television producer, and story analyst for Hollywood studios. She has also served on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts MFA program in visual narrative and, since 2006, has taught in the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. In her work as a private story coach, Lisa works with writers, nonprofits, educators, and organizations, helping them master the unparalleled power of story.
*Lisa Cron will be virtually presenting her talk live during the conference.
CHARIS CROWE
YOUNG ADULT FANTASY AUTHOR
Using the Pixar Method to Hook Your Reader
Charis Crowe is a Young Adult Fantasy author and word-weaver of the Lumen Fates Saga. When she's not writing, you can frequently find her herding cats or preparing delicious meals. You can follow Charis on her author page on Facebook, or on TikTok @chariscrowe.
BEN WOLF
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF FANTASY, SCI-FI, HORROR AND CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Your High Concept: Taking Your Book's Theme from Start to Finish
BEN WOLF is an award-winning author of fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and children’s books. When not writing, he plays video games and chokes his friends in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
You can follow him on Instagram at @1benwolf, on Facebook in the Ben Wolfpack, or check out his author website, www.benwolf.com.
MEL TODD
URBAN SCIENCE FICTION AUTHOR
Trouble-Shooting Your Self-Publishing Business
Mel Todd has over 30 titles out, her urban science fiction Kaylid Chronicles, the Blood War series, and the Twisted Luck series. Owner of Bad Ash Publishing she is working to create a place for excellent stories and great authors. With over a million words published, she is aiming for another million in the next two years. Bad Ash Publishing specializes in stories that will grab you and make you hunger for more. With one co-author, and more books in the works, her stories can be found on Amazon and other retailers. You can follow her on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/badashbooks/ You can also sign up for her newsletter and follow her blog at https://www.badashpublishing.com
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: APRIL 21ST, 12:00 PM EST
Walkups at the conference will be welcome (cash or card only, no checks will be accepted)