Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT INFINITY PUBLISHING'S
Express Yourself Gathering of Authors
Prepared by John F. Harnish, Special Projects Director, Infinity Publishing
- Why are some of your current presenters the same as in previous years?
- What's in the conference bookstore?
- Why would agents attend an authors' conference when the authors' books are already published?
- Will attending this conference guarantee I will sell more books?
- I live in the greater Philadelphia area. What would this cost me if I don’t stay at the hotel?
- What meals are included with the conference registration, and are there alternative restaurants nearby?
- Why the 1:00 PM starting time on Friday?
- What are the hotel accommodations like at the Park Ridge Hotel and Conference Center?
- I have a spouse or author friend who will attend the conference and share a room with me. Is there a discount for sharing a room?
- So, once I’m there will I have any more expenses?
- I'm not sure I can attend, so can I just show up and register after I get to the hotel on Friday?
- I have a question about the conference that I didn’t find here. What do I do?
By far, the most commonly asked question by people who attend is:
“How do you do it? Other conferences charge much higher registration fees that include only some meals and no lodging. How can your registration fee be far less and include so much more?”
This is a not-for-profit event that is solely sponsored and produced by Infinity Publishing. The registration fee covers the cost of meals, snacks, beverages, sleeping rooms, meeting room rentals, presenters' travel expenses, and conference materials – without factoring in a profit. Our presenters have graciously waived or reduced their usual honorariums. Our goal is to keep this event as affordable as possible for authors and to deliver more than they expect.
There must be a catch to this affordable registration fee with an infomercial in here somewhere, right?
Wrong!!! We prohibit the selling of services during our events, and this rule applies to all of our presenters. Infinity Publishing does not promote its services at this conference. It does provide a way for participants to gather and share information, so they may find their own best way to promote and sell their books. Attendees are free to talk one-on-one if they are interested in services available from any of our presenters. We want to focus on helping you to sell your book, and not be on the receiving end of a sales pitch. Yes, it is that simple.
Since this is the 10th anniversary of the “Express Yourself…” event is there anything special planned?
Actually, we strive to make every event special. We believe we are doing things right and providing lots of benefits, when year-after-year the participant evaluations give us higher and higher scores. We also welcome suggestions from attendees and have worked some of their ideas into our event planning to focus on current topics of particular interest. However, I dare say the significance of this 10th anniversary does indeed warrant making this one a rather festive, gala celebration, so you can look forward to participating in an exceptionally creative Gathering of Authors. Speaking of specials … see our author discounts.
Are there any special discounts for Infinity authors?
Since we welcome all authors regardless of with whom or how they are published, we need to maintain uniform pricing for one and all. However, we do have a special book-incentive to encourage Infinity authors to register in a timely fashion.
Infinity authors registering before July 1, 2009, will receive 20 free copies of their book – with the option to have 10 books waiting for them at the hotel, and by paying the shipping charges only, they may have 10 books sent to them, soon after the registration form is received. In addition, the author may order 10 or more books at 50% off the suggest retail price, which brings the total number of books we’ll be shipping to the registered author to 20 or more, and as usual Infinity pays UPS ground shipping charges when we ship 20 or more books.
Infinity authors registering before August 1, 2009, will receive 10 books; and before September 1, 2009, 5 copies of their books, will be waiting at the hotel. Max number of complementary books is 20 books per author, and this may not be combined with any other offer or discounts.
Do you have any special deals for non-Infinity authors?
Yes indeed!!! We offer a very special book publishing deal for all authors registering for the Gathering of Authors with a work-in-progress nearing completion, and soon to be ready for publication. When you fill out the registration form there is an option to publish your book with Infinity for the special Gathering price of $299 – a savings of $200 from our regular $499 setup fee. If your book file submission is received prior to September 1, 2009, you’ll have finished books or Advance Reading Copy proof-books in amounts determined by the timeliness of your registration, waiting for you at the hotel.
I’m a starving writer. I have not yet made money selling my books. How can I afford to attend this event?
Authors who are serious about selling books need the right tools and the right information to make it happen. You might rather ask yourself, “Can I afford not to?” Especially when you can take advantage of early registration payment arrangements. If you register before July 1, then you can make three (3) equal payments, as long as the first payment accompanies your registration form and is received by July 1; the second payment is payable by August 1, and the third, by September 1.
So, what’s in it for me? How will attending this conference benefit me and my book?
The primary focus of the conference is to help you learn innovative and cost-effective ways to be successful in selling more books. Among other things, through our knowledgeable presenters we provide expert coaching to: Craft an effective quick pitch, use the Internet to your greatest advantage, be aware of the legal aspects of writing and book promotion, work effectively with the media, find your place in niche marketing beyond the bookstores, and learn about other topics related to book promotion. We also discuss how you can develop yourself as a professional author and arrive at realistic expectations for your book.
What types of publishing professionals are invited?
Editors, proofreaders, book coaches, publicity experts, website designers, cover artists, book designers, photographers, marketing gurus, media consultants, agents, and booksellers have all attended our conference as participating professionals. Our invitations are based on the quality of their services, their reputation in the publishing community, and the benefits their participation will provide for attending authors.
The opportunity to meet and talk informally with many of the trendsetters in publishing, and share ideas with other authors, is an important part of the conference. We rarely have a head-table, preferring instead, a horseshoe seating or session in-the-round, for maximum interactivity. We encourage presenters to enjoy meals with a variety of different authors throughout the weekend. Breaks between seminars and before and after meals provide time for networking and getting to know presenters, as well as your fellow authors.
Will I have the opportunity to network with other authors?
Yes, indeed!!! Your weekend will be packed with opportunities to meet and learn from fellow authors and presenters, especially if you lodge at the hotel. Starting the day with continental breakfast in the bookstore, all the way through to the popular “bedtime stories,” you will spend the day among authors, many who you’ll find have experienced the same ups and downs as you.
It sounds like you want authors who have already published their books, is that right?
Indeed that’s right – this is a gathering of authors who have books in print or books that are near-ready to publish or in production. This isn’t a typical writers’ conference in which you learn how to write book proposals and compose the perfect query letters to send to potential agents or mainstream houses. We will focus on teaching concepts that will help you to be more successful at selling more copies of your book, which is already in print and available for sale.
Why are some of your current presenters the same as in previous years?
Because they are all good – very good!!! Experts who present promotional and marketing concepts well, interact with attendees, and have a host of fresh ideas for tapping into the benefits of this evolving branch of publishing, are asked to return again and again. Our presenters always have new material to offer and provide invaluable insight into developing trends in the publishing industry.
What's in the conference bookstore?
Snacks and books!!! Every author attending the conference – including the presenters – has an opportunity to place their book(s) in the conference bookstore. Infinity authors automatically have their books added to the bookstore inventory and royalties for books sold are included in monthly royalty checks. Authors publishing elsewhere must make arrangements before the start of the conference to have their books for sale in the bookstore – we settle-up with non-Infinity authors at the conclusion of the conference, so you could actually leave with cash in your pocket for your books sold. The bookstore is open to hotel guests, employees, and the general public. Most books are discounted and authors are readily available to sign their books. Morning sweet-buns, snacks, our trademark Hammond’s pretzels, and beverages are available in the bookstore throughout the day.
Why would agents attend an authors' conference when the authors' books are already published?
Two words – sales history!!! Actually, four words – publisher-verified sales history. The author of a book with consistent sales over time is someone an agent is interested in representing. One of the benefits of author-originated publishing is that the author owns all rights to his or her book. Thus, they are free to enter into an agreement with an agent and, in turn, with a mainstream publisher.
Will attending this conference guarantee I will sell more books?
There are no guarantees to any author, with any publisher, about the number of books they might sell. We can guarantee you will hear from publishing luminaries and leading industry experts about what they know that works. You will learn strategies for finding ways to tap into unique markets and find new buyers. You will have the opportunity the meet one-on-one with our presenters to discuss your book and get their insight. You will benefit from the dynamics of spending time networking with a diverse group of authors and professionals in an open forum and discover ways to measure the true success of your book. Authors attending our conferences usually sell more books than authors who haven’t been able to participate in one of our events.
I live in the greater Philadelphia area. What would this cost me if I don’t stay at the hotel?
The registration fee without lodging is $369 – with lodging for Friday and Saturday nights the cost is still only $569, and you won’t miss any of the evening activities or have the hassle of driving back and forth. Call it a “working staycation” during which you and your book will benefit immensely!!!
What meals are included with the conference registration, and are there alternative restaurants nearby?
Since the official beginning of the conference is 1:00 PM on Friday afternoon you’re on your own for lunch on Friday; however, the hotel restaurant serves a great lunch and discount coupons are available. There are other restaurants and fast-food places a couple of miles away near the mall. Your conference registration includes all meals, beginning with dinner on Friday evening, a convenient continental-breakfast on Saturday morning, a luncheon buffet at noon, a gala banquet on Saturday evening, and a fabulous breakfast buffet on Sunday morning. Also, we’ll provide snacks on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. The meals are varied and delicious, so why go anywhere else? Stay, enjoy, and network with our presenters and other attendees.
Why the 1:00 PM starting time on Friday afternoon?
We changed the starting time to 1:00 PM in 2008 because of the depressed economy, which enables attendees to use the half day for travel to Valley Forge, and not requiring a Thursday night stay. This eliminates the need to be present for a first session on Friday morning – usually a light attendance anyway, because folks were still in transit. We’ve always concluded the conference at noon on Sunday, so you have a half-day to travel home and rest up for work on Monday morning!!!
What are the hotel accommodations like at the Park Ridge Hotel and Conference Center?
This is the 10th annual event held at this Starwood property, which is part of the Sheraton family. We keep returning because the accommodations are marvelous, the property is well maintained and the food is outstanding – certainly not your typical hotel dining. Also, we have enjoyed a 10-year history that assures us the best possible rates for our block of rooms and meal service, which helps us to offer what we believe, is a very affordable registration fee for attending authors. Sleeping rooms have either a king-size bed or two queen-size beds – all beds have special sleep-comfort mattresses that are absolutely wonderful!!!
There are tennis courts on the property, a golf course across from the hotel, a major shopping mall, and Valley Forge National Park nearby – all can be reached via the hotel’s free shuttle service. The wonderful staff goes above and beyond to accommodate authors attending our events.
Click here for a link to the Park Ridge Hotel and Conference Center
I have a spouse or author friend who will attend the conference and share a room with me. Is there a discount for sharing a room?
Yes, the primary attendee is registered for $569 and the second attendee sharing the room is registered for $369. If the person sharing the room is a spouse, the total registration cost is $938 and only one registration form is needed. If the person sharing the room is another author and you split the $938, the cost to each attendee is only $469, and you both save $100; however, please note on individual registration forms – hopefully submitted at the same time if possible – that one is the primary author paying $569 and the second author sharing the room is paying $369. Attendees interested in sharing a room are responsible for finding another author to share the room with – we are unable to accommodate matching folks up who wish to share a room.
So, once I’m there will I have any more expenses?
You will need cash for shuttle service back to the airport, if necessary. There is a cash bar before dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings, so you'll need a few dollars if you want a mixed drink, wine, or beer. You are responsible for any room service charges applied to your room, paid by your credit or debit card. You will also need cash or a credit or debit card for books you'd like to purchase at the conference bookstore. Professional headshots of authors are an available option and not included in the cost of registration. (Click here for photographer’s website.)
I’m not sure if I can attend, so can I just show up and register after I get to the hotel on Friday?
No, we will not be able to conduct on-site registrations because we need all attendees to register with Infinity Publishing on or before September 21. Also, due to the interactive nature of this unique gathering we have had to limit attending authors to 50, to assure everyone has the opportunity to participate in the dynamic discussion circle. So if you’re serious about attending you really need to register sooner, rather than later, or we may not be able to accommodate your participation at this year’s auspicious event.
I have a question about the conference that I didn’t find here. What do I do?
Call our toll-free number, 877-BUY-BOOK (877-289-2665) or email John F. Harnish at: John@Infinitypublishing.com with 2009 Gathering of Authors Question as the subject.
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