“I attended the writer's conference in San Diego, and for the money I spent, I'd say that I easily walked away with thousands of dollars worth of insiders’ secrets from all the expert speakers! I made some valuable contacts, and I would highly recommend the event to anyone even remotely interested in publishing success! It is worth every dollar...and then some! I will be attending any and all events in the future.”

John Butler
author of The Stare

“What an impressive conference! Infinity Publishing’s Express Yourself Conference exceeded my expectations. I learned so much.”

“After this conference I have made a vow that I am going to market my book like a woman possessed. I have been given all the tools to do it.”

“My book was nearly done but we know there's a big difference between nearly and done.  I decided to attend the 2006 Fall Writers Conference.  Inspired, I returned home and the book went from nearly to done in thirty days. A few short months later the public was reading my new book.”

“A wonderful, stimulation, educational program with truly exceptional contact with the best experts on writing and publishing.”

“Excellent publishing info… no pushy sales pitches – just good info.”

“The Express Yourself Conference is a terrific opportunity for authors... I left the conference with a wealth of ideas on how to best market my book. I met dozens of talented writers who I exchanged ideas contact information with. And all of the publishing professionals who presented were very generous with their time and expertise. In a word, terrific!”

“…a great opportunity to meet other authors and presenters to get and give ideas.”

“The flow of info and humor were in perfect balance. We are already talking about attending next year. Infinity is the heartbeat for authors.”

Terrence Daryl [and Tina] Shulman
Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery

“I attended the writer's conference in San Diego, and for the money I spent, I'd say that I easily walked away with thousands of dollars worth of insiders’ secrets from all the expert speakers!  I made some valuable contacts, and I would highly recommend the event to anyone even remotely interested in publishing success!  It is worth every dollar...and then some!  I will be attending any and all events in the future.”

“Thoroughly enjoyable, helpful, encouraging. Fellow writers and speakers, all effective. This conference helped me immeasurably as I approach the end of my first book.”

“The conference was professional, as usual, and the insider talk about publishing was insightful. I particularly enjoy re-acquainting myself with the other Southern California authors. Infinity instills a sense of community, a place to get comfortable and learn about the craft of writing. The experts were genuine and the experience well worth it. See you next year.”

“The Infinity Conference is outstanding.  With the price of conference registration, you get a one-on-one meeting with a publicist, agent, editor, or other publishing professional.  I could have never talked to them on my own. Networking with other authors was very helpful too. Their input was valuable.  I went to the conference prior to publishing, and after my first book was published.  I will return in 2007.”

“I felt a bit skeptical as I arrived for the 2006 Express Yourself Conference. Would this weekend be worth the effort, time and money? I felt a bit intimidated too. My book contained many aspects of a soul-searching memoir. Would I really want to expose my vulnerability to virtual strangers?

But all my skepticism and discomfort evaporated as the conference got underway. I learned something new from each presenter while gaining a broad perspective on current publishing and marketing trends.

A few of the many memorable moments included: How to write an elevator pitch, think outside the-bookstore-box, prepare for a TV interview, develop a viable website, and much more. Each presenter came from a strong knowledge base of his individual area of expertise. As a result I became more aware, inspired, educated.

There was a less tangible facet to this conference weekend as well, that might broadly be described as networking. A spirit of camaraderie grew from the conference participants as we began to brainstorm and encourage our fellow authors, supporting their individual efforts. Our sense of community has only strengthened in these last several months through the power of the Internet. We have truly come together as an Infinity community of authors.

Was this conference worth the effort, time and money? You bet! See you all next September.”

http://www.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com

cosmeticsurgery@optonline.net

Was it Robert Frost who wrote about the path not taken? I nearly did not take the path that led to getting my book, Forty Cars That Owned Me published in early 2007.

That's right. I had no plans to attend the 2006 “Express Yourself…” Authors’Conference. Then, on impulse and rather short notice, I elected to go out to Valley Forge. A chance conversation with Jane Martin late last summer was the catalyst that triggered the decision to go the Fall Conference and get immersed in the publishing business and book marketing processes.

Up to that point in time, I'd been working on this memoir for about four years, whittling away at it, getting it closer to completion but never really reaching a point where I could say it was ready to go. Part of the reason for the inability to finish the thing was the lingering question, then what? Suppose I do wrap it up this year, what do I do with it? Do I thumb through Writers Market hoping to find an effective agent? How long before the agent finds a publisher? Do I try to self-publish it? If I took that course, which publishing service should I use?

Faced with all these questions and knowing that this book that had been close to being finished but not finished for over a year, I decided to take Infinity Publishing up on a combination deal they were offering that included the conference and the initial set up of the book at an attractive price.

In retrospect, I realized there were two significant things that prompted me to attend. First, I believed my book was worthwhile, useful, entertaining, and deserved to become a reality. It wasn't going to become a published book unless I took concrete action. The second thing I realized was that I knew nothing about book publishing, book marketing or even how to get it reviewed, so I needed professional help from people in the book publishing business.

Here's the primary thing I brought to the conference: an open mind. I came out a day early for the special writers workshop, absorbed as much of that as I could and then got fully immersed in all the presentations and workshops for the next two and half days.

My attitude was, simply, educate me. Tell me what I have to have on the back cover, tell me where and to whom do I send review copies, make me define the likely audience for this book, tell me how to reach that audience, and how to market this book continuously over the next several years.

Motivated by all that I learned, I did get it finished and ready for submission by November 1, 2006. I contracted with Infinity Publishing for one of their copyeditors, worked with Chris Master on a prototype cover, and had the first proof books in hand by mid-December. By mid-January, those errors caused by the obvious gaps in my education had been dealt with, a great cover was produced by Chris, and we had approved the final proof. I participated in a new pilot program to put Advanced Reading Copies in the hands of automotive magazines and other influential writers in the field. By the end of January, 2007 the first 150 books were printed and shipped to my home for sales and distribution to local bookstores, local customers, collaborators, and friends.

In summary, I decided in August of 2006 to attend the “Express Yourself…” Authors’ Conference held in September. In late January 2007, the book was selling in bookstores and in February the book was being sold online on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, The Motor Bookstore, and on Fortycars.com while getting great reviews by early readers and regional newspapers. The Motor Bookstore has just named it their "Editor's Choice."

Just six months from Book Conference to Book Commerce. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Do as I did. You won't regret it.

Pat Nowak
Author, Forty Cars That Owned Me
www.fortycars.com