PHIPPSBURG — Publicity and Marketing Conference for Independent Authors will be held at Sebasco Harbor Resort in Phippsburg Sunday, May 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"Perceptions are changing about independently published books and we are happy to offer authors a resource to teach them how to present and market their work in the best way possible," said Jane Karker, president of Maine Authors Publishing, in a news release.

"Some authors don't realize how much there is still left to do after the book is written and printed. Having a marketing strategy can be invaluable when trying to reach potential readers."

The conference is open to the public and will focus on teaching authors how to market their book successfully.

Keynote speaker, Crystal King will talk about the best social media practices, and panelists Bob Newman and Emily LaBeaume will discuss what exactly a publicist does and how to work with one.

Breakout sessions throughout the day will give authors the opportunity to learn about everything from social media to having a successful book signing to how to write an effective grant.

Breakout sessions include: Boost Book Sales Using LinkedIn (Carey Azzara); Building an Audience with Goodreads (Carey Azzara); School Visits: Best Practices and Solutions (Kelly Bay and E. H. Gerard); The Art of a Good Book Reading (Thomas Dowd);

Doodle-ography (Lindy Gifford); Using Wordpress, Facebook, and Author Forum (Nikki Giglia); Introduction to Book Marketing (Jane Karker); Creating a Blog for a Suspense Novel (A.D. Morel); Simplifying Grants and Artist-in-Residencies (Laura Lee Perkins); and Feng Shui of Book Signings (Darcy Scott).

Registration ends on May 15 and admission is $75 which includes lunch and materials.

For more information or to register for the conference: www.maineauthorspublishing.com/conference, coop@maineauthorspublishing.com or 594-0091.

Maine Authors Publishing works with independent authors to get their books published and in the hands of readers.

The company's mission is to provide a full-service, affordable, and uniquely local independent publishing solution for authors and bookstores.