Saturday, 13 October 2007 21:41
Infinity Publishing President Tom Gregory is the visionary behind AuthorNation.com. Gregory expanded upon the literary community concept first initiated by Ben Franklin in his early gatherings of writers, printers, readers, and business folks, who met weekly in a tavern to discuss timely book publishing topics and exchange books of the day. Free membership for everyone encourages writers at all levels, and readers of all interests, to participate through a considerable array of interactive tools. Writing hobbyists, emerging writers, and established authors can build a writing portfolio with short stories, poems, articles, book excerpts, and more, or simply use the space for a personal blog. Published authors wanting more book sales are partial to the profile bookstore, with a “Buy It!” button. Shameless promotion is encouraged.
With 191 forum topics and an option to suggest more, AuthorNation.com goes far beyond the average online writing community’s range. Opportunities for discussions include writing techniques, reading interests, and participation in fun riddles and word games. Genre forums alone invite lively interaction with 125 possibilities to explore, beginning with “Action” and ending with “Young Adult Fiction.” Expert moderators in forums devoted to writing and publishing answer questions on editing, computer technology, promotions, and dealing with the media.
AuthorNation.com’s value on both sides of the literary river is immeasurable. One new member’s first post demonstrates the enthusiasm already generated: “I just registered and established my site on AuthorNation.com this morning. I want to compliment Infinity Publishing for continuing their tradition of innovation in the publishing industry. This new site is a great opportunity for authors to both share ideas and to present their books.”
Infinity Publishing celebrates ten years (1997-2007) as a highly respected author-originated book publishing company, with more than 4,500 titles in print.
Author’s note regarding the news release: Eight years ago, on the eve of our first Express Yourself…™ Authors’ Conference at the Sheraton Park Ridge Hotel and Conference Center in Valley Forge, PA, Tom Gregory informed me, the conference director, that he had several business appointments scheduled that would take him away from the conference for a few hours. He wanted to know when he absolutely had to be there. Tom was to give the welcoming address, so it was important for him to be there for that!!! I re-minded him that he wanted to hear John Kremer’s keynote on Thursday evening – I was to introduce him, but that’s another story for another time – and Tom was to introduce Marsha Yudkin for her address on Friday. Tom was gone for a few hours on Thursday, but the rest of the time, he was at the conference from the start of the continental breakfast through the close of the evening session. Tom had a great time talking and interacting with all the authors.
We had a fabulous Sunday morning brunch, which included an around-the-room open mic. Everyone was encouraged to share their thoughts about the conference and what they took away from it. The authors truly had an opportunity to express themselves, and they did, giving lots of good ideas and suggestions. But most of all, they expressed their sincere appreciation to Tom and Infinity Publishing for producing and sponsoring such a wonderful event for writers and authors. As Tom was saying goodbyes to parting attendees, he told me this was great and to book the Sheraton for next year.
I’m certain that the openness and free sharing of ideas by everyone at the conference gave Tom the inspira-tion for the dynamic concept of AuthorNation.com – and it’s absolutely free!!! That’s another influence from our Authors’ Conference; we produce it as a not-for-profit event in order to keep the registration fee as affordable as possible for writers and authors. Absolutely free is very affordable, even for struggling writers, and you can be assured that there are no hidden charges and no pop-up ads. However, providing authors with free space to shamelessly promote their books is greatly encouraged.
Tom has built it, and now is the time for you to visit AuthorNation.com and register to join in the experience of building a new cyber nation where authors and book publishers rule together.
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