Welcome to PALA

Since 2003, the Publishers Association of Los Angeles (PALA) has provided monthly educational meetings, teleseminars, and webinars covering a wide range of publishing subjects. PALA also provides networking and resources that support publishers, authors, and related industry professionals. For information about membership, please go to: https://www.iwosc.org

Happening this Month

HOW TO WRITE FUNNY!

Online Panel:
How to Write Funny

Tues, Oct 27, 2020 
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Pacific

IWOSC members – free
Non-members – $15
Via Zoom

“Dying is easy; comedy is difficult,” especially these days.

But we persist because we can. From the farces of Feydeau, Baudelaire, and Wilde, on to George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Larry Gelbart, Terry Southern, Paddy Chayefsky, and Norman Lear, right on through to Dave Chappelle, Mindy Kaling, and Stephen Colbert today, blistering social satire and, yes, even a few organic laughs are necessary for our sanity.

  • How do we incorporate humor and zest to spice up our memoirs, novels, and screenplays (especially if they AREN’T straight up comedies)?
  • How do we take our comedies and farces up to the next level?
  • Are there any “boundaries” to humor in today’s era of cancel-culture and sensitivity?
  • What makes something funny in the first place?
  • Are there such things as funny numbers and letters?
  • Structure.
  • Too soon?
  • and MORE…
  • Plus your questions.

As the late great Chuck Barris used to joke, “all this and less” (actually much more!) will be covered by our stellar panel of luminary laugh-makers and wisecracking writers!

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Coming Up:

In the Works

Here’s what we’re working on for our writing community. It’s all subject to change for the obvious reason, but this will help you plan.

UPCOMING REGULAR MEETINGS:

  • MARKETING INTENSIVE
  • AGENT PANEL—with agents from Los Angeles and New York
  • MAGAZINE EDITORS
  • SELF-PUBLISHING INTENSIVE
  • NAVIGATING THE WRITING AND PUBLISHING WORLD TODAY

…and more, of course!

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Get answers to your most puzzling publishing questions

January, April and September

7:00pm Pacific–on ZOOM until we can resume in-person meetings.

  • Want some feedback on potential titles for your next book?
  • Need help with finding a distributor?
  • Have an opinion about a potential cover design?
  • Not sure if you should spend money on exhibiting at an upcoming trade show?
  • YOUR questions can be answered at the next Brainstorming meeting

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Advice for Writers on Breaking into Tinseltown

November 30, 2021 – RECORDING AVAILABLE

6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)

Via Zoom

Few industries have been on the front edge of change more than Hollywood – and not only because of the changes forced on production and development by the Coronavirus.  
 
In some ways, there are now more opportunities than ever for would-be screenwriters and “content creators,” with YouTube, digital channels and distribution, web series, and micro-budget “DIY” indie films shot for under six figures.  But there are also more pitfalls and traps than ever, for both young people starting out and mature writers transitioning in their careers.  

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Special Programs

Everything You Need to Self-Publish So You Can Publish Your Book Now

Do you have everything you need to successfully self-publish your book?

Whether you’re writing a helpful nonfiction work, a stunning genre novel, a community cookbook, or the next bestseller, the publishing process involves the same elements: preparation of your manuscript and production of your book. And don’t forget about marketing.

IWOSC/PALA’s 2019 Self-Publishing Intensive has the answers you need to start now and successfully publish your book. Our experts, Carla King of Self-Publishing Boot Camp and Sharon Goldinger of PeopleSpeak Consulting and the Publishers Association of Los Angeles, have over 45 years of traditional AND self-publishing experience and will cover EVERY aspect of self-publishing that you need to know.

PLUS, attendees will receive more than a dozen books, handouts, checklists, and timelines.

For the FULL COURSE DESCRIPTION, and to save as an IWOSC/PALA member, click here.

LOCATION: Veterans Memorial, Culver City (Corner Culver & Overland)

 

IWOSC/PALA Self-Publishing Intensive

Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 9:00am – 4:00pm

Everything You Need to Self-Publish So You Can Publish Your Book Now

Do you have everything you need to successfully self-publish your book?

Whether you’re writing a helpful nonfiction work, a stunning genre novel, a community cookbook, or the next bestseller, the publishing process involves the same elements: preparation of your manuscript and production of your book. And don’t forget about marketing.

IWOSC/PALA’s 2019 Self-Publishing Intensive has the answers you need to start now and successfully publish your book. Our experts, Carla King of Self-Publishing Boot Camp and Sharon Goldinger of PeopleSpeak Consulting and the Publishers Association of Los Angeles, have over 45 years of traditional AND self-publishing experience and will cover EVERY aspect of self-publishing that you need to know.

PLUS, attendees will receive more than a dozen books, handouts, checklists, and timelines.

For the FULL COURSE DESCRIPTION, and to save as an IWOSC/PALA member, click here.

LOCATION: Veterans Memorial, Culver City (Corner Culver & Overland)

IWOSC/PALA Membership Benefits

PALA-IWOSC welcomes authors, publishers, and affiliated publishing professionals. Our goals: education, networking, and resources. We value and encourage the education and networking. 

Member benefits include:

  • newsletter, packed with information
  • discounted membership with IBPA
  • discount for recordings of meetings
  • attendance at our members-only brainstorming sessions
  • participation in cooperative marketing programs
  • free panels/deep discounts for seminars
  • access to information about IBPA’s Publishing University scholarships
If you’re interested in membership, please contact info@IWOSC.org.
Questions: Contact: Sharon Goldingerpplspeak@att.net, 949-581-6190