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This photo also came compliments of Sandra at Rosehaven. She took it because he is looking at one of Rosehaven’s new books. But it is also a good shot of the booth itself.

Lipnotes makes lip balm with custom messages on the container. They have over 100 messages–or you can design your own.

Their lip balm with LDS messages are sold under the Hold to the Rod Designs name.

They also have buttons, magnets, and magnetic bookmarks.

Ringmasters won the award for best use of the theme. Here is a photo of the entire booth:

And this is the reason they won:

If you look really close, you can see that there are glass tubes holding up this display, with live goldfish swimming around in there.

Ringmasters is best known for their CTR rings and other LDS jewelry, but they also carry cards, prints, puzzles, decor, ornaments, decorative plates, throws, and other stuff.

(Photos compliments of an anonymous e-mailer.)

Hi. I was wondering what is the best way to find a job in the LDS publishing business.

Well, you can always start your own publishing company, but some people find that more trouble than it’s worth.

First, what do you want to do? There are a lot of different job descriptions in a publishing company, from president to management to editor to designer to marketer to janitor, and lots of others in between. I know. I’ve done them all. The type of job you want to do will determine how you approach the company.

If you’re an editor or graphic designer, you’d need to show some credentials or a portfolio. You might also need some specialized training in certain types of software. If you want to scrub the toilets, you just need to wait for the current guy to quit, then offer to do it for a lower wage than your competition.

How do you find out about job openings?

Some of the bigger publishers, such as Deseret Book and Covenant, list job openings on their websites. I’d check that first. Or if there’s a specific company you’d like to work for, call them.

Should I just take/mail my resume around? Is it just who you know?

Getting a job in a publishing company is much like getting a job anywhere else. Get an application if you can. Send a resume. If you know someone who can give you a heads up and a good word when a position opens, that always helps.

Does an internship help?

Some companies do internships, some don’t. I’d love to have an intern–free slave labor. Just make sure that there’s an opportunity to move into a real job at some point. And don’t expect to get to do the cool stuff right away. Most interns play gopher or lick envelopes or do basic filing at first.

I expect that resumes come mostly from English majors looking for editing or proofreading jobs. I’m not, and I’m not. Would there be any differences for those of us looking for typesetting or cover design or secretarial jobs?

I do get more resumes from editors than from others, but I certainly see my share from typesetters, graphic artists, marketers, etc. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten one for a secretary. Like any other job, it’s a matter of timing. Having the skills the company needs, when they need them, at a price that fits their payroll budget.

A lot of companies outsource their editing, typesetting and cover design work. I have a network of editors and designers that work freelance, as needed. If you’re looking in this area, you might want to approach the company as a freelancer first. You’ll need to show samples, references or be willing to do your first project cheap to prove you have what it takes.

And just in case you, or any other reader, thinks that working for a publishing company is a good way to get your foot in the door and they’ll be more likely to look at your manuscript and publish your book–think again. In my experience, employees of publishing companies are LESS likely to get their books published by the company that employs them because the company doesn’t want to be accused of favoritism. I know there’s an exception to every rule, but generally, it seems an employee’s book must be twice as good to get half the attention.

Thanks for your help. I enjoy reading your blog.

Thank you, and you’re welcome.

I’ve decided I should never post anything after 9:00 p.m., because that’s my preferred bedtime (when children and work let me live according to my own personal bio-rhythms) and my brain has completely turned off by then. I sound down and depressed, when I’m really just tired.

The true story behind yesterday’s post is that I’ve been re-invigorated. LDSBA and the associated events have reminded me of why I made the decision to become an LDS publisher in the first place. The month before convention is always hard and stressful, but the convention itself infuses me with energy which I can live on for months. So no more down and grumpy posts for me.

CONTEST:
About this contest idea–so far the vote is exactly split between the four suggestions I made, with most of you voting for two options at a time. C’mon guys, that is just no help at all! If I don’t get a tie breaker, I’ll just put them in a bowl and pull one out each month. How’s that?

GUEST BLOGGING:
Someone asked if I’d be willing to have another publisher/editor do a guest post on this blog. Certainly! Have them e-mail it to me with instructions on whether they want to be anonymous or identified.

CONVENTION:
I’m wrapping up all the convention posts and photos. I want to finish off this topic this weekend. So if you have anything to add or ask, send it NOW.

CONTRACTS:
Next week I’m going to start a discussion on contracts–what’s fair, what’s not, what to look for, what’s a deal breaker. If you have any contract clauses you’d like to have evaluated, send them to me and I will include them in my discussion.

Been spending this week processing orders and tidying up the loose ends that were left hanging while I prepared for the convention. I’d love to post something witty and entertaining, but to be perfectly honest, my brain is on idle. I can’t think of a single thing to say at the moment.

Still trying to round up some of the requested booth photos.

As to the request for a complete list of the 119 vendors with their product and contact info, that is just beyond me. Between the list and the individual photos, I’ve posted about 35-40 of them. I have the list on paper but the thought of keying all that info in is just too much to contemplate. Sorry.

Time for a New Contest
I want to run another contest in September. Do you want to do a Query contest? Another Pitch contest? A first paragraph contest? A writing prompt contest? Or maybe I should run a contest for contest ideas?? E-mail your suggestions by the end of the month.

Here are some of the booths that I do not have photos of, but I think you’d be interested in. If any readers know someone in these companies and can get a photo of their booths, please do so and send it to me.

The ones in blue are publishers.

Bargain Shoppe (lots of really cute stuff)

Bonfire Press (a new small press)

Brigham Distributing (one of the bigger distributors)

Cedar Fort’s wall of water

Covenant Communications

Creative Memories and/or Finch Family Games (they both do fun idea books)

Eborn Books

FCP Publishing

Gem Smith (jewelry)

Genealogical Publishing/Parables (E.P. Bentley)

Gibbs Smith

Granite (from the front)

Greg Kofford Books

Latter Day Designs (Book of Mormon toys)

Naag Tag (etched glass items, mini missionary tags, nature photos with sound)

Penny Press (make smashed penny art)

Richard Maher

RingMasters (live fish)

Rosehaven/Mapletree (they were in the same booth)

Signature Books

Spring Creek

Walking the Line (self-publisher)

Windriver

When they first announced this, I really had to put forth some effort not to roll my eyes. I mean, really–a Nashville tribute to Joseph Smith??

Apparently I am the only Mormon on the planet who had not heard of this album.

It was remarkable.

Dan Truman and his wife were there to accept the award. He was just amazing. She sang “Emma”. It was truly touching. The recording on this link is sung by Mindy Gledhill, who sings it on the album.

I am going to buy this one.

Jason Deere wasn’t able to be there either. He was off doing musicianly stuff too. But Dan Truman was there to accept in his behalf.

Paul Cardall won the Listener’s Choice Award for Instrumentalist. He played a version of Joseph Smith’s First Prayer from Hymns Vol. 1 album. This was my favorite performance of the evening. I love piano music and he was so…word’s fail me. Click here and listen. You’ll get what I mean.

I’d never heard of him before, but I’m going to my local LDS bookstore later this week, and I plan to buy every single one of his CDs.

There’s probably a more “promotional” photo I could use, but this one was beautiful. I couldn’t resist.

Male artist was Kenneth Cope. He performed Broken Souls for us. I’d never heard it before. It was very nice.

Female Artist was Jenny Phillips. She wasn’t able to be there because she was on her way to somewhere to do a concert.

We also had the Listener’s Choice Awards. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos of this part of the convention. Wish I did because it was really fun. But for most of them, I can probably find some internet photos.

Master of Ceremonies was Kirby Heyborne. He was hilarious.

On the Thursday evening after the show, there is a huge banquet. There’s always some type of fancy buffet where I usually have to ask the server what the food is. I’m not a gourmet eater by any stretch. But even if I don’t know what I’m eating, it’s always yummy.

After we eat, the outgoing president of the association is recognized and the incoming president and board of directors are introduced. Scholarships are awarded. Scholarship money is collected from donations. Association members, their children, grandchildren and employees can apply for the scholarships. They are selected by an independent group. This year, three $1,000 scholarships were given out.

Then comes the awards ceremony and program. I didn’t take notes, so I hope I get this right.

Awards of Excellence
Outstanding Booth Awards:
Lightstone (Liken) Studios
RingMasters

Retail Excellence: (chosen by Wholesalers)
Crowley’s Quad in Twin Falls, ID (small bookstore)
Moon’s Bookstore in Dallas, TX (large bookstore)

Wholesale Excellence: (chosen by Retailers)
Spring Creek Book Co. (small wholesaler)
Sounds of Zion (large wholesaler)

There were also awards for Outstanding Sideline Product, the Readers’ Choice Award and Exceptional Merit Award, but I can’t remember who got those. If anyone reading this remembers, let me know.

This booth, One Associated, probably caused the biggest buzz at the convention. It’s no surprise to anyone that the LDS publishing industry is struggling. Independent bookstores are finding it harder to stock their shelves and make ends meet. And you’ve certainly heard me rant about the unbelievably small profit margins in a niche market like ours. Many of us have been trying to come up with ways to make the situation better for all involved. This company may have just hit upon a solution.

As I understand it (and I hope I don’t misrepresent them here), One Associated is a profit sharing situation where bookstores and vendors work together in a win/win situation. Bookstores give a little on some points. Vendors give a little on other points. And we all profit. It’s based upon a point of sale register and software program that automates a huge portion of the ordering and inventory process and creates reports that will help the vendor support the bookstores.

One Associated’s booth was set up like a mini-store and they showed how the process would work in a real store. They also had training meetings throughout the day to explain how it all works. And they gave away cool pins, water bottles and squeeze balls. That alone makes them a star in my book.

Seriously, I think this idea has some real potential. It will be interesting to see how it works out.

Maryetta’s has lots of little table-top statuary–several pieces with Christ, and others with family situations. Maryetta’s has a lot of really popular pieces, like the Young Woman and Christ in Gethesemane. I especially like Love One Another, Ascension and Lullabye.

I’ve had several requests for a photo of Covenant’s booth. I don’t have one in any of the photos that have been sent to me so far. I’ve contacted my friends and they’re going through their photos again to try to find one. But if any of you have one, please send it.

This photo comes compliments of C.S. Bezas:

Hey, this is a picture I took with some of my buddies in front of Rosehaven’s booth. I flew out for my new book, “Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers” and my CD, “A Time for Ana.” The publisher is Rosehaven Publishing & Distribution. I just love working with them. Talk about integrity!

(Reading left to right, C.S. Bezas (me), Kenya Transtrum, Janie Van Komen, Lori Nawyn, and Karlene Browning, the owner of Rosehaven .)

Wellspring Publishing (booth on left) publishes and distributes a variety of items. I think their booth actually wrapped around to the other side of the aisle. They have books, coloring books, bookmarks, stickers, calendars, cards, matted prints…just lots of things.

The booth on the right is Stevenson’s Genealogy Center. They have every genealogy item that you can think of, and several more that you would not have thought you needed (but, of course, you do)–binders, sheets and forms, how-to books, kits, software. They also publish family histories. Cool.

Sounds of Zion is another of the bigger distributors. They had an 11 booth space that looked like an “L” with a 6 booth square in the front, then a 5 booth strip down one side.

They used to carry mostly CDs and talks on tape, but they have prints and books and other things now too. I’ve always liked the way they display their products on that slat board display. It’s a very crisp and clean presentation.

This company used to be called Organized World, but I guess they go by OW Designs now. Either way, they have the cutest scripture totes I’ve ever seen. I love the ones with the smiley faces–you can see them in pink, yellow, blue and red, just below the light on the right side of their grid display.

One year OW’s booth won the award for best decorated booth, according to the theme. I can’t remember which year it was or which theme, but they deserved it. Their booth was a cute surf shop this year and they were probably in the running, but got beat out by Ringmasters who had live fish in their booth. (I haven’t posted that photo yet.)

Mostly Memories has a lot of gift items–scented candles, lotions, cremes, potpourri. They also have calendars with Greg Olsen art and other inspirational things. One year we were just up the row from them and it was so nice and pleasant smelling the entire week.

We R Memory Keepers is a scrapbook vendor–lots of cool papers, journals, binders, etc.

Lightstone (the Liken the Scriptures people) won the award for best booth at the convention. This booth was totally cool. It was part of the set for the Daniel and the Lions movie coming out soon. Here is the front of it.

Inside they were showing clips from the Daniel movie. They also had some lions that you could have your picture taken with. Here’s a photo of one of the lion’s going back into their den.

If anyone reading this blog had their photo taken with the lions, send it to me and I’ll post it.

During some of the slower times, one of the lions would climb up on that ledge (you can see the edge of it in the far right of the photo) and stretch and growl. It was really a fun booth and a great idea.

Every year, Florence Hansen brings a work in progress and sculpts during the show. Last year, she was working on Freedom From Fear.

This year, she brought a piece in progress on Wednesday. Then apparently she was talking to someone at the convention about a new piece she was thinking of doing in honor of our men in the armed forces who gave their lives in combat. So on Thursday, she brought in a different block of clay and her model and got started on it. (This convention is a great source of inspiration for a lot of us.)

This newest piece is of a mother holding a folded flag to her heart, head bent, missing her son. In the photo above, Florence is working on the back of the mother’s head. I’m looking forward to seeing this piece. I think it’s very timely and will offer some comfort to mourning mothers everywhere.

Florence is such an amazing artist. I love to watch her work. And by the crowd that is usually standing around her, I’m not alone in that. One of the new pieces on display this year was Sleigh Ride! It was beautiful. You can see more of her work on the Hansen Classics website.