LDSPMA

Empowering Latter-day Saints to spread light and truth by connecting them at the intersection of faith, creativity, and professional skill

Publishers Summit

Thursday, October 16, 8:30 am–5:30 pm, at the UVU Sorensen Student Center

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Join us for the 2nd Annual LDSPMA Publishers Summit October 16, 2025 at UVU. Last year’s inaugural event set a great foundation, and this year we’re building from there. Our goal is to provide publishing professionals with information, training, and connections they can take back to their publishing houses and apply for the benefit of all. This one-day event is packed full of professional development opportunities not found anywhere else.

The day will be divided into three tracks:

  • Marketing & Promotion
  • Production & Design
  • Editing & Acquisitions

Participants will hear from leading experts in their fields on current relevant topics, including trends, using AI, and productivity. Plus, with two keynote speakers – Arthur VanWagenen from Angel Studios, and Sharon Eubank from LDS Humanitarian Services – there will be lots of inspiration to share. In addition to the keynotes and classes, participants will have roundtable connection opportunities with industry cohorts to glean ideas and build partnerships.

Using the LDSPMA 2025 theme “Our Work, His Glory,” we hope to give publishing professionals new tools to spread light in our industry. As we nurture our own gifts, we can be instruments in His hands. This Publishers Summit is by invitation only. We hope to bring many professionals together from many different publishing avenues, LDS or not, to learn and grow together.

Track Classes

Marketing & Promotion

  • The Interaction of Social Media and Publicity in Book Promotion
  • Localized and Niche Marketing: Strategies for Specialized Markets
  • Partnership and Influencer Marketing Strategies

Production & Design

  • Creative Packaging and Redesign: Think Outside the Box
  • Using AI for Production and Design
  • Managing Production Timelines and Improving Quality Control

Editing & Acquisitions

  • Using AI Tools for Editing and Anti-Plagiarism
  • Helping Nonfiction Authors Improve Structure and Messaging
  • Strategies for Exploring Trends in Acquisitions
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Keynote Speakers

Arthur VanWagenen

Arthur VanWagenen is the head of legal and business affairs at Angel Studios, and will inspire all content creators to spread stories that matter. Keynote Description: Angel Studios is committed to creating stories that amplify light. Arthur VanWagenen will talk about Angel’s mission to choose, fund, create, and spread stories that matter. He’ll also talk about his upcoming film Fellowship: Tolkien and Lewis.

Sharon Eubank

Sharon Eubank is the global humanitarian director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and formerly served in the General Presidency of the Relief Society. Keynote Title: The Stories We Tell: In life, art, and history — thinking about gathering glory from everyday work.

Track Presenters

Marketing & Promotion:

  • Marika Flatt is the owner of PR By The Book, and is an expert in social media marketing strategies for the publishing industry. (Virtual Presentation)
  • Kiri Jorgensen is the owner of Chicken Scratch Books, and specializes in identifying and capitalizing on niche marketing opportunities.
  • Jennifer Jenkins is founder and CEO of Operation Literacy and will share her expertise in partnership and influencer marketing.

Production & Design:

  • Lisa Mangum is managing editor of Shadow Mountain Publishing and is renowned for effective system processes, including for managing production timelines and improving quality control.
  • Sheryl Dickert of Gibbs Smith is an award-inning graphic designer with over 25 years of experience in book design.
  • Mara Anastas is the founder and president of MUSE MEDIA, has worked at major publishers (including Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins), and has extensive experience in how AI is affecting book production.

Editing & Acquisitions:

  • Steve Piersanti has a lifetime of experience in the non-fiction world as the founder, CEO, and senior editor of Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
  • Alissa Owen is an expert in AI legalities and is a seasoned intellectual property attorney with over two decades of experience advising organizations trademark and copyright matters.
  • Brooke Borneman from Circana Bookscan is an expert at analyzing industry trends using hard data. 
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General Schedule

8:30 – 8:45 – Breakfast and Summit Intro by Chris Schoebinger

8:45 – 9:30 – Kick-off Keynote Address: Arthur VanWagenen

9:30 – 9:45 – Break

9:45 – 10:30 – Cohort Connections: Roundtable Discussions

10:30 – 10:45 – Break

10:45 – 11:45 – Track Classes

11:45 – 12:00 – Break

12:00 – 1:15 – Lunch and Keynote Address: Sharon Eubank

1:15 – 1:30 – Break 

1:30 – 2:30 – Track Classes

2:30 – 2:45 – Break 

2:45 – 3:45 – Track Classes

3:45 – 4:00 – Break

4:00 – 5:00 – Cohort Connections: Roundtable Discussions

5:00 – 5:30 – Final Talk and Wrap Up by Kiri Jorgensen

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Thank you to our sponsors for making this conference possible!