ACFW-DFW

Mary Hollingsworth – Saturday, March 13th

What's Happening in the Publishing Industry Today?

Mary Hollingsworth will give an overview of the changes and trends in our industry today, including the influence of the struggling economy. She will talk about up-and-coming publishing options, such as e-books, print-on-demand books, and self-publishing as alternatives to traditional publishing. She'll talk about branding and how to build your writer's "brand" (identity) and platform through Social Media Marketing.
Who is Mary Hollingsworth?

Mary Hollingsworth is the author of more than one hundred books and products. Sales of her books now top seven million copies, and her books have appeared on best-seller lists more than one hundred times. Mary has been a freelance author and managing editor since 1988. During her writing career, she has had more than ninety other works published, including articles, poetry, plays, and songs.

Some of her best-known books are Just Imagine with Barney the Dinosaur—the first hardcover picture book produced with the big purple guy; Hugs for Women; Hugs for Kids; Little Taps on the Shoulder from God; My Little Bible; The International Children’s Story Bible; and many others. She is currently writing a 365-day devotional for Tyndale House entitled The One Year Book of Laughter and Joy.

Mary served as a managing production editor for Worthy Books, Word Publishing, and Thomas Nelson, Inc., for more than fifteen years. She has also served as production editor for a number of major publishers, such as Guideposts Books, Integrity Publishers, WaterBrook Press, Howard Books/Simon & Schuster and others where she supervises the editorial production team for such well-known Christian authors as Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Charles Swindoll, Chuck Colson, Pat Robertson, Women of Faith, Patsy Clairmont, John MacArthur, and many others. She has also worked with Christian recording artists such as Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Tammy Trent, Kathy Troccoli, and Michael W. Smith on various books and recordings.

She currently serves as the managing director of Creative Enterprises Studio—a writing and publishing association that assists publishers and individuals in the writing, editorial production, printing, and distribution of their books. You can see their work and services at CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com.

Mary’s background in publishing includes a wide variety of book genres and responsibilities: trade books, workbooks and study guides, gift books, devotionals, children’s picture books, Sunday school curriculum, adult and children’s Bibles and Bible story books, Bible reference books, cookbooks, and others. She has served as proofreader, copy editor, substantive editor, rewrite editor, co-author, general editor, managing editor, cover copywriter, and art director, among other assignments.

With a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Abilene Christian University, Mary has minor equivalencies in journalism and Bible. Her master’s work is in journalism and communication.

Mary lives and works in Bedford, Texas, with her dog, Jazz, where she enjoys reading, collecting miniature and rare books, singing, and travel.

See http://www.maryhollingsworth.com/ for a more complete overview of Mary’s publishing career.