We have been awarded SBA Microenterprise Business of the Year 2025 for the entire state of Nevada!!!
"Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business"
Conference
December 6-7, 2025 Online Via Zoom
8th Annual Conference
*CONFERENCE THEME: BEYOND THE BASICS OF PUBLISHING*
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​December 6th and 7th Live and Online
2-Day Conference
9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Pacific
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Your conference registration includes a hardcopy format of the "Beyond the Basics of Publishing" course/conference curriculum. It is not required for you to have on hand during the conference. As a matter of fact, it's preferred that you don't so that you will follow along with the instructor and not the workbook. Therefore, it will be mailed to you the week post conference, after you have had time to digest the abundance of information and are ready to implement and execute!
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Path To Publishing
8th Annual “Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business” Conference
Providing you with the blueprint to both literary and
publishing success!
Join your instructor, Master Literary Educator & Publishing Coach Joylynn M. Ross, for this live virtual 2-day event!
ARE YOU READY TO EXPERIENCE HOW GREAT IT FEELS TO REACH YOUR LITERARY DREAMS, VISIONS, AND GOALS?
TO PUBLISH LIKE A PRO?
TO INCREASE BOOK SALES?
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TO ACCELERATE YOUR LITERARY & PUBLISHING CAREER?
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TO LAY THE FOUNDATION OF A PROFITABLE BOOK BUSINESS OR PUBLISHING COMPANY?
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IF SO, THEN REGISTER FOR THE
"ACT LIKE AN AUTHOR, THINK LIKE A BUSINESS" CONFERENCE
(TWO-DAY CONFERENCE TAKING PLACE ONLINE IN REAL TIME - NOT PRE-RECORDED)
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BECAUSE THAT IS DEFINITELY THE RESULTS YOU ARE GOING TO GET!!!
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What makes the ALAATLAB annual conference different from any other conferences for authors/publishers?
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It's not a writing conference but, instead, a conference to teach you what to do with your writings, such as successfully publishing them, turning them into a business and making money with them.
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We’re not geared toward just self-published/indie authors/publishers or any single genre of authors/publishers. Our curriculum applies to any author/publisher regardless of which path to publishing or genre. Our strategies, tips, techniques, curriculum and resources work for both fiction and non-fiction authors. It's even designed for the self-proclaimed non-writer, because we know you don't have to be a writer to be the author/publisher of your own story (or the stories of others). There are resources available to help you write and publish your book, and you get those resources in our conference curriculum.
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We don’t fill the conference space with vendors, presenters, sessions, and workshops with service providers whose ultimate goals is to get attendees to purchase their services and products. We’re all about attendees investing in themselves, in their books, and their book and publishing business.
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We include the opportunity for all attendees to have lifetime access to all the curriculum taught in the conference main sessions. So, you walk away with more than a few sales brochures disguised as workshop handouts. You walk away with the literary blueprint! The blueprint to publishing books, building a book business/publishing company, and making money to sustain and grow.
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Although on occasion some of our sanctioned events include workshops on the craft of writing, this conference is focused on the writing process (tools and resources to get your book written), the publishing process, turning your book into a business such as a publishing imprint/company, and making money with your book and book business. We know that the publishing process is just as important as the writing of the book. As a matter of fact, publishing success is the ROI on the writing of the book. Whether you’ve written your book and are asking, “Now what?” or whether you’ve already published your book and are asking “Now what?”, ALAATLAB is your answer! Desire to start a publishing company or looking to grow and scale your existing one? ALAATLAB is for you!
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This is NOT a networking event. At the Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business Conference, we do more than network. We create and build genuine relationships, partnerships, connections, collaborations, and even friendships. When Pathfinders show up, we know we are not just another attendee at a function; we are family. We find ways to NOT compete with one another, but to complement one another in our various endeavors based upon our individual lane of genius and skills. You befriend a #Pathfinder, and you have someone who is going to support you for life! ​
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WHEN AND WHERE IS THE CONFERENCE?
This year the conference will be held online on Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7, 2025, via Zoom. The conference is live, in real-time. No pre-recorded videos.
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​The 2025 conference is for both first-time attendees and past attendees needing a refresher of the core content. Because we update the conference curriculum each year, even if you've attended the conference before or would like access to additional opportunities than the ones in your existing conference curriculum, it's worth the small investment. There will be no breakout sessions, so for those who look forward to the breakout sessions each year, we encourage you to join the MBA in Publishing program, where you will be given access to over 60 breakout sessions from past conferences.
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Please note the online two-day conference will not be covering "Build Your Book Business" or "Make a Living as a Writer." You can purchase the audiovisual recordings of those two conference sessions in our online conference store . They are available in three different formats, depending on how you best like to learn and receive information. Note that each of the three sessions that make up the full "Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business conference" are each standalone sessions that do not require you to take the others as a pre-requisite.
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YOUR BOOK IS YOUR BUSINESS!
Regardless of which path to publication you have chosen or if you have literary representation, your book is YOUR business. So, this conference is for you no matter which path to publishing you decide to take.
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If your publishing success is just as important to you as your writing success, then instead of going to yet another writing conference, don’t you think it’s time you attend a publishing conference?
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If the business/publishing company you build with your book to create multiple streams of income is just as important to you as book sales and royalties, then instead of going to another one of those “fun” conferences designed to give readers an experience with authors, don’t you think it’s time you attend a conference that is fun and serious, and can also teach you how to make money as an author/publisher or writer outside of book sales and royalties. A conference where you'll learn how to publish a book that will give readers an experience within itself?
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Are you ready to learn how to operate your literary business in thriving excellence and not mediocre struggle and lack? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then we’ll see you at the “Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business" Conference!
What Information is Being Provided?
ONLINE Two-Day Conference
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For any serious author/publisher or writer who is ready to take their literary and publishing business/career to the next level . . .
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If you're ready to publish not "like" a pro but as the pro you are, and if you're ready to make sure no one mistakes your writing and publishing efforts and endeavors as a hobby, side-hustle, or gig, then you definitely don’t want to miss this conference.
At this two-day conference you will learn:
Day 1 of the annual "Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business" conference curriculum titled "Beyond the Basics of Publishing," which will cover the six main aspects of publishing.
-Writing (resources for effective/efficient content, goal/purpose setting and achievement, residencies, etc.)
-Editing (types of editing/editors, industry standards and resources, beta reader & review campaign, and more)
-Design (book cover essentials and necessities, interior layout & design, illustrations, professional resources, etc.)
-Process (ISBN, barcode, pricing, copyright, ISNI, EPCN, distributors, wholesalers, other steps you don't want to skip!)
-Marketing (types of marketing, marketing resources, book promotion, market research, marketing plan, and more)
-+ a bonus very few conferences cover . . . SELLING!!!
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Please Note: The information, tools, resources, teachings and instructions will be based on a presentation slide deck, aka the conference curriculum. To avoid having to take a notebook full of notes, your conference registration includes a hardcopy format of the curriculum. Conference attendees who prefer digital curriculum will be given a 50% off discount code to purchase lifetime access to the digital slides with working hyperlinks. Past conference attendees agreed that having the hardcopy curriculum made a world of difference for post conference success. This alone is a $147 value!
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Why do conference attendees rave about the conference curriculum?
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Because even if they tried , they couldn't capture every single thing that was shared by the instructor . . . and they wanted every single thing that was shared by the instructor. It was that valuable. Knowing that the meat of every resource the instructor shared was in their curriculum, they could focus on taking notes on only the additional gems and jewels the instructor shared in her adlib and storytelling.
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What is each conference day agenda?
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Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7, 2025 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Pacific (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST)
8:30: a.m. Waiting Room Doors Open
9:00 a.m. Program Begins
12:00 p.m. Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. Program Resumes
3:00 p.m. Program Ends
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***BONUS Q & A and Customized Literary Consulting and Publishing Coaching***
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About Your Instructor
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Joylynn M. Ross is a 30+ year literary industry professional, CEO of Path To Publishing, Co-founder of Path To Connections, and President of PTP Press. Joylynn has served on every corner of the publishing world and literary industry map; from self-published and traditionally published author, a literary agent securing book deals with major and indie publishers, working with and for major and indie publishers as an acquisitions editor, a ghostwriter and freelance editor, to starting her own literary service provider firm and traditional publishing imprint.
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As a national best-selling author, Joylynn has over 40 publications in circulation, written under various names and in multiple genres. She's been coined "The Literary Know-It All" because she wants writers, authors, and publishers to know it all when it comes to their literary careers and book businesses.
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Through Path To Connections, Joylynn provides entrepreneur support and services to business owners, corporations, government agencies and non-profits. She is a subject matter expert to entrepreneurs and CEOs across the map. A SCORE media spokesperson, Joylynn and the Path To Publishing and Path To Connection brands were awarded SBA (Small Business Administration) 2025 Microenterprise Business of the Year for the entire state of Nevada.
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PTP Press, where Joylynn also serves as an acquisitions editor, is an award-winning publisher of the award-winning book, The Price We Pay by Nikki T. Anthony. With Joylynn's experience as a literary industry professional and publishing expert, she's worked with her amazing team to turn The Price We Pay into a national social movement, and the basis of a course and training program sought out by individuals, and both private and public sector leaders alike.
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Joylynn has partnered with, connected to, and formed an amazing team of publishing, writing, and storytelling experts, and industry professionals who work with her to serve literary and business clients, and to share their expertise at the highest level possible.
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A Message From Joylynn
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"I AM THE BEST LITERARY CONSULTANT & PUBLISHING COACH YOU WILL EVER HAVE THIS TYPE OF ACCESS TO."
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Look, this is not the time for me to be humble. Why? Because I'm asking you to cut a check. And when you are asking people to cut a check, they want receipts, not humbleness. So, here it goes:
I have done every remarkable and incredible thing I educate, empower, and equip authors and publishers to do.
I've done it myself as a national best-selling author and award-winning publisher, or I've helped thousands of other authors and publishers achieve it over the past 30 years I've been a literary industry professional in the publishing industry.
I've sold over a million copies of my books.
I've won national book and publisher awards.
I've landed my literary agent clients book deals with New York publishing houses, indie publishers, and small presses with distribution deals with major publishing houses.
I've ghostwritten books that have made the New York Times Best-Sellers List.
Books I’ve written and/or edited have been turned into films and/or television series that have been shown in theatres, on top streaming platforms, or are currently airing on major television networks.
I am a Master Literary Educator, Literary Consultant, and Publishing Coach who has been through the fire . . . not just stood back and smelled the smoke. I've worked with and for traditionally published authors, self-published authors, and hybrid authors. I am all three types of those authors as well as a traditional publisher . . . in addition to being CEO of a literary service provider firm that was awarded SBA (Small Business Administration) Microenterprise Business of the Year 2025 for the entire state of Nevada.
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I could go on and on about my wins and the wins I’ve helped others achieve, but right now this is about me helping you win. So, reserve your seat now by registering for the conference, and I’ll see you December 6th and 7th, the dates the transformation of your literary career and business begins!
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Who is the full "Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business" conference and/or the conference curriculum for besides authors/publishers and writers?
If you are any type of entrepreneur/business owner you should have a book, workbook, journal, planner, manual, how-to guide—some type of publication to extend your reach and help you claim your expert status—this conference is for you! A book should be part of every business.
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Every professional speaker needs an extension of their message. How many times did you finish speaking and the audience asked you where they can purchase your book . . . and you didn't have one? Why are you not only leaving money on the table, but leaving an audience that you can continue to help with nothing?
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YouTubers and bloggers, isn’t’ it time you share your skills and know-how in print beyond the internet? Ready to extend your reach from the cyber world to the real world? Then this conference is definitely for you as well.
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Don’t want to publish your own story but want to help publish others’? We can provide you the information, resources, and services needed to become a publisher/publishing imprint/small press.
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Pastors, preachers, ministers, and apostles: Your morning message should still have life come the next day . . . and the day after that. It should be able to reach those outside the church walls. Where is your publication? If you don't have one, at the conference you'll learn how to turn your messages into a publication that can reach the masses. Do you already have a publication and it's not reaching the masses, we can help you fix that too.
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Along your life's journey, whether you did everything wrong or everything right, there is something you can teach/share with others. There is something inside of you that can change, alter, and save someone else's life. You have someone else's portion inside of you. And as long as you keep it to yourself--as long as you keep it inside of you--you are starving them. It's time you feed the people.
PTP CONFERENCE PROMO VIDEO
TESTIMONIALS
“Before I returned home from the 'Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business' 2019 Conference, I was asked to present a film workshop in Atlanta. I agreed, and was then given the dates with the promise of an email to follow that would provide further details. I received and opened the email, read it, and then closed it. I did this three times, checking the name to make sure it was not spam. I'd just received my first full paid gig; flight, hotel, ground transportation, table to sale merch, and an honorarium!!!! We are more than authors! We are a Big Deal! Thank you Joylynn Ross for teaching us how to get those coins with (and how to protect) our intellectual property!”
—Danielle D. Smith, Award-Winning Author and Filmmaker, Columbus, Ohio
"I am getting so excited about the “Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business” Conference. I will be there Wednesday night ready to start on Thursday! I can't wait to learn so many new things and put them to practice. Even though I have two published books, I have been taken advantage of and I'm ready to learn how to build up my defenses and become an author with the business side in me.”
—Author Rhonda Gatlin, Boulder City, Nevada
"Path To Publishing doesn’t offer discounts for the conference because they don’t offer a discount experience!"
—Gerald W Jones II, Certified Professional in Learning & Performance, Omaha, Nebraska
“I met Amanda Stevens, a presenter at the 2019 ‘Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business Conference’. I reached out to her after the conference, and she has been so responsive and helpful. With her help, I am forming my LLC and applying for my business license. Joylynn Ross, your words resonated with me: ‘This is a real business. Don’t start small.’ I am doing what you told me to do.”
—Yvette Duran, Personal Narrative Expert, Irvin, California
"For seven years I used my own money to build my publishing business. SEVEN!! I attended the 'Act Like an Author, Think like a Business' Conference in Vegas two years in a row and learned how to make money from my books before they're even printed. All you have to do is do the work! With that being said, I received notification today that I'm a recipient for a $4K grant to pay for editing and other publishing services!!!"
—Nikki Anthony, published author, Chicago, Illinois (who landed her book deal by attending the conference!)
“I just got back from a wild ride at the 2019 ‘Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business’ Conference and it was fantastic! I not only had a great time, but I made some great new contacts and reinforced ones I'd made last year. Main instructor, Joylynn M. Ross, was magnificent in presenting—in just three days—everything you need to know about publishing and making money from your writing. Got me inspired!”
—Ned Barnett, CEO of Barnett Marketing Communications, Las Vegas, Nevada
