TRAINING COURSE
This event is curated by BolognaBookPlus, in collaboration with ArgentoVivo
The second day of SELF-PUBLISHING: HOW TO SUCCEED IN ITALY AND ABROAD will focus on self-publishing in Italy to help understand the fundamental elements to embark on the path of self-publishing: from the book marketing, rights, distribution and the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence.
Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.
9.30-10.10 The state of self publishing in Italy with Sara Speciani, Argentovivo
Self publishing in Italy is constantly evolving, with steady growth and new opportunities for independent authors. Despite the challenge of fully mapping the phenomenon, available trends and data offer a clear snapshot of the market: what are the real numbers, the most widely used platforms, and the winning strategies for those looking to stand out?
10.10-10.50 Enhanced writing: AI as a creative assistant with Davide Giansoldati
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool for generating ideas, refining texts, and optimizing an author's workflow—but how can it be used without losing authenticity and style? Discover the most effective tools to enhance creativity, efficiency, and quality while maintaining your unique narrative voice.
10.50-11.00 Break
11.00-11.40 Promoting your books as a self publisher: winning social media strategies with Dieci04
From planning to growing your community, learn how to effectively market and promote your self published books. Practical strategies, essential tools, and expert advice to gain visibility on social media and reach more readers.
11:40-12:20 Copyright and Artificial Intelligence: what changes for independent authors? with Beatrice Cunegatti
What rights do authors have in today's publishing landscape, and how are they impacted by artificial intelligence? An update on the latest regulations, from protections against copyright infringement to contractual implications, to help authors manage their work effectively—with or without AI.
12.20-12.50 The importance of networking for self published authors with Nicola Rossi (Editor-in-Chief of FUIS) and Gabriele Dolzadelli (Board Member of CSU)
Self publishing offers great independence, but that doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Collaborating with fellow writers, joining author associations, and participating in shared initiatives can make the difference between an invisible book and a successful one. This session explores the networking opportunities available to self publishers—from skill-sharing and joint promotion strategies to professional associations that offer support and visibility. In self publishing, strength truly lies in numbers.
12.50-13.30 Self publishing: platforms, strategies and community with Letizia Cherubino, Isabella Dalla Vecchia e Gabriele Dolzadelli
Independent authors share their self publishing journeys: from choosing the right platform to the benefits (and limitations) of digital tools, and the value of collaborating with other authors. A direct discussion on strategies, challenges, and opportunities for those looking to publish independently without going it alone.
Afternoon workshops
(Italian language only)
14.15-14.40 Indie Book Jacket Award Ceremony: Self-Publishing and New Opportunities for Illustrators
With over 2 million self-published titles in the United States, 750,000 in the United Kingdom, and more than 25,000 in Italy, self-publishing is a growing industry that goes beyond traditional publishers and creates new opportunities for illustrators. Independent authors are increasingly aware of the importance of a striking book cover and seek professionals who can help them stand out in an increasingly competitive market. This trend is confirmed by BBPLUS with the Indie Book Jacket Award, a prize celebrating the best self-published book covers.
15:00-16:00 Self publishing and boosting sales with Amazon KDP with Andrea Pasino, Amazon KDP
Self publishing is becoming an increasingly strategic resource for independent authors and publishers. Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) provides powerful tools to publish and distribute both print and ebook formats, reaching a wide audience without intermediaries. This workshop will offer practical guidance on how to successfully self publish, optimizing metadata, categories, and marketing strategies to maximize sales and visibility on the platform.
16:00-17:00 Do you know what a story is? with Antonello Grassi, Bottega Finzioni
We consume stories every day, but have you ever wondered why they work and how they function? In this dedicated workshop, you'll have the chance to step inside a "classic" story that everyone knows to understand the mechanisms that drive it, support it, and make it, in fact, a classic. You’ll discover that these elements are much deeper—and perhaps even more surprising—than you ever imagined.
Bottega Finzioni, Italy’s first Narrative Foundation, is a writing school specializing in cinema, literature, TV formats, documentaries, and productions for children and young adults. Through Bottega Finzioni Produzioni Srl, it brings the best classroom-developed projects to life.
From March 31 to April 2, Bottega Finzioni will offer a Narrative First Aid Service at Pavilion 29, Stand A8. Click here for more information and to register.
The first narrative foundation in Italy, a writing school for cinema, literature, TV formats, documentaries, and productions for children and young adults. It is also a production company (Bottega Finzioni Produzioni Srl) that brings to life the best projects developed in the classroom.
Letizia Cherubino is a writer, a blogger and a creative of words. She debuted in 2006 with her first novel. Today she has more than 10 novels and a community of only 170,000 fans.
A lawyer admitted to practice before the Court of Cassation and Higher Jurisdictions, she founded IT Law Firm, a legal practice specializing in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law for over 25 years. She is an adjunct professor of Copyright Law at the University of Milan “La Statale” and a lecturer in the Publishing Master’s Program at the same university. She holds a Ph.D. in Legal Informatics and Information Law. An author of monographic studies, essays, and articles on copyright and new technologies, she has published with Editrice Bibliografica Manuale del diritto d’autore (2020; second updated edition forthcoming) and Il diritto d’autore. Profili giuridici e applicativi (2025).
Isabella Dalla Vecchia, born in Milan in 1973, is a researcher and popularizer specializing in archaeological mysteries. Together with her husband, Sergio Succu, she founded the Luoghi Misteriosi portal, dedicated to discovering and cataloging little-known sites of Italy’s cultural heritage. Since 2010, she has collaborated with specialized magazines such as Hera and Fenix and has participated in television programs like Mistero on Italia 1, as well as radio segments on Radio Montecarlo and Rai Radio 2. Her work has been recognized by the Regional Center for Cultural Heritage of the Abruzzo Region.
Isabella has pursued a career as an independent author, publishing several works through self-publishing. Among them, Il giro del mondo a km0, co-written with Sergio Succu, offers a journey through mysterious and fascinating places without leaving Italy.
dieci04 is a creative agency specializing in online projects and social media communication. It collaborates with brands such as Treccani, Einaudi, Salone Internazionale del Libro, Biennale Tecnologia, iGuzzini, Harper Collins Italia, and Sellerio. Among other projects, dieci04 curated the anthology The Game Unplugged (Einaudi Stile Libero, 2019), conceived and designed Alessandro Baricco’s book Quel che stavamo cercando (2020), and developed the I Quanti series for Einaudi.
Gabriele Dolzadelli debuted in 2014 self-publishing the first volume of the saga Jolly Roger: La terra di nessuno, which will be followed by Le chiavi dello scrigno, I
fratelli della costa, La torre del ribelle e Il piano di Archer. In 2019, also self-published, he published Backup, a science fiction novel. With L'uomo senza epilogo (2020, Augh! Edizioni) he arrives in the final at the International Prize City of Como. In 2021, with Morellini Editore, he published Chi nasce a San Giuda.
He also founded the Facebook group Self Publishing Italia, landmark of italian self-publishing, and the Valtellina festival Libri in Valle.
The Federazione Unitaria Italiana Scrittori (FUIS) is the professional organization that represents and protects Italian writers, working to safeguard copyright. Established in 2009 through the merger of the Sindacato Libero Scrittori Italiani (CISL) and the Unione Nazionale Scrittori e Artisti (UIL), FUIS inherits and carries forward the historical and cultural legacy of these organizations, consolidated through agreements, contracts, and conventions aimed at protecting authors.
The Federation promotes writing and its authors in all artistic forms, supporting the dissemination of books and reading through events, conferences, and initiatives ranging from recitation to the dramatization of texts. With over 30 agreements signed with foreign cultural institutes and authors' associations in Italy, Europe, and worldwide, FUIS is committed to enhancing the national literary and artistic heritage, collaborating with libraries and institutions to foster dialogue between authors, the public, and cultural professionals
A manager, digital strategist, speaker, storyteller, author, and trainer, he teaches Social Media for Publishing in the Professione editoria cartacea e digitale and Booktelling master’s programs (Università Cattolica) as well as in MasterBook (IULM). He created his first website in 1996, first e-commerce site in 2003, and first social media profile in 2007. His publications with Editrice Bibliografica include: Promuovere e raccontare i libri online (2020), E-commerce per editori e librai (2017), Promuovere e raccontare i libri sui social network (2014). He is also the host of the Promuovere e raccontare i libri podcast.
He wrote the documentary San Donato Beach, directed by Fabio Donatini, and Slipknot: Last Song.
For television, he has contributed as an episode writer for formats such as Muse Inquietanti, Profondo Nero, Inseparabili, and In Compagnia del Lupo, for which he also handled the podcast adaptation and its subsequent publication as a book.
More recently, he created the podcast Giallo in Castello, a scientific outreach series for Federchimica.
He is currently collaborating with Tiwi, Colorado Film, Reboot Teatro, Cantieri Meticci, About Bologna, and Sayonara Film.
Sara Speciani has been working for over twenty years in the publishing world, covering different roles and positions that allow her to have a 360-degree vision on the market.
Expert in media communication and events, she collaborates at various levels with the most important fairs in the sector - Turin Book Fair (Libreria dei Self Publisher project), Book Pride, Più Libri più Liberi and Bologna Children’s Book Fair - and with publishers trade associations.
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