Self-Publishing: Indie Children and YA

9:30-10:30 The international children’s and YA self publishing Market with Clive Herbert, NielsenIQ Book Data

10:30-11:00 The Italian market with Sara Speciani, Argentovivo

• In recent years, the Italian children's and YA publishing market has shown significant growth trends. But what are the – limited – available data on the performance of self publishing in this segment, and what are the emerging trends for the near future?

11.00-11.10 Break

11:30-12:10 Marketing strategies for selling children’s and teen books and ebooks with Miriam Fracavallo, Charlie Creative Lab

• What are the key marketing strategies for promoting children's and teen books, considering the two main target audiences: parents, who are the primary buyers of children's books, and teenagers, who have independent tastes in content selection? How can tools such as social media, email marketing, and targeted advertising be leveraged for parents, while platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, and Kindle be utilized for teenagers? What role do online communities and influencer collaborations play?
  This panel will provide insights on how to combine traditional and digital marketing to optimize sales strategies.

12.10-13.00 Printing processes for children's and YA books

• What choices must a self publisher make when publishing children's and YA books? What are the different printing options—from print-on-demand to traditional printing—and their implications for distribution and sales? Choosing formats and specifications compatible with POD allows easier access to platforms like Ingram and Amazon, while opting for offset printing requires alternative strategies, such as creating a dedicated marketplace. This session will offer a practical comparison to navigate costs, quality, and sales opportunities.

Afternoon workshops (Sessions in English, no translation provided)

14:00-15:00 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.

15:00-16:00 Self promotion on social media: strategies for self published authors and illustrators with Giorgia Indipendenza, DGLine

• For self published authors and illustrators, what social media strategies actually work? This hands-on workshop will explore the key differences between self published and traditionally published authors in terms of promotion. It will cover channels, content, and techniques to build a personal brand and connect with more readers.

16:00-17:00 Artificial Intelligence and Self-Publishing: Opportunities, Legal Challenges, and the Future of Literary Creation with Miriam Fracavallo, Charlie Creative Lab

• The evolution of artificial intelligence in the world of self-publishing is radically transforming the production and distribution of books, offering authors new creative and operational opportunities. AI can assist with writing, cover design, proofreading, and even promotion, reducing costs and increasing accessibility. However, with the integration of these technologies, challenges related to intellectual property and copyright rights also arise. In particular, the growing ability of AI to generate content raises legal questions, such as the ownership of copyright on works created by algorithms. The recent AI Act, currently under discussion at the European level, could establish new regulations to protect the rights of human authors and balance the use of AI in the creative context.