Who We Are
About Our Organization
Washington Book Publishers (WBP), begun in 1976, is an informal, all-volunteer group of professionals in book publishing. Six or seven meetings each year provide opportunities for members to get acquainted with their colleagues throughout the area, to trade ideas and information, and to listen to expert speakers. Program topics are suggested by members and have included writing, editing, design, production, marketing, rights, new media, and the world of book and electronic publishing. Generous cooperation from members allows for various meeting locations. The WBP annual Book Design & Effectiveness Competition, held in the spring, is a highlight for the Washington-area book publishing community. See the various sections of this web site for more about the Competition and about programs.
About Our Members
WBP membership comprises individuals, not organizations. Membership is open to those who work in book publishing, excluding only the technical work of printing and binding, and to legal and educational professionals. Members work in virtually all of the nontechnical aspects of book publishing, including editing, design and production, proofreading, translation, indexing, marketing, administration, and management. The diverse membership comes from government, educational, commercial, and association publishing.
About Our Leadership
WBP programs and services are organized and executed entirely by volunteers. A core group of officers and committee chairs forms the executive committee, which oversees each year's activities and finances. By tradition, each president serves for one year and appoints a vice president. At the awards ceremony, the outgoing president hands the ceremonial corkscrew to the serving vice president, who then becomes president for the next year and appoints a new vice president. The treasurer has a 3- to 5-year tenure and is appointed by the president. Committee chairs are appointed by the president.
