Hands On

David Cole - Principal, Gemini Marketing and Communications

Cole is a marketing consultant and writer with more than 25 years of publishing experience. He is the author of "The Complete Guide to Book Marketing" from Allworth Press and co-author of "The Lobster Kids' Guide to Exploring San Francisco." He has serves as contributing editor and columnist for two publishing industry newsletters, "Bulldog Reporter's Book Marketing & Publicity" and "Book Publishing Report." Cole has worked in almost every aspect of publishing, including print production, editing, public relations, marketing and management. He served as marketing director for Nolo Press for six years and has worked as an independent publicist, freelance writer and editor. He was the founder and first president of the San Francisco Bay Area Book Festival. He taught for three years at the University of California Publishing Certification Program. Currently, Cole promotes a wide range of writing and marketing services to publishers throughout the country. His clients include numerous small- and mid-size firms, professional, educational, niche and general trade publishers, newsletter and magazine publishers, non-profits and dot-coms.

Mike Bertuch - President, ViaTech Publishing Solutions

Baruch is an expert in just-in-time manufacturing. He has traveled around the world creating manufacturing environments ruled by self-directed teams that eliminate the non-value-added functions that create lead time. His own company, ViaTech Publishing Solutions, creates inventory-free production environments for 2,500 U.S. publishers.

John Edwards - President, Edwards Brothers

Edwards Brothers is a book manufacturer with three manufacturing facilities serving educational publishers, as well as professional, trade and journal markets. Edwards has more than 15 years of experience in book publishing.

Richard Nash - Director of Acquisitions, EBookagent.net

Nash directs EBookagent.net, a new company that manages e-book sales and distribution for scores of independent presses in the U.S. and U.K. Previously, he worked in a variety of positions at Oxford University Press USA, including: electronic publishing, editorial, copyright and contracts and foreign rights. He also writes plays, art criticism and fiction. His articles have appeared in numerous online and print publications. His first book, "The Organs of Emotion," will be published in October 2001. He is also chairman of the board of Soft Skull Press, a 2000 Firecracker Independent Publisher of the Year.