Education

Bookpress Publishing frequently provides workshops, presentations, and boot camps by seasoned professionals in the areas of entrepreneurship, leadership, writing and book planning, marketing and promotion (including media strategy), developing author platforms, and a variety of other topics related to helping people become successful with their work. Please check back for regular updates.

DATE: April 18, 2026

TIME: 9am-3pm

LOCATION: DMACC West Campus, 5959 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines

SPECIAL GUESTS: Astronaut Susan Kilrain & Dr. Kate MacDonald

PRESENTED BY: West Bank

SPONSORED BY: Hy-Vee, DMACC, Jersey Mike's, Launch39 Books, & the Rewind Hotel

April 18, 2026

Storytime! Des Moines

Education
Event

Storytime! Des Moines is a FREE community event for kids ages 4-12 featuring all-day activities by a variety of children's book authors and illustrators, fun events, inflatables to jump on, and candy.

The first 200 kids will receive a Free Book Bag.

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Astronaut Susan Kilrain, a former Navy fighter pilot who piloted two space shuttle missions, will give two short presentations, discuss her children's book, An Unlikely Astronaut, and sign copies of the book as desired. CLICK HERE for a Video Trailer for Astronaut Kilrain.

Dr. Kate MacDonald, a scientist and research fellow at Stanford University, will give a short STEM-based presentation and discuss her new book, Izzy Steam: Molecules & Mystery Bones.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

9:00am - Doors Open

9:00am
- Activities Throughout the Morning
Interact with Authors / Build-A-Book Sessions*

10:30am - Astronaut Susan Kilrain Presentation

Noon
- Activities Throughout the Afternoon
Interact with Authors / Build-A-Book Sessions*

Noon - Dr. Kate MacDonald Presentation

1:30pm
- Astronaut Susan Kilrain Presentation

3:00pm - Doors Close

*The Build a Book Sessions are writing and drawing workshops where kids will create their own books.

To download the Event Flyer (8.5" x 11"), please CLICK HERE.

To download the Event Poster (11" x 17"), please CLICK HERE.

October 2, 2024

Ideabox for Authors

Education
Event

Ideabox for Authors is a free resource created by the staff and authors of Bookpress Publishing & Media to assist authors in the areas of writing and book marketing and distribution.

CLICK HERE for access to articles

September 6, 2024

Book Marketing 101

Education
Event

This is an edited video of a workshop provided to Bookpress Publishing & Media authors. The workshop presentation covers the topics of branding (for both the author and book), pricing, distribution, and book promotion.

The video can be found (by Bookpress authors only) by CLICKING HERE. If you need access approval, please reach out to info@bookpresspublishing.com.

March 1, 2024

Imagine-DSM

Education
Event

Entrepreneurs, even successful ones, often don’t know what they don’t know. While they may be excellent at providing their respective products or services, they may also feel somewhat isolated when it comes to making the many business-related decisions frequently thrown at them. Worse yet, after spending countless hours providing those excellent products and services, the thought of innovating and planning for future growth can seem both daunting and exhausting.

The ImagineDSM™ Entrepreneurship Program through FuseDSM and Bookpress Publishing will equip entrepreneurs and small business managers with tools that can be immediately applied for enhanced outcomes and increased long-term success. In Friday morning sessions spread over six months, participants will be instructed in the areas of:  

• Creativity, Innovation, and Idea Development

• Building Networks and Relationships

• Marketing and Brand Building

• Conflict Resolution and Negotiation

• Financial Management

• Business Planning and effective Time Management

Following the six-month program, cohort participants will stay connected through periodic mentoring meetings led by presenters and Bookpress staff. These meetings will feature discussions designed to help participants deal with and address current challenges along with celebrating individual successes. Participants will learn from each other during these informal meetings and form a foundation of mutual support.

We concluded our first cohort on March 1, 2024.

New Classes Coming Soon

First Graduating Cohort - March 1, 2024