Award-winning indie author Julie Mathison came to independent publishing after years of pursuing the traditional dream, securing a top agent, making the rounds to the “Big Five” of New York publishing houses ~ and ultimately relinquishing that dream for the path less traveled.

In an age that increasingly celebrates minority voices, she has become passionate about the kind of diversity pioneered by small, micro, and author presses, one based on artistic identity ~ a diversity of content, voice, and sensibility. This talk will be an exploration of lessons learned from the journey through both worlds. It will examine the pros and cons of the traditional and indie publishing paradigms and will probe how the marketplace shapes our shared literary canon. The author will invite questions, anecdotes, and participation from the audience, writers and readers alike.