A guide on the pathway to print

Author and retired librarian Dale Ivan Smith knows firsthand that navigating the brave new world of self-publishing presents a daunting challenge for even the most accomplished writers. Given his expertise in this arena, the Willamette Writers Coast Chapter chose him as the inaugural speaker for this year’s program. He will share his presentation, “How to Publish Yourself: the 2022 Edition,” this Saturday, Sept. 17, at Newport Public Library.

Smith will cover the process of self-publishing a book, from the final formatting of the e-book and print versions and the distribution options available, to pressing “publish” and finding and keeping readers. He will discuss software tools, how to find cover designers and editors and will provide additional resources. There will be time at the end of the program for questions.

A life-long resident of the Pacific Northwest, Smith credits his mother with starting him down the writing path. As a five-year-old, he glimpsed the cover of a sci-fi novel she was reading and instantly became a convert, writing his own fiction throughout childhood and beyond. While employed as a librarian for 32 years for the Multnomah County Library system in Portland, he published several science fiction books, including the “Empowered” and “Agents of Sorcery” series. He retired to write full-time in 2019 and is currently at work on his first mystery series, “The Meg Booker Librarian Mysteries,” set in the 1980s.

Willamette Writers, the parent organization of the Coast Chapter, is the largest writers’ association in Oregon and one of the largest in the nation. Programs are open to all writers aged 18 and up and are free for chapter members. A $5 donation is asked from non-members.

The program begins at 2 pm at Newport Public Library, located at 35 NW Nye Street. For more information, go to willamettewriters.org.