Q: Is PubWest new?
A: Yes and no. A group of publishing houses formed a collegial alliance as the Rocky Mountain Book Publishers Association in 1977. Growth of programs and geographical distribution of membership has resulted in renaming the organization Publishers Association of the West (PubWest). With the fast-changing world of publishing trends and technologies, members rely on this forward-thinking organization more than ever.

Q: What do you mean by "West"?
A: West of the Mississippi, west of the Hudson, heck, west of the Atlantic! "West" is less about the geographical makeup of our publisher members than it is about the types of books we publish. Book publishers (and those providing services to them) from around the United States and Canada are welcome to join.

Q: Who are the members of PubWest?
A: We’re just like you. Owners and employees of companies who need collegial community in the far-flung West. From art and coffee table books to children’s books, from travel guides to poetry, from scholarly books to cook books, from educational materials to fiction, from religious books to trail guides, our publishers reflect the diversity of companies in the West. Our associate members are the companies located around the world that produce, market and assist us in distributing these books.

Q: What's the difference between a "Publisher" member and an "Associate" member?
A: Publisher, or active/voting members, are those with three or more books or tapes in print, one of which has been published within the last two years. Associate (nonvoting) membership is open to publishers with fewer than three books in print and other businesses, institutions, or individuals in activities related to book publishing.

Q:What does PubWest do?
A: As a group of experienced professionals, we join together to maximize the effectiveness of our collective talents. Whether relying on the leveraged influence of our combined companies or the sharing of unique skills, each member company is strengthened by the association’s combined efforts. Our roster of programs is revised each year, based on the needs of our current membership. The association focuses on education and professional development, outreach and networking,and marketing and sales, geared towards professional publishers and those who serve them. Please see the links for our events and programs to learn more.

Q: Why would I want to join this association?
A: The primary reason people join PubWest is to strengthen and expand professional relationships and peer camaraderie and to explore ideas and contacts “outside the box”.

Q: What does it cost to join?
A: At close to a dollar a day, an investment in membership returns dividends throughout the year. Membership dues are established annually and are based on the cost of running the association’s programs and operations. Base membership is $400 annually, with reductions given for companies with fewer than six employees. Contact our office at executivedirector@pubwest.org for a membership application and rates.