BK Authors Cooperative, Inc.

Changing the World, One Book at a Time

A Call to Action for 2007:

Become a Member of the BK Authors Cooperative Today

Dear Berrett-Koehler Author:

Remember when you first held your book in your hand, and entered into a world of possibilities?

There’s something special about being a Berrett-Koehler author.  We are connected to a community of authors through an idea:  to create a world that works for all.  Yet, after the first blush of our book fades, many of us face the limitations of our independent voice in the world.  We long for a more connected community; a desire to join together for support, learning and collective action that can bring forth that world we want.

The BK Authors Cooperative is that community.  What emerged as a compelling idea during the 2005 Authors Retreat is becoming an embodied reality. It only needs yourparticipation as a member.  This is a unique endeavor in the world of publishing—a group of authors organized to support our individual and collective needs so our vision and voice reaches the world. It will be a place to connect ideas to action, to learn with and from each other, and to share our practical dilemmas and inspiring dreams.  To help us realize that world of possibilities.

Please join today.  Membership dues for 2007 is $100.

Over the last year, a group of us have been bringing reality to the idea of the Cooperative, identifying needs of the community of authors, generating passion and commitment, and building the initial skeleton.  In the coming year, follow our shared energy, we’ll build the cooperative together with offerings that may include:

• The Annual BK Authors Retreat

This year marks the 7th Annual Authors Retreat, September 6-9, 2007, at The Edith Macy Conference Center in Briar Cliff, New York.

• Marketing and public relations support

From teaching strategies to sharing of ideas about what works; from workshops to joint marketing programs that leverage opportunities; from links to speakers bureaus to recommended PR firms—and more.

• Mentoring and author support

Writing, editing, media training and more for authors new and old.  It’s authors learning from and with authors.

• Connections to people, ideas and content

Services will include teleconferences, webinars, on-line salons, the annual Authors Retreat, and other special events—to both learn from one another and promote our business and books.

• Action and Activism

Imagine “1000 conversations to create a world that works for all.”  A network of salons exploring questions that matter.

• A Web Platform

We will continue to evolve a web based participative space that supports sharing information, knowledge, creativity and collaboration.  A bulletin board, workspace for collaborative projects, document sharing are some of the features we’re developing.

The BK Authors Cooperative, Inc. is the next evolution in our shared work.  It will be a place of our own creation, where we live the challenge of bringing our ideas to life in service to each other. Parker Palmer once said: “Community is how we behave when we decide we belong together.”

Let’s decide we belong together.  Please join the BK Authors Cooperative today and create our world of possibilities.

Please send your $100.00  2007 BK Authors Cooperative Membership Fee to:

Stewart Levine, 9015 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA  94605

Please make your check payable to:  BK Authors Cooperative, Inc.

With hope for our future—The BK Authors Cooperative, Inc. Board:

Emily Axelrod  (emily@axelrodgroup.com)

Dick Axelrod  (dick@axelrodgroup.com)

Sharon Jordan-Evans  (sharon@jeg.org)

Stewart Levine  (resolutionworks@msn.com)

Myron Rogers  (mekrogers@msn.com)

Bill Treasurer  (btreasurer@giantleapconsulting.com)

Moshe Yudkowsky (speech@pobox.com)

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any board member.

Committees for Action: Inviting Your Contribution

To move the Cooperative from a compelling idea to embodied actions in service to all members calls on us to organize our community of authors.  Based on our reading of what matters most to most of us—from surveys and retreats--we’re initiating the following committees.  Where would you like to put your intelligence, energy and creativity?  Please let us know what committee(s) you can contribute to by emailing Bill Treasurer at btreasurer@giantleapconsulting.com .