Free monthly educational programs on a wide range of topics of interest to publishers
One of the most PCPA valued member benefits is our robust series of practical PCPA Third Thursday webinars!
As the name implies, these are 1-hour educational webinars on a wide range of topics of interest to those publishing for Christians. Generally, the facilitator speaks or offers a PowerPoint or video for 20 to 40 minutes, then the balance of the time is reserved for discussion and Q&A among the participants.
In addition, from time to time, we offer special webinars on timely topics on a day other than the "Third Thursday" of the month. These are also listed below in date order.
Please note: There is no PCPA Third Thursday webinar in February 2026 due to a scheduling conflict.
Interested in past PCPA Third Thursday webinars? They are recorded and may be found on our Vimeo Channel.
Do you have an idea for a topic or webinar presenter? Please contact Beth Lewis, Executive Director for PCPA.
Upcoming Webinars
Register to attend these upcoming webinars, which are all FREE for employees of PCPA member companies and are generally available about one week after the event at the PCPA Vimeo channel.
All PCPA Third Thursday webinars are scheduled for 1-2 p.m. ET (US & Canada) and are held on the Zoom platform.
Pre-registration is required. All pre-registrants will receive a link to the Vimeo recording of the webinar about 2 weeks after the event.
Have ideas for topics or speakers you'd like to hear on a PCPA Third Thursday webinar? Please send your suggstions to PCPA Executive Director Beth Lewis.
2026 PCPA 3rd Thursday Calendar
- November 19, 2026 What AI Really Costs a Publisher: Tokens, Time, and the Realities of AI in the Publishing Industry with Rod Elder & Cameron Verrells of Virtusales
- December 17, 2026 How to Optimize Maximize Amazon Sales, led by Joe Matthews of IPG
2027 PCPA 3rd Thursday Calendar
- January 21, 2027 Topic TBD, Sune Andersen of 2K/Denmark
- February 18, 2027 Imprint-Led Newsletters: Building an Owned Audience on Substack with Pete Ford of Apricot Services
- March 18, 2027 Fundraising Made Simple with Markku Kostamo & Nadia Vander Kuip of Kaci.io
- September 18, 2027 The Audiobook Decision: What to Produce, When, and How with MaryCatherine Jones of The Audiobook Experience
- October 21, 2027 From Asking to Inviting with Markku Kostamo & Nadia Vander Kuip of Kaci.io
What AI Really Costs a Publisher: Tokens, Time, and the Realities of AI in the Publishing Industry
November 19 2026
1-2 p.m. EDT/noon-1 CDT/11 a.m.-noon MDT/10-11 a.m. PDT
Description
Join industry experts Rodney and Cameron for an exclusive webinar unpacking the realities of implementing Artificial Intelligence in the publishing industry.
While AI offers incredible potential, navigating its integration can be complex. In this session, Rodney and Cameron will draw directly from their real-life experiences working alongside publishers to reveal what truly works, what doesn't, and why setting up an integrated, trained AI model into your existing workflow is the most sustainable way forward.
Wha you will learn:
We are cutting through the hype to bring you practical, actionable insights based on actual publisher experiences. During this session, we will explore:
- Real-Life AI Scenarios: Discover how publishers are actively using AI right now, highlighting the tangible benefits they are seeing and the critical pitfalls they must avoid.
- The Integrated Approach: Understand the negative consequences of isolated AI interactions versus the operational power of embedding a trained model directly into your publishing workflow.
- Strategic Decision-Making: Explore the various AI options available for specific publishing tasks and how to choose the right tools for your unique process.
- Cost & Output Implications: Learn how to navigate the financial impact of different AI decisions and anticipate the varying qualities of output based on your chosen strategy.
Who should attend?
Publishing professionals, workflow managers, and operational leaders looking to understand the practical applications, costs, and necessary strategies for successful AI implementation.
Your instructors:
Rodney Elder, EVP
Virtusales
Rodney Elder has worked in the publishing industry for 20 years across North America, Europe and Australasia, with clients including Macmillan, Harvard, Princeton and the United Methodist Publishing House, implementing new technologies to support process efficiencies and best practice. Over the past 18 years, Rodney has led the operations at Virtusales North America.
Cameron Verrells, AI Solutions Architect
Virtusales
Cameron Verrells joined Virtusales in 2022 after graduating with a BSc in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. With a background in Natural Language Processing and Supervised Machine Learning, he leverages his expertise to collaborate with customers on AI and Machine Learning developments within BiblioSuite.
How to Optimize Maximize Amazon Sales
December 17, 2026
1-2 p.m. EDT/noon-1 CDT/11 a.m.-noon MDT/10-11 a.m. PDT
Description
In recent years, we have seen Amazon disincentivize the discoverability of books on their platform. That is why it is important that as an industry we stay up to date on the latest ways to maximize sales potential. We can boost all of our sales together if we can show Amazon that we can sell books effectively. Amazon is an ever-changing game that rewards trending searches and product clicks. This webinar aims to teach publishers how to get the most product page interaction as possible.
What you will learn:
1. How to optimize a listing.
2. How to keep your books in stock.
Who should attend?
C-suite, Sales, Marketing
Your instructor:
Joe Matthews, CEO
PCPA Adjunct Member & 2026 Lunch Sponsor IPG
Joe Matthews joined Independent Publishers Group in 2006 and has represented the company as the CEO since January 2016. He’s spent the last 10 years building traditional relationships, streamlining operations, and propelling IPG’s strategic initiatives. Under his leadership, IPG continues to find ways to innovate and grow in the changing landscape of publishing while remaining loyal to its core principle to support the expression of ideas, art, and culture from independent presses around the world. Now in 2026, Joe has seen IPG come to be one of the last independent distributors in the US.
