Dan Poynter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dan Poynter
Born September 17, 1938
Residence Santa Barbara, California
Nationality American
Education Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
Alma mater California State University, Chico
Occupation Author, motivational speaker, publisher
Website
parapublishing.com

Dan Poynter is an American author, consultant, publisher, professional speaker and parachute designer.

Since 1969, he has written more than 130 books, many reports, and more than 800 magazine articles, most of them on book publishing.[1][2] The writing and publishing of The Self-Publishing Manual in 1979 propelled him to notoriety in the publishing industry. Each year he addresses scores of groups on the subject of publishing.

He is the founder of Para Publishing and has been featured in many major media outlets,[3] including Entrepreneur, U.S. News and World Report, Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post,[4] Writer's Digest[5] and the The New York Times.[6]

Career

He began his career managing a parachute company in Oakland, California. From there, he moved east where he became a parachute design specialist. An active skydiver, he began writing about parachute design and use. His column in Parachutist Magazine led him to writing books on parachutes[7] and skydiving.[8] Dan became active in the politics of the sport when elected to the board of the Parachute Club of America, later the U.S. Parachute Association.[9]

In 1973, he became interested in the new sport of hang gliding. Unable to find a book on the new sport, he researched, drew from his experience as a pilot and skydiver, and wrote the first book on the subject. He was elected to the board of the U.S. Hang Gliding Association, later the U.S. Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (USHPA). Later, was served as president of the Commission Internationale du Vol Libre (hang gliding) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Paris.[10]

In 1979, drawing on what he learned in book writing and publishing, he wrote The Self-Publishing Manual. Continuing to write and publish, he produced a circular book on Frisbee play, the first book on word processors, pioneered fax-on-demand, began selling information products from his website in 1996, wrote many more books on writing, publishing, and book promoting and began speaking on the subjects worldwide.

He continues to edit and publish newsletters on book writing/publishing and professional speaking.[11] He edits and publishes blogs on book writing/publishing and air travel. Poynter earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from California State University, Chico and also attended San Francisco Law School.

Poynter is an expert skydiver[12] who has been active in the industry since 1962. He has written more books on parachutes and skydiving than any other author. He has served in elective office in various aviation associations including the United States Parachute Association (chairman of the board), The Parachute Industry Association (President), the U.S. Hang Gliding Association (director), and the Commission Internationale du Vol Libre (hang gliding) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (president).

He invented the Stylemaster parachute, the Fastbak parachute, revolving cones, Tri-vent modification for reserve canopies, and patented[13] the Pop Top parachute.

Awards

Poynter has received numerous awards over his lifetime, including a Certificate of Recognition by the County of Santa Barbara, a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Lois Capps, and has been inducted into the National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame.[14]

Other awards include the Benjamin Franklin Person of the Year Award for Lifetime Achievement, (Publishers Marketing Association, 1992), Irwin Award (Book Publishers of Southern California, 1995), Lifetime Achievement Award in Publishing (Express Yourself Authors’ Conference, 2007),[15] Certified Speaking Professional (National Speakers Association),[16] President’s Award for Service (Global Speakers Federation,[17] 2007), International Ambassador Award (Global Speakers Federation, 2008), Award Honorary Lifetime Membership (German Speakers Association, 2010)[18] and appointed to Global Speakers Summit Organizing Committee.

He has also received the Bronze Otto Lilienthal Medal (U.S. Hang Gliding Association)[19] and the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the U.S. Parachute Association (1980) and Parachute Industry Association (2005).[20]

Books

  • Poynter, Dan (1977). The Parachute Manual: A Technical Treatise on the Parachute. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 499 pages. ISBN 0915516063. 
  • Poynter, Dan (1981). Hang Gliding: The Basic Handbook of Ultralight Flying. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 186 pages. ISBN 0915516071. 
  • Poynter, Dan (1997). Expert Witness Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 287 pages. ISBN 1568600275. 
  • Poynter, Dan (1999). Write & Grow Rich: Using Voice-Recognition to Dictate Your How-To-Book. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 160 pages. ISBN 1568600585. 
  • Poynter, Dan (1999). Successful Nonfiction: Tips and Inspiration for Getting Published. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 144 pages. ISBN 1-56860-061-5. 
  • Poynter, Dan (contributor) (2000). Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications. pp. 400 pages. ISBN 1-55874-769-9. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2002). The Older Cat: Recognizing Decline & Extending Life. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 139 pages. ISBN 1-56860-076-3. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2002). U-Publish.Com: How 'U' Can Effectively Compete with the Giants of Publishing. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 184 pages. ISBN 1588320022. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2006). Book Publishing Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 224 pages. ISBN 1-56860-127-1. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2007). Is There a Book Inside You?: Writing Alone or with a Collaborator. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 235 pages. ISBN 1-56860-046-1. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2007). Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 408 pages. ISBN 1-56860-141-7. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2007). Writing Nonfiction: Turning Thoughts into Books. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 144 pages. ISBN 1-56860-110-7. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2007). Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 463 pages. ISBN 1-56860-142-5. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2011). Dan Poynter's Air Travel Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 322 pages. ISBN 1568601506. 
  • Poynter, Dan (2012). Writing Your Book. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 58 pages. ISBN B007VP66Z0 Check |isbn= value (help). 
  • Poynter, Dan (2012). Books: Tips, Stories, & Advice on Writing, Publishing, & Promoting. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 225 pages. ISBN B007VXL7M4 Check |isbn= value (help). 
  • Poynter, Dan (2012). KDP SelectTM: Navigating Kindle's Freebie Day. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. ISBN B00876ZRZ2 Check |isbn= value (help). 
  • Poynter, Dan (2012). Book Fairs: An Exhibiting Guide for Publishers. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 98 pages. ISBN B009080XOQ Check |isbn= value (help). 

References

  1. ↑ "Dan Poynter" Amazon. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  2. ↑ "Dan Poynter" Amazon Kindle. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  3. ↑ "Dan Poynter" Non-Fiction Writer's Conference. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  4. ↑ "How to Publish Your Own Book" 26 September 2004 The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  5. ↑ "2002 Writer's Digest Article Index" Writer's Digest. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  6. ↑ White, Martha. "The Steep Price of Visiting" 6 June 2011 New York Times. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  7. ↑ FlyAboveAll.com Article referencing Poynter's Parachute Manual. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  8. ↑ "Skydiving history" US Parachute Association. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  9. ↑ "About Dan Poynter" South Australian Sport Parachute Club. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  10. ↑ "Dan Poynter" Slideshare. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  11. ↑ "Book Printing Just Got Cheaper" FrugalMarketing.com. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  12. ↑ "National Skydiving Museum Board of Trustees" US Skydiving Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  13. ↑ "US Patent, Poynter, Parachute pack" US Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "Please Congratulate the Hall of Fame Class of 2012" National Skydiving Museum. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  15. ↑ "Book Marketing Matters" BookMarketingWorks.com. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  16. ↑ "Dan Poynter" National Speakers Association. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  17. ↑ "Dan Poynter" Global Speakers. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  18. ↑ "Global Speakers Newsletter" Global Speakers. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  19. ↑ "Award Recipients" US Hang Gliding and Parachute Association. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  20. ↑ "Parachute and Skydiving Awards" Parachute Industry Association. Retrieved 3 November 2011.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.