Dan Poynter

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 125 books, many reports, and more than 800 magazine articles, most of them on book publishing. 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,^[1] including Entrepreneur, U.S. News and World Report, Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post^[2], Writer's Digest^[3] and the The New York Times^[4].

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^[5] and skydiving^[6]. 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.^[7]

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.

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.^[8] 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^[9] 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^[10] the Pop Top parachute.

Awards

Poynter has received numerous awards over his lifetime, including a Certificate of Recognition by the County of Santa Barbara and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Lois Capps.

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)^[11], Certified Speaking Professional (National Speakers Association)^[12], President’s Award for Service (Global Speakers Federation^[13], 2007), International Ambassador Award (Global Speakers Federation, 2008), Award Honorary Lifetime Membership (German Speakers Association, 2010)^[14] and appointed to Global Speakers Summit Organizing Committee.

He has also received the Bronze Otto Lilienthal Medal (U.S. Hang Gliding Association)^[15] and the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the U.S. Parachute Association (1980) and Parachute Industry Association (2005).^[16]

Books

• Poynter, Dan (1999). Successful Nonfiction: Tips and Inspiration for Getting Published. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 144 pages. ISBN 1568600615. 
• Poynter, Dan (1999). Book Publishing Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 160 pages. ISBN 1568600585. 
• Poynter, Dan (contributor) (2000). Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications. pp. 400 pages. ISBN 1558747699. 
• Poynter, Dan (2002). The Older Cat: Recognizing Decline & Extending Life. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 139 pages. ISBN 1568600763. 
• Poynter, Dan (2006). Book Publishing Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 224 pages. ISBN 1568601271. 
• Poynter, Dan (2007). Is There a Book Inside You?: Writing Alone or with a Collaborator. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 235 pages. ISBN 1568600461. 
• Poynter, Dan (2007). Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 408 pages. ISBN 1568601417. 
• Poynter, Dan (2007). Writing Nonfiction: Turning Thoughts into Books. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing. pp. 144 pages. ISBN 1568601107. 
• 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 1568601425. 

References

1. ^ NFWC.com Poytner bio as Keynote Speaker of the Non-Fiction Writer's Conference site. Retrieved on 9-25-2011.
2. ^ WashingtonPost.com Article quoting Poynter on WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved on 9-25-2011.
3. ^ WritersDigest.com Index of Writer's Digest articles from 2002. Retrieved on 9-25-2011.
4. ^ NYTimes.com New York Times article featuring Poynter. Retrieved on 9-25-2011.
5. ^ FlyAboveAll.com Article referencing Poynter's Parachute Manual. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
6. ^ USPA.org US Parachute Association reference to Poynter book, The Skydiving Manual. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
7. ^ SASPC.asn.au Article on South Australian Sport Parachute Club site about Poynter. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
8. ^ FrugalMarketing.com Article featured on FrugalMarketing.com. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
9. ^ SkyDivingMuseum.org Poynter bio listed on SkyDivingMuseum.org. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
10. ^ USPTO.gov Poynter's patent with US Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
11. ^ BookMarketingWorks.com Reference to award in Book Marketing Matters Newsletter. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
12. ^ NSA site Poynter profile stating CSP on National Speakers Association site. Retrieved on 9-25-2011.
13. ^ GlobalSpeakers.net Poynter bio on Global Speakers site. Retrieved on 11-3-2011
14. ^ GlobalSpeakers.net Global Speakers Newsletter referencing recognition. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
15. ^ USHPA.aero US Hang Gliding and Parachute Association award listings. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.
16. ^ PIA.com List of awards by Parachute Industry Association. Retrieved on 11-3-2011.

External links

• Dan Poynter official site