June 11, 2026
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Book Kickoff
July 9, 2026
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Book Kickoff
July 31 & Aug 1, 2026
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Write-the-Right-Book Author’s Retreat
August 6-8, 2026
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Speak and Get Paid
“Powerful, sage advice. I loved every minute of my time listening and learning from Henry.”
Marketing With a Book Virtual Retreat
The retreat helps authors get more bookings, more buzz, and more business so they can have more impact and influence. No more ready, fire, aim. No more ready, aim, aim, aim. For you to have more impact and influence you need the right strategy, the right tactics, and the right execution. The magic is in the mix.
March 18 & 19, 2026
More information at: www.marketingwithabook.com/virtual-retreat
Time: 9 am to 11 am PT
Price: $365
Dates:
June 11, 2026
July 9, 2026
August 6, 2026
Book Kickoffs™
How To Write The Right Book That Will Attract High-Paying Clients
Outcome: The intended outcome for the Book Kickoffs is for you to leave with a draft book plan.
Details. Leave your perfection behind because we are shooting for a great first draft of an outline. Our motto is the book is the starting line, not the finish line. So, the key is planning to succeed as a result of the book. We will also talk about how to avoid the biggest book blunders, mistakes that cost rookie authors thousands and tens of thousands of dollars. If you just want theory and platitudes, this is not the session for you. If you want results, you have found the right place.
Size. Limited to 12, to allow for interaction.
Bonus. After you attend the Book Kickoff, you can book a 90-minute pinpoint session one-on-one session with Henry to discuss how to accelerate your book.
Write-the-Right-Book Author’s Retreat
Let’s accelerate your author power. An authority has more impact and influence, and you can’t spell authority without the word author.
Great book writing is a team sport. Our team has created something new for you to receive our help. After years of testing, we are offering a retreat that creates momentum at a lower financial investment. This is a win-win.
9 a.m. Friday, July 31, to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 1, 2026
SpringHill Suites Marriott Chicago O’Hare
8101 W Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631
“Speak and Get Paid”
You Are Invited To A Three-Day Masterclass
With Mark LeBlanc And Henry DeVries
August 6, 7, and 8, 2026
Irvine, California
Investment $1,800
To register, email henry@indiebooksintl.com
How do you generate a 10x return on your book investment? The answer is the right business models, smart tactics for negotiating speaking fees, and getting serious about adding “professional speaker” to your resume. Ideally, we are looking for seven people to keep this highly interactive.
While a book is the #1 marketing tool, speaking is the #1 business development strategy. Mark LeBlanc, CSP, CPAE, and Henry DeVries, MBA, APR, will cover the business of getting paid to speak and gaining publicity for your books. Mark, a Hall of Fame Speaker and Past President of the National Speakers Association, has trained more than 1,000 consultants to speak and get paid. Henry, a former Forbes online columnist and current columnist with the California Business Journal, has used 16 ways to speak and get paid, plus to generate right-fit client-attracting publicity.
A G E N D A
Thursday, August 6, 2026 (optional)
When: 1 to 7 pm
What: Attend the UC Irvine ReINVENT Growth summit with 300 C-suite executives. Network at Indie Books International’s author’s table during the post-summit 5-7 pm reception. Henry and Indie Books author Tom Somodi will be speaking on the program. Mark and Henry will debrief the event on August 7 and 8.
Where: UCI Beall Applied Innovation @ The Cove, UC Irvine, 5270 California Ave # 100, Irvine, CA 92617
What: Network and give away books to C-suite executives at the ReINVENT Growth Summit sponsored by ENP Institute at the UC Irvine Beall Innovation
Ends: 7 pm, dinner on your own.
Friday, August 7, 2026
When: 9 am to noon, Session One
Where: SpringHill Suites, Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County,17601 Fitch Irvine, CA 92614
What: You will deliver a ten-minute speech to the group and receive feedback. A discussion of the two main speak and get paid business models. Why do you need to be a full-time speaker to be a professional speaker? How to pick a lane. How to make them think, cry, feel noble, and laugh. How to find “the message of you.”
When: Noon to 3 pm, lunch on your own
When: 3 to 6 pm, Session Two
What: Deep dive into the 16 ways to get paid to speak. How to research with AI. Work on defining statement, defining paragraph, and defining story.
When: 6-8 pm, Hosted dinner by Indie Books International, location tbd
Saturday, August 8, 2026
When: 9 am to noon, Session Three
What: Speak again for five minutes on your defining paragraph and story. A deep dive into the business of speaking, i.e., getting the gig, how to create a marketing game plan, and filling your calendar. How to arrange a fee schedule based on a fee range philosophy.
Where: SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County, 17601 Fitch Irvine, CA 92614
Ends: Noon, adjourn
Event Hotel Reservations
Hotel: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Irvine John Wayne Airport/Orange County for $189.00 USD per night
Last Day to Book: Monday, July 6, 2026
Agency Rainmaker Forum
Join Indie Books International and Agency Owner News for our annual forum for marketing agency owners and strategic consultants. We have assembled an all-star cast of authorities, including Hall of Fame speakers and best-selling authors.
Find out how you can:
- Create an extreme sliver of rainmaking focus
- Fill your pipeline with right-fit prospects
- Position yourself as an authority for your niche
- Build relationships to amplify your work
February 26 & 27, 2026
San Diego, CA
Achiever’s Circle Weekend
If you are willing to roll up your sleeves, listen carefully and make rock-solid decisions, the next 12 month, rolling period may be the best of your career.
Join Growing Your Business expert Mark LeBlanc for this unique weekend experience. In this interactive workshop Mark shares his best practices, strategies, and approaches for making a difference in your business.
Contact Kylie for details and availability at kylie@GrowingYourBusiness.com
Alliance and Connection Events
Executive Next Practices Forums
Executive Next Practices Forums are unique in that they offer C-level executives and top Functional leaders (CFO, HR, CIO, CMO, COO, etc) a “first look” at emerging trends, thought leader insights and an opportunity to formulate relevant and practical ideas for their organization.