Andrew Chapman

LONG STORY SHORT

Andrew is a 32-year publishing professional, entrepreneur, award-winning writer and author, and the founder of Social Motion Publishing.

LONG STORY LONG

In many ways, Andrew started in publishing at the age of ten — when he wrote, produced, and disseminated a neighborhood "newspaper" (i.e., a one-page, typed, and hand-drawn rag that was probably never read by more than ten people). But that was first proof that publishing was in his blood.

On a slightly more professional level, several years later, he was the editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper — which mostly meant that he covered for the other student staff too busy smoking pot or skipping school to actually do their part. As a result, Andrew functioned as a reporter, editor, cartoonist, layout artist, and all-around favorite of the journalism teacher/advisor. Further proof that publishing is in his blood.

Not long after high school, he purchased the components of what would become his future in do-it-yourself publishing — a Mac computer set-up someone had used to publish a magazine. This was a big deal in 1987, as it featured a Mac Plus, a full-page monitor, a printer, an external 20MB (!) hard drive, and the new amazing page-layout and typesetting software called PageMaker. Using these new tools, Andrew self-published his first book that year. Around the same time, he landed a deal with Warner Bros. for his first traditionally published book, which Warner Bros. also paid him to design and typeset using his computer. That book, "Iron Maiden and Nicko McBrain's Rhythms of the Beast," sold internationally from 1990 through most of the decade.

In the time since, Andrew has earned a bachelor's degree in publishing and writing, published several other books, received awards and recognition for his work, and become a nationally recognized expert in self-publishing (and publishing in general). From 2003-2010, he was the president of Publishers & Writers of San Diego, a large association. As a professional speaker, Andrew has presented over 300 seminars on publishing topics throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. And as a publishing coach and consultant, he has helped guide numerous other authors in their publishing journey.

In 2013, he launched Social Motion Publishing, a benefit corporation that is the first book publisher in the U.S. to focus on social-impact books — books about and benefiting causes, nonprofits, and social entrepreneurs.

Andrew resides in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C.