Dan Poynter
Encyclopedia
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, including Entrepreneur
, U.S. News and World Report, Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post
, Writer's Digest
and the The New York Times.
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 and skydiving. 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.
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. 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 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 the Pop Top parachute.
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), Certified Speaking Professional (National Speakers Association), President’s Award for Service (Global Speakers Federation, 2007), International Ambassador Award (Global Speakers Federation, 2008), Award Honorary Lifetime Membership (German Speakers Association, 2010) and appointed to Global Speakers Summit Organizing Committee.
He has also received the Bronze Otto Lilienthal Medal (U.S. Hang Gliding Association) and the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the U.S. Parachute Association (1980) and Parachute Industry Association (2005).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author, consultant, publisher, professional speaker and parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
designer.
Since 1969, he has written more than 125 books, many reports, and more than 800 magazine articles, most of them on book publishing
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
. 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, including Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, U.S. News and World Report, Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, Writer's Digest
Writer's Digest
Writer's Digest is an American magazine devoted to both beginning and established writers, offering interviews, market listings, calls for manuscripts, and how-to articles....
and the The New York Times.
Career
He began his career managing a parachuteParachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
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 and skydiving. 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.
In 1973, he became interested in the new sport of hang gliding
Hang gliding
Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
. 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
USHPA
The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is a non-profit organization supporting foot-launched soaring flight in the United States. It began in 1971 as the Southern California Hang Gliding Association and became national in scope by the mid-1970s. When paragliding became popular...
). Later, was served as president of the Commission Internationale du Vol Libre (hang gliding) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
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. 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
San Francisco Law School
San Francisco Law School is a private, non-profit law school in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1909, the law school became non-profit in 1941 and moved to its present location in 1968...
.
Poynter is an expert skydiver 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
United States Parachute Association
thumb|180px|right|USPA logoThe United States Parachute Association is a self-governing body for the sport of skydiving. Its headquarters are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia parallel to I-95...
(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 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
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
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), Certified Speaking Professional (National Speakers Association), President’s Award for Service (Global Speakers Federation, 2007), International Ambassador Award (Global Speakers Federation, 2008), Award Honorary Lifetime Membership (German Speakers Association, 2010) and appointed to Global Speakers Summit Organizing Committee.
He has also received the Bronze Otto Lilienthal Medal (U.S. Hang Gliding Association) and the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the U.S. Parachute Association (1980) and Parachute Industry Association (2005).