book publicity

Celebrating Procrastination in Publisher’s Podcast

Oregon poet, author, publisher, and podcaster Benjamin Gorman decided to do something different with his weekly podcast featuring writers. The result was Writers Not Writing, which has received more than 10,000 views on YouTube and is available for download from all the podcasting platforms. Rather than dive into craft or how to be published like other podcasts, Gorman concentrates on what writers do when they are procrastinating…or perhaps just living a fully rounded life.

We wanted to know more about what Gorman does when he is not podcasting, including his publishing company Not a Pipe Publishing and how the podcast came to be. Following is a recent interview via email.

Please tell us about Not a Pipe Publishing.

Not a Pipe Publishing is an indie press located, fittingly, in Independence, Oregon. We started off publishing exclusively sci-fi and fantasy for adult and YA audiences, but we’ve expanded into paranormal and horror, a thriller, a bunch of anthologies around different themes, and collections of poetry. 

How did you come up with the “Not a Pipe” name?

The name of the company is a reference to René Magritte’s famous painting “The Treachery of Images,” the one with a pipe on it that says (in French), “This is not a pipe.” The painting is about how an image of a thing isn’t the thing itself, and I thought that would be perfect for a company which publishes fiction. One of our central animating principles is that fiction isn’t an accurate description of the world but can tell deeper truths. 

What inspired you to start the Writers Not Writing podcast?

I’d been a guest on many podcasts and a few TV shows, and while I’m grateful to all those interviewers, I found that I kept responding to the same questions about writing process. That’s great for other writers, but I suspected the lines of questioning weren’t very entertaining for readers. I wanted to create a show that is reader-focused, so instead of asking writers about how they write, I ask them how they do something every reader also does: Procrastinate.  I think the show helps readers get to know authors as more well-rounded human beings, and I hope that makes the viewers/listeners more interested in checking out our work. 

How many writers have you interviewed?

As of this writing, we’ve aired 65 episodes, but I try to keep a little ahead, so I’ve recorded 70. It’s been a wonderful experience because I’ve been able to meet these big-name Emmy winners and New York Times best-sellers, and also authors who are just starting out in their careers. I like to keep that mix because everyone has a unique collection of fun procrastination behavior.  

Do you hear any common themes?

One question I always ask authors is what they’ve been daydreaming about, and I’ve appreciated the common recognition that daydreaming, while it can feel like procrastination, is an essential part of the work we do. Authors have fascinating answers ranging from the weirdest flights of fancy to very practical wonderings, and it’s great to contemplate how those inform their work.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing indie authors and publishers?

I think the publishing industry is going through a transition that’s very similar to what the music industry experienced with the rise of Napster. Before, music was limited to what a small number of gatekeepers allowed. Suddenly everything was accessible, and anyone could throw their music out into the world. That was wonderful for listeners (at first) because there was this glut of great stuff, but it made it so difficult for artists to break out, and then it made it nearly impossible for artists to make a living creating their art. Those pressures then become bad for music listeners (and now readers), because the quantity of work is huge, but it’s being created by people who are essentially donating it to the world. That’s not good for artists of any kind, and when the artists are exploiting themselves, it ultimately isn’t good for readers, either. I suspect that, like iTunes, we’ll eventually settle on some other gatekeeping method that will allow some people to get attention without those decisions being made by a bunch of white, male billionaires picking from among their friends. Instead, it will be white, male billionaires choosing from what they see bubbling up from a much larger pool. That’s still far from perfect, but it will lead to more diverse literature that will be at least slightly more representative of the readers (who are predominantly women and disproportionately people of color) while providing more authors a living wage. I hope indie authors and publishers will play a vital role in that future ecosystem, creating meaningful connections between authors and readers on smaller scales, like the bands that are figuring out ways to make ends meet by doing live shows in more intimate venues rather than selling out arenas and living off of hit albums. We’ll see. I could be overly optimistic. But I hope we’ll find ourselves in a world of more public readings and more intimate signings at small, independent bookstores. It’s a tight time for indie publishers and indie bookstores now, but I really hope the ones who can weather this tenuous time will be the places readers look to when they want to find the voices of their own communities in a future of homogeneous, AI generated schlock. 

For those who want to learn more about Not a Pipe Publishing, where can they find you?

Please come learn more about our authors and their marvelous books at www.notapipepublishing.com We have some great novels we’ll be releasing this year by Amanda Cherry, Beth Gibbs, and Karen Eisenbrey. We’re also publishing our first translation, a powerful collection of poetry by the renowned Mexican poet Verónica Arredondo translated by A.A. deFreese. And we just released a beautiful collection of found poetry and art by Jennifer Rood. There will be cover reveals, launch parties, and signings for all of these, so check out the events page on the site or follow us on any of the social media apps. (We’re on all of them. It’s awful, but we have to go where the readers are, so please follow us to make it worth our while!)

Links to Writers Not Writing can be found at http://www.notapipepublishing.com/writers-not-writing-show.

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Seattle Literary Events Calendar Launched

Seattle City of Literature started a calendar in February “to celebrate the people and organizations that make Seattle a UNESCO designated City of Literature.” Organizations are encouraged to contribute information on “all literary adjacent events open to the public — readings, workshops, open mics, comics classes, discussions, lectures, youth programs, book clubs, residency deadlines, festivals, talks, plays — anything you might dream up that’s “literary” in the loosest sense,” according to the announcement.

Seattle City of Literature aims to email a biweekly digest of all the literary events listed to their subscribers.

“The calendar will also serve as an important way to benchmark the health of our literary community and track all of the events that are happening every year,” said José L. Montero, President of the Board, Seattle City of Literature.

More information about the organization and its new calendar can be found at www.seattlecityoflit.org/community-calendar.

The UNESCO Cities of Literature network of 53 cities represents 6 continents and 39 countries, and a combined population of over 26 million. Seattle received its designation in 2017.

Map of the current Cities of Literature from the UNESCO press kit about the program.

2024 Portland Book Festival Looking For Authors

The Portland Book Festival selects featured books for the November event on a rolling basis from now through June. The 2024 festival is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, 2024. Organizers plan to feature a diverse group of contemporary authors in conversations, panels, and presentations.

Check the Literary Arts website for more details on how to submit your book for consideration at literary-arts.org/about/programs/portland-book-festival/book-submission-guidelines/.

Literary Arts must receive complete submissions by June 14 for consideration. All selected authors will be contacted by September.

Note that the consideration for self-published titles uses the same criteria as traditionally published books. For the 2024 festival, Literary Arts will not accept self-published titles that exist only in ebook format.

Screenshot of Festival’s submission page.

Start 2024 With A Marketing Class

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Western Washington chapter is offering a free online class on marketing this month.

In his class, Northwest writer Will Taylor promises to explore: “How to optimize marketing efforts via language tricks, framing, and behavioral science. How to create simple systems that take the guesswork out of marketing and leave you reassured, relaxed, and ready to focus on your real work. Come learn to make your marketing process easier, more fun, and more effective!”

Taylor is a published author of stories for “current and former kids.” More about his books for Scholastic and Harper Collins can be found at willtaylorbooks.com. He also works as a copywriter for Fran’s Chocolates, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), and LAIKA Studios.

The Saturday, January 27, class takes place at 1pm PST on Zoom. Register for free at https://www.scbwi.org/events/make-marketing-work-for-you-with-will-taylor.

5 Tips for Successful TV Interviews

tv interview

By Marsha Friedman

(Marsha Friedman was the April speaker at Book Publishers Northwest)

It has been more than 70 years since television was first commercially available, and in that time we have seen the emergence of radio, wireless communications, the Internet, twitter, and social networking. However, one thing has remained constant in that time. Practically since the first broadcast over commercial airwaves, television has been the most powerful medium of them all – and that fact still remains true today.

A good television interview can change a life. It can change a company, an industry – and in some cases – it has changed the world. That’s why we specialize in helping our clients make the most of their TV interviews. In those few minutes of airtime, you can influence more people than any other communication method. So, to help our clients do it right, I’ve assembled a booklet that will soon be published on our Web site (www.emsincorporated.com) that contains 50 simple tips for doing the best TV interviews possible.

Periodically, I’ll share a few with you, like I’m doing today.  Let me start with my top five, to show you how easy it can be.

  1. Be energetic – This is your message and I’m sure you’re naturally excited about it – so channel your energy and make it work for you. If you are excited and positive, your audience will be very responsive.
  2. Be mindful of body language – TV is a visual medium, so be open with your body language. Make sure to lean slightly toward the interviewer when you are talking and show interest in the conversation. Be aware of where the camera is, even though you are not looking at it.  If you naturally talk with your hands, then feel free to gesture naturally. Your body language shows your confidence and your passion for the topic.
  3. Let your personality shine through – Make eye contact, and talk to the interviewer as if you are talking to a friend sitting in your living room. Speak in an open and confident manner, smile and have fun. Your enthusiasm will be contagious.
  4. Stay focused on your message and keep it simple – Choose a few key points you feel will be most relevant to your interview and outline them for yourself ahead of time.  Keep it uncomplicated to best convey your message. If during the interview, the conversation veers away from them, make sure to steer it back in the most subtle way you can
  5. Know your topic and any current events that relate to it – This should also come naturally. This is your area of expertise, so don’t be afraid to show it. You know your subject inside and out, so explain it as clearly as you can, in as few words as possible. Keep it short and memorable. If it relates to anything that is currently in the news, let people know it. Be prepared and think of all the possible questions and their answers – even the ones you think no one would ever ask. Be ready to catch that fly ball coming from left field.

Television reaches millions with more power and influence than any other medium, so if you’re going to go on the air, make it count. Make your passion, your ideas and your message compelling enough to be worth it to viewers to welcome you into their home, and possibly, into their lives.

If you are interested in finding out if your message is a right fit for a local and national television campaign, contact my partner Steve today on 727-443-7115, Extension 202 or email him by clicking here.

10 Reasons Why Talk Radio is the Best Promotion for Your Book!

on air sign

By Marsha Friedman

(Marsha Friedman was the April speaker at Book Publishers Northwest)

As publicity experts, talk radio is one of the tools that we use everyday to help our clients gain national recognition, promote their books and popularize their causes.  And because it is so effective our clients keep coming back for more!  Fact is – talk radio may honestly be one of the best-kept marketing secrets there is.  There are many reasons why this is true – but let me give you ten to start with:

1. THE RIGHT DEMOGRAPHICS. Every year Talkers Magazine does a research project to profile who’s listening to talk radio.  And, every year their survey confirms that the talk radio listener is, “diverse, educated, attentive, active and affluent…” If this describes your book-buyer – it’s a perfect match!

2. TARGET AUDIENCE. Not only are the demographics of talk radio great – but with specialty talk shows on politics, health, relationships, lifestyles, finance, consumer advocacy, sports, etc., we can identify shows that are a perfect match for your books, once we know the audience you’re trying to reach!

3. EFFECTIVE SALES TOOL. Publicity is definitely not paid advertising.  But it can be far more effective.  Just ask Dr. Arnold Goldstein, well-known financial author, “The interest in our books from radio interviews has far exceeded the response we’ve seen from our advertising campaigns.  Dollar-for-dollar, talk radio interviews has shown a much better return!”A compelling radio interview can promote your book without the audience even realizing it!  And, as hosts don’t want to be bombarded with phone calls from listeners with questions about your book, they’re highly motivated to frequently mention your title.

4. THIRD PARTY ENDORSEMENT. Talk radio hosts have loyal followings – that’s how they maintain their ratings.  And listeners tune in daily to hear what their favorite host is talking about. As that host is often thought of as an old friend or even a trusted advisor, when you appear as a guest on their show, listeners hear an implicit endorsement of you, your book and your message!

5. CREDIBILITY. This is a crucial ingredient in every marketing campaign…and talk radio supplies it in abundance!  One of our clients told us, “…every show I’ve appeared on – the host tells his listeners about my great expertise, my many accomplishments and how proud they are to have me as a guest!  Of course, the more important I am, the more important the host appears to be.  As far as promotion and credibility goes – it just doesn’t get any better!”

6. TIME TO TELL YOUR WHOLE STORY. As a guest – you get not just 60 seconds, but ten to thirty minutes of quality time with a very targeted and attentive audience.  You have enough time to talk about your book and in many cases you have a chance to answer questions from callers.  It’s a perfect way to get the full message of your book heard and understood by the masses!

7. COST-EFFECTIVE PROMOTION. Talk radio interviews are all done by phone.  So without ever leaving your home or office you can have a direct and oftentimes live conversation with consumers around the country. Plus our fees for this publicity service are minuscule compared to what you’ll spend in advertising dollars to buy the same amount of air time!

8. IMMEDIATE EXPOSURE. You can be on the air within two to three weeks! And, because talk radio keeps up with changing times and topics, we can continuously create new angles for your topic that reflect current events, to keep you on the air and in the news on an ongoing basis.

9. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK. With probably 1,000 + talk radio interviews under his belt, nutritional products spokesperson, Dr. W. Wong says, “Talk radio is the greatest way to get your message across to a large group of people at one time.  There’s a captive audience during morning and evening drive times, in the middle of the day with stay-at-home moms and people in the workplace and for those folks awake late at night.  It’s better, cheaper and faster than TV appearances.  Without question – talk radio provides the best bang for the buck!”

10. WE CAN DELIVER THE SHOWS FOR YOU! Scheduling talk radio interviews is second-nature to us.  Talk radio producers and hosts from the nation’s 100 biggest markets have come to rely on us for the steady stream of top guests they need.  In fact, that’s why we’re able to schedule 50 to 100 interviews week after week.

If you want to hear more about our affordable talk radio campaigns to promote your books, call my partner Steve Friedman, today at 727-443-7115, ext. 202 or email him directly at steve@emsincorporated.com.