A Woman's World that Works for All - Volume 2

What? You didn't think I'd give up on my ladies-only line of BK books, did you? Just needed a quick break to share my thoughts on the future of book-selling (as I am wont to do), but let's get back to this game-changing series of products, shall we?

As you may recall, the first work in the 'A Woman's World that Works for All' collection came from bestselling dystopian YA author Suzanne Collins (and, if you can't recall, you can re-read here). This second book will go in a different direction, just to make sure we cover all of our bases. While Collins' BK book imagines, and works toward, a world without trauma , the next book in the series is aimed at overcoming and dealing with the trauma that already exists. Who better to pen this prescription than acclaimed psychologist Edna Foa?

As human beings, we are taught to fear those things that are harmful to us. If and when those fears are realized, the damage can be hard to undo. In extreme cases, the pain associated with these experiences is known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition consisting of depression, anxiety, anger and isolation. The viciousness of PTSD is matched by the severity of the things that can provoke it: sexual assault and abuse, natural disasters, and of course, war. (Take a moment to to check out these statistics.) Many people have difficulty addressing this condition, and far too many sufferers cope by working too hard, drinking too hard, and keeping the pain to themselves. This doesn't sit well with Edna Foa.

Foa, who studied first at Bar-Ilan University in Israel and then in the U.S. at the University of Pennsylvania, began studying post-rape trauma 30 years ago, cobbling together a therapy based on related anxiety disorders. In 2000, Foa and her husband visited Israel, arriving five days before the Second Intifada began. What Dr. Foa witnessed changed her focus from post-rape trauma to combat-related PTSD, from which point she developed a therapy known as Prolonged Exposure, or PE. PE involves identifying thoughts and situations that trigger fear and then gently exposing sufferers to them, the thought behind which is that facing the memories strips them of power. And it works. The U.S. military is embracing PE, as is the Department of Veterans Affairs.

To Foa, spreading the word is what is most important. "If you develop a wonderful protocol, it's useless if nobody uses it," she says. Well, what better way to spread the word than to write about it, Edna? While Dr. Foa is already the author of numerous psychological texts, I think she could branch out with a book for Berrett-Koehler, taking on more than just the medical aspects of the condition. Namely, to help create a world that works for all, how can we apply what she has learned from PE to other trauma that exists? How would she do it? Do you, readers, have any ideas? Feel free to share below.

BK at Banana Republic?

Well, well, well....Publisher's Weekly has struck my brain-bone yet again, this time with an article on a fancy new book-selling chain. The 'Retail Nation' section of this week's PW features an interesting article on Bookmarc, the new book-selling (and publishing) brand of the Marc Jacobs fashion empire.

Now, I had heard about Bookmarc stores popping up, but it wasn't until I read this article that I understood what the shops were all about. Marc Jacobs has opened Bookmarc stores on both coasts, as well as added branded Bookmarc sections to a handful of MJ stores both in the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, stand-alone Bookmarc stores are in the works for Washington, D.C. and Shanghai. These shops function under the mentality that, "Fashion is about lifestyle. Anything can be fashion," and, as such, books fall into that category. The store is filled with both paperback and hardcover titles, most by and about rock stars, cultural revolutions, erotica, fashion, art, photography, and history. The man behind Bookmarc, Jacobs's business partner Robert Duffy, says that Bookmarc is "fun, and its profitable."

Fun and profitable, you say? Where have I heard this before? Oh yes, only a few days ago, in a related article in the The New York Times! 'Beyond Bookstores', published February 27th, tackles similar subject matter, but broadens the landscape. Using trendy Los Angeles boutique Kitson to illustrate a theme, the NYT addresses a growing trend in book-selling: non-book retail. "In a town that is all about flash, Kitson is finding a surprising source of revenue that is not from its fashionable shoes or accessories. It is from books." And Kitson isn't alone. "A wide range of stores better known for their apparel, food and fishing reels have been adding books. Anthropologie has increased the number of titles it carries...Coldwater Creek, Lowe's, Bass Pro Shops and even Cracker Barrel are adding new books." (FYI, I checked - you can get MadLibs at Cracker Barrel, a winning combo if ever there was one. )

So, what's the deal with these new book-buying outlets? Both articles point tellingly to the failings of traditional booksellers.

A big part of what drove Bookmarc's creation was Robert Duffy's frustration with seeing so many bookstores close and with being able to find content online more easily than in print. This sentiment is echoed - and further emphasized - in The New York Times. "Publishers have stocked books in nonbook retailers for decades. In the last year, though, publishers have increased their efforts as the two largest bookstore chains have changed course." As smaller shops close and big stores like Barnes & Noble dedicate more and more real estate to e-readers, games, and other multi-media products, they lose significant power as traditional sales channels. "Having a physical outlet for books is extraordinarily important for. While online and e-book sales are huge channels, lesser-known books can get lost...if they do not have a physical presence to spur interest."

Indeed, interest has been spurred, and to the benefit of publishers, retailers and, I would argue, all readers. For Perseus Book Group, sales at nontraditional retailers beat out sales at Borders for the first time in 2010. Michael Jacobs, CEO of Abrams, says that nontraditional retailers made up over 15% of their business in 2010 and he expects that number will grow to 25% in the next few years. Big publishers like Random House and Houghton Mifflin are now seeking specialty retailers as well, all of which is welcome business for stores.

The books are profitable for retailers, as they tend to drive other purchases. Patti Price, Lowe's Senior VP of Merchandising, says books on subjects like cooking and home projects "inspire and and inform customers to purchase goods that will allow them to...complete home improvement projects." Very clever, Patti!

While I have a negative gut reaction to anything that harms independent bookstores, as a literature lover and publishing professional, my loyalty lies with 'the reader' on this one. And, as such, I think these are exciting developments. The more we thrust books into all areas of the community, the better, and we might as well go where the people already are. Placement in popular stores can drastically widen the audience for books, appealing to someone who wouldn't necessarily browse bookstores, or even Amazon.

What say you? Do you support the sale of books at nontraditional outlets? More importantly, could this work for Berrett-Koehler? Use the comments section of this blog post to let us know where we should start selling our titles.

A Woman's World that Works for All - Volume 1

Hi guys. How's it going for you? It's been pretty quiet around here this week, with many staff members out of town or out of the office for various reasons. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. The relative tranquility has given me a lot of room for thought, the result of which is this very blog entry. Hours of silent seclusion have led me far into the realm of the fanciful, and I'm about to propose something a little bit strange. However, this blog is one of few arenas in which I exert total control, so...go with me on this.

At Berrett-Koehler we talk a lot about creating a world that works for all and opening up new space, both ideas rooted in our mission statement. Like everyone else on staff, the energy I bring to work is motivated by these ideals (and, sure, the occasional free lunch), but I recognize that this is easier said than done. We may not always be ready or able to create that world that works for all but, in the meantime, couldn't we imagine what that world would be? As such, I'm imagining a series in which we invite others share their visions of a world that works for all, opening up new space with original, short, digitally-distributed pieces.

And, because this is extra-imaginary, I'm making all of the authors women. Now, my feminist leanings are no surprise to readers who know me well, but this aspect is as much a personal challenge as it is a political statement, so let's see how it plays out. In this series of short pieces, which I'm calling 'A Woman's World That Works For All', smart, talented, and accomplished ladies from various fields will envision our best possible futures, giving readers the motivation to figure out what it would take to get us there.

First up? Suzanne Collins, bestselling author of The Hunger Games trilogy and The Underland Chronicles.

Full disclosure: I have not ready any of The Hunger Games books, but they have been recommended to be my numerous well-respected friends, and are nearly next on my to-read shelf.

Published by Scholastic in 2008, the first book in this young-adult science fiction series introduces sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the post-apocalyptic country of Panem, formerly North America. In Panem, a powerful government working in a city called The Capitol holds power, hosting an annual televised event (The Hunger Games) in which one girl and one boy from each district are chosen and forced to fight to the death. The Hunger Games exist to show that not even children are beyond the reach of The Capitol's power.

Whoa, right? If Suzanne Collins can so handily (and successfully) envision our demise, just imagine what she could do on the opposite end of the spectrum. We already know that she's a hugely talented writer, and her readers are so loyal they couldn't help but follow her to Berrett-Koehler. As I type, The Hunger Games is being adapted into a movie, which means Collins is about to 'blow up' (as they say), making her one of the most influential figures in youth and pop culture. Katniss Everdeen is a strong role model for young women, and I think that Suzanne Collins is a good one for all of us.


*It should also be noted that Collins was a writer on the beloved (by me) television show, Clarissa Explains It All.

Ooh La La Ooligan: Creating Books AND Publishers

As part of my new role as Editorial Associate here at Berrett-Koehler, I've been dedicating more time to keeping up with industry news, which mostly means that I take advantage of my weekday commute by bringing along the office copy of Publisher's Weekly. Not only is this a great way to distract myself from the sights, sounds, and smells of a too-crowded SF Muni bus, but it's an easy and entertaining way to stay on top of book deals, projects that other publishers have in development, and those models that are or are not working in today's changing landscape. While most articles in PW do much to inform, one feature in the January 10th issue had me inspired and, as such, I'd like to share it with you.

As I flipped through the pages of the most recent PW, the profile on page 9 struck my eye. Perhaps it was the noble drawing of what I would later learn is a type of smelt known as candlefish, or maybe it was the giggle of delight I let out upon pronouncing the word 'Ooligan'. The world may never know what initially drew me to this story, but I do know that I'm glad it did.

Founded in 2011 by Dennis Stovall, Ooligan Press is a teaching press "dedicated to the art and craft of publishing." Affiliated with Portland State University, the entire house is staffed with students pursuing masters degrees in English, so that these young people can enter the professional environment with real-world publishing experience. With 25-30 students working on each Ooligan Press title, the entire publishing process - from development, to editing, production, and design - is handled by the students. "I'm the publisher of Ooligan," says Dennis Stovall, "but in reality, the students are the publishers."

"Ooligan Pressis a general trade publisher rooted in the rich literary tradition of the Pacific Northwest. A region widely recognized for its unique and innovative sensibilities, this small corner of America is one of the most diverse in the United States, comprising urban centers, small towns, and wilderness areas...From this wealth of culture, Ooligan Press aspires to discover works that reflect the values and attitudes that inspire so many to call the Northwest their home."

The sentiment conveyed in Ooligan's mission statement is further evident in the 25 titles Ooligan currently has in print. To name a few:

• 42 by M. Thomas Cooper - This unconventional thriller set in Portland, Oregon, follows George Olson as his life is thrown into chaos and his mind into a possible state of psychosis. Looking down at the city from his office in the Black Box Building, George tries to make sense of a string of disappearances, strange disasters, and the recurrence of the number forty-two.
• Brew to Bikes by Charles Heying - Dissatisfied with passive consumption, many residents of Portland, Oregon take matters into their own hands. Urban Studies Professor Charles Heying noticed these local artisans and set out to study their thriving economy. A treatise to local, ethical business practices, Brew to Bikes positions Portland as a hub of artisan ingenuity.
• Dreams of the West: The History of the Chinese in Oregon, 1850-1950 by Portland State University - This distinctive account of Chinese immigration is detailed in a well-researched text and photograph collection, many never before seen by the public. Dreams of the West presents brave stories of men and women who made America their home and kept China in their hearts.
• Ricochet River by Robin Cody - Set in a fictional Oregon town, Ricochet River is a coming-of-age story about teenagers preparing to break away from their small-town lives. The river rushes past the town, linking three friends with their pasts, their plans, and the world beyond.

Ooligan offers a great selection of titles like these, all of which are available on their comprehensive website, which also explains their name and logo, the aforementioned candlefish. "The name Ooligan is adopted from a Native American word for a smelt otherwise known as the candlefish. The ooligan was an abundant natural resource in Pacific Northwest rivers." Ah, got it!

So, why exactly am I so enamored of Ooligan? At the end of the day, I think it comes down to pure mission-match. While Berrett-Koehler is busy 'creating a world that works for all', it seems that Ooligan is doing the same -- for the world of publishing --, and I see a lot of overlap in the way we do business.

Ooligan currently features a category of books that they call the OpenBook Series, which is aimed at highlighting the press' commitment to transparency on the route towards sustainable publishing. "We believe that disclosing the impacts of the choices we make will not only help us avoid unintentional greenwashing, but also serve to educate those who are unfamiliar with the choices available to printers and publishers." Like Berrett-Koehler, Ooligan has been offering its titles in both print and e-book formats for the past couple of years, and Stovall is working with authors to get digital rights to backlist titles, a process with which Jeevan is all-too familiar. Another thing I love about Ooligan? Their blog - which features interesting and informative posts like "Making Yourself Marketable", "Launching Digital Publishing", "Paper Design", and much more. Servicey!

As you can tell, Ooligan has a fan in me, and I think there's a lot we can all learn from this model. Thanks, Ooligan, for being an inspiration to publishers both present and future!

Cooking the Books - BK Goes Gourmet

Are you hungry? How about hungry for a good read? Either way, I think you'll enjoy this idea for a book I'd love to see from BK. Now, it's no secret to staff members here that I've long argued in favor of bringing some food to our editorial bill of fare, but a cookbook might not be entirely what anybody had in mind. However, what I'm here to propose is something more than your average volume of recipes. What I'd like to bring to the table (and, by the way, all puns are intended) is a guidebook for gathering all kinds of eaters in pursuit of personal, environmental, and economic health and happiness. Or, to stay on message, 'To Create a Menu That Works For All." And, stick with me, because I really do mean all.

Now, as handy as I am with a Tofurky (and believe me, I am), I have an author in mind a bit more suited to this task - Sean Baker. Never heard of him? Well, get familiar, because he's making quite a name for himself as Executive Chef of Berkeley's Gather Restaurant.

I can thank my longstanding love of men's magazines for my initial introduction to Baker (Esquire's Chef of the Year, 2010), but I've been hearing and reading about this local food-celebrity (foodlebrity?) since then. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, Baker worked for many years in the kitchen of Millenium Restaurant (admittedly, a favorite vegan establishment here in San Francisco), then at Zibbio and Google's kitchens, before taking on the role of Executive Chef at Gabriella Cafe in Santa Cruz, CA.

While these are certainly great credentials and accomplishments, it's Baker's approach at Gather (opened in December '09) that makes him the right man for this job. These days, it's nothing new to support local food producers and offer an organic menu, but Sean Baker and his team really do honor their "unwavering commitment to choosing foods that are cultivated safely, justly, and sustainably." All sources are meticulously researched, and Gather's menu is driven by the labor and interests of the farmers, ranchers, and cheese makers they support, working in direct conjunction with the providers to ensure a favorable relationship for all involved. (Hmmm. Sounds a bit like stewardship, if you ask me.) This respect for the community ("There is no such thing as an individual," their mission statement asserts. "We are all connected.") is reflected in the restaurant's ambiance and general attitude, but nowhere is it more apparent than on the menu.

This, dear readers, is where I get excited. As a vegetarian, I'm frequently frustrated by what dining establishments have to offer. Most general restaurants cook up only one or two things I can eat in good conscience, while the places that specialize in veggie or vegan fare are too preachy and unappealing to meat-eating friends and family. For Baker and Gather, this is a non-issue. "We really want to show enthusiasm for any dietary preference. There are so many...and we really just want to embrace that and give vegetables the same attention that we give to meat," Baker explains. And do they ever! From the carnivore-satisfying Prather Ranch Burger to their famous Vegan "Charcuterie", this is a restaurant (and a potential cookbook!) that really does offer something for everyone. As Baker says, "Most of all, we just want people to have a good time eating."

And I just want people to have a good time reading!

Now, before you think I'm just getting whimsical, there are actual practical and publishing-related reasons to embrace this piece of work. Berrett-Koehler strives to be at the forefront of the digital revolution, and nowhere are the opportunities for innovation greater than in cookbooks. Foodie culture has exploded in recent years, and food and cooking-related content has surged the internet. But despite the free content presented online, cookbook sales continue to grow. Why? Because cooking and eating are community activities, and nothing works to build community like digital and social media. Cookbooks and recipes present an unparalleled platform for enriched content, be it photo, video, or the opportunity for user interaction. Just imagine the possibilities, David Marshall!

So, what do you think? Would you buy this book?

Ringing, Reading, and Reviewing in 2011

Dear Readers,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the first Bonnie Blog posting of 2011! Not only is this a new year, but an entirely new decade, as well. Now, as cheesy and scientifically unsubstantiated as it may be, I'm a firm believer in the symbolic power of the 'new beginning' and, as follows, hold the (somewhat dangerous) belief that how you spend the earliest part of the new year is somewhat and somehow indicative of the entire year to come. Sure, this theory may not be comforting for all but, at the moment, it's really working for me.

As you know, it is my great ambition to one day work (successfully!) as an acquiring and developmental editor. As such, you can imagine my delight in having spent the first full week of 2011 mired in the thick of the editorial process.

Let me back up. Some time ago (really, at least a couple of months), Jeevan approached me with the request to complete my first-ever in-depth and full-length manuscript review for Berrett-Koehler, specifically working on Barbara McAfee's upcoming book, Full Voice: The Art and Practice of Vocal Presence. Having attended the meetings in which this book proposal was first presented to the editorial team, I jumped at the chance to contribute to the work in a fundamental way, especially compelled by the challenge of bringing voice to the printed page.

Now, when I say 'jumped', I mean that in terms of the opportunity, and not so much the actual pursuit. As those who are familiar with my work already know, I have a slight tendency to engage in procrastination. Therefore, while I was given my material well before the end of 2010, I performed the entirety of the project the following year. And what a project it was! Never before have I approached a written work in quite the same way, armed with deep thoughts and strong feelings, not to mention notepaper, highlighters, and many many pens. I spent hours upon hours locked in my room, exiled from the revelry taking place elsewhere in the apartment.

And do you know what? I loved it. Sure, I may have moaned and groaned a bit, frustrated at the cramming situation I had brought upon myself once again. But, overall, I really really enjoyed it. While I wasn't sure what I was doing was necessarily correct, nor could I be sure that it would be helpful, what was important was that I was doing it. I worked hard, I cared, and I got it done. And the best part is that delivering my review was really just the beginning of the experience.

Only two days after I sent the review in, Barbara McAfee was in the BK office to meat with our staff and to give her Author Day presentation. Having worked on the manuscript, I was invited (along with the other on-staff reviewers, extremely talented interns Brad Casenave and Sam Calios) to attend all of the author's meetings with her editor, Neal Maillet. While I've been privy to the editorial process ever since I first began working at Berrett-Koehler, this marks the first time that I've been involved at such a crucial and constant level. And, let me tell you, it makes all of the difference. Not only seeing, but contributing to the creation of a piece of work, inherently binds you to it in an emotional capacity. Or, rather, it does that for me. And that feels good. No, that feels great. So, while it remains to be seen if I'm actually any good at being an editor, I can tell you at least one thing for sure: I really really enjoy it.

So, there you have it. This may be more like a journal entry than a blog entry, but I needed to get it out. And, as further proof of my New Year's hypothesis, I've already been given my next editorial assignment!

And, of course, here's to wishing you all a 2011 as exciting and fulfilling as mine is shaping up to be. I really really mean it!!

Environmentalism in Office

In keeping with the theme of this week's BK Communique, I've set my sights on a truly accomplished environmental activist: EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. Let's get to know this potential BK author, shall we?

Born in Philadelphia in 1962, Lisa Jackson graduated summa cum laude from Tulane University with a B.S. in chemical engineering. Jackson then earned an M.S. from Princeton University, also in chemical engineering, before beginning her career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at its Washington, D.C. headquarters in 1986. During her time at the EPA, Lisa Jackson contributed greatly to the federal Superfund (otherwise known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) site remediation program, developing numerous hazardous waste cleanup regulations, overseeing hazardous waste cleanup operations in the state of New Jersey (shout-out to my Garden State heritage), and eventually directing multimillion-dollar cleanup projects throughout the country when she served as Deputy Director and Acting Director of agency's enforcement division.

After 16 years with the EPA, Jackson joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as assistant commissioner of compliance and enforcement, heading numerous programs involving land use regulation, geological survey, and water supply, standards and monitoring, and water use management. Under Jackson's leadership, the state Department of Environmental Protection developed and implemented the landmark Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.

In December of 2008, Barack Obama officially designated Lisa Jackson as the nominee for Administrator of the EPA. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January of 2009, and started right away on a U.S. campaign to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. She's certainly got my support.

How could you not want to read the work of this amazingly accomplished woman? Sure, there are countless books on environmental protection and related policy, but this one would be different, drawing upon a truly experienced perspective rooted in scientific understanding and years of bureaucratic government experience.

It has long been believed (and with good reason) that the EPA's authority is drawn primarily from its regulatory power, giving the agency a public image as being ineffectual and untrustworthy. Since her earliest days at the agency, Lisa Jackson has worked diligently towards an essential task: restoring public trust in the EPA. Well, this book is her opportunity to put it all into writing! In a time when government mistrust continues to grow, a compelling work by Lisa Jackson could combine history, science, and vision to give the American public (and our industries, businesses, and even other sectors of government) confidence that she and her team are serving all of our best interests.

Amazingly, Ms. Jackson has yet to write a book, and you know I would just love to sign the first-ever African American woman to serve in her position as my first-ever author.