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.

Good Will Writing

Here's a fun fact: Despite the enthusiasm with which I perform my role as Digital Community Builder, my ultimate goal in the world of book publishing is to one day be a big-shot acquiring editor. Or even just a regular-shot acquiring editor, but if you're going to dream you might as well dream big, right? As part of the editorial team here at Berrett-Koehler, I'm already on a solid path towards my intended profession, with a passenger-seat view of the acquisitions and editorial processes. However, there's a considerable difference between watching and doing, and I'm ready to start thinking like an acquiring editor, even if I'm not yet acting as one. As such, the Bonnie Blog is taking on a new form. From here on out, this space will be dedicated to my ideal Berrett-Koehler book projects, signings made even sweeter because they aren't hindered by the constricts of reality. In that vein, I present you with the first of many imagined manuscripts: A memoir by my dream celebrity author, Mr. Matt Damon. (Remember what I said about dreaming big?)


As many of you already know, I have an unabashed and unending interest in celebrity and popular culture. However, my enthusiasm for Mr. Damon goes beyond the normal excitement garnered by popular performers. On top of being a very good actor (and why not just say it -- a very good looking guy), I have come to the solid conclusion that Matt Damon is also a very good person. BK's mission to create a world that works for all seems to be something the actor also supports -- he just doesn't know it yet.

Born in Massachusetts in 1970, Matt Damon is an actor and screenwriter, whose career really took off following the success of the film Good Will Hunting, from a screenplay he co-wrote with longtime friend Ben Affleck (who will, of course, be contributing both foreword and endorsement).

Damon's Wikipedia page points out that he grew up near historian and author Howard Zinn, with whom he developed a close personal relationship. I can't help but believe that such early proximity to a noted progressive thinker had a major impact on the young Damon, who is also a political activist and a major philanthropist. These roles, more so than those he takes on in film and television, are really what draw me to Damon as an author.

Interviews with Damon reveal that he has taken part in philanthropy since the ripe old age of 12, when he started putting his allowance to work. "I got $5 a week when I was a kid, but I never spent much money on anything. My mother was involved in all sorts of causes, and when I was about 12, I started sending a little bit every month to one of them. I learned then that you find one thing that matters to you, and it changes your whole mind set," he told Parade magazine in 2009. To this day, it's clear that Damon still ascribes to that philosophy. The actor founded H20 Africa Foundation, which has since merged with WaterPartners to create Water.org, a nonprofit committed to providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. Together with other well-known actors, Damon founded Not On Our Watch, an organization that focuses global attention and accumulates resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities such as in Darfur. The list of Damon's philanthropic contributions goes on and on, from his support of the ONE Campaign to fight AIDS and poverty in Third World Countries, his ambassadorship on behalf of OneXOne, a non-profit foundation committed to improving the lives of children around the world, and his position as spokesperson for Feeding America, the largest USA-focused hunger-relief organization.

While working to better the lives of those around the world is admirable enough, I'm also impressed by Damon's commitment to the well-being of his family, especially his attitude towards raising responsible women. "I think what's important for kids to know is that your decisions here on earth matter, your behavior matters, and how you treat other people matters. If I had a bucket list, I'd say raising my four girls to be strong, good women would be number one," he said recently.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a man actively working to create a world that works for all. Even though he's only 40 years old, he's lived a life full enough to fill more than a single book, so why not give one to Berrett-Koehler? The content will be great, he's got a wicked sense of humor, and we already know he can write!

You heard it here first: I'm signing Matt Damon!

Creating a World That Works For Me!

Dictionary.com (the new authority in word-explanations, at least as far as I'm concerned) defines the term 'affiliate' (n.) thusly: "A person who is affiliated; associate; auxiliary." Hmm. Helpful.

Many years ago I was told by a professor of English that one's thesis statement should never begin with a dictionary definition. However, I'm about to break more than one rule of blog-writing, so I may as well embrace error and start out on the wrong foot. Ah, rebellion. Take that, Professor Lewis!

Now, wouldn't you like to be a "person who is affiliated" with Berrett-Koehler Publishers? Wouldn't you like to say, casually, -- perhaps over cocktails? -- "Why yes, I am a Berrett-Koehler associate. An auxiliary, if you will"? It's no "Bond, James Bond" but it's pretty darn close.

Well, now is your chance! Here is where I break another writing rule (this one from Jeevan): Tell, don't sell. Because, my friends, I am about to sell.

Have you heard of The BK Affiliate Network? If you're on one of our mailing lists, chances are that you have. However, if you're reading this, chances are that you haven't signed up. (Because not many have -- get it?) Normally, I'd agree with Jeevan -- this is not the forum for marketing -- but I'm framing this differently. I'm not pushing this for Berrett-Koehler, I'm pushing it for myself. The BK Affiliate Network is my program to grow, so you can chalk this song and dance up to awe-inspiring and motivational go-getting initiative! Right? Or, sure, selfishness. Whatever.

The good thing about this selfishness is that, in the end, it will benefit you too! If you have a website (or if your organization, friend, or family member has a website), you can use the BK name and catalog to make yourself (or your organization, friend, or family member) some money, and it will save those website visitors money too! When you join the BK Affiliate Network (have I repeated myself enough? are you getting very very sleepy yet?), visitors to bkconnection.com from your website receive an automatic 20% discount on any and all of the 700+ Berrett-Koehler Products. On top of that, you (or your organization, friend, or family member) receive 10% in thanks for the referral. You get money, we get money, and new customers get the greatest gift of all -- their own invitation to the program! No, I'm just kidding. What new customers really get is a wonderful introduction to a world of information and entertainment that they never knew existed. Win, win, and win!

Don't believe me? Follow the BK links on one (or all) of these sites:

• Margaret J. Wheatley
• The Courageous Follower
• Larry Dressler
• Winds of Change Group
  

Notice anything? These happy BK Affiliates are providing their web visitors with discounts on all of our products, not just their own books. On top of the 10% referral bonus they receive, they're also getting a high-profile shout-out from yours truly. Thanks guys! Want to be part of this elite group? I thought so.

Beyond all of us, the BK Affiliate Network really does serve our mission of 'Creating a World That Works for All' by spreading the new ideas presented in our books to a wide-reaching audience, stimulating thought processes far and wide!

Alright, I've had enough crass commercialism for one day. If that debonair image of your cocktail-party confession really resonated, check out this page for more information on the program. You can also use the comments section of this blog posting to pose any and all questions, but also feel free to email me at bkaufman@bkpub.com. After word hits a few offices down that I've been breaking rank, I may have a lot more free time on my hands.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming. More Twitter treats and Facebook findings to come next time.

VOTE! Seriously, do it.

Whoa you guys - look at your calendars! Mid-October already? I've got some serious thinking to do, as a very important day is coming up. What's that? No, I am NOT talking about Halloween, I'm talking about the upcoming November 2nd Midterm Elections! Have you heard about these? Because, honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't. As someone who very well remembers the fervor surrounding the 2008 Presidential race, I'm nothing short of shocked by the relative silence surrounding the upcoming general elections. What to make of all this?

As I've said previously, I generally get all of my information via the internet (with a little bit of TV-watching and magazine-reading in my spare time) and, while I rely on these mediums for news updates and -- almost more importantly -- the related commentary, I also rely on the media (both social and traditional) to remind me when action is necessary. I'm not kidding: If it hadn't been for the collective online groan last tax season, I'd currently be on the wrong side of the law. So where are the people telling me to get out and vote? I see nothing!*

Well, that's not entirely true. I see plenty. The internet is ablaze with political stories, most notably those that aim to entertain. I know all about Carl Paladino's homophobic remarks, Christine O'Donnell's studies in witchcraft and wizardry, and even the shocking Sexy Santa pics of Virginia congressional candidate Krystal Ball. "Scandals" such as these reach my eyeballs each and every day, but what's missing is the imperative towards action. Yes, please point out and detail the perversions of our potential representatives (cough cough Meg Whitman cough cough), but then urge us to do something about it. I know, I know -- we should be able to propel ourselves in these matters, but why risk it and take that chance? All of us -- but young people, especially -- increasingly rely on the imperatives mass media present to us. So, come on, and tell us to vote! In this regard, I really have to hand it to my friends fighting for the legalization of marijuana; not only to they consistently couple their message with a specific measure (cough cough Prop 19 cough cough), but their campaign also targets youth voters. Even if you disagree with their aspirations, you can't argue with their execution.

So, Tweet this, post this, forward to friends and family with this in the subject line: VOTE! No mixed messages, no hidden agendas, just an honest and proper plea to go out and do your civic duty!

In the words of my man, @BarackObama, "I need everybody here to commit to vote. I need you to talk to friends, neighbors, co-workers, aunts, uncles, and tell them -- November 2nd matters."

There, BO -- I did it!

*This is actually not true, since I am blessed with a mother who is both political-minded and exceptionally helpful. This blog post is dedicated to her!