Disruptor, Tales From the Edges of Publishing

In this episode of DISRUPTOR, Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA talks about her plan to give every writer the opportunity to benefit from the kind of knowledge shared in MFA programs. She also discusses her current quest - to help writers dealing with depression and other emotional concerns succeed in their literary journeys.

In this special episode of DISRUPTOR, Dr. Eric Maisel shares his unique takes on the hurdles that often stop creative folks cold. This is really straightforward and immediately useful advice that can transform your life.

Meet an author who has taken her career entirely into her own hands -- and is teaching other writers how to follow in her footsteps.

Find out why sensitivity readers are a vital piece of the fight for diversity and respect - and why every author should consider using one.

Discover the inspiration for the site that's bringing professional self-publishing to the masses.

Ashleigh Gardner is the driving force behind Wattpad's new publishing arm. Learn how this remarkable service has changed the literary landscape, and what comes next.

Join Brian O'Leary, executive director of the Book Industry Study Group, for a look at what comes next for the publishing industry.

A tireless proponent of publishing innovation, Jane Friedman has helped countless authors move boldly into the digital future. Now she's ready to tackle what comes next.

Using publicly available data, Alex Newton has developed algorithms that predict which books will sell on Amazon -- and which won't.  Find out how a mild mannered numbers guy has become the "Amazon psychic" and is helping writers and publishers succeed in the world's largest bookstore. Links: K-Lytics - http://k-lytics.com/

There's a growing movement afoot to change the publishing industry from the inside out. Find out more in this thought-provoking episode of DISRUPTOR.

Mark Leslie was an unlikely candidate to become a digital evangelist.  A successful traditional print author and bookseller, he changed course to fully embrace new technologies -- and his career exploded. Learn the mindset needed to make the shift, and get direct advice from a man at the forefront of the digital publishing revolution. LINKS: Mark Leslie Home Page - http://markleslie.ca/ Mark's Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Leslie/e/B004DAC862

We all want to make the world a better place.  So why don't we take action? In this special edition of DISRUPTOR, renowned coach & author Andrea Woolf unpacks the issues that hold us back from being our true selves. She offers tips on how to handle criticism, haters, self-doubt, naysayers and perfectionism, and gives you the courage to move forward in your power. This is an exciting and empowering session that will leave you ready to go out and kick some serious butt!   LINKS: Free copy of Andrea's book Ignite Your Life:  http://publishingdisruptor.com/ignite   Andrea's website:  http://andreawoolf.com Andrea's e-mail:  andrea@andreawoolf.com

In the age of the eBook and app, it's an "ancient" technology that the hottest of all.  Discover why audio publishing has exploded, and how one company has put audio creation within the reach of any publisher. Meet Kelly Lytle, author, audio evangelist and key force at Findaway Voices. Links: Findaway Voices - https://findawayvoices.com/ Kelly's Book To Dad From Kelly - https://www.amazon.com/Dad-Kelly-Lytle/dp/0692250387 Bio of Kelly's Father - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Lytle Bio of Kelly's choice for his favorite Disruptor - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roone_Arledge

When Todd Bol built a small schoolhouse-shaped box to allow his mom to share books with neighbors, he didn't have global disruption in mind.  Now, more than 77,000 Little Free Libraries later, his simple idea is bringing the joy of reading to millions of people around the globe. Learn how he took his invention global, and get his advice for creating a massive disruption without a giant budget or large team.   Update:  We were stunned and saddened to learn that Todd Bol passed away October 18, 2018.   His work, his legacy and his inspiration lives on. May he rest in peace.   LOVING DISRUPTOR?  PLEASE REMEMBER TO RATE US IN iTunes!   Links: Little Free Library - https://littlefreelibrary.org/ Biography of Todd's favorite Disruptor, Ida B. Wells - https://www.biography.com/people/ida-b-wells-9527635

  In the premiere episode of DISRUPTOR, Jon talks to Johnny Temple -- acclaimed punk musician and founder of the cutting-edge publisher Akashic Books. Listen in as Johnny talks about his plan to "reverse gentrify" the publishing world and give voice to the underrepresented.  If you're looking to do some disrupting of your own, Johnny is a true inspiration. Every week, DISRUPTOR celebrates the rebels, mavericks and weirdos of the publishing world, and encourages you to disrupt in your own way.   Subscribe now!   Links of Interest for Episode 1: Akashic Books:   http://www.akashicbooks.com/ Akashic on Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akashic_Books Girls Against Boys (Johnny's band):  http://www.gvsb.com/ Ian Mackaye bio (musician/entrepreneur Jon & Johnny discuss):  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_MacKaye   FULL TRANSCRIPT IN PDF FOR DOWNLOAD Episode 1_ Johnny Temple, Akashic Books     TRANSCRIPT OF FULL INTERVIEW:   NOTE: Transcript may include errors.  Refer to the original recording for most accurate info How did an acclaimed punk rock musician start one of the most innovative and talked about small presses on the planet and how did he manage to take a book whose title can't even be said on television and turn it into one of the biggest runaway bestsellers in years? You're about to find out. Greetings one and all. I'm Jon Bard and this is DISRUPTOR, episode 1, featuring Johnny Temple of Akashic Books. I've been in the publishing world for close to 30 years and I've seen a lot of things change, but maybe they haven't changed fast enough. And so I asked the question, are there disruptors out there? Are there people and companies that are really changing things in publishing, pushing us into the future, throwing out the old rule book and creating a new one all their own? I went in search of that and I've found them.   And every week here on DISRUPTOR, you'll meet them. Welcome to the journey. It's time to disrupt. Today's episode of DISRUPTOR is brought to you by Writing Blueprints, the breakthrough step by step system for writers that creates truly great books. To learn more about the most disruptive way ever to become a successful author, visit writingblueprints.com and use the code DISRUPT to save 10 percent off everything on the site. The writing world has been shaken. Meet the earthquake. Writing Blueprints. This is how you write a book.   Johnny Temple had already conquered the world of punk rock, with his acclaimed band Girls Against Boys, when he turned his attention to publishing.  He founded Akashic Books in 1997, seeking to redefine how a small press chooses its titles, promotes its authors, and serves its readers. Akashic's author roster reads like a who's who in cool featuring among others, Dennis Cooper, Ron Kovich, Melvin van Peebles, Lydia Lunch, Richard Hell, Lawrence Block, and Elizabeth Nunez.  Temples' punk DIY ethos has led to a catalog of wildly eclectic, always fascinating works, presenting viewpoints often unheard elsewhere. In 2011, Johnny published a racy children's book parody, not because he thought it would sell, but because it made them laugh.  Within months, Go the F**K To Sleep was number one on Amazon. Proof that a little disruption can sometimes yield a huge payoff. I spoke to Johnny from Akashic's headquarters, a converted can factory in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. JON: Well, thank you Johnny Temple for joining us on DISRUPTOR. It's an honor. I'm a fan and I've been a fan for awhile of your music and your publishing. Let me begin by asking you the question we always like to ask here on DISRUPTOR. We are here to celebrate the rebels, the mavericks, and the weirdos of the publishing world. Which one of those words best fits you and why? JOHNNY: Weirdo, Weirdo disguised as a rebel. I just, I've always felt very weird, very strange, very odd ball. And I mean, I think that most people are weirdos, you know?