A “Cranky Editorial Guy” session on October 8, 2025
Ever since that childhood debacle with the lemonade stand, there are plenty of nonfiction authors and to-be authors who hate the idea of self-promotion and marketing, so what should they do?
The short cranky answer: Get over it . . . or maybe consider you’re not ready yet to write that book.
The longer and less cranky answer: Publishing is not a meritocracy where great ideas find their way to the top of their own volition, so accept that if you want your book to be read, marketing is an essential aspect of it. Your work as an author is not done once the book goes to print. In many ways, that’s when the real work begins.
We recognize the hesitation and concerns about marketing and being a sales vehicle, and the discomfort it may cause, which is why in this session, Kristen Frantz (VP of Sales and Marketing) and Christy Kirk (Associate Director of Marketing) join your least-favorite man in publishing to discuss what you can do. They will focus on the strategies that yield the most bang for buck and results, and so are least likely to drain your patience and sanity by making the most efficient use of the time you have to give.
The session costs you nothing, and there’s a healthy chunk of time for Q&A afterwards. And as an extra bonus, one live attendee will win a free registration to our 2026 BookPlan marketing workshop!
Jeevan Sivasubramaniam is the VP of Editorial at Berrett-Koehler. He has been in publishing for thirty years in acquisitions and administration and has worked with over 700 authors and books.‘
Kristen Frantz is the VP of Sales and Marketing and Chief Operations Officer at Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Christy Kirk is the Associate Director of Marketing at Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Upcoming “Cranky Editorial Guy” Sessions
The second Wednesday of every month, at 10:00–10:45 am PST (1:00–1:45 pm EST):
Past “Cranky Editorial Guy” Recordings & Summaries
All nonfiction book proposals ask for the same basic bits of information, but what are publishers really looking for? What are the words, commitments, and things that make them sit up and take notice and what makes for a damn good proposal? In this webinar on September 10, 2025, Jeevan Sivasubramaniam (who has reviewed, no…
Continue Reading What Publishers Really Want to See in Your Book Proposal (But Won’t Tell You)
Agents can figure out if your book will sell, refine your proposal, introduce your book to the editors that are the best fit, and help you ensure you get a fair contract. They can’t work miracles.
Continue Reading Literary Agents: Do You Need One? What Should You Expect? And How Do You Know You Have a Good One (or a Bad One)?
Is AI the end of book publishing and authors as we know it? This conversation features Jeevan Sivasubramaniam, VP of Editorial at Berrett-Koehler Publishers, and Thad McIlroy, a published author and journalist, founding partner of Publishing Technology Partners, a contributing editor to Publishers Weekly, a board member at Johns Hopkins Press, and the principal of The Future of Publishing.
Continue Reading Threat, Benefit, or Both? What AI Means for Your Book and the Publishing Industry
It’s a good question: Are they? Many authors have indicated how even with traditional houses, they receive minimal editorial guidance or work. And I hate to admit it, but I have looked at many traditionally published books over the last couple of years and wondered—did an editor even look at this? Is this also turning the tide towards self-publishing since editorial shaping was one of the hallmark advantages of traditional publishing houses?
Continue Reading Are Editors Even Important or Needed Any More?