to the point » Category: Publisher Spotlight

We sat down with Emerson Klees, author and publisher of a number of titles including Success: Role Models of Winners, Finger Lakes Wineries: A Pictorial History, Legends and Stories of the Finger Lakes Region, and Emotional Intelligence: People Smart Role Model and more. Emerson holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, an MBA from NYU, and a MA in English Literature (Creative Writing track) from SUNY College at Brockport. He is the owner and publisher of Friends of the Finger Lakes PUblishing and it's imprint Cameo Press. 

Above: Emerson (left) and his wife, Patricia.

Hi Emerson. Nice to speak with you. First off, tell us something about yourself, do you have any hobbies other than writing? 

As you can tell from the subject of a few of my books, I have an interest in winemaking. I used to actually grow grapes and make wine myself!

Did you always know you wanted to write? 

Not always, but since I was young, in my twenties. But I didn't actually write and publish anything until I was in my fifties.

Why did you wait so long? 

Writing was a hobby and not my career. I served on active duty in the US Navy a the the New York Naval Shipyard where I was the Ship Superintendent for Electronics. This was during the construction of the aircraft carriers the USS Independence and the USS Constellation. Then I worked for the Eastman Kodak Company until 1991. After that I was an adjunct professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology.  I was busy to say the least!

What's your favorite thing about writing a book?

That's easy, the research and actual writing. 

And your least favorite?

Also easy, editing and proofreading.

Tell us, what are you working on next?

A book called Heroes and Heroines: Role Models & Legends about heroes and heroines in history and the military.

All of Emerson's titles can be found on our website (midpointtrade.com).

In this week's Midpoint Author Spotlight we sit down with Amberjack Publishing's, Kathryn Berla, author of a new YA novel The House at 758 (9781944995249), the highly acclaimed Dream Me (9781944995201) and forthcoming in Spring 2018 Going Places (9781944995539).

Tell us, what are you reading right now?

Girl At War by Sara Novic

 Favorite childhood book:

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Hobbies? (Other than writing!)

Reading, of course. Watching movies, traveling, hiking and exercise.

What's the best piece of advice you could give to someone considering writing a book:

Just sit down and force yourself to write every day. I stick to a daily word count of 1000 when I'm actively working on a novel.

Any hidden talents? Or something people might be surprised to know about you?

I am actually a crime-fighting superhero at night. Well, maybe not that. I have a ton of useless information stored in my head making me a decent armchair Jeopardy contestant. I've been a paper delivery girl and a projectionist in a funky old repertory theater in which part of my job description was driving people to the emergency room when they received a puncture wound to the butt from a protruding spring in the dilapidated theater seat. Thankfully, that last part only happened once.

You're deserted on a tropical island and you could only bring one book with you. Which would it be?

The Crock of Gold by James Stephens

Did you always know you wanted to write? How old were you when you decided to become an author?

I always loved to write. When I was young I wrote in my diary and created family newspapers. In high school I had a wonderful English teacher, Mrs. Muth, who nurtured my love of writing and encouraged me to believe it could be a real path I might one day pursue. In college, I studied creative writing. But then life happened and I got sidetracked until coming back to it about five years ago. I believe there's a time and place for everything in your life and this is my time to devote myself to writing.

Favorite season and why?

Spring because summer is coming and I always like to look forward to something. I know I'm supposed to just live in the moment but that's my honest answer.

Are you working on your next book yet? If so, what can you tell us about it?

I can tell you that I recently finished my first novel written specifically for adult readers (women's fiction psychological suspense). It's called The Kitty Committee and will be published by Amberjack Publishing in August 2018. I'm currently pondering one of three ideas for my next novel and I'm sure I'll have a few others before I actually start writing again in October.

Favorite thing about writing a book? Least favorite thing about writing a book?

Favorite thing is just writing it once I get past the first ten pages. Least favorite thing is losing touch with all my friends for 3-4 months while I'm in writing mode.

Kathryn graduated from the University of California in Berkeley with a degree in English and studied creative writing under Walter van Tilburg Clark at the University of Nevada. She currently resides in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Check out Kathryn's website and connect with Kathryn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Midpoint Trade Books is pleased to announce the distribution of the following publishers.

Isaac Publishing LLC

Isaac Publishing LLC publishes books about Islam and Christianity, as well as religious inspirational and educational works.

                Imprint: Westminster Institute 

Motivational Press

Motivational Press is a non-fiction publishing house that commits itself to working with authors to develop their work and put it out into the world.

                Imprint: HeartWork Publishing

                Imprint: Motivating the Masses Press

                Imprint: Authority Press

                Imprint: True North Publishing 

          
Integrative Nutrition Publishing

Integrative Nutrition Publishing publishes books about health and nutrition that encourage a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.  

 
Defiance Press

Definance Press is a Texas-based company that publishes books that provide a voice for early U.S. libertarian and conservative principles, with a focus on the principles of the Founding Fathers.

                Imprint: Bluebonnet Kids 

Caffeine Nights

Caffeine Nights Publishing is an independent crime and horror fiction publisher based in Kent, England. 

 
Layla Dog Press

Layla Dog Press is an independent publisher of young adult science fiction and educational non-fiction books translating complex topics for the general reader.  

Midpoint Trade Books has signed a distribution deal with Incorgnito Publishing Press.

From Incorgnito's press release:

"We are pleased to announce that Incorgnito Publishing Press has signed a distribution deal with Midpoint Trade Books, for national distributor representation to wholesalers, libraries, bookstores, and other retail outlets. This new partnership with Midpoint, will give our authors broader each into the retail marketplace..."

 Midpoint Trade Books has signed a distribution deal with Homebound Publications.

From Homebound's press release:

"Founded in Connecticut in 2011, Homebound Publications is one of the rising independent publishers in the country. Collectively through our imprints, we publish between fifteen to twenty books each year and we have almost seventy-five titles distributed worldwide. Over the years, our authors have received dozens of awards including: Foreword Reviews’ Book of the Year, Nautilus Book Awards, and Saltire Literary Awards. Highly-respected among bookstores, readers, and authors alike, Homebound Publications has a proven devotion to quality, originality, and integrity. As an independent publisher, we strive to ensure, that the mainstream is not the only stream. It is our intention at Homebound Publications to preserve contemplative storytelling. We publish full-length introspective works of creative non-fiction, travel writing, poetry, and novels."

Midpoint Trade Books has signed a distribution deal with Mr. Food Test Kitchen, a Florida-based cookbook publisher whose books offer recipes from the nationally syndicated Mr. Food cooking show.

“We feel that the Midpoint Team has what it takes to make our books accessible to all who want them,” says Steve Ginsburg, CEO of Mr. Food Brand. “By working in tandem, we will be able to reach more consumers to help them have as much fun in their kitchens as we do in our Test Kitchen.”

Their upcoming fall title is Mr. Food Test Kitchen Sinful Sweets & Tasty Treats, which will publish in October.

Since Ginsburg’s death in 2012, the Mr. Food show has continued to be aired in more than 120 markets and reach more than 3 million daily viewers nationwide. Howard J. Rosenthal has taken over as the on-air personality for the show.

Former butcher Arthur Ginsburg, better known as “Mr. Food,” became a national television personality and cookbook publisher after his popular series of 90-second, “Quick ‘n’ Easy” television segments was picked up by CBS Television Distribution (formerly King World) in 1982. Ginsburg is known for helping the everyday cook make mealtime as rewarding and satisfying as possible with easy-to-find ingredients, triple-tested recipes and no-nonsense products. Ginsburg was also among the first authors to sell his books on the QVC shopping network.