“Everyone has a story to tell and when its your personal story you’re selling yourself, too. And that, to me, is a very easy sell.” — Rick Kaempfer

Today I interviewed Rick Kaempfer and David Stern of Eckhartz Press.

Rick Kaempfer is the co-founder and publisher of Eckhartz Press. In addition to being the publisher, he is the author of several Eckhartz Press releases, inclucing “EveryCubEver”, “Father Knows Nothing”, “Records Truly Is My Middle Name” (with John Records Landecker) and “The Living Wills” (with Brendan Sullivan), Rick has been published several times before (including a novel “$everance” and a how-to-book about radio called “The Radio Producer’s Handbook”). He was also a member of the media for more than twenty years as the producer of two highly acclaimed radio shows (Steve Dahl & Garry Meier and John Records Landecker), and still covers the industry as the media critic for the Illinois Entertainer. He has watched the media landscape change over the past thirty years from a front row seat, and is excited to use that experience as the publisher of Eckhartz Press.

David Stern is the co-founder and publisher of Eckhartz Press, and the author of “The Balding Handbook”. After a 20+ year sales and marketing career, and a ten year stint as a principal in a Chicago advertising agency, Stern comes to Eckhartz Press uniquely qualified to tackle the realities of an ever-changing publishing landscape. He and Kaempfer have been collaborating in one form or another since they met at the University of Illinois in the early 1980s (when both must have been mere children). Stern is also one of the officers of Eckhartz Press’ parent company Just One Bad Century, Inc, and proud to call himself a life long (“City Boy”) Chicagoan.

In this episode we speak about:
Publishing unique voices allows diverse people to have a platform
Tips for first-time authors
Everyone needs an editor
Changes in listening media (radio, podcasts, etc.) that affect what information people receive and who gets to share their message