We had the good fortune of connecting with Naomi Rosenblatt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Naomi, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was at a crossroads: old enough to be “aged out” of corporate jobs in publishing but far too young to retire—and too experienced to let it all go. Where could I take my skills, talents, and passion? To my own company. When I started Heliotrope Books in 2006, I hoped to sell a few books each year to larger presses. That model did not work, so I began publishing directly through print-on-demand and digital formats. At the outset, I had a partner. Now I am a sole proprietor. I’ve had to adapt my approach to meet new requirements as times and trends change.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I could have chosen “business” for this question, because what I do is both an art and a business. Perhaps that combination rings true for many of us. While I publish books in a for-profit capacity, there’s a lot more to book publishing than completing metadata and typesetting. I have to make decisions about which writers and material to work with, and how to do so. These are often intuitive, creative decisions rather than actuarial calculations. When my books started winning prizes and getting starred reviews in trade publications like Publishers Weekly, I realized that I have a talent for recognizing works that resonate widely. When I take on a book, I put my whole self into it—developing the manuscript, designing a cover and interior, supporting the author and publicity team. I am a very small, micro press, but my commitment to bringing out the best in a book is huge.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my Shoutout to my family, who have always and consistently believed in me, and to IBPA (Independent Book Publishers of America) who supports the mission of indie presses in America.

Website: http://www.heliotropebooks.com

Instagram: @heliotropebooks

Twitter: @heliotropebooks

Image Credits
Photo of Naomi Rosenblatt by Vivian Chu. All other photos by Naomi Rosenblatt.

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