Episode 211 – Around the World in 90 Minutes with Marty Essen

Mark interviews Marty Essen, the author of several non-fiction and fiction titles, and a much sought after public speaker.

Prior to the main content, Mark thanks Patrons to the podcast, shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode’s sponsor.

This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices.

You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

In their conversation, Mark and Marty talk about:

How Marty’s first book tour experience evolved into compelling storytelling rather than dry readings from his bookDifferences involved in moving from writing short articles for newspapers and magazines to writing a bookThe eye opening experience of working with an editorWinning an award at Book Expo America in NYCMarty’s experience working at radio stationsThe newspaper interview that resulted in being invited to write an article about his Amazon Rainforest explorationHow Marty’s show is a pre-scripted show that is exactly the same. Why he does that and how he keeps himself motivated repeatedly delivering the same contentThe research Marty does in terms of researching colleges to pitch to for his talksHow this work resulted in Marty representing other talents through his company/agency (Encante Entertainment)A tip Marty has used to combat stage frightDoing virtual talks during the pandemic and the pros and cons of thatHow Marty found his first editor and deciding to self-publishThe two different covers on one of his booksSetting up distribution through Midpoint TradeThe huge number of print copies that Marty has sold in printDoing full color printing for a recent book that required using a printer in China to keep the costs downHow a common theme in all of Marty’s books are about protecting the environment and protecting human rightsMarty’s experience at writing and releasing three novels (satirical science-fiction/political)An idea Marty has for a Kickstarter style projectAnd more…

After the interview, Mark reflects on the idea of turning a weakness into a strength, and the idea of authenticity in scripted/rehearsed performance.  

Links of Interest:

Marty Essen’s WebsiteVideo excerpts of some of Marty’s talksMarty’s BooksEpisode 210 – Facing Creative Block with Morgan RhodesEpisode 207 – Library and Bookstore StrategiesEmpire Builder’s SummitThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsPatreon for Stark ReflectionsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big City

Marty Essen began writing professionally in the 1990s as a features writer for Gig Magazine. His first book, Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents, won six national awards, and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune named it a “Top Ten Green Book.”

His second book, Endangered Edens: Exploring the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, the Everglades, and Puerto Rico, won four national awards.

His novels, Time Is Irreverent, Time Is Irreverent 2: Jesus Christ, Not Again! and Time Is Irreverent 3: Gone for 16 Seconds, have all received rave reviews.

Hits, Heathens, and Hippos is Marty’s sixth book, and like all of his books, it reflects his values of protecting human rights and the environment—and does so with a wry sense of humor.

Marty is also a popular college speaker, who has performed the stage-show version of Cool Creatures, Hot Planet on hundreds of campuses in forty-five states.

The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0