Comments on: WE LAUNCHED A SMALL PRESS AND ARE PUBLISHING BOOKS SOLD ONLY IN INDEPENDENT STORES. ARE WE CRAZY?

By: Rob Burg

Rob Burg — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 16:22:09 +0000

Great news! I’ve been a fan of your writing Jerry since I first relocated to Northern Michigan (Grayling area) in 1998. Even got a chance to meet you at a book signing that we hosted for you at Hartwick Pines State Park (I was the historian there from 1998-2013). I am dabbling in writing myself now and if I ever finish my project on writing a history of Michigan’s lumber history, maybe I can send a manuscript towards the direction of Big Maple Press (I love the name, by the way).

Best of luck from the headwaters of the AuSable River!
–Rob Burg

By: Jerry Dennis

Jerry Dennis — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 19:35:08 +0000

Thanks! Glenn’s a musician who has published a number of records and compositions, so we’ve followed the music industry with interest and have noted the parallel path the book industry is taking. A friend of mine predicts the day is coming when writers will earn their livings from “being writers,” not from the sales of their books. Judging by the steady increase in invitations coming my way to speak/read/teach, I think he might be right. Regarding the Northeast: Yes. Glenn and have great memories of our indie bookstore events in Boston, NY, and throughout the Northeast over the years, and plan to reconnect with those stores in 2015 and invite them to stock Big Maple Press books. We’re long overdue for another East Coast tour.

By: A. Trout

A. Trout — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 17:56:31 +0000

Congratulations on the emergence of Big Maple Press!
This is inspiring and affirming for artists everywhere. What a great joy it must be to take control of how and where your work reaches readers.
Independent musicians have similar concerns and issues. Media and corporate interests have subsumed musicians’ prerogatives around producing, recording, editing and performing. It’s an act of courage and faith to step away from that and create an independent means of having one’s work – particularly live performance – reach the ear of listeners. An exciting and evolving enterprise, bolstered by artists in other genres moving in the same direction.
Looking forward to following Big Maple Press and am happy to order direct. Hope these books appear in the Northeast sometime soon. In Boston and New York, Independent Booksellers are beloved and precious – a glorious setting to explore and discover.
Go BMP!!!

By: Jerry Dennis

Jerry Dennis — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 22:52:27 +0000

Thanks, Jeff. It always pleases me to hear about my books getting weather-and-water beaten—and I hear it a lot. They were written outdoors (the rough drafts, at least), so it’s only right that they be read there.

By: Jeff Van Valer

Jeff Van Valer — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 22:24:40 +0000

Congratulations from a Sleeping Bear Dunes (and private bookstore) appreciator from Indiana! Big Maple Press–if a little good-kind-of-crazy–just sounds like “The Right Thing to Do.” Good luck to all of you with your venture. I lent out my copy of It’s Raining Frogs and Fishes, and it came back discolored and swollen from obviously having spent a bad night in some standing water. I should get a new copy with that fantastic “Indie Bookstore Edition” logo.

By: Jerry Dennis

Jerry Dennis — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 06:52:28 +0000

Thank you, Pamela. And we’re having a lot of fun, too.

By: P. J. Grath

P. J. Grath — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 19:43:54 +0000

You are trail-blazers! The idea is innovative and exciting, and you have the talent to pull it off. Congratulations on taking the leap of faith!