An interview, a reading at Powell’s, and bit of this and a bit of that

I haven’t been writing much on this site lately.  For that, my apologies.  I tend to use my website for more reflective pieces, and lately it has been “promotion time” due to the release of my new book, Voices in the Stones, and Steven Simpson’s film adaptation of Neither Wolf nor Dog.

I am no lover of promotion, either as a participatory experience or as a necessary component of the creative life.  I am a writer; I like to stay back and observe, then bring forth my observations between the pages of a book.  The tap dancing and dog and pony shows necessary to get works known has always been something I preferred to leave to others.

But the times are what they are.

A marketing savvy person I know once said, “You need to spend one month writing and eleven months promoting.”  Another pr type told me, “You need to start promoting something the second you get the idea, at least a year before it is ever produced.”

All ye young-uns who want to go into the arts, consider those words carefully.  The way of the world these days is that your willingness and ability to promote your art is more important than your capacity to make your art.  I’m just saying. . .

Anyway, two alerts in this regard:

First, I will be reading at the downtown Powell’s Bookstore in Portland on the 14th of March.  Powell’s is a phenomenon.  It is the centerpiece of downtown Portland and the defining element of Portland’s cultural identity.  It takes up an entire city block and is a destination for everyone who comes to this city.  To get a reading there is no small thing.  I need to beat the hustings to get folks to attend.  Consider this message as one of those beatings.  I hope to see you there if you live nearby.

Second, Steven’s film adaptation, which is really quite amazing in its own right, is doing well on unsteady legs as he tries single handedly to promote it into theaters.  I’m attaching an interview that I did with my dear friend Katie Carter back in my ex-home town in northern Minnesota.  Because she was a friend, it has a certain authenticity to it that I appreciate.  Promotion ain’t so bad when you get to do it with friends.  Here’s a link to the interview:

http://kaxe.org/post/neither-wolf-nor-dog-novel-becomes-movie#stream/0

I’ll try to write more in the future, including some information on my new writing project for the UK publisher, Canongate, and my self-publishing effort to get my dearly beloved A Haunting Reverence back into print, now to be published under the title of Native Echoes:  Listening to the Spirit of the Land.

Well, this is enough for now.  Thanks for reading, and I’ll try not to be so much of a stranger.

10 thoughts on “An interview, a reading at Powell’s, and bit of this and a bit of that”

  1. Shawn Gilbert

    Kent, I suggest you try the Edina Landmark Theatre in Edina (Minneapolis) MN for showings of Neither Wolf nor Dog. I’m guessing you’ve already had conversations w/Louise Erdrich (Birchbark books). Wonder if she couldn’t do a little PR for this movie? I’m torn about its life out of a book, but I know you have confidence, so I’m very eager for the experience…and for your personal success with this beautiful gem.

  2. The movie is out of my hands. All I can do is keep repeating that Steven Simpson is the force behind its distribution. I feel like Max Yasgur (the farmer on whose land the famous Woodstock festival took place). People keep coming up to me and telling me what acts I should book, and all I can say is, “Try not to ruin my field.” Steven did not ruin my field, but he is the one in charge of all bookings. I’m just one more bystander.

  3. Shawn Gilbert

    Sorry. I understood that Steven Simpson was marketing the movies, but I didn’t realize that meant it was actually out of your hands. Didn’t mean to be a thorn. Sending best.

  4. No thorn. It’s a misunderstanding people have. It’s actually a compliment to me that the book remains so strong in people’s minds that they see the film as merely a child of the literary parent. At least, that’s how I take it. So I actually thank you for asking. I just can’t give you the appropriate answer.

  5. Michelle Scheurell

    In San Diego, California The Ken Theater would be perfect for a screening. The Ken is, I believe, the last one-screen theater left in this city. It is part of Landmark Cinemas and are known for independent film showings and what I call “art” films.

    Try your luck — I want to see the film shown in San Diego!!

  6. Loved the movie NWND and of course NWND book is one of my favorite books I’ve ever read ! Just finished listening to your interview and I respect you even more now Mr Nerburn…. I always knew your book was a labor of love, and hearing you sold the movie rights for $ 1.00 just proved it ! Amazing ! When I saw the movie, it looked exactly as you ‘wrote it’ … if that makes any sense… brilliant movie and book… will always remain one of my best ‘experiences’ ….
    Is Nik Nerburn your brother or son ? I just watched his video on the assylum and it was FASCINATING ! He has to be a family member of yours because I see in him what I see in you…. a storyteller who makes us all realize, that there is a ‘story’ in each of us…there is always more ‘beyond the surface’….

  7. Nik is my son. An interesting young man and a really good guy. He’s 27 and involved in doing creative documentary work around issues of community building. Right now he’s in Macon, Georgia working on a project. It’s so much fun watching him grow and stake his artistic claim. Keep an eye out for his work.

  8. All I can say as one who lives in New England and friends in Alaska who would love to see the movie. Hope and pray will end up on Amazon or other film places, so that we can see this movie. Of course I’m big fan of all you works. Thanks so much.

  9. Ozaawaakook (Gerry)

    Aneen Kent, Just let you know up here on the Leech Lake rez area the movie was well received by those who I have spoke with about it. I am still in the trenches teaching, just did sugar bush camp this week and being in the woods with kids laughing as they tapped trees felt great. Keep it real old friend as I know you will. Giga-waagamin-menawaa

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