Meet Kim Weiss

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Weiss.

Kim, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Twenty-five + years ago, I walked into the offices of HCI (Health Communications, Inc), the book publisher best-known for launching the legendary Chicken Soup for the Soul business. I had my own PR firm at the time and went from trying to woo them into becoming my client to them wooing me into the position of Director of Communications.

I directed publicity efforts for the Chicken Soup authors, for the late John Bradshaw and Kirk Douglas, and many, many leading authors in the self-help book space. This meant courting the NY Times, Oprah, Dr. Oz, and a plethora of media outlets. Having accrued experience in most every aspect of the book publishing business, I simultaneously branched out to offer private consulting services – hence – Kim Weiss Publishing Services. I offer publicity services and guidance to first-time and seasoned authors, PR firms and continue to sub-contract to HCI.

Currently, the big book I’m working on, destined for the bestseller lists, is My Pinewood Kitchen: A Southern Culinary Cure by Mee McCormick (April 2020) with bookings already in the can on The Today Show! I currently commandeer this business from my fuschia swivel chair, cat on my lap, from my new home in magical Santa Fe, New Mexico. My ties and roots remain in South Florida always with an eye to book my author clients at the Miami Book Fair and staying in touch with the reading world there. And, my book, Sunrise Sunset: 52 Weeks of Awe and Gratitude is my love letter to my many years residing there. My photography complemented by the beautiful words of authors I’ve worked with remains dear to my heart and is available in stores there as well as Art School Square museum store in Delray Beach.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Roads are rarely smooth but things have fallen into place in a comfortably natural way throughout my career. Probably the biggest challenges are the ones that come with the evolution of an industry like book publishing. Technology, social media and Amazon changed and continue to change the playing field as well as the expansion and diffusion of media. One must constantly keep on top of new developments and reinvent how one garners attention for clients, in my case, usually authors. What once was a reliable formula for stimulating book sales through media bookings is quite different now. Want to know more? Hire me!

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’ve been a publicity specialist even before I entered the book publishing business. So, I pride myself on understanding media relations and how they factor into stimulating success in some form. Attention on TV, radio and in magazines feels good but cash in the wallet is even better. I understand the difference between massaging a client’s ego and what will really contribute to their bottom line. I bring almost three decades of experience to the fore when it comes to books, and loving books certainly helps! Book publishing is a very competitive business and one should only enter if one has a passion to do so. When a book does make money, it’s rare and gratifying, but dollars as a motivation is the wrong reason to enter this world.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I could supply a list of all the authors I’ve worked with over the years as inspiring factors in my work but that would be untenable as there are so many. I look up to my long time boss and co-founder of HCI, Peter Vegso as someone I’ve learned massively from over the years. Co-founder, Gary Seidler and he hired me and the rest is history. Both have mentored me in myriad ways as did my original partner in my first PR Firm, called WW Communications, named John Weil. I’ve worked with talented editors, artists and original thinkers who still keep me on my toes.

Contact Info:

• Website: helpmewithmybook.com
• Phone: 9542636827
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @Kimsunrisesunset
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.weiss1

Image Credit:
Head shot by Damon Webster

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