In these challenging times, many people in the arts will have to pick up the pieces and start anew at some point. Sarah Kloth, the publisher of Shelf Unbound, an indie book review magazine featuring the best of small press and self-published books, already went through the process and was willing to share her story of beginning again with Occhi readers.
When was Shelf Unbound founded and what was its mission?
Shelf Media Group was founded in 2010, by Margaret L. Brown. In the first issue of the company’s progeny, Shelf Unbound, Editor-in-chief Kathy Wise summed up Margaret’s vision for the magazine in a memorable foreword that really nailed the transition shaking up the publishing industry at that time. This excerpt says it all: “The whole thing was Margaret’s idea. After progressively falling in love with her Nook and her iTouch and her iPad, the 25-year veteran of the magazine industry pulled me aside one day and, in her trademark deadpan way without a hint of drama, said, ‘Everything has changed.’ She said, ‘Publishing and reading will never be the same.’ She said. ‘This is so cool.’”
That first issue of Shelf Unbound was stunning, filled with gorgeous photography (notably about other activities in transition), wonderful interviews, book excerpts, and even Glenn Close in a vegetable dress. Successive issues continued along this same trajectory. So why did it ultimately come to an end?
Margaret Brown passed away on June 4, 2018, after a 10-month battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The last planned issue was for June/July 2018, and it featured “summer reads.” In August, Margaret’s partner closed down the publishing group with one final issue, dedicated to Margaret herself, titled “Forever Fearless.” And that was that.
But then you resuscitated it. How did that come about?
Margaret Brown was my aunt. We shared a passion for books and would often race to read a new release and then send text messages to say where we were and to offer assessments of the unfolding story. When she started Shelf Unbound, I got involved to some extent; I wrote a few columns for the magazine, introduced Margaret to a few authors, and helped with design elements in some issues. My background—digital marketing, design, content writing, PR, video, etc.—led us to envision a time in the future when the two of us would work together even more closely. But the time hadn’t come. When she died, I was a full-time partner at an advertising agency. Still, I didn’t like the idea of the magazine just coming to an end. So I decided to relaunch it.
How much of a challenge was that, given that you were on another career path?
Let’s just say I didn’t sleep much for a period of time. In January 2019, the paperwork was completed and I was able to start working on the revival. Luckily I had a lot of friends in the design, development and writing space that I could tap to help bring Shelf Unbound back into existence properly. In February 2019, I sent out an email to a few lifetime authors who had helped Margaret along that way and asked them to start shouting the news of the relaunch from the rooftops. Shortly thereafter, in April 2019, I launched the first new issue, titled “New Beginning.”
What is your vision for the future of the magazine in its new incarnation?
I am always looking for ways to adapt. As devices are changing and new technologies are coming, I want to make sure we continue to provide a great experience. I want to create a place where indie authors can connect with readers and readers can easily, with one click, find their way to books they might want to buy. Right now we are developing a new online portal for small press/indie authors to easily upload their book information, excerpts, interviews, etc., for us to publish—either in the magazine or on our blog. I want to create a simple platform that authors can navigate to get their books out there.
We are also looking at reviving Middle Shelf, which was our middle-grade reader edition in the company’s previous life, along with a relaunch of Girl Plus Book.
What is Girl Plus Book?
Girl Plus Book (girlplusbook.com) is an online community website dedicated to Young Adult titles. It first came about as a side project, a blog that a fellow college student and I began for fun. We had a surprising response from authors across the globe, and in no time it became much more than a side project. Girl Plus Book is being revamped this year to be more interactive and to better serve the indie book world. We are looking for ways to create content that readers can interact with and a home for indie authors to post promotions, excerpts, etc. for free.
We wish you all the best with your relaunch of Shelf Unbound, as well as with your work on Middle Shelf and Girl Plus Book. Please let Occhi readers know how they can be in touch with Shelf Media and its various publications and websites.
Readers can stay in touch by subscribing to our newsletter at shelfmediagroup.com or they can reach out to us at media@shelfmediagroup.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Kloth
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