Interview With Author Robert Rippberger

 

 

  

1. What motivated you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and turning it into this book?

I wrote The Power of Storytelling: Social Impact Entertainment because I wanted to better understand the impact film and television has on individuals and society. It’s the book I’ve always been looking to read, but could never find on the shelf. An accumulation of over a decade of conversation, podcasts, leading the magazine Cinema of Change, and then simply sitting down to write the damn thing.

 

2. What is it about and who is it for?

Nietzsche once said, “A thought, even a possibility, can shatter or transform us.” This book is for those who want to better understand or realize the transformative possibility of storytelling and whom hopefully harness it for good. Though after reading this book, it will definitely help those reveal what’s behind the curtain for those with ill-intentions.

 

3. What takeaways might the reader will be left with after reading it?

The biggest takeaway, that was also my takeaway in writing the book — is that all storytelling has an impact. Storytellers can either be ambivalent to it, or harness it—but there is no way of escaping it.

 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?

The title immediately came to mind, as it was exactly the subject I wanted to better understand. We worked at length with the publisher Regent Press on the cover design — it was important for me to convey dimension and also diversity through the visuals - hence the rainbow design.

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers?

Get a good editor! Mine has always helped guide me through the process, and given me confidence when I felt I was stuck. Also commit to a certain number of words written per day, and stick to it. Don’t get discouraged, just get back on track and follow your passion.

 

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?

I think people will always enjoy reading books or listening to them as audio books and that will never go away. With so much available digitally now as well, it’s greatly increased access.

 

7. What challenges did you overcome to write this book?

This was my first non-fiction book and it had a lot more challenges than writing fiction. For one - lots of fact-checking and citations to add. Half of the writing process is writing, and the other half is watching films and reading other books. It was a different way of working, that took a lot of patience.

 

8. How would you describe your writing style?

I try to be informative, without being pedantic. I like to keep it fun, light-hearted, and interesting — while also conveying my passion about this topic and the importance of digging in deep on this topic. In this book, in particular, I didn’t hold back on adding quips and personal commentary to liven up the conversation.

 

9. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

This book will really open audience's eyes to the storytelling that affects them dozens of times every single day — whether it be through ads, commercials, films, or TV. Who knows, the world and the stories in it may never look the same again.

 

Storytelling can be hugely transformative to how we view ourselves, those around us, and our place amidst the world. The Power of Storytelling: Social Impact Entertainment is a look at how entertainment has had a positive and negative impact by looking at specific films and TV shows. Readers will be left with unprecedented insight into how a simple narrative can change everything. To see more, go to https://thepowerofstorytellingbook.com/

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.3 million pageviews. With 4,400+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.