Changing Atlas Publications Inc.

Local publisher Changing Atlas Publications Inc. is making waves. New books, new authors, new events, and new opportunities are coming. Sitting down with Janell Kastner, the President, CEO and Editor in Chief of Changing Atlas Publications Inc. I was able to get a better insight as to what is in the store for the local community and soon the state of New Jersey.

Q: What exactly is Changing Atlas Publications Inc.?

A: Changing Atlas Publications Inc. is a publishing house that I started and am building from the ground up. It publishes all kinds of works, with the exception of poetry which is reserved for its subsidiary: Submerged I Remain Publications Inc.

Q: How did you come up with the name Changing Atlas Publications Inc.?

A: Changing Atlas is a metaphor. Atlas, in mythology held up the Earth. The idea is that if you were to change Atlas in any way, you’d change the world. Symbolically, it means that one person, any person, can change the world. It’s the philosophy of the company, that we can all change the world.

Q: What kinds of material do you publish?

A: Even though we are building this, as well as the subsidiary from the ground up, we are open to publishing anything and everything to provide a platform for all types of voices, from fiction to non-fiction, children’s books, novels, academic texts etc. We‘re open to new ideas, new writers, and new voices.

Q: What is the process for submitting materials for possible publication?

A: To submit for publication anyone can email me at edceo4changingatlas@gmail.com. We will send you a general application and would like to see some of your writing samples. Then we would work together and begin the process. You can always email us directly at changingatlas@gmail.com.

Q: What events do Changing Atlas Publications Inc. attend?

A: Changing Atlas and it’s employees try to attend as many events that support local talent and the artistic community as possible so we are always open to Open Mic events like the ones at The Revolutionary Lounge & Café. We are always looking for new events to be a part of. We support local music and poetic talents at venues in Asbury Park like The Saint, Bank on Mattison etc. We are very lucky to be a part of this community.

Q: Are there any upcoming events?

A: As the parent company of Submerged I Remain, we host the Poetry Slams that take place at The Revolutionary Lounge & Café once a month on Monday night. At the slam, poets compete and are judged by randomly selected judges from our audience. At the end of the night one winner is announced. The winner‘s for each month become part of our Slam team which competes against other Slam teams at the beginning of the summer. On February 28th and March 21st we will be having book signings at Bank on Mattison in Asbury Park from 3-9pm. In April our Behind Open Doors event will be held at The Saint in Asbury Park (date/time will be confirmed shortly so stay updated on our social media sites). On May 16th and August 15th we will be having another round of book signings at The Green Planet Café in Point Pleasant beginning at 1pm. These are just some of the events this year. We plan to have more, so be sure to stay tuned. If there are events you would like us to read, perform, sign at, let us know. 

Q: What social media sites does Changing Atlas use?

A: We use Facebook: www.facebook.comchangingatlas

                                      www.facebook.comsubmergediremain

Twitter: @changingatlas

Email: edceo4changingatlas@gmail.com

Q: What are some of your favorite books?

A: I’ve been reading since I was very small, but I enjoy all kinds of reading from Frost to a classic like “Invisible Man”, to anything by Amy Tan or Dean Koontz. I don’t really have a favorite, if you can believe it. I could reread Amy Tan and Dean Koontz however currently Maya Angelou’s “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for my Journey Now” is my current favorite book.

Q: What advice would you give new writers?

A: The only advice I would give would be write. Write often and write what you love. There’s no wrong way to do it, as long as you love what you’re doing.

Q: How did you get into writing?

A: Writing became a source of therapy and comfort during an extremely difficult period in my life. When I was unable to pursue a career I worked for my whole life, I rediscovered writing and fell in love all over again. So much so, that I made it my career and I write everyday since.

Q: Any last thoughts or comments?

A: I hope that what we are doing at Changing Atlas inspires local talent to keep writing and keep dreaming. We are privileged to be a part of this local community and we look to make our community proud.