A conversation with publisher Steve Semken

Today’s podcast features Steve Semken, owner of Ice Cube Press.Our podcasts are recordings of a Zoom call, featuring conversations with readers of this Potluck column and special guests. We hold the sessions most Mondays at noon central time (our guest this coming Monday is political analyst and Iowa Writers’ Collaborative columnist Laura Belin). The session is recorded and then uploaded into this podcast format.You must be a subscriber to receive the link to join the call live, but you do not have to pay. We typically have 20-40 on the call, and have over 4,000 downloads of the podcasts. All subscribers receive the link on Monday morning when we have a program. There is barely any editing to this recording besides a musical intro and outro so all the ahs and umms and bad words are there, just as they are in everyday conversation. It’s as if the listener is eavesdropping on our dinner party conversation. Steve Semken talks about the reality of the business, and the process authors work through to get a manuscript in print. And he answers good questions from our participants, some of whom hope to work with him some day.Whether you see yourself as an author or not, it’s fascinating to talk to the folks who make it possible for us to read books. In this call, he also talks about upcoming publications, including one by an Iowa doctor who grew up in a large family, and a compilation of essays by Ruth Harkin. Personal UpdateRichard and I have survived being humans to J. Dudley Gilbert since September 21. Last night we celebrated making it over eight weeks. To show for it, we have one chewed fabric underneath (fortunatley) a sofa, a few nights of fitfull sleep, a drastically curtailed schedule, and gallons of excrement picked up for disposal. We checked in to see how we each were doing at this benchmark. “It feels like the first time you took me sailing on the Altantic Ocean,” I said. “It was hard work, taking turns on watch, getting in sync with a strange motion and rhythm, along with moments of thrill, and some fear— mostly, the realization that once the journey begins, and you can’t see land, there is no turning back…nor do you want to. ”If you want to follow along on J. Dudley’s World, please do: Iowa Writers’ CollaborativeDo you subscribe to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative? It connects readers with writers who share an interest in this state. We have a Pulitzer winner, a bunch of long time journalists and columnists, a poet, political and sports pundits, a local restaurant reviewer, former television news broadcasters, all offering stories you will want to read. Subsribe to the weekly roundup here, and you’ll start recieving it tomorrow morning (Sunday). You don’t have to be a paid subscriber, however if you are (for any member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative) you are invited to a party. You must RSVP. SAVE THE DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7; PAID SUBSCRIBERS ARE INVITED TO A HOLIDAY PARTY AT THE WITMER HOUSE, 2900 GRAND (former governor’s mansion). Let us know if you would like to attend:RSVP HOLIDAY PARTYTo learn about the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat, click here: OWR IV. Paid subscribers to this column support emerging writer scholarships. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe