People have found several new ways to communicate and express themselves. Still, none of them has compared to storytelling’s sheer power and impact. After all, sharing experiences is a sacred practice that humans have long participated in, dating back to ancient times. But unfortunately, the publishing industry has commodified the art of telling stories by only providing a platform for manuscripts they deem profitable.
Because of this, Lisa Kastner is keen on disrupting this restrictive practice through her venture, Running Wild Press. As the Founder and Executive Editor of the enterprise, the remarkable woman’s mission is to publish great genre stories from authors of all backgrounds. In addition, she created RIZE Press, a subsidiary of Running Wild, which specializes in publishing creations by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ writers.
This impressive commitment to her vision and advocacy has allowed the entrepreneur to elevate the publishing scene to greater heights by propelling it away from the typical literature of today’s market, which features overused plot lines and repetitive themes. As a result of this forward-thinking approach, Running Wild Press has been awarded two best of 2019 and two best of 2020 books by Kirkus Reviews.
Alongside the brand’s impressive accomplishments, Lisa has also solidified her reputation as a thought leader. As a result, she has earned respect and admiration of her peers and prestigious organizations. As a testament to this, the inspiring woman was named one of Yahoo Finance’s Top 10 Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2021. On top of that, she was nominated for FORBES NEXT 1000, a list of American self-funded entrepreneurs who continue to strive during the pandemic.
Moving forward, Lisa Kastner intends to continue championing her advocacy of making the publishing industry more inclusive and diverse. As the visionary meaningfully shared, “At Running Wild Press. We believe that great stories don’t fit neatly in a box. Most stories available today are simply, unoriginal, and in the end, boring, which makes you feel tired and unheard. Our stories can’t be contained, neatly categorized, or homogenized, just like you.”
