The Written Word Podcast

Getting local press coverage can feel like shouting into a void, but what if you knew exactly what editors were looking for?

In this episode, Ricci sits down with Rory Gillis, owner of Triangle Media Partners and publisher of several regional magazines including Chapel Hill Magazine, Durham Magazine, Heart of NC Weddings, and The Triangle Weekender. Rory pulls back the curtain on how local publications actually decide what to cover and gives indie authors a clear, actionable roadmap for getting featured.

In this episode, you'll learn:
  • How local editors source stories and what makes a pitch rise to the top of a very full inbox
  • Why editorial themes and calendars are your secret weapon — and how to find them on any publication's website
  • What to include in your pitch package to make an editor's job as easy as possible
  • Why your book launch isn't the only hook — and how to pitch a book that came out years ago
  • The power of the byline: how pitching yourself as a columnist can open the door to book coverage
  • Why "polite persistence" is not annoying — it's expected (and sometimes pays off two years later!)
  • The no-nos that instantly tank your pitch, straight from the editors themselves
  • What one author did to get featured that Rory still remembers years later
  • Rory's step-by-step action item checklist for authors ready to pursue local press

Whether you're in a major metro or a small town, your local media landscape is full of opportunities. This episode will help you find them and pitch them the right way.

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.

The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Creators and Guests

Host
Ferol Vernon
Founder and COO of Written Word Media
Host
Ricci Wolman
Founder & CEO at Written Word Media

What is The Written Word Podcast?

A podcast for authors who want to build successful writing careers. Each episode explores the business and craft of being an author, with practical strategies for selling more books, growing your audience, and navigating the publishing world. Presented by Written Word Media.