Chin Music Press

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Chin Music Press

The curiously bibliophilic book publisher from Seattle Bruce Rutledge and Yuko Enomoto founded Chin Music Press in 2002.

At the time, media conglomerates were swallowing up publishing companies, greatly reducing the opportunities for risky books to get into print. The time was ripe for small presses to fill the gap, especially with contemporary and edgy literature from Japan. "Chin Music" is a play on Mark Twain's phrase describing a preacher's sweet way of talking, and a baseball term for a high pitch that backs a

batter away from the plate. With that in mind, our books would not only be risky, they would be beautiful. Designers Craig Mod and Josh Powell employed Japanese aesthetics to create “literary objects” — books that are a pleasure to touch as well as read. NPR describes them as “a triumphant kick in the pants for anyone who doubts the future of paper-and-ink books.”

After the levees broke in New Orleans, David Rutledge, a professor at the University of New Orleans, spearheaded Chin Music’s effort to publish one of the first books about those early days. The success of that book, "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" led us to create our critically acclaimed imprint Broken Levee Books. Throughout all that we have witnessed in our 2 decades in business — recession, rise of digital books, pandemic — we remain dedicated to our vision of that sweet chin music.

10/18/2025

Twenty years of independent publishing. Twenty years of authors, artists, booksellers, and readers who believed in the power of the printed page.

Thank you for holding these books in your hands, sharing them with others, and helping our stories find their way into the world. Here’s to every journey we’ve taken together, and every page still to come.

10/17/2025

🚨Sale alert🚨

✨We’re celebrating telling stories for 20 years this month.✨Celebrate with us at the Pike Place store from Oct 17 to 31 and enjoy a special BOGO offer. Buy one and get another of equal or lesser value. IN STORE ONLY!! Come in and get some books!

10/15/2025

Lan Su Garden’s on the move 🌸 Photographer Carol Isaak will be at the Emerald Art Center this Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3 pm for an artist talk + book signing of SEASONS: LAN SU GARDEN. If you haven’t caught her show at Dot Dotson Gallery yet, it’s still on view in Eugene. Stop by, then come say hi! 📸💚

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 19, 3 pm
WHERE: Emerald Art Center
500 Main St, Springfield, OR 97477
Tel: (541) 726-8595

10/10/2025

Thinking about a trip to Japan? There is no better tour than the one run by North American Post! Good value, bilingual guides, and lots of fun. .i.ko

10/07/2025

🌸 Serenity season is here 🌸
Listen to Viz City, where host Sandy Brown Jensen highlights photographer Carol Isaak’s latest work SEASONS: LAN SU GARDEN. You can experience Carol Isaaok’s photographs at her exhibit at Dot Dotson Gallery, running until November 2nd.

Listen to the segment through the link in bio!

10/03/2025

This New Orleanian is ready for the playoffs. Go M’s!

10/01/2025

✨ Poets + word-lovers, listen up ✨
We’re helping our friends Expedition Press () shout this out: their Poetry Broadside Contest is officially open today 🎉

🗓 Submissions open Oct 1–31
📜 $16 entry fee for 1–2 poems
🏆 Winner announced in January
💰 Prize: $100 + 20 prints of the broadside + feature + credit
🖤 Broadside printed spring 2026

After years of keeping submissions closed, artist & owner Myrna Keliher is inviting poets everywhere to send their best work. The goal is community, connection, and discovery.

Not a poet? Doesn’t matter; if you’ve got a few lines you’re proud of, send them in.

Head over to their profile () to learn more!

09/22/2025

🌊🖤 Celebrate the launch of TATTOOERS BY THE SEA by Cesar Candelas at Folio Seattle! This photo book captures Seattle’s tattoo community and the culture behind the craft.

Don’t miss the release party + photo exhibit! Grab your copy exclusively through Chin Music Press or at this event.

Link in bio to RSVP!

📅 Sep 25, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PDT
📍Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum, 93 Pike St #307, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

09/09/2025

Experience the Seasons First!
Join us at Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, OR, on September 14, 3–6 PM, for an exclusive artist talk and book signing with Carol Isaak, launching SEASONS: LAN SU GARDEN. Secure your copy, hear her story, and explore the garden through her lens.

Link in bio for more information!

When: Sunday, Sept. 14, from 3-6 pm
Where: Blue Sky, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, 122 Northwest 8th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97209

09/04/2025

We’re excited to share our upcoming release SEASONS: LAN SU GARDEN, a stunning collection of photographs capturing Portland’s classical Chinese garden across the seasons.

Mark your calendars for September 16, 2025, and pre-order now through the link in our bio!

09/01/2025

✨ Submissions Are Open! ✨
 We’re now accepting full-length, previously unpublished manuscripts in all genres.

📅 Sept 1 – Sept 7, 2025 (Closes 11:59 p.m. PT) 💵 $10 reading fee per submission 
We only accept submissions during our reading period, so hurry to submit!

Link in bio to find out more!

07/11/2025

Nathan Vass takes us behind the wheel and into the quiet, tense moments that define human connection.

DECIDING TO SEE is now available!
🔗 Link in bio

Address

1501 Pike Place, # 329
Seattle, WA
98101

Telephone

+12063801947

Website

http://www.chinmusicpress.com/

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