Chin Music Press

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.

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

Two musicians. One stage. No room for both.Kody and Dane are chasing greatness, but fame has a price.IN THIS VOID is out...
06/24/2025

Two musicians. One stage. No room for both.

Kody and Dane are chasing greatness, but fame has a price.

IN THIS VOID is out now! Get your copy through the link in bio!

Nathan Vass has driven a bus on Seattle’s streets for 20 years. His newest book takes us inside the lives of its gritty,...
06/18/2025

Nathan Vass has driven a bus on Seattle’s streets for 20 years. His newest book takes us inside the lives of its gritty, often-overlooked residents, offering real human connection and rare insight.

Check out the review of DECIDING TO SEE from

Now available. Link in bio to purchase!

✨ Poetry, Passion, and a Touch of Magic ✨Join us on June 4 at 6 pm as poet and translator Tomer Inbar stops by our Seatt...
05/28/2025

✨ Poetry, Passion, and a Touch of Magic ✨

Join us on June 4 at 6 pm as poet and translator Tomer Inbar stops by our Seattle shop to dive into SAIBARA, his bold and beautiful translation of Heian court poems. These aren’t your average ancient verses—expect earthiness, eroticism, and a bit of magic as Inbar brings these timeless Japanese poems to life.

Come for the poetry, stay for the vibes!

RSVP through the bio link!

✨ DECIDING TO SEE by Nathan V. and NOT ALL DEAD TOGETHER by Lynn Stansbury are out now—grab your copies and dive in.Link...
05/20/2025

✨ DECIDING TO SEE by Nathan V. and NOT ALL DEAD TOGETHER by Lynn Stansbury are out now—grab your copies and dive in.

Link in bio to purchase!

📚 #

Familial bonds that span decades—some by blood, others found.NOT ALL DEAD TOGETHER, out May 20, explores how strong thos...
05/17/2025

Familial bonds that span decades—some by blood, others found.
NOT ALL DEAD TOGETHER, out May 20, explores how strong those ties remain in the face of war, loss, and love.

Link in bio to pre-order!

Come see our pop-up at today and tomorrow!
05/17/2025

Come see our pop-up at today and tomorrow!

“Humanity is so flawed and beautiful, and this book is holding all of that up to the light to celebrate it.”Metro bus dr...
05/13/2025

“Humanity is so flawed and beautiful, and this book is holding all of that up to the light to celebrate it.”

Metro bus driver and artist brings the beauty, heartbreak, and humanity of his nightly route into focus in his new book, DECIDING TO SEE.

🔗 Read the full feature in The Seattle Times.
Link in bio!

When their favorite book is suddenly banned by the school board, JJ and Clyde decide to take a stand.JJ, CLYDE AND THE B...
05/12/2025

When their favorite book is suddenly banned by the school board, JJ and Clyde decide to take a stand.

JJ, CLYDE AND THE BANNED BOOK By Haley Land is a story about friendship, courage, and the power of standing up for what you believe in, even when you’re just a kid.

Coming May 27.

Link in bio to pre-order!

‼️

Spanning 65 years of intertwined lives, NOT ALL DEAD TOGETHER delves into the heart of Guatemala’s turbulent history. Ly...
05/08/2025

Spanning 65 years of intertwined lives, NOT ALL DEAD TOGETHER delves into the heart of Guatemala’s turbulent history. Lynn Stansbury weaves a tapestry of resilience, found family, and the enduring impact of sociopolitical conflict.

Available May 20, 2025.
Link in bio.

📚 Join us at the AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration at Seattle Center!We’ll be there all day, so come browse our books an...
05/02/2025

📚 Join us at the AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration at Seattle Center!

We’ll be there all day, so come browse our books and say hello!

Don’t miss a special reading by .girl of her book SEATTLE SAMURAI at 1:45 PM on the Armory Stage.

Celebrate stories, culture, and community with us!

✨Saibara: Heian Court Poems reveals the everyday heart of courtly life: playful and boldly sensual. Tomer Inbar’s transl...
04/11/2025

✨Saibara: Heian Court Poems reveals the everyday heart of courtly life: playful and boldly sensual. Tomer Inbar’s translations open a window into a world where poetry met passion.

Available now. Link in bio to purchase.

Address

Seattle, WA

Telephone

+12063801947

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Chin Music Press posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Chin Music Press:

Shortcuts

Share

Category