Episode Description: In this episode of Digital PR Explained, Britt Klontz chats with Geraldine DeRuiter, the James Beard Award-winning blogger and author, about her wild journey from getting a harsh New York Times review to turning it into a huge win. Geraldine opens up about how she used the support of her community to turn negative press into a burst of positive buzz and a surge in book sales. Listen in for an inspiring conversation filled with practical advice on handling bad press and the incredible power of community support.
Guest Bio: Geraldine DeRuiter is the James Beard Award-winning blogger behind The Everywhereist and the author of “ALL OVER THE PLACE: ADVENTURES OF TRAVEL, TRUE LOVE, AND PETTY THEFT” (Public Affairs, 2017) and the national bestseller “IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT: TALES OF FOOD, FEMINISM, AND FURY” (Crown, 2024). She has been called “hilarious, clever, profound and poignant at the same time” (Bookpage) and “loud and irrational” (The New York Times). Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The New Yorker’s Daily Shouts, Marie Claire, and Refinery 29. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, Rand. They are currently working on a cooking-themed video game, which you can follow at snackbarstudio.com.
Takeaways:
- Embrace Vulnerability: Geraldine shares how being open and honest with her community about the negative review helped garner their support and turn the situation around.
- Leverage Your Community: The importance of having a supportive network is highlighted, showing how Geraldine’s community rallied around her and boosted her book sales.
- Reframe the Narrative: Geraldine discusses how she turned the negative aspects of the NYT review into a positive narrative that aligned with the themes of her book.
- Timely Response: The episode underscores the importance of addressing bad press promptly to control the narrative.
- Resilience: Geraldine’s story is a testament to staying resilient in the face of criticism and finding ways to turn setbacks into opportunities.
Resources:
- Books by Geraldine DeRuiter:
- “ALL OVER THE PLACE: ADVENTURES OF TRAVEL, TRUE LOVE, AND PETTY THEFT” (Public Affairs, 2017)
- “IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT: TALES OF FOOD, FEMINISM, AND FURY” (Crown, 2024)
- Geraldine’s Video Game Project: Snackbar Studio
- Follow Geraldine on Instagram and Threads, and her blog
- TikTok video referenced during the conversation: stephunnyjane
- And finally, that damn NYT review
Listen and Subscribe: Stay tuned for more insights and tips in future episodes of Digital PR Explained! And don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to never miss an episode. Happy pitching!