Michele Karlsberg
Publicist and activist Michele Karlsberg has a “purpose and a passion” for what she does, and it’s fueled by a larger want to create more progress and peace. “[I have a] passion for helping others out,” she says. “A passion for creating change in a positive fashion. A passion for visibility. A passion for getting rid of racism, classism and sexism. A passion for saving lives. Bottom line, a passion for community.” Karlsberg has received many awards throughout her lengthy career, including the 2017 Lambda Literary Publishing Professional Award. She’s also been awarded the Publishing Triangle Leadership Award, Community Health Action Advocacy Award and was inducted into the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall Of Fame in 2011. She’s worked to create visibility for LGBTQ authors over the last 29 years, wearing many hats including publisher, event planner, curator, agent and consultant and by launching the Lesbian and Gay Book Month in 1989. She’s also had a long-standing column, “Words,” in the San Francisco Bay Times. “As a publicist, I get to convey my personal messages to a larger forum through my colleagues,” Karlsberg says. “My relationships with my colleagues goes far beyond contractual. At times I am a therapist, a friend, a confidant. Their works means something unique to each and every one of us. I believe they save lives; they preserve history, they educate and have constant devotion to their craft, and a willingness to keep learning. I am dedicated to them because of that.” —TB
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