A publisher in New Zealand, a writer in Utah, and a story that takes place in Corsica, Paris, and New England

Author and editor Penelope Todd (above) has announced the launch of her boutique ebook publishing house and its first release, The Glass Harmonica: A Sensualist’s Tale, by American Dorothee E. Kocks.

‘My vision was strong: to create a boutique e-bookshelf that readers of good literature can trust,’ says Todd, who aims to provide writers with a greater share of their book sales and to publish with fewer overheads so that profits can go further — 10% of Rosa Mira’s net income will be donated to the Nalanda Learning Centre and Library Project in India.

‘Rosa Mira Books is my response to shrinking hard-copy publishing options for talented writers,’ explains Todd, who intends to help authors catch the rising wave of digital publication while avoiding the mass production and mixed-quality output of free-for-all e-publishers. ‘Our strength lies in being highly selective and in editing and designing to a high standard.’

Rosa Mira Books’ first release is an historical novel. The Glass Harmonica: A Sensualist’s Tale, by Dorothee E. Kocks (right) of Utah, is a joyous and lyrical narrative set between Corsica, Paris and the new America, which will intrigue readers of fiction and non-fiction alike.

‘Working with Penelope Todd has been thrilling,’ says Kocks. ‘All I ever wanted was a good editor and I didn’t want a major publishing house editor so overworked there would be no collaboration. Penelope picked out the best elements of my manuscript and made them shine, while being ruthless with the rest.’

Next from Rosa Mira will be the anthology, Slightly Peculiar Love Stories, which will appear early in 2011, presenting authors from New Zealand and beyond.

Penelope Todd is the author of several novels, most YA, and a memoir. She worked as an editor for Longacre Press for seven years, and is currently a freelance editor, manuscript consultant and translation editor for Gecko Press.

Rosa Mira Books: finding dynamic writing, publishing exceptional ebooks

http://www.rosamirabooks.com/