David Ling’s
children’s picture book imprint was launched at his local Birkenhead Library in
September 2010 with the simultaneous release of The Mountain Who Wanted to Live in a House (Maurice Shadbolt and
Renee Haggo), A Dog Like That!
(Janene Cooper and Evie Kemp) and Farmer
Beetroot’s Birthday (Dorothy Butler and Lyn Kriegler).
There are now 28 titles in print and the growing list has received a
number of awards and shortlistings. His ‘ducklings’
have been received with very good reviews and comments.
‘His Duck Creek
imprint has contributed significantly to the general upswing in New Zealand
picture book publishing. Production values are notably high, while his authors
and illustrators represent a judicious mix of established names and exciting
newcomers. I’m looking forward to more delightful picture books from this
experienced and committed publisher,’ says Tessa Duder.
Selling overseas
rights was always part of the plan and, while this started slowly, David has
now concluded more than 30 rights deals, principally to Mainland China and
North America.
Recent highlights have been seeing eight of the titles sold to
China being published there in an elegant slip-cased set Xinxilan Huiben Jingxuan (The New Zealand Picture Book Selection) and the sale this year of a number of
titles to North America including Muddle
& Mo (Nikki Slade Robinson) to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
‘It’s been hard
work but also quite satisfying,’ he says, although he adds that ‘now the
imprint is becoming better known I’m getting a rather daunting 300 plus manuscripts
a year, including a few from overseas. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with them
all.’
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