Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Reports of imminent death of Publishing greatly exaggerated


 In an industry beset with doom and gloom scenarios, from the imminent demise of the printed book to the disappearance of the local bookstore, new publisher Eunoia embraces the opportunities that new technologies bring at this crucial point of change.

Owned and operated by a collective of New Zealand authors, this exciting new company is redefining publishing to the benefit of authors, and ultimately, readers.

“The small size of local markets has traditionally restricted the opportunity for publishing less commercial and more adventurous works. The threat of new technologies to traditional publishing also brings opportunities for those prepared to adopt a different approach,” says Karen Breen, the company’s spokesperson. “There is now a huge potential for niche-market, high quality works to reach a global readership, where small percentages become financially viable.”

“Eunoia means ‘beautiful thinking. A book should be a work of art in every way and we are dedicated to making this a reality,” says Breen. “It also means ‘the goodwill existing between a 'speaker and an audience and Eunoia aims to give other writers the opportunity to have their work published their way, while allowing them to retain as many rights as possible.”

“There is so much to know and none of it has anything to do with the creative urge to write,” says Breen.

Eunoia believes the quality of the finished work must be reflected in the design and layout as well as the content. There are also significant strategic publishing decisions to make. The new technologies do not change the need for business acumen.

Assistance is offered through a range of publication routes: “A writer may fit anywhere on that spectrum between traditional publishing and assisted self-publishing. It depends on the risk each is willing or able to take. If an author needs guidance through the self-funded publishing maze, then we receive a smaller share of profits and rights than if we take a greater part of the risk. And we are open to the possibility of being a springboard to the larger traditional publishing houses. So in some instances, we will fill the role of publishing agent.”

With a UK subsidiary, Eunoia Publishing enjoys the benefit of having a literary presence in both hemispheres.

Eunoia’s first publication celebrates the work of Russian-born, internationally recognised artist, Nick Fedaeff. The Bitter Sweet Philosophies is a witty, intriguing and innovative book, in which writers respond to individual paintings by Fedaeff. The book will be showcased at an official company launch and gala function in Auckland on July 31, 2014.

Karen Breen is a Director of Eunoia Publishing. She is a former journalist and television producer/director and documentary maker. Born and educated in Auckland, she lived for many years in London where she made programmes for: Channel 4, The BBC, Sky and Channel 5. Since returning to New Zealand she has completed a Master of Creative Writing degree. Her novel, Sleep Sister, will be published by Eunoia in late 2014.

Judith White is a Director of Eunoia Publishing and the author of two novels – The Elusive Language of Ducks and Across the Dreaming Night, published by Random House. Her collection of short stories, Visiting Ghosts, was published by Hodder and Stoughton. She received Creative New Zealand funding for the writing of these books all of which were short-listed for NZ Book Awards. Other major achievements include twice winning the Sunday Star Times Short Story Award and the BNZ Katherine Mansfield Centenary Award for a collection of short stories. Her short stories have been broadcast by Radio New Zealand, and widely published in anthologies. She has been facilitating creative writing courses for over two decades: University of Auckland Continuing Education; Rangitoto College Community Education; Toi Ora Live Art Trust; Auckland Unitec; as well as various other workshops. She has worked as a mentor for AUT’s Creative Writing Masters (MCW) programme, and for the NZSA mentorship scheme.

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