Oh those grants

Hmm, no publishing grant forthcoming this round. I hadn't realised how heavily I was resting one elbow on that presumed ledge. I've been walking a bit lopsided since it fell away yesterday. I'd put a strong case for two strong novels. But then, every applicant believes passionately in what they're doing or they wouldn't have the fortitude to jump through the application hoops. All strength to those who received and even more to those who didn't. Let us carry on regardless!

I'll be asking authors to share more responsibility for ebook production (and receive the same proportion in revenue) or I'll sizzle up in the anxiety of doing all and paying all myself. I think that is the way forward — somewhere between the traditional model of publisher footing all bills and author earning ten percent, and the hard-work, lonely model of self-publication. Collaborating, and having as much fun as possible in the process. More of this will be covered on the new website, to be uncovered shortly, if you believe me.

By the way, it's a year since Pam and Annie's gorgeous, brave journal was published. I'd love you to buy it. That will help in all kinds of ways.

Why publish digital books?

I talked with an interviewer for the NZ Listener a couple of days ago, who's putting together an article about digital publishing. What was it that made me stride out into the unknown and take on something whose outcomes were so uncertain? she asked,

I felt myself firing up as I do when I consider Rosa Mira Books's raison d'être: I am passionate about seeing exceptional writing out into the world, and without needing a huge budget or wasting resources, digital publishing seems to be the best means at present of doing this. With established publishers currently hedging their bets, shortening their lists, and wanting to be sure that every book they publish is a commercial success, some beautiful works of writing are considered too risky to take on. It might be that the author is new or as yet unknown; that the work appeals more to a particular than to a general audience; that the story requires readers to bring their full attention and intelligence to the reading. Or that the form of the work is new. None of these is a compelling reason for strong writing to go unpublished.

I'm also passionate about making as fine a job as possible of the editing, design and presentation of each ebook, and helping it find its way to its readers.

It's apricot violet time here in New Zealand.

There are challenges, of course. Here in NZ we've been slow on the uptake with reading devices. Hard copy is still the preferred reading medium for most. Amazon and the big ebook sellers are often seen by ebook buyers as the only source of ebooks; it's a long, slow job directing buyers straight to Rosa Mira Books, where the books are available formatted for every kind of reading device.

None of us knows what's going to happen to books or the publishing industry over the next few years, or even months. Obstacles and opportunities abound, for publishers and independent authors. I wonder if digital will become the proving ground for paper books. If a digital book is bought, read and loved in sufficient numbers, it might be deemed worthwhile making of it a beautifully designed and bound hard-copy edition. The book will be the longed-for artefect that appears once the work is known and applauded in its digital form.

Speculation. Meanwhile, digital publishing grows both simpler and more sophisticated. It's easier than ever to convert a document to ebook format (or to find someone to do it for a reasonable price), while on the other hand, apps are being made that can make a simple story into a multi-media experience. Still, what matters most to me is that the writing around which this activity centres is all it can be. For now, Rosa Mira Books is keeping it simple, producing well edited, well designed, robust and intelligent work with heart.

Walking the dog

Ratty's crossed the Tasman, leaving Lily and the ratadilloes camping out while he takes charge of a very large dog whose owners are away. He quite likes the 'don't-mess-with-me' feeling it gives him to step out with Maximus. He carries a tennis ball in a string bag, to throw on the beach. Max ploughs up the sand, chasing the ball, which gives Ratty's tail a few minutes' break.

This week Elena Bossi interviewed Tim Jones about his Slightly Peculiar Love Story 'Said Sheree'. You can read that interview on Elena's blog, Teoría y Crítica Literaria. Yes, it's in Spanish but what do you think a dashboard translator is for?

This week I've made contact with my trans-Tasman counterpart, Really Blue Books, 'Australia's first independent digital-only trade publisher'. Well, we've exchanged emails, one each, but with excitement that we've found someone else to talk with about the journey thus far. Check out the website; I like their attitude.

Slightly Peculiar Love Stories author Coral Atkinson wrote a story for Anzac Day about returning her father's war medal collection to Ireland. It appeared here on Beattie's Book Blog.

I like Dan Blank's blog. He's a generous encourager of authors and independent publishers. Here's his latest exhortation to remember what matters on this creative ride.

Genesis

It's two years since I woke one night, as clear-minded as I've ever been, and understood that I would begin in the coming years to publish, promote and sell ebooks. (One day I'll tell you the whole story.) Recently I came across the words of Russian poet and mystic Daniel Andreev that spoke of the kind of writing that draws me, into which I will put my energy, work that bears

          the mark of talent and at least one of the following: a sense of beauty, broad scope, profundity of thought, sharpness of insight, purity of heart, or a joyful spirit  alongside a keen awareness of the world's darker depths.

The website is under construction. The first manuscript is being edited: The Glass Harmonica: A Sensualist's Tale —  a joyous and lyrical novel set between Corsica, Paris, and New England in the late 18th century — by Dorothee Kocks of Utah. We're planning an October launch. I'm currently considering stories from NZ and abroad for the second title Slightly Peculiar Love Stories.

There, I've begun to talk about Rosa Mira Books. Please visit when you can, and let's discuss this burgeoning new world of digital publication. I'll talk about the challenges it brings to me. I'll throw out questions and be as transparent as I can about the steps in the process — often bewildering and sometimes lonely, until recently. Clarity has reappeared, allies are gathering, and now I'm throwing open the door.

Welcome.