I've been reading a lot about all the different kinds of routes a writer can take to publication recently: traditional publishing, self-publishing, assisted publishing, e-publishing - and of course, the dreaded vanity publishing - and I came to the conclusion that Typewriter Press doesn't fit solely into any of those categories. What I'm trying to achieve with writers who come to me is something less defined. Something delicate and ethereal. Something a little more...naive and dreamy, I suppose.
When I first decided to publish Hollie's Dream of Consciousness, all I really wanted was for the book itself to be out in the world; a marker that I had achieved something as a writer. I counted it as a major success when someone I didn't know bought the book, and when someone else I didn't know reviewed it, well. What a day that was!
When Jenkins decided that he was going to publish his debut collection of short stories with Typewriter Press, the process became more honed. Now I had the dreams of another writer held in my hands, not just my own. The pressure was on. I undertook the job of editing his book, which was very stressful, and I doubted the wisdom of having done so the entire time I was working on it. However, all was well, and I realised that what I had done for myself, I could definitely do for others. My second publication followed, and then came Terence M. Jones' debut anthology of poems, drawings and ditties, Watch This Space.
Therefore, the Typewriter Press process has now been refined, and writers working closely with me can realise the dream of having their book published, the process being, I suppose, a cross between self-publishing, and indie publishing, with a bit of assisted publishing thrown in for good measure. Writers choose how many (or how few!) copies to have printed, and that's what keeps the costs lower than you might think - and the main thing is that Typewriter Press writers receive 100% of their cover price. There's also the added benefit of knowing that their book is out in the world - a marker of their achievement, and something which will exist forever.
Having gone through the process 4 times now, I'm absolutely clear in my mind that I'm doing a good thing - and if anyone else doesn't think that, I'm sure they'll tell me!
Comments