Expanding The Tribe: Nationwide Literary Initiatives ~ by Laurie Steed [18.10.2009]

I was trying to remember when I last went to a really good launch by one of the big Australian publishers: you know, a nice intimate affair where I felt like the authors were just people, where a publicist didn’t give me a post-it note to write your name on, because, you know, authors are very busy and it takes at least two seconds to ask you your name.

After about fifteen minutes, I could only remember staged publicity banter and giant placards. Nowhere in sight was an experience that I might describe as memorable or enjoyable. To be honest, I couldn't remember a moment where I was treated as anything more than book reader #471.

I have been to Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane in my time and had similar experiences. Is it really possible that larger publishers just don’t care about the people buying their books, let alone contributing to a nationwide literary culture?

I’m not qualified to answer that question, but I will say that if these publishers are no longer willing to engage readers on a communal level, smaller publishers find themselves with an amazing opportunity.

It’s a given that literary launches and salons are only a small part of literary culture that also includes book sales, reviews, blogs, festivals, and the ever pressing bottom line. What’s exciting about the person to person aspect, however, is that it really is a win-win situation for both reader and publisher. The independent publisher gets to showcase books that might otherwise be overlooked in a bookstore. The reader gets to forge a connection between an author and their output.

When you encourage such relationships with passion and integrity, not only maintaining regular contact, but also encouraging discussion, you will find many readers that are aching to reconnect with a greater community.

SPUNC faces the unique challenge of maintaining common goals for both topically diverse and physically isolated institutions across the country. Of the 72 members currently listed on the SPUNC site, 39 are based either in or on the outskirts of Melbourne, 14 are based in New South Wales, 5 are based in Queensland, 4 each are based in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and 3 each are based in Western Australia and Tasmania.

While the outside world and indeed many in the industry may perceive independent publishers at best as hobbyists and at worst as “legends in their own lunchbox” (being a gentleman, I won’t attribute that statement to its original source), the collective weight of said publishers in fact offers great potential.

The key here is in true integration, between reader and publisher, bookseller and publisher, and internally between the different aspects of the book trade. Here is a rough layout of how such integration could work:

• Take a number of independent bookstores around the country (e.g. New Edition, Planet Books and Oxford St. Books in Perth, Avid Reader and Riverbend Books in Queensland) and get them on board for a) the allocation of space for the promotion of SPUNC titles and b) their involvement in and/or promotion of upcoming launches in the relevant capital city

• Add a series of nationwide salons showcasing local writing, all grouped collectively under the SPUNC banner

• Develop already existing web-based communities for both the small press industry and those readers that might want to follow it. Share knowledge, both state by state and nationally through blogs, news portals, and discussion of ongoing ideas and initiatives

Until now, a vibrant, grass-roots literary culture has had its fair share of critics, naysayers all too keen to equate independence with inferiority. By taking on their limited viewpoints, we belittle not only the books we produce, but ourselves... for there is nothing small about what has been achieved by independent publishers since SPUNC’s inception.

If you’re in any doubt, go back to your bookshelf, pick up Going Down Swinging or Page Seventeeen, The Death Mook or the Sleepers Almanac...or Harvest, Wet Ink, Indigo, The Lifted Brow or Torpedo. Reread the stories of Eric Dando, Penelope Chai and Patrick Cullen. Bask in the lyricism of poets Nathan Curnow, Vivienne Glance and Ella Holcombe. Laugh yourself stupid with Max Barry and Tom Cho.

Independent publishing has much to offer. It can profit greatly from re-engaging with its audience both virtually and in person, from state to state. By doing so, we form our own nationwide "tribe" of readers, writers, publishers and academics, linked by a love of quality literature and a dedication to ongoing discussion, exploration and even a redefining of our own unique literary culture.

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