Process of publishing a book in south africa

I think it must be a publishers worst nightmare to sign a new author, only to discover that they are unavailable to attend media events and sign books for their fans, or to be interviewed about their book. Prepare a record label application form, licensing and production agreements, distribution contracts and other documents. The republic of south africa is the most recent of the three. You have spent many hours working on your book and to neglect having it structurally edited, and not having the production and printing done by professionals, can prove to be a big disappointment for many selfpublished authors. List of books and articles about education in south africa. Books and publishing department of arts and culture.

What does it take to succeed as a self published book author in south africa. Rainbird publishing services is a division of bookstorm, an independent book publishing company based in south africa but with international experience to bring to the creation of your book. The author will not need to pay for any part of this process. The aspiring authors guide to self publishing in south africa. Are you a south african author searching for a publisher. Can i publish the ebook with one publisher and the print book with another.

We are a young dynamic publishing company set up in south africa in 2005. How to get published pasa publishers association of south africa. In this section we look at the main players and the main trends in publishing in south africa and the world, explore key concepts like intellectual property, digital rights management, we consider the role of the publisher and examine the educational and economic background to publishing. Publish a book with penguin penguin books south africa. This book is uniquely african in its context and explores themes of identity, both selfimposed and individuated, and that which is placed on us externally. Possibilities for fiction publishing on the continent have opened up beyond south africa, to kenya, nigeria, zimbabwe and uganda. During this time i have formed close friendships with south. Pasa is the largest publishing industry body in south africa, and is committed to creativity, literacy, the free flow of ideas and encouraging a. As a publishing company, penguin books south africa pays for and manages the production process editing, proofreading, typesetting, printing, etc. Negotiations to end apartheid in south africa project. What does it take to succeed as a selfpublished book.

The development editor therefore works with the authors to develop the manuscript to its final state. In this guide, we aim to share everything aspiring authors need to know thats you to learn how to publish a book in south africa, and more importantly, how to. The new company, known as random house struik pty ltd, brought together two of the countrys most prominent book publishers under the. Once we receive the corrected manuscript from the author, we will then start with our publishing processes. Mothertongue childrens books will speed up the decolonising process. It called for negotiations involving all peoples, in order to draw up constitutional proposals stressing opportunity for all with a bill of rights to safeguard these rights. Jonathan ball publishers also act as agents for british and american publishers, marketing and distributing books on their behalf in southern africa. As a retailer, we dont publish books, but we naturally work with the many south african publishers who do.

South african publisher promotes black writers youtube. We provide authors like you the opportunity to publish your work here and abroad. Printing of 100 copies, including delivery costs to a main centre in south africa. Only within the last 2 years have entrepreneurs within south africa started taking the process of ebook conversion seriously enough to offer it as a service to selfpublishing authors. We offer a professional onestop book publishing service, as well as standalone editorial, graphic design, typesetting, production, printing, ebook and distribution services for authors and companies who seek professional input, highquality production, and a team who is willing to go the extra mile. Jonathan ball publishers is the leading publishers and distributors of english general books in south africa. This means it does not matter if you are an author living in cape town or cairo, we can give you the same awesome service. A stepbystep guide to publishing your book as a paperback and ebook myers, jeremy on. Have a look at this list of publishers found on the publishers association of south africas website. Print culture and publishing in southern africa partner and. Let partridge africa s team of experts guide and support you in your publishing. Morris says you should take a look at the kinds of books publishers deal with before you approach them. We are offering help to small businesses in south africa.

David philip publishers was a renowned independent book publisher in south africa, famous for publishing nobel prize laureates wole gordimer and nadine goridmer. The politics of publishing in south africa 2000 edited by evans and seeber is an excellent collection of articles pertinent to the south african publishing industry, including a useful diagram of publishing activities and a discussion of electronic publishing. How to start a record label in south africa bizfluent. South africa has an established book publishing industry centred on educational content. We empower authors via the self publishing process. For example, we dont have literary agents in south africa, and with the professional advice and knowhow systematically provided by self publish sa during the bookmaking process, authors. Publishers association of sa explains to john and a caller about how to go about publishing a book in south africa. In this book, miriam depicts three contrasting worlds. How many books the average south african author sells. Learn how to publish an ebook and sell it to a worldwide market on amazon in this 12month online course. We took a closer look at the numbers, read em and weep. There are various companies in south africa that provide self publishing options both online and as a printed book. Ba honours publishing studies and ma publishing studies courses are offered on an attendance basis at wits. Self publishing is an established trend that has completely changed the world of book publishing.

This article will take a good look at the top 5 mistakes made by south african authors who self publish their book. We have no distance option for any of these courses. The cape town book fair chatted to mousehands simon nye on self publishing as part of independent publishing in south africa. Pasa is the largest publishing industry body in south africa, and is committed to creativity, literacy, the free flow of ideas and encouraging a culture of reading. A south african explores the madness in his country, his tribe and himself, this book was a bestseller in south africa and elsewhere when it came out in 1990. Professing your passion for the pen almost feels like a whispered admission of unemployment. An excerpt from the good book appreciation society august newsletter. Publishing under the book publishing division we have two distinct sides to the business. Far too few south african authors find their writing being celebrated.

The market for general trade books is small, and unlike in developed markets, where general books. Advice on every aspect of the publishing cycle writing a blurb, editing, and proofreading your book designing a cover for your book typesetting your book illustrating childrens books managing the printing of your book creating an e book. Book publishing in south africa is a very small industry. Publishing modules may be combined with modules from other departments on consultation with both heads of department. Opening with a joke making the rounds in sas publishing circles, how do you make a small fortune in book publishing. Isbn and title reservation application from national library of south africa.

The top 5 mistakes south african authors make when self. Book publishing in africa is a group for book publishing and bookselling professionals, as well as media professionals and authors with an interest in publishing and the book trade in africa. In south africa, when submitting directly to a publisher, you will generally submit your book proposal through the publishers. In the second part of the made in africa series, i am talking to a few publishers and platforms that promote african publishing. It was 1999 that david philip publishers became new africa books through merging with two small publishing houses. However we primarily do our publishing work online. How to get published publishers association of south africa. A few tips on getting published one of the most common questions were asked at exclusive books is. How many copies does the average general book in south africa sell.

In august 2008 random house south africa and struik publishers announced their merger to create a significant new player in the african book publishing. We specialise in south african history, politics and current affairs. We have a big heart for childrens literacy and imaginations in south africa. Splendid south africa and swaziland page publishing. How to get published in south africa the reading list. A bestseller in south africa and successful abroad, the book has been reissued with additional material. Companies that offer self publishing services and there are a few in south africa such as book lingo, reach publishers, quickfox, and porcupine press will offer different publishing packages usually upwards of r15k, depending on what you want. Heres an extract, but you can check out the full article here mousehand is a self publishing company, run by simon nye as a subsidiary of readhill publishing.

Most of the content conversion companies operating from within south africa are still very new and as a result often produce substandard conversion results. For the past thirty years i have had the extraordinary good fortune to travel frequently through rural southern africa and south africa in particular. The unit is a component of the cultural development section whose strategic focus is the advancement. Crink is a digital publishing space, where authors can publish, sell, market and distribute their work in an online customised environment. You start with a very big one, and noting that one does not go into book publishing. Nollybooks is our consumer imprint that specializes in content for the mass market in africa. Jan 15, 2020 starting a record label in south africa requires a good understanding of the music industry. Aug 06, 2015 publishers association of sa explains to john and a caller about how to go about publishing a book in south africa. The publisher, but it normally reverts to you when the book goes out of print. Selfpublishing is an established trend that has completely changed the world of book publishing. A stepbystep guide to getting your book published anywhere. Or if you cant find a publisher interested in publishing your book. South africas industry for the publishing of books and. South african heritage publishers books created by south.

A stepbystep guide to getting your book published anywhere in. The unit is a component of the cultural development section whose strategic focus is the advancement of the economic potential of creative industries to contribute job creation, reduction of poverty and skills development. The declarations purpose was to provide a blueprint for government of south africa for racial peace in south africa. As mentioned, in south africa, most publishers will accept a manuscript directly from writers check their websites to see publishers terms and conditions. For a quick faq on getting published in south africa, read this guide from the publishers association of south africa. Her most recent publications include a book, a social history of the university presses in south africa brill, 2015, and a wide variety of articles and chapters. How to write a book in five easy steps by stephen l. Morris says nonfiction is easier to publish in south africa, as the authors will generally. Educating yourself on the processes involved in created and publishing a good book can sometimes seem daunting. For example, we dont have literary agents in south africa, and with the professional advice and knowhow systematically provided by selfpublish sa during the bookmaking process, authors will find themselves perfectly capable of acting on their own behalf to sell their work.

Mme publishing develops nonfiction titles that tell the untold stories of africa and africans. Below weve featured 9 top book publishing companies in south africa. In the second part of the made in africa series, i am talking to a few publishers and platforms that promote african publishing in the above countries. Make sure you know your competitors and what music genres are in high demand. We are offering help to small businesses in south africa get through this. Imagnary house is a boutique publisher and bookstore with a special focus on childrens books.

I am look forward to publishing your polished book together. This technology, the trend worldwide, permits an author to bypass traditional publishing routes and take control of the book production and marketing process for himherself. Royalty payment to south african authors is posted via cheque. At, jeremy boraine, publishing director of jonathan ball publishers, tried to answer the question why are books in south africa so expensive at the moment. Essentially, it lets writers and readers meet each other directly, without a middle man to take up to 90% of the profits. Nov 02, 2012 hi there and thank you for the comment. Ive traveled quite a bit in my seven decades, but id never considered going anywhere in africa. Youve always wanted to see your name in print either on a byline or a book binding.

With the sales of ebooks outstripping printed books, do not get left behind the rest of the world. For authors still on the hunt for that elusive publishing deal with a traditional publisher, we wish you the best of luck. He also highlights other roles in the process of getting the book into a successful final product that. We can help you take your raw manuscript through the editing and production process and deliver finished printed books. One of south africa s better known online publishers is crink. Where to study publishing in south africa my ebook. Should i bring my manuscript in personally and wait for an editor to see me so that i can explain the plot or contents face to face. Because ive written more than a 100 books and even been a book publisher. Being in the industry, we get a good feel for what. How do south african authors receive royalty payments from.

She is coeditor of the journal book history, and her research focuses on the history of books and publishing in south africa and in africa more broadly. Thanks to digital media and ereaders, never before has the publishing arena been so exciting and viable for new and established authors who want to selfpublish. Getting an isbn barcode on your book in 5 easy steps sa bar. I will send you through some detailed info via email shortly, and thank you also for your honesty and bravery. The development editor ensures that the manuscript adheres to the vision of the book, as decided upon during the commissioning process and author workshop. Have you ever wondered what sa publishing looks like from the inside. How to interact with us for the smoothest publishing process. Owing to the volume of submissions we receive, the initial screening process may in some instances take up to six weeks. Dec 12, 2018 theres widespread concern that the process of research and advice being followed by south africas parliamentary committee for trade and industry appears not to be taking into account the expert guidance on these issues thats readily available, particularly from the community or rightsrelated agencies such as wipo the world. A few tips on getting published exclusive books blog. Self publish sa demystifies the publishing process. Mar, 2017 a young black woman, who started her own company to promote the work of new of black writers, is making inroads in the industry. For those who might be interested in pursuing a role in publishing. If you are publishing within south africa then your country of origin shouldnt be relevant to the application process.

Share your stories with the world through one of the industrys leading purveyors of publishing and book marketing services. Foremost, with the advent of digital printing, a small number of books, say 50 or. Education in south africa dates back to the middle of the 17th century, when the first european school opened in cape colony. The second step in the process of writing a book is coming up with an idea for. Boutique books self publishing editing publish own book. Learn about the the book publishing process and get the resources to choose which publishing option fits your work best. Quickfox publishing is a leading custom publishing company in south africa. Of extreme importance for any writer who selfpublishes their book is the quality of the end product. Since setting up our company, we have also registered internationally in the united kingdom and in ghana, west africa where we have published a number of consumer magazines and books. Thanks to digital media and ereaders, never before has the publishing arena been so exciting and viable for new and established authors who want to self publish. Very often the answer is to publish both but it does depend on the production specifications of your book and the market you are trying to reach. Learn how to publish an e book and sell it to a worldwide market on amazon in this 12month online course. In august 2008 random house south africa and struik publishers announced their merger to create a significant new player in the african book publishing industry.