Cape Town Book Fair
The Cape Town Book Fair, running from June 13 to 16 this year, is always a treat and, despite tough economic times, it appears as if books are still very much treasured by the South African readers who thronged to the Cape Town International Convention Centre. With so much to choose from on the programme it was sensory overload.
See: www.capetownbookfair.com/
As an author and editor, this was an opportunity to hook up with some of my acquaintances in the industry and also to meet and greet others. In brief I'll sketch out what were the highlights for me.
ELECTRIC BOOK WORKS
My good friend Arthur Attwell started Electric Book Works back in the day before self- and epublishing were even a twinkle in the eye for the SA book publishing scene. He offers a valuable service for those who are embarking on the road of self-publishing and offers services that include professional editing, layout and distribution. There's a reason why the Mail & Guardian reckons him among the "Top 300" young South Africans you need to take out for lunch.
See: www.electricbookworks.com/
BOOKS SA
Ben Williams's tireless work networking and staying abreast of developments in the publishing scene have paid off. Books Southern Africa is the place to find out just about anything you need to know about the local scene. It was great watching him encourage fair-goers to "tweet" their CTBF experiences. This dynamic man is doing much to bring out the latest news and forging connections. If you haven't already visited the website, I strongly suggest you do.
See: book.co.za/
LIVE WRITING
Maire Fisher deserves a medal for what she's doing to improve the standard of writing in South Africa. Too often writers don't receive the guidance they need and Maire has stepped in to offer comprehensive online resources. She is a pleasure to work with on a professional level and is incredibly motivated. She has much knowledge to share and has a knack of hooking the right people up. If you're a budding writer and are not sure where to start, Maire is the person who can put you on the right track.
See: www.livewriting.co.za/
MODJAJI BOOKS
Earlier this year I was thrilled to attend the launch of Tracey Farren's novel Whiplash, which represents one of publisher Colleen Higgs's highlights for 2008. Colleen is another who deserves a medal, for consistently bringing out books of poetry and more of a consistently high standard that you can proudly display on your bookshelf. Her dynamism, energy and motivation is a treat to see in action. Colleen, in my opinion, is someone worth keeping an eye on.
See: www.livewriting.co.za/
BK PUBLISHING
BK Publishing is responsible for bringing A Look Away magazine to our shelves, offering a platform for South African creatives to share their talents. Benoit tells me the publication is available at Exclusive Books so I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for it as it only costs R30 and is, in my opinion, a far more worthy buy than the magazines touting hyper-reality. BK Publishing is also soon bringing out an exciting project aimed at getting children from previously disadvantaged communities to read.
See: www.alookaway.co.za/
THE BOOK LOUNGE
Situated on the corner of Buitenkant and Roeland streets, The Book Lounge is proving an important player in promoting South African literature to the reading public, providing a venue for book launches and book-related events. The shop stocks a range of "good" books you won't always find in the bigger retailers, as well as a selection of bestsellers, at reasonable prices. This is the first place I stop to look for books. The staff are always friendly and helpful, and if they don't stock it, they'll order it for you.
MARIE HEESE
Some of my generation still remember having Die Uurwerk Kantel as a set book in Afrikaans. I didn't immediately put two and two together to connect Marie to The Double Crown, which was launched at the CTBF yesterday. I'm simply dying to read her latest offering, The Double Crown, which is written from the point of view of female pharaoh Hatshepsut and, according to Marie is part thriller, full of ancient Egyptian intrigue with some sensual bits. It was thrilling hearing this great South African author speak. Her warmth and love for her craft is evident in her words.
See: www.nb.co.za/product/the-double-crown/7352/
SA PARTRIDGE
I'm a great fan of Ms Partridge's writing. Since her debut novel The Goblet Club, she's definitely on the up. Fuse, her latest novel, also focuses on the doings of troubled teens, and I'm looking forward to giving this one a read when I have the chance. Her style is gritty and somewhat dark, but is accessible for not just young adults but for those of us who've decided not to forget what it was like when we were that age. She writes with great sincerity and she has found a lifelong fan in me.
See: www.nb.co.za/product/fuse/7409/
SARAH LOTZ
My first brush with Sarah's writing was when I encountered her short fiction. Her style is darkly humorous and her first novel, Pompidou Posse, was well received by the SA book-buying public. Her latest offering, Exihibit A, promises to be an equally good read, which I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into. Whenever I see her name attached to a novel or short story, I know I'm in for an unpredictable ride that would make Roald Dahl happy.
See: sarahlotz.book.co.za/blog/2008/03/25/welcome-to-sarah-lotzs-blog/
See: www.capetownbookfair.com/
As an author and editor, this was an opportunity to hook up with some of my acquaintances in the industry and also to meet and greet others. In brief I'll sketch out what were the highlights for me.
ELECTRIC BOOK WORKS
My good friend Arthur Attwell started Electric Book Works back in the day before self- and epublishing were even a twinkle in the eye for the SA book publishing scene. He offers a valuable service for those who are embarking on the road of self-publishing and offers services that include professional editing, layout and distribution. There's a reason why the Mail & Guardian reckons him among the "Top 300" young South Africans you need to take out for lunch.
See: www.electricbookworks.com/
BOOKS SA
Ben Williams's tireless work networking and staying abreast of developments in the publishing scene have paid off. Books Southern Africa is the place to find out just about anything you need to know about the local scene. It was great watching him encourage fair-goers to "tweet" their CTBF experiences. This dynamic man is doing much to bring out the latest news and forging connections. If you haven't already visited the website, I strongly suggest you do.
See: book.co.za/
LIVE WRITING
Maire Fisher deserves a medal for what she's doing to improve the standard of writing in South Africa. Too often writers don't receive the guidance they need and Maire has stepped in to offer comprehensive online resources. She is a pleasure to work with on a professional level and is incredibly motivated. She has much knowledge to share and has a knack of hooking the right people up. If you're a budding writer and are not sure where to start, Maire is the person who can put you on the right track.
See: www.livewriting.co.za/
MODJAJI BOOKS
Earlier this year I was thrilled to attend the launch of Tracey Farren's novel Whiplash, which represents one of publisher Colleen Higgs's highlights for 2008. Colleen is another who deserves a medal, for consistently bringing out books of poetry and more of a consistently high standard that you can proudly display on your bookshelf. Her dynamism, energy and motivation is a treat to see in action. Colleen, in my opinion, is someone worth keeping an eye on.
See: www.livewriting.co.za/
BK PUBLISHING
BK Publishing is responsible for bringing A Look Away magazine to our shelves, offering a platform for South African creatives to share their talents. Benoit tells me the publication is available at Exclusive Books so I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for it as it only costs R30 and is, in my opinion, a far more worthy buy than the magazines touting hyper-reality. BK Publishing is also soon bringing out an exciting project aimed at getting children from previously disadvantaged communities to read.
See: www.alookaway.co.za/
THE BOOK LOUNGE
Situated on the corner of Buitenkant and Roeland streets, The Book Lounge is proving an important player in promoting South African literature to the reading public, providing a venue for book launches and book-related events. The shop stocks a range of "good" books you won't always find in the bigger retailers, as well as a selection of bestsellers, at reasonable prices. This is the first place I stop to look for books. The staff are always friendly and helpful, and if they don't stock it, they'll order it for you.
MARIE HEESE
Some of my generation still remember having Die Uurwerk Kantel as a set book in Afrikaans. I didn't immediately put two and two together to connect Marie to The Double Crown, which was launched at the CTBF yesterday. I'm simply dying to read her latest offering, The Double Crown, which is written from the point of view of female pharaoh Hatshepsut and, according to Marie is part thriller, full of ancient Egyptian intrigue with some sensual bits. It was thrilling hearing this great South African author speak. Her warmth and love for her craft is evident in her words.
See: www.nb.co.za/product/the-double-crown/7352/
SA PARTRIDGE
I'm a great fan of Ms Partridge's writing. Since her debut novel The Goblet Club, she's definitely on the up. Fuse, her latest novel, also focuses on the doings of troubled teens, and I'm looking forward to giving this one a read when I have the chance. Her style is gritty and somewhat dark, but is accessible for not just young adults but for those of us who've decided not to forget what it was like when we were that age. She writes with great sincerity and she has found a lifelong fan in me.
See: www.nb.co.za/product/fuse/7409/
SARAH LOTZ
My first brush with Sarah's writing was when I encountered her short fiction. Her style is darkly humorous and her first novel, Pompidou Posse, was well received by the SA book-buying public. Her latest offering, Exihibit A, promises to be an equally good read, which I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into. Whenever I see her name attached to a novel or short story, I know I'm in for an unpredictable ride that would make Roald Dahl happy.
See: sarahlotz.book.co.za/blog/2008/03/25/welcome-to-sarah-lotzs-blog/