New Publishing Company Takes On Traditional Media

28 September 2011

New Publishing Company Takes On Traditional Media

A new publishing company that aims to take on traditional publishers putting the power firmly back in the hands of the writers has just been launched. Pear Jam Books will capitalise on the opportunities presented by new media and the online world to offer its stable of authors the opportunity to have more control over their work and profits, says founder Jill Marshall.

Marshall, an Auckland based writer, was prompted to start the venture by the Christchurch earthquake. Marshall and Christchurch writer Emma Pullar wanted to publish a children’s book to raise funds for the victims but couldn’t find a publisher willing to back them. In just three weeks from first thoughts to publication Pear Jam books was established and the book launched. So far the book, called ‘Curly from Shirley, the Christchurch dog’, has sold 1500 copies.

Pear Jam Books was born from Marshall’s own frustrations as a well-published author in dealing with publishers.
“In the past publishing has been a long and laborious process. With the opportunities presented with new media this no longer has to be the case. In traditional publishing there have been too many gatekeepers along the way creating obstacles even for established authors. Pear Jam Books will essentially eliminate the need for gatekeepers supplying stories directly into the hands of consumers,” says Marshall.

Pear Jam Books works directly with authors negating the need for agents. Author contracts allow for a per title profit share as opposed to traditional advances and royalties. Marshall says that this puts the power into the hands of the authors giving them greater control and visibility over their work and earnings.

Pear Jam Books will capitalise on new media recognising the changing media marketplace. Each book will be published in four formats: e-book, audio book, as an application or game and a print book to cater to more traditional readership. Products will largely be sold online through retailers such as Amazon. Marshall is also setting up a presence in selected bookstores.

The speed at which ‘Curly from Shirley’ was delivered to market is indicative of the fast paced nature of Pear Jam Books, which Marshall says reflects the new readership, the ‘now’ generation. Marshall, who also has a company called Write Good Stuff, which offers online writing courses and manuscript assessments, handpicked her first stable of authors from her students signing the eleven authors and three illustrators in late May. The first book entitled ‘Rapture’ by author Phillip W Simpson was published on 1 September. Pear Jam Books will publish thirteen books this year.

“Readers have traditionally been told that what is in the bookstore is what there is to read. Pear Jam Books will create a brand of quality that people can recognise and broaden the scope of offerings and ways in which people can engage with their book. It’s about offering the consumer choices. I think traditional media is going to face some tough challenges as new media puts the power back in the hands of authors and their readers.”

About Jill Marshall
Originally from the United Kingdom, Jill has secured exclusive international publishing deals and sold over half a million books. She is best known for her Jane Blonde children’s book series published by Macmillan Publishing, which has been sold in countries around the world and was selected one of nine special books for the prestigious World Book Day in the United Kingdom. Jane Blonde: The Perfect Spylet reached the top ten in the UK best seller’s lists when it was selling 12,000 copies a week. Jill has also had published a children’s book series called Dog Head, about a boy who becomes the Egyptian god of death, a children’s picture book called Kave-Tina Rox and three books in the chick lit genre: The Two Miss Parsons, As it is on Telly and The Most Beautiful Man in the World. Marshall runs a writing consultancy and tutoring business called Write Good Stuff. She is a finalist in the 2011 Next Woman of the Year award.

For further information please visit:

www.pearjambooks.com
www.jillmarshallbooks.com
www.writegoodstuff.co.nz
www.meetjaneblonde.com

ENDS

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