Jeremy Poynting and Johnny Temple
As part of the Kingston Book Festival 2013, CaribLit organized an industry networking session bringing together publishers and booksellers from Jamaica and the Diaspora. Co-hosted by Jamaica Trade and Invest and festival organizers, the Book Industry Association of Jamaica, the networking session has already yielded one tangible result: Peepal Tree Press (based in Leeds, UK) and Brooklyn, New York-based Akashic Books have announced their intent to create a joint imprint to publish the work of new Caribbean writers.
Jeremy Poynting, Managing Editor of Peepal Tree Press and member of the Caribbean Literature Action Group, who attended the festival as a guest of CaribLit, noted that the decision came from having the opportunity to interact with Jamaican writers and to brainstorm possible solutions with Akashic’s Publisher, Johnny Temple. In addition to the networking session, the two spoke at the festival’s Industry Workshop, participated in a story-pitching session with aspiring writers during the festival’s book fair and attended an arts mixer with writers, publishers and other representatives from Jamaica’s cultural and creative industries.
Jeremy Poynting, Managing Editor of Peepal Tree Press and member of the Caribbean Literature Action Group, who attended the festival as a guest of CaribLit, noted that the decision came from having the opportunity to interact with Jamaican writers and to brainstorm possible solutions with Akashic’s Publisher, Johnny Temple. In addition to the networking session, the two spoke at the festival’s Industry Workshop, participated in a story-pitching session with aspiring writers during the festival’s book fair and attended an arts mixer with writers, publishers and other representatives from Jamaica’s cultural and creative industries.
Both companies have made significant contributions to the Caribbean literary landscape. Peepal Tree is widely known for its work in publishing Caribbean fiction and poetry, and is home to Caribbean Modern Classics Series – new editions of major, out of print, Caribbean works. Akashic’s growing line of Caribbean Interest titles includes the work of Kwame Dawes, Thomas Glave and Anthony Winkler and the popular Noir series.
Poynting noted that both publishes houses are keen on having local input in the editorial direction of the planned imprint. Further details will be announced at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, which runs April 25-28, 2013.
Poynting noted that both publishes houses are keen on having local input in the editorial direction of the planned imprint. Further details will be announced at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, which runs April 25-28, 2013.
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