GUEST POST with Stephen Ormsby
So Why Did I Become a Publisher?
Firstly, let me introduce myself. I’m Stephen Ormsby, and hail from Down Under. I own and run Satalyte Publishing with my graphic designer wife, Marieke. We have been in operation for just over two years, and have published some 36 titles. Some of authors include Kevin J. Anderson, Jack Dann and a great bunch of Aussies that you should be reading.
So, now to the question: why become a publisher. I wrote a novel titled ‘Long Lost Song’, which I thought was a good story. A small press in America picked it up quickly, and, lo and behold, I was a published author. My second novel, a horror one this time titled ‘Pendant’, was also picked up as quickly.
I suddenly had two novels published, and was meeting lots of great people. One of those people was involved with Supanova, a pop culture convention that travels around Australia. They asked me if I would like to sell my books at their stall. Of course, I agreed.
But then, I found out how hard it was to get my own novels out to Australia. The small press were using CreateSpace, which does not have a printing facility in Australia, so it cost me more to get them shipped to me than printed.
Like a good 12 year old, I threw a hissy fit in a corner, and said ‘that’s it. I’m starting a publishing house. An Australian house for Australian authors.’ My wife turned to me, and replied, ‘that’s great. You do know that I’m pregnant.’ Somehow though, my publisher thought that meant that I would be self-publishing, and dropped my contracts immediately.
I do not regret it though. Since then I have met so many other great authors and readers. I am now arranging to have an international author at an Australian convention, and I get to talk to my favourite authors across the world. Who would give that up?
But the best bit about being a publisher? We make dreams come true. How often do you get to say that?
