Name: Chavon Bringans
Role: Publishing and Sales Assistant
Company: Upstart Press

My first job in publishing was: This one! Being the publishing and sales assistant for Upstart Press means that I am jumping from task to task constantly. They include liaising with printers and bookstores, keeping our title information up to date, organising sales material and a lot more. I am lucky enough to see the distribution side of publishing in this job, so I spend the occasional day helping out in the warehouse, which I love.

I’m currently reading: Aside from reading the new releases from Upstart Press, I am making
my way through Book Lovers. Topical right?

The thing that has surprised me most since I started my job is: How much my love for
spreadsheets has grown. I love a good conditionally formatted spreadsheet and in the past
few months I have used them to my advantage because keeping on schedule is important.

The thing I like best about working in publishing is: The books! It may seem cliché but as a lover of books, having them readily available at work is a dream come true. It is great way to
try different books especially ones outside of my comfort zone.

Name:Ella Fischer
Role: Publishing Partnerships Specialist
Company:Auckland Council Libraries / Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau

My first job in publishing was: Actually, it’s this one! My background is in language teaching and (science) communications, so I have always had a passion for words, writing and language. I first got a taste of publishing many years ago, when I had the chance to work on some book projects in publishing seminars at university. More recently, I remembered how much I enjoyed this work and when the job at Auckland Council Libraries came up, it sounded right up my alley. Our publishing programme is focused on Māori and Pasifika content and it is a real privilege to help our communities tell their stories. There is a lot to learn still, but I’m enjoying every second of it!

I’m currently reading: I’m in the middle of Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly and I love the setting in Tāmaki Makaurau. My to-be-read pile is getting a bit out of control, but some highlights include Sleeps Standing | Moetū by Witi Ihimaera with Hēmi Kelly, and re-reading a favourite, The Flying Mountain by Austrian writer Christoph Ransmayr.

My biggest career highlight in publishing has been: Getting to work with an amazing bunch of people – my lovely colleagues at the library, the communities and writers I get to help bring ideas to life, and the wonderful people working in publishing, who have been very generous in sharing their knowledge, advice, and opportunities. Another big highlight in my short career in publishing was to be awarded a PANZ Mentorship and being matched with an amazing mentor. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa!

Name: Tony Murdoch from Cadsonbury Publications (a wholly owned subsidiary of Smith’s Bookshop)
Publications: Cadsonbury is a minor player in the publishing world. It specialises in publishing out-of-print NZ books and currently has 127 titles available.
Role: Co-owner with Alan Direen
Company: Chapter & Verse NZ Ltd.

Background: Alan and I took over Smiths in October 2019 so we are very much newcomers to book selling and book publishing. Smith’s is long standing Christchurch business specialising in new and used NZ books.

Cadsonbury Publications was founded by Robin Mitchell who sadly died. Barry Hancox, the previous owner of Smith’s took it over in the early 2000s. Many years ago we both taught in high schools, Alan in Central Otago and myself at Aranui High in Christchurch. A chance conversation at the pub led us to buying Smith’s at a time in our lives when retirement beckoned. Most days we pinch ourselves to make sure it’s not a dream.

I’m currently reading: John Pascoe’s wonderful Explorer Mr Douglas and dipping into Warren Feeney’s Canterbury Society of Arts 1880 -1996 which is a fascinating insight into Christchurch’s arty past.

My biggest career highlight in publishing has been: Early in the piece we decided to put some resource into promoting Cadsonbury Publications. While its still early days our sales have lifted and we have already added three more titles to our catalogue. One, The Cheviot Estate, was found in one of the 320 boxes of uncatalogued books we inherited. It was the Department of Lands official booklet published in 1893 to facilitate the selling of the Cheviot Estate and had a wonderful map showing the sub-divided estate. We checked in the published books on Cheviot and could not find any reference to it and so thought this would be worthy of reprinting. We then ran an advert in the North Canterbury News and our first, albeit modest, print run sold out!

Name: Craig Gamble
Role: Publishing Manager
Company: Victoria University Press

My role on the PANZ council is: My portfolio at PANZ covers member communications, and in that role I’d like to increase the frequency of PANZ communication with its members and also raise our profile across social media platforms.

My first job in publishing was: I was employed as a ‘management cadet’ for Whitcoulls.

I’m currently reading: Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson. A romping reimagination of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

My biggest career highlight in publishing has been: Two so far. Selling in the third Harry Potter book with my friends at Archetype Book Agents, and Eleanor Catton winning the Booker Prize with Victoria University Press.