Chiang Mai becomes a book lovers’ paradise
Northern Thai News 52 – 01.01.2009
The Mekong Press Foundation, based in Chiang Mai, is an initiative of Silkworm Books, an independent publishing house, founded by Publisher Ms Trasvin Jittidecharak in 1989. With some twenty years of experience in publishing in English on Thailand and neighbouring countries, Silkworm Books is eager to share its knowledge within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), comprising the six countries of Cambodia, China’s Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.
To date, no western publishers have afforded much interest or financial support in promoting work by authors within the GMS, largely because they neither know nor understand the region’s different histories, cultures, and religions. Furthermore, the book-buying market remains small. In this context, the Mekong Press Foundation hold a special session entitled “Getting Published in the English World” at the Empress Convention Centre in Chiang Mai on December 22.
Two speakers, namely Ms Trasvin Jittidecharak, Director of Silkworm Books, and Dr. Chris Baker, writer, editor, and translator, lectured on “Imaging a Book: A Publisher’s Perspective” and “Reviewing Manuscripts: Developing, Potentials, Spotting Problems” before an audience of some 60 attending and invited guests.
First, Ms Trasvin talked about the different positions and expectations of author, editor, and publisher. The most important question is always “Who is the target?” when publishing a book. Most of the time, the proposed manuscript has to be cut and something has to be added. At the end, budget and legal issues will dominate the book project.
Second, Dr. Chris Baker explained the wide difference either to publish a thesis for the academic circle or write a book. Next comes the question, if the book has anything to say and does it say something? Last not least, writing should be a communication between the author and the reader. That is why long sentences should be avoided to make the book successful in the market. Publishing is a business and nothing else. It is here that the Mekong Press Foundation comes in: To encourage and support writers and scholars in the GMS to produce written artistic work about the region, with a view to publish and distribute their works produced.
Thus, the Mekong Press Foundation is ready to consider manuscripts for publication by local writers, who are from within the GMS. Fiction or non-fiction, scholarly or general works are welcome. All submissions should comply with the submission guidelines listed on the website.