I spotted on Juxtabook the other day a viral campaign which has been gaining quite a lot of momentum.
Salt Publishing are an independent publisher of poetry (and, I believe, some short stories). Long-term Stuck-in-a-Book readers will know that I’m not much of a poetry buff, but I certainly support the publication of it for those who are, and always happy to be proved wrong with something special. In this economic climate, however, and with funding coming to an end, Salt are facing some difficulties.
And so they’ve started a campaign. The whole thing is below, but essentially it’s Just One Book. Buy just one book from them, and they might well stay afloat. (Check out the WWF-inspired video they’ve done for it) The campaign has been incredibly successful – in the first four days they got six weeks’ worth of sales. But they’re not out of the woods yet. I encourage you to go along to Salt’s website and choose Just One Book. And, when you do, let me know which poetry volume might convert me…
The statement from Salt:
As many of you will know, Jen and I have been struggling to keep Salt moving since June last year when the economic downturn began to affect our press. Our three year funding ends this year: we’ve £4,000 due from Arts Council England in a final payment, but cannot apply through Grants for the Arts for further funding for Salt’s operations. Spring sales were down nearly 80% on the previous year, and despite April’s much improved trading, the past twelve months has left us with a budget deficit of over £55,000. It’s proving to be a very big hole and we’re having to take some drastic measures to save our business.
Here’s how you can help us to save Salt and all our work with hundreds of authors around the world.
JUST ONE BOOK
1. Please buy just one book, right now. We don’t mind from where, you can buy it from us or from Amazon, your local shop or megastore, online or offline. If you buy just one book now, you’ll help to save Salt. Timing is absolutely everything here. We need cash now to stay afloat. If you love literature, help keep it alive. All it takes is just one book sale. Go to our online store and help us keep going.
2. Share this note on your profile. Tell your friends. If we can spread the word about our cash crisis, we can hopefully find more sales and save our literary publishing. Remember it’s just one book, that’s all it takes to save us. Please do it now.
With my best wishes to everyone
Chris
Director
Salt Publishing
http://www.saltpublishing.com
I didn’t go for a poetry volume. Instead I chose a collection of short stories by André Mangeot: “A little Javanese”.
Each story is set in a different part of the world, and what sold it to me is this from the blurb: “Mangeot’s capacity to cojure a strong sense of place is at times redolent of Maughan and Hemingway. If you like writing that is authentic,unexpected and imbued with the scent and mystery of other lands, this collection shall not disappoint you”
We shall see…