ORATIA MEDIA & BLOOMING TWIG BOOKS INK PUBLISHING & DISTRIBUTION DEAL

AUCKLAND & NEW YORK

23 APRIL 2010

INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS Oratia Media Ltd of Auckland, New Zealand and Blooming Twig Books of New York, USA, today signed a cooperation agreement that will greatly expand their respective reach and publishing capacity.

With immediate effect, Oratia Media will represent titles from Blooming Twig Books in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific. Blooming Twig Books will represent titles from Oratia’s Libro International and Rock Your Life lists in the USA and Canada.

Both companies are to promote each other’s titles and will manage printing and distribution through print-on-demand and offset printing arrangements.

Oratia Media managing director Peter Dowling and Blooming Twig Books operating manager Kent Gustavson welcomed the announcement.

“Blooming Twig Books is an innovative young publisher that has many synergies with our publishing, with us both committed to children’s books, self-help and general non-fiction,” Dowling said.

“Having guaranteed North American distribution is a major plus for our authors and we look forward to working with Kent to maximise sales in bookstores as well as through Amazon and other online retailers, and to taking Blooming Twig Books’ titles to market Down Under.”

Gustavson anticipates great interest for the Oratia Media titles in the American market: “I am excited to have the chance to work with the diverse front and backlist that Oratia Media has to offer, and we are looking forward to reaching a new market in New Zealand and Australia.”

First releases in the Australasian market for Blooming Twig will be Dr John Molidor’s brilliant take on inter-generational mix-ups, Psycho Generations: How Each Generation Drives the Other Crazy and What You Can Do About It; and Jennifer Powers’ Oh Shift!, a hilarious guide to handling change in a rapidly changing world.

Blooming Twig will start with Libro International’s outrageous TV tie-in Outrageous Fortune: The West Family Guide and Tim Tipene’s classic junior novel Kura Toa, to be followed by the first two titles from the Rock Your Life series, Damian Milo’s Recession-Proof Your Life and Mike Handcock’s What if you were God?

ABOUT ORATIA MEDIA – www.oratiamedia.com • http:// librointernational.blogspot.com

Oratia Media is a publishing and communications services company with bases in Auckland, New Zealand and Brescia, Italy. Its book division, Libro International, publishes quality children’s, history, Maori studies, business and general nonfiction titles, and it is launching a comprehensive self-help series this year in association with Rock Your Life.

ABOUT BLOOMING TWIG BOOKS - www.bloomingtwigbooks.com • Blooming Twig Books is a publishing company located in New York, specialising in creative new titles in several genres, including motivation, business, psychology, children’s, history and general nonfiction.

For further information contact:

Kent Gustavson

Blooming Twig Books, PO Box 4668 #66675, New York, NY 10163-4668, USA

Tel: +1 866 389 4668 Email: kent@bloomingtwigbooks.com

Peter Dowling

Oratia Media, 783 West Coast Road, Oratia, Auckland 0604, NZ

& Via A. de Gasperi 2B, 25047 Darfo Boario (BS), Italy

Tel: +64 27 6148993 / +39 345 0936547 Email: peter@oratiamedia.com

–

Not the London Book Fair

Europe is still reeling from the closure of airspace caused by the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull. My heart goes out to the hundreds of thousands of travellers around the globe stranded by the suspension of flights.

In a sense it was fortunate not to be able to get off the ground in the first place. I was booked to fly to the UK on Saturday to attend this week’s London International Book Fair, but by that stage no flights were going anywhere in Europe, and the impact on the fair itself was evident. It’s been a quiet few days at the fair’s Earl’s Court venue.

Instead of face-to-face meetings, then, it’s back to emails and phone conferences – today several phone link-ups with people I would have met in London, talking rights and co-editions. Among the books we’re representing or publishing under Libro International, there is good interest in Marguerite Laing’s biography of the great psychologist R.D.Laing, Tim Tipene’s Warrior Kids manual, and Nick Theobald’s Instant! phrase book series (expanding to French, German, Italian and Spanish).

Like most publishers, it’s now about being thankful for technology and looking ahead. With a table in the book forum at next month’s Salone Internazionale del Libro in Turin next month we’ve got some good meetings planned, and then can think ahead to the major book fair of the year, Frankfurt, in October.

Cheers,

Peter

Not so bad to be on the ground when it’s a sunny day in the Val Camonica

From Silence to Voice in Turin

The impressive Mole Antonelliana, architectural symbol of Turin

I’ve just returned from an invigorating visit to Turin, where our author Paola Della Valle is based.

Paola finished her doctorate on the history of Maori literature at the Università degli Studi di Torino in 2007, and has now transformed that into a book for a school and university readership. Due out from Libro International in October, From Silence to Voice (ISBN 978-1-877514-11-1) will be the first book-length history to look at representations of Maori, and the emergence of Maori writers, in New Zealand.

Turin is a cultured city of porticoes, elegant cafés and bookstores. From 13–17 May it plays host to the annual Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino (http://www.salonelibro.it/ ) – Italy’s largest book fair, open to both book professionals and the general public.

After this first taste of the city, we’ve committed to being back for the book fair. It will provide an unequalled opportunity to talk books with publishers, agents, booksellers and authors from all over Italy as well as international visitors (India is this year’s feature country).

So there’ll be more news from Turin next month.

Ciao

Peter

Author Paola Della Valle on home ground

Putting the Libro back into Europe

The view from our window, Boario Terme, Valcamonica

For the next four months Libro International is working from the beautiful Italian town of Darfo Boario, north-east of Milan.

Having a firm base in New Zealand, it’s now time to ground the other arm of our Kiwi-Italian company where it belongs. After all, our name comes from the Italian word for ‘book’.

For 2010 we have two firmed-up releases with a distinctive ‘Kiwitalian’ flavour – a pioneering history of Maori literature by Torino-based writer Paola della Valle, and a celebration of grappa being produced in collaboration with Distilleria Bottega, one of Italy’s greatest grappa distilleries.

We’ll be at the London Book Fair from 19–21 April, taking NZ and Italian authors to the world, and will work to build the Italian business once back in the beautiful Val Camonica.

Ciao

Peter & Alessandra

Italy mobiles:

Peter - 345 0936547

Alessandra - 345 0929872

Running man, rock drawing, Capo di Ponte, Valcamonica

Outrageous Fortune: Still Number One

Outrageous Fortune has once again proved itself the pick of New Zealand TV viewing. In the 2010 TV Guide Best on the Box People’s Choice Awards announced mid-March, Outrageous Fortune attracted over 45% of votes to win the Best Drama title.

Robyn Malcolm (Cheryl) netted a similar percentage of votes to be named Best TV Actress (for the sixth year running) as well as Sexiest Woman. And Antony Starr (Jethro and Van) scooped the Best Actor award for the third year, and also was chosen Sexiest Man.

Congratulations to all the cast, producers and crew of Outrageous Fortune. For the inside story on New Zealand’s greatest TV drama, pick up your copy of Outrageous Fortune: The West Family Album from any good bookseller or through www.outrageousfortune.co.nz.

The Castle in Our Backyard

The first release from Libro International is about to go to the printer. The Castle in Our Backyard comes from the talented group of young people behind Sharing Our Stories, a concept to teach younger readers about the history and geography of the landscapes they inhabit, showing that their immediate environment has as much drama and excitement as video games or TV. Written by Sharing Our Stories member Malcolm Paterson and illustrated by Leah Mulgrew, this engaging story for primary and intermediate age readers will be released in English and Maori editions in mid-June, at the time of the Matariki festival. Watch this space for more detail.

Sales Points:

• Simultaneous release in both English and Māori to coincide with Matariki
• Excellent educational resource and an entertaining read for 8-12 year-olds
• Examines environment and history through a modern storyline
• Beautiful edition with full colour illustrations
• First in innovative series from Sharing Our Stories venture

The Book:

Tui and his cousin Jennifer are much too busy playing a video game to want to visit Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill. But then Nanny Marei tells them the mountain’s got giants and fortresses, just like their game!

Explore Maungakiekie with Tui and Jennifer as they travel back into its history – meeting the Goddess of Fire, Māori tribes, Chinese gardeners, Sir John Logan Campbell, and the tourists of today.

The Authors:

Malcolm Paterson belongs to Ngāti Whātua of Tāmaki and the Kaipara, and represents his iwi in heritage and environmental issues. He is a qualified medical doctor and holds an M.Sc. in environmental management. He has contributed to various publications; The Castle in our Backyard is his first book.

Leah Mulgrew grew up in Karekare and studied painting at the Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland. After graduating in 2003 with a B.FA., she has lived and exhibited in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Publicity:

• Promotion through iwi radio, community newspapers, schools, kura and children’s literature networks
• Giveaway of framed artwork to lucky reader
• Malcolm Paterson is available for interviews on 021 2533930, malcolmpaterson@gmail.com

Basil Dowling, Selected Poems

ISBN 3-9501862-0-4

SRP NZ$34.99

IMPRINT Global Vision

RELEASE October 2004

FORMAT 212 x 145 mm, hb, 128 pp

New Zealand-born Basil Dowling wrote over 500 poems during his lifetime. His first three collections were published by the Caxton Press, beginning with A Day’s Journey (1941), followed by Signs and Wonders (1944) and Canterbury and other poems (1949), and he maintained a steady poetic output in New Zealand and internationally until his death in 2000.

Printed in Vienna, Selected Poems features 142 poems, 36 of them previously unpublished.

Reviews:

“He had a liking for regular metres, tidy stanzas and full rhymes – traditional forms which he handled with grace and ease ... poetry so well made will not easily be forgotten.”
Dr. Peter Simpson, Auckland University

"I have read Basil Dowling's Selected Poems with much pleasure. I like them very much for their unaffected honesty and directness of statement, qualities that are becoming rare to the point of invisibility."
Vernon Scannell

“While remaining constant to his native background, Basil Dowling became increasingly aware of the social and political issues of his time, ever true to his profoundly humane and radical views. He has left a body of carefully constructed poetry, full of sanity and wisdom, which achieves the dimension of ‘verbal magic’ for which he aimed.”
R.J. Barttelot, The Independent

“Allen Curnow wrote that he had a gift ‘for catching a commonplace offguard’ and was ‘a quiet poet of carefully arranged understatements’."
Otago Daily Times

Orders & Information

Available in New Zealand and Australia from:

Peter Dowling, 783 West Coast Rd, Oratia, Auckland, NZ

Tel: +64 9 814 8993 peter@oratiamedia.com

or internationally

http://www.basildowling.com

Place Names of New Zealand on National Radio

Peter Dowling is currently preparing Place Names of New Zealand, A.W. Reed's authoritative work on the subject, for a new edition in 2010. Fully updated, with condensed, easy-reference entries and over 1500 newly added names, it takes Reed's work into the 21st century.

On weekdays from 28 December 2009 to 22 January 2010, Peter will be talking place names on Radio New Zealand National's morning show, Summer Report. Check http://www.radionz.co.nz/listen/amfm for where to tune in, and visit http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/summerreport for details.

Seasons' Greetings

Seasons' Greetings

from Oratia Media

and

Libro International

Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou ki a koutou katoa

Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo

Manuia le Kerisimasi, ma le Tausaga Fou

Joyeux Noël et bonne année

新年おめでとうございます

Fröhliche Weihnachten
und ein gutes neues Jahr

¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo!

聖誕快樂 新年快樂

The Iron-Bound Coast on Radio New Zealand

Radio New Zealand National, Sounds Historical, Sunday evening 29 November 2009, second hour.

Click here to listen to Bob Harvey talking to Jim Sullivan about The Iron-Bound Coast: Karekare in the Early Years, and the life of author Wally Badham, who set out to preserve his crystal-clear memories of early Karekare for his nieces, but has created a work of living history that speaks to all New Zealanders.

Sounds Historical with Jim Sullivan gives listeners their chance to learn about the colourful, dramatic, and often remarkable events and people of New Zealand's past.

In the news today

Graeme Hunt, author of the book "First to Care",

which gives a historical account of St John in New Zealand.

Photo / Greg Bowker, NZ Herald

Click here to read today's article in the NZ Herald

St John book celebrates 125 years of first aid for Kiwis

Story by Alanah May Eriksen

Nga Waka o Neherā

Sales Points:

• Re-issue of the authoritative reference work on Maori voyaging canoes
• Collects all published information on the topic into one volume
• Essential item for libraries of New Zealand history
• Attractive design with maps for easy reference
• Includes special sections on Maui’s and Rata’s waka

The Book:

Finally back in print after more than five years, this is the essential reference work to the traditions of Maori canoes that voyaged to New Zealand – including lists of the waka, names of crew members and vessels, karakia and waiata, and maps. A must for lovers of history, students of Maori and nautical enthusiasts.

This is the second in a programme of short-run reissues of important New Zealand books by Libro International.

The Author:

Jeff Evans is a writer and photographer who works for leading clients in New Zealand and overseas. An authority on Maori canoes, Jeff is also the author of Waka Taua: The Maori War Canoe, The Discovery of Aotearoa and Maori Weapons in Pre-European New Zealand, and editor of Elsdon Best’s Notes on the Art of War. Jeff lives in Waitakere City.

PUBLICITY:

• Jeff is available for media opportunities or marketing support; check www.jeffevans.co.nz or contact Jeff on

027 2161400 or jeffevans@clear.net.nz

Gone West

I'm Murray Gray and I run Gone West Books in Titirangi.

I thought you might be interested in my Half-Price Book Sale on Sunday
December 6 from noon until late.

I'll have wine tasting, whisky nosing, pizzas, poetry and music to keep
you entertained. So please join me for a laid back afternoon at the shop.

You can get more information from my web site http://www.gonewestbooks.com

Please feel free to distribute this invitation to your friends.

Murray

Win a part in Outrageous Fortune!

Click here