New team members bring wide experience to help grow Oratia Books

Halfway through the year and things are humming along at Oratia Books. 

Our aim is for brilliant people to work with Oratia and not for us. The company’s flat and dispersed structure reflects that, with a mix of fixed and freelance contributors, working from home in different parts of the country and world. 

 

This year we’re pleased to have formalised working relationships with several collaborators and friends. We welcome these four publishing professionals who are helping to grow Oratia Books:

 

Mike Bradstock has taken on the role of editor-at-large for Oratia Books, from his base in Raumati South, Wellington. A vastly experienced publisher and writer, Mike was for many years publisher of Canterbury University Press, and before then a managing editor with Bateman Books and Reed Publishing. Mike is making a valued contribution in commissioning, editing and proofing for Oratia. 

Sharon Whitaker has come on board to manage the printing, production and shipping of Oratia Books. Based in Papamoa in the Bay of Plenty, Sharon is a renowned production manager who contracts to select publishing clients. During a long career at Reed Publishing, she managed multiple projects across trade and educational titles, working closely with Carolyn and Peter.

 

Sam Hill keeps the Reed connection alive, having joined Oratia as a freelance editor. He worked in editorial and distribution over his time at the Reed offices in Rawene Road, Birkenhead. Now based up the road in Glenfield, Sam is engaged in both editorial and marketing work for Oratia (sam@oratia.co.nz). 

Internationally, Maria Leonardi is managing the acquisition of international books under our new Five Oceans imprint. Based in Rome, Italy, Maria is a dual Italian and New Zealand citizen who has many years of experience in international rights and editorial management with publishing houses including nottetempo, Nutrimenti and La Nuova Frontiera. 

Maria Leonardi with Peter Dowling at the Bologna Children's Book Fair

Maria managed the New Zealand stand at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2022, and has attended the fair with Peter in the past two years.

 

A warm welcome to Mike, Sharon, Sam and Maria. 

 

They join our key contributors Frances Chan, Hirini Tane, Ella Fischer, Cheryl Smith and Sarah Elworthy in assisting the mahi of our senior team – Belinda Cooke, Carolyn Lagahetau, Alessandra Zecchini and Peter Dowling. 

They make it happen: a salute to Oratia's contributors

When a book is published, it's rightly the author (and oftentimes illustrator) that receive kudos and publicity, and have their photos on our website and in the media. 

The core team that runs Oratia Books (Alessandra, Belinda, Carolyn and Peter) are also profiled on the website and get to bask in the reflected glory of every new title or reprint. 

Beyond that, though, are a range of dedicated individuals at work to ensure our books are well edited, designed, printed, promoted, distributed and sold. 

At the risk of missing someone out, here's an end-of-year shout out to the folks whose work behind the scenes has enabled our 2022 books to reach the world:

• Senior editor Frances Chan, who handles much of our manuscript assessment, proofreading, indexing and keeping the books on track

• Freelance editors Mike Bradstock, Susan Brierley, Ross Calman, Mary de Ruyter, Ella Fischer, Sam Hill, Jane Hingston, Diane Lowther and Mike Wagg (if there's a typo in this post, they will spot it)

• Ngā mihi ki te reo Māori translators Stephanie Huriana Fong and Kanapu Rangitauira

• We don't have an inhouse design department but Cheryl Smith (who's been on board since our first publications in 2009) is as good as one, and with fellow designer Sarah Elworthy are integral members of the Oratia whānau — can't thank them enough

• Out in the field presenting the list and taking orders are outstanding sales reps Dennis Morgan (Northland), Gary Shannon (rest of North Island) and Annie Martin (South Island). Selling a book is generally the hardest part of publishing, so our hats are permanently off to them and to all of our bookseller customers

• Taking the orders and making sure they are filled is down to Toni Hayman, Marie Edwards and their amazing team at Publishers Distribution Ltd (PDL). We couldn't ask for more from a distributor and customer services team

• Getting the books from overseas printers to New Zealand, and from here to readers overseas, is in the sure hands of Book Systems International; much appreciation to Chris Shaw, Nick Heinemann, Kevin Agnew, Matt Tuilaepa and crew

• And that's not to mention our printers locally and in Asia, distributors internationally, or industry colleagues here and overseas that play vital roles in preparing our books for market

All of these fine folk ensure our talented authors and illustrators reach readers in New Zealand and around the world, and we salute you!