Karavan Press in 2023

At the end of last year, I knew for the first time in four years that Karavan Press would make it, that we were here to stay, and that we would thrive. But not even in my wildest dreams could I have predicted the insane year that we would have in 2023. For most of the twelve months, whenever someone asked me how many books we’d published or how many books we were still working on, I was afraid to count – I thought that if I counted, I would not be able to go on. It was only towards the end of November that I braved the numbers, and although we still had a few projects on the go, I went into a temporary state of paralysis and took a break. Personal circumstances (loss, real and potential, and complicated grief) contributed to the mental professional block, and I did let a few balls, or rather books, fall … But as the year comes to an end, after a short Festive Season rest, I am emerging from the exhaustion and plan to pace myself better in the new year.

In 2023, I worked with over a hundred different authors – mainly as publisher and editor, but also as mentor and friend – and as publisher, editor and distributor, I was involved in the publication of twenty-two individual books, two issues of a literary magazine (I resigned from all of my functions at New Contrast last year, but helped with two issues of the transition) and FLASH, a chapbook. We published seventeen books (three of them are debuts: Michael Boyd’s The Weight of Shade, Frankie Murrey’s Everyone Dies and Beatrice Willoughby’s So,) at Karavan Press in 2023, and one more is already printed and ready for release in early 2024.

A few of last year’s titles were nominated for awards this year: Joy Watson’s The Other Me, Lester Walbrugh’s Elton Baajties and Stephen Symon’s Small Souls. Additionally, Michael Boyd and Nick Mulgrew were nominated for literary awards with their short stories. Heartfelt congratulations, you brilliant, wonderful people!

Earlier this year, Héloïse Press, a Canterbury-based indie publisher of literary fiction specialised in contemporary female narrative, has acquired Breaking Milk by Dawn Garisch, one of Karavan Press’s first titles. Thank you to Aina and Catrina for making it happen. We cannot wait to see the UK edition make its appearance next year.

In August, we celebrated Sindiwe Magona’s 80th birthday with the publication of Sindiwe’s Gift (compiled by Thokozile Sayedwa and Nancy Richards), a collection of personal essays by people whose lives Sindiwe has touched throughout her illustrious career, and launched Karavan Stories, a workshop and anthology project that resulted in the publication of Tiger: Karavan Stories 2023. It was such a joyous project to work on that I decided to do Karavan Stories 2024 – theme to be decided by workshop participants. Watch this space …

Together with the Rosebank Writers and The Red Wheelbarrow, especially Kerry Hammerton and Melissa Sussens, we organised the Festival of Poetry, and it was such a gigantic success that it might return in one form or another next year. Thank you to Kerry and Melissa for your stellar work! Those of you who are missing the Karavan Press Literary Festival – have no fear, it will return with a bang in March 2024.

None of it would have been possible without the editors (especially Joanne Hichens, Finuala Dowling, Joy Watson), designers (Monique Cleghorn, Stephen Symons, Nick Mulgrew, Jennifer Jacobs, Tamara Isles, Luami Calitz), proofreaders (Nancy Richards, Mervyn Sloman, John Maytham), printers (Grant, Tim and Gavin of Castle Graphics – I know you moved mountains for Karavan Press – thank you; and Douglas of The Printing Press – what would I do without you?), distributors (Tamsin, Phil, Siya, Yaya, Nolu, Jayden – you all rock!), booksellers (special gratitude to Liberty Books, The Book Lounge, Love Books, Clarke’s Bookshop, EB Cavendish), festival and event organisers (a special shout out to Salon Hecate at Art Point Noordhoek and Woman Zone Cape Town), newspaper editors and book reviewers, literary award judges, and our amazing literary agent, Catrina Wessels.

I work with authors who are not only super-talented storytellers, but also good people whose presence in my life makes my heart fill with appreciation. Thank you to all of you for your words, creativity, kindness, understanding and patience, and for allowing me to share your stories with our Readers!

And tons of gratitude to our Readers! Without you, Karavan Press would only be a dream.

My deepest gratitude to all, but especially to John, Krystian, Mom, Joanne, Christy, Mervyn and Craig. Your support keeps me going against all odds, and those odds have never been terribly great for independent publishers … And yet, here we are!

If I forgot someone, please forgive me and know that my gratitude to all who have contributed to the wonder of this year is endless.

Happy writing and reading in 2024!

Ancient paths, new literary journeys …