Karina Author, Book, Event

The launch of GOOD HOPE by Nick Clelland

One month before our elections, on 29 April 2024, we are launching Good Hope. Nick Clelland‘s daring debut novel takes us on an imaginative journey to the heart of an unsettling alternative reality where the Western Cape is an independent country. The Good Hope Territory is entering its next elections cycle which could potentially unseat the governing party and see a new First Minister voted into power. On the surface of things, this is a well-functioning state with a booming economy. But at what cost? And what are the people vying for power prepared to sweep under the Mother City’s table cloth to achieve their goals?

Please join us for the launch of this fast-paced, intriguing novel that will make you see the present in a new light.

Nick will be in conversation with Refilwe Moloto.

Please note the venue: 6 Spin Street 

THE WESTERN CAPE IS NOW AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY.
SUCCESSFUL, SAFE,
MURDEROUS

Lisa Robinson has moved from Durban to Cape Town to be with Grant, the prospective next First Minister of the Good Hope Territory. The GHT is the safest and most prosperous country in the southern hemisphere – at a price. Citizens contract to be tracked by drones, executions are synchronised to the Noon Gun and only those with qualifications are permitted to vote in the Qualified Franchise system. Life here is picture-perfect. The Mother City is pristine. Everyone has a job. Tourism is booming. But this shiny new state has decided that Lisa is a problem, and problems here disappear quickly and quietly.

‘A riveting read and a scary glimpse into what happens when liberty is traded for order. Unputdownable.’ — GEORDIN HILL-LEWIS

Karina Book

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 …

Karina Author, Book, Event

The Bitterness of Olives launched at Liberty Books

We launched The Bitterness of Olives by Andrew Brown at Liberty Books last night. Andrew always knew that it would be difficult to talk about his latest novel which is set at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but no one could have predicted just how topical the book would become. It was published in time for the Open Book Festival in early September, almost exactly a month before the 7th of October. Since then, the world the novel is set in has once again been completely shattered by violence and suffering. It has become even more fraught to discuss the novel in the context of our tragic present, but the way Christy Weyer and Andrew spoke about it last night was soul-restoring. Thank you both for your kindness, integrity and courage! Thank you for offering insight and gentleness at a time when both are deeply needed.

Thank you to all who attended, but especially to Karavan Press authors Lester Walbrugh and Joanne Hichens for your continued support!

Lester also baked fresh bread (best in the country!) for the occasion, and fittingly, we enjoyed it with olives. Thank you, Lester!

Lester also shared the good news with us that one of his stories from Let It Fall Where It Will has been turned into a short film which will premier in the new year, and that he has finished editing the first Afrikaans book that Karavan Press will publish, a memoir by Erika Viljoen!

Launching The Bitterness of Olives at Liberty Books was the perfect way to end a year of exciting book events. Thank you to Christy for being a champion of local literature, for inviting us to share our stories with the wonderful readers of Elgin and for leading the conversations that make us believe that what we do is meaningful to others.

Dear festive season travellers! If you are on the N2 in Grabouw, stop at Liberty Books for your holiday read fix. You will not regret it!

Karina Author, Book, Event

Diane Awerbuck, Dawn Garisch and Frankie Murrey at Liberty Books

We launched three short story collections at Liberty Books last night: Diane Awerbuck (Inside your body there are flowers), Dawn Garisch (What Remains) and Frankie Murrey (Everyone Dies) were in conversation with Christy Weyer and spoke about the genre, about their individual stories and about what it means to be a writer. It was a magical treat to listen to the three amazing writers in the beautiful space of Christy’s literary cathedral, Liberty Books. Cleo made an appearance, of course, but decided to stay out of the Q&A action this time.

Thank you to the Authors, to Christy and to all who attended! Can’t wait to see you all again next week for the launch of The Bitterness of Olives by Andrew Brown.