Jacana Media publishes 55 to 60 books a year but such a large output for a South African publisher is an unintentional by-product of its love for new writers.
“There is just so much exciting stuff out there and we get caught up in the excitement of it all,” says Bridget Impey, the publishing director at Jacana.
“It’s a lunatic asylum over here,” she laughs.
“Not that many publishers do what we do or offer such a range of publications.
“I think now is a moment where there is such an opportunity for publishing. There is a possibility for grabbing this moment and for turning publishing into a force for change much like in the Seventies and Eighties.”
Impey says Jacana differs from publishers who may have an entirely commercial imperative.
“We try to strike a balance and be aware that we are part of a culture and part of a society.”
There are several new writers to look out for: “Jacob Dlamini. His Native Nostalgia is the start of a wonderful career in writing. Also Kapano Matlwa, Zinaid Meeran and Lauren Beukes.”
“I love literary festivals — or anything to celebrate books!” she says of the M&G Literary Festival.
“It’s a wonderful initiative and I admire all the hard work that must go into something like this.”