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By David Rothman

“Knocklofty is a new independent publisher in Hobart, Tasmania. It is working to hasten the transition between conventional print publishing and the new world of electronic books, with several titles in preparation to be Knocklofty book published as both short-run printed books and as eBooks. These include new translations of two plays by Albert Camus, a range of practical guides to growing herbs and several novels by emerging writers. For authors who want to self-publish, we offer a complete service from editing your raw manuscript through book design, printing, conversion to eBook and website design to help with sales.” – Knocklofty site.

The TeleRead take: Knocklofty, publisher of the free 16-page PDF shown here, doesn’t say what the ratio will be between self-published books and others. Also, the Lulu parallel is hardly exact in other ways—Knocklofty apparently goes far behind the basics. Whatever the case, the WordPress-based site is well-done, making me eager to learn more. The TeleBlog loves to do the Schwab’s drugstore act and discover new stars. In fact, we were among the first sites to cover Scott Sigler in depth.

But back to Knocklofty (named after a hill in Hobart?). Among the other enticements: Part I of a free e-novel called The Brasenose Bequest. From plot summary: “Allan must live in Nether Parkley for at least ten months of every year, and is not permitted to dispose of the property in his lifetime. Why? While he is puzzling over these codicils he is led to discover the first clue in a game that has been played for more than 100 years—the meaning, and the location, of ‘The Middle Way.’” Alas, like the herbal book, this one is in PDF. Knocklofty would do well to try Mobipocket, which, lickety-split, can do primitive conversions from PDF.

Categories on the bloggish site include eBooks, Fiction, Gardening and Herbs. Cool. The e-book world needs Knocklofties, not just genre publishers. Best of luck to Allan Moult or whoever is behind this little house!

Trivia: Tasmania is said to be a literary hotbed.

Disclosure: Just a reminder that I’m a writer and submit manuscripts to houses large and small.

 
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