Can journalists be book publishers?

At our meeting this month, we’ll be hearing from print journalists who have made the transition to writing books. What are the pros and cons of self-publishing, traditional publishing houses, print-on-demand and the extra effort of taking on such a big undertaking? Are there knock-on benefits? And is it an effective way to make journalistic skills pay?

Discussing these questions will be:

Simon Barrow, whose Solid Mental Grace: Listening to the Music of Yes is published this month: https://www.culturedllama.co.uk/books/solid-mental-grace-listening-to-the-music-of-yes Simon has also been involved as editor and writer of several books through his think-tank Ekklesia.

Joyce McMillan, whose Theatre in Scotland: A Field of Dreams came out in 2016: https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/joyce-mcmillan As well as being branch chair, Joyce is author of a history of the Traverse Theatre.

And me, Mark Fisher, with my recently self-published The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls http://www.xtclimelight.com I’m also the author of The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide and How to Write About Theatre.

Copies of some or all of these books will be on sale.