KIA ABDULLAH
I was working at Asiana magazine when a press release about Revenge Ink found its way to my desk. The ethos of the company resonated so strongly, I was struck immediately. It called for narratives that were unique, sexy, smart and surreal, that challenged established traditions and subverted expectations. As an Asian writer writing genre fiction ‘and not the highbrow literary fiction or ‘misery memoir lite’ that Asian writers have become known for. I needed a publisher that was willing to take a risk, that was unafraid to stick its head above the parapet for a project it believed it. I needed a company that was creative, resourceful, passionate and intense what you could call a guerrilla publisher. I found all of that in Revenge Ink.
Initially, I was cautious because it was a relatively new company, but that worked in my favour as everyone was hungry for success. The team members were out there, on the streets, at conferences, making one-on-one connections and really pushing their list because they believed in it. That kind of passion is infectious and made me work harder not only for me but for the company. I didn’t feel like a cog in a massive commercial machine that churns out books; I felt like a member of a motley crew of rebels. It sounds strange but that’s exactly what it was like. And like in any crew worth its salt, there were a few internal disagreements, but that was fine. The mere fact that I could voice opposition attested to Revenge Ink’s belief that its writers are individuals, not servile content producers ready to be milked for cash. I had a direct line to the founders of the company and developed a great personal relationship with them. I remember the day after I handed my manuscript to Amita, she texted me to say that on her way back to Paris, customs had only let her take one bag through and that she had chosen my manuscript over the coveted box of PG Tips she had picked up before our meeting. That day, I sent her a massive box of tea via airmail with a note saying, ‘I hope you enjoy the tea, but not as much as the manuscript’. We had a great rapport and I learnt a lot from her, not only about writing and publishing, but about drive, ambition and believing in your convictions.
I believe that Revenge Ink can make a worthy contribution, however small, to changing the face of publishing. I believe that an interesting book coupled with local support and word of mouth can be as successful as one buoyed by a deep well of finance. I know that we are the underdogs but I hope that readers get behind the company. I hope they buy our books and tell their friends and share it via reviews and tweets and status updates. I hope they help us prove that sometimes, however rarely, the little man can win.
