There’s a big ol’ world outside of Hawaii, and local independent "micropublishers" Daniel Janik and Zach Oliver are doing their part to help writers’ voices be heard, regardless of where they’re from.
The books — and, yes, they are actual softcover books with spines, not e-books for electronic tablets — from Janik’s Savant Books and Publications and Oliver’s newly established Aignos Publishing represent the well-honed literary tastes of these men, both of whom work and teach at Argosy University downtown.
Both publishers have specific missions for their respective businesses. With 60 titles already part of its 4-year-old catalog, Savant specializes in what Janik calls "significant books and enduring media for the 21st century," while the younger Oliver favors "experimental, unconventional and innovative literature."
The publishing houses are essentially one-man operations. In Janik’s case, he contracts work to freelance editors, artists, proofreaders and a photographer.
Oliver used to work as an editor with Janik before starting up Aignos Publishing. It released its first book in August, "The Dark Side of Sunshine," by Paul Guzzo, a writer-journalist out of Tampa, Fla. It is a compilation of his newspaper and magazine articles on the sordid history of the so-called "cigar capital of the world."
While going the route of the vanity press has never been easier, thanks to readily available Internet resources, Janik and Oliver make the case for careful talent development and editing.
Janik said Savant’s latest book, "Keys in the River," from Tendai Mwanaka of Zimbabwe, "typifies what I’m trying to do as a publisher, that literature as enduring as this can work. It has an unusual story line that transforms the reader’s point of view. This is Tendai’s first book, and he’s already been recognized internationally for his poetry and articles."
About 15 percent of Savant’s works are by Hawaii authors, including Laurie Hanan, Wataru Miyanari, "Sheriff" Norm Winter, William E. Sharp Jr., and Janik and Oliver themselves.
"Even though we consider ourselves traditional publishers, the difference is that we don’t do mass runs of our books," said Janik. "With the help of a mainland business, we print on demand to our sellers and readers to fulfill our orders."
Befitting the publishers’ "outsider" status, their works are not sold in mainstream bookstores, but are available via their websites and at Jelly’s Hawaii. Savant also runs a weekly pop-up bookstore at the Hawaii Kai Retirement Community.
Janik considers a book a success if it sells 250 copies. "At that point we recoup our investment. A thousand copies, we consider it a financial success for both the author and company; 10,000 is a best-seller.
"As I’ve said before, I’m looking for enduring impact. Zach and I don’t gamble in this business; we invest."
Although catering to the same niche market, the two said they don’t consider themselves rivals.
"We could easily compete with each other," Janik said, "but it’s better that we find each other’s strengths as publishers. We’re not trying to destroy the other. We’re just trying to put out quality literature and put the books into the hands of readers who want them."
Added Oliver, "And the readers end up to be our best marketing agents through word of mouth."
Neither Savant nor Aignos has immediate plans to publish e-books. Oliver said he understands the popularity of the format from a consumer standpoint, "and I can respect that for its convenience," but "I like the messiness of a real book."
