Emu Ink is an Independent Publishing Company with a mission to serve both authors and readers alike in bringing new quality writing to the forefront, providing a comprehensive editing and cover design service and making it available to, and affordable for, as many people as possible. It also offers dedicated writing hubs to both primary and secondary schools as well as children’s hospitals and hospices in which children will focus on short story writing and after a period of four weeks their work will culminate in a book which will be both e-published through the site and printed – providing an outlet for fundraising. Emu Ink also boasts a free monthly e-zine on the site.
The most significant element of the site, however, is its library facility which allows readers to ‘rent’ any of the company’s titles, for a period of 30 days, on any internet enabled device including pc, laptop, iPad, iPhone and android devices as well as internet enabled e-readers.
This is a hugely significant turning point for Irish and international publishing with no other such facility available through any publishing company. For readers renting it is a cheaper way to read, giving more people access through different devices, and the choice not to have the work take up storage space on that device, while for authors it is a fantastic development in that costs are hugely reduced with no online retailer fees meaning more of the proceeds go to them.
Minister Deenihan said: “The coming of the digital age has ushered in huge social, cultural and political transformation and Emu Ink is at the forefront of the new technology. It is Ireland’s first purpose built online library for new Irish Writers. Not only will authors see their books, through Emu Ink, supplied to over 100 online retailers, but I also understand that the company will allow readers to rent those books, from any wifi enabled device at a reduced price, for 30 days”.
“In this cost conscious environment I am confident that this scheme will prove very popular for all e readers” Minister Deenihan concluded.
In a world where everything is going digital Emu Ink is catering for a need – a need to afford to read and to afford to have work published. Emu Ink will offer everything that’s out there, and more, with supplies to Amazon and Apple and many other established online retailers but will also offer the library facility direct with unlimited rentals on all titles. For authors this is more profitable and for readers more affordable.
Founder Emer Cleary said: “The launch of Emu Ink was a huge success for us. The turnout was phenomenal and it really is indicative of the interest in new ways to access good quality new Irish writing.
“The rental facility will ensure that so many more people can access work directly, from the site, via a range of devices and without a large cost. It also means that authors benefit far more in terms of royalties from their work.
“We are delighted to bring something so significant to Irish writing and look forward to adding to an already proud industry which plays host to some of the world’s finest literary talent. A large percentage of the next generation are likely to grow up reading books in digital format and nothing will change that – all we can do is enhance the experience.”
The Emu Ink Library, and inclusion in it, is open to all writers. If you have been published or self-published before [and taking all existing or previous contracts or commitments, legalities and quality control into consideration] the Emu Ink library is open to you. If you are interested in making your work available through their library get in touch via their contact us form, leave your details and a short synopsis of your work, and the stage it’s at, and they will get back to you.
Through the library facility, costs are hugely reduced with no online retailer fees meaning more of the proceeds go to you.
