Sir, – The savaging of the O’Brien Press funding by the Arts Council is evidence that the key creative role of publishers is simply not understood.
Despite hyping of the self-publishing route, it remains generally the case that authors’ work can no more be financed, curated and widely disseminated without publishers than plays can be produced without theatres. A flourishing Irish publishing industry is essential if Irish culture – in the widest sense – is to be properly represented and articulated.
A good and successful publisher, such as O’Brien Press, fosters and nurtures local writing talent; the key remains the on-the-ground contacts, meetings, discriminations, and deep knowledge of the Irish context that only a local industry can supply. Until this essential role is adequately supported, the Irish publishing industry, which has made such strides since its rebirth in the 1970s, will sink once again to the situation lamented by Sean O’Faolain: “It is to a frightening degree the English public which decides both what Ireland should read and write . . . how can you be independent when your country’s mind is dominated from outside?”
For this reason, the 84 per cent cut to the O’Brien Press should be reversed and annual funding restored. – Yours, etc,
TONY FARMAR,
President,
Clé – The Irish Book
Publishers’ Association (2005-2007),
Ranelagh, Dublin 6.