A new online directory of Kiwi publishing professionals has been created to support authors looking to take the self-publishing route.
Called the New Zealand Indie Publishing Directory – https://nzindiepublishingdirectory.co.nz/ – the site was developed by children’s author Kate Gordon-Smith to help other New Zealand authors looking for editors, proofreaders, designers, printers and publicists.
“The NZ Indie Publishing Directory is the sort of resource I wish I’d had access to when I first started out as a self-published author seven or eight years ago,” says Gordon-Smith, who has published three junior fiction books under her imprint Relish Books.
“I have a strong desire to utilise the skills and expertise of New Zealanders for as many steps as possible when I’m publishing my own books, but it took a bit of networking and searching initially to find the right New Zealand-based illustrator, cover designer and editor.
“My hope is that this online directory will make it much easier for authors to find and support Aotearoa-based publishing professionals if having local service providers is important to them.”
The directory website was launched in January 2025 and, so far, includes listings for Gordon-Smith’s own work as an indie publishing coach and book publicist, several editors offering all facets of editorial services and manuscript assessments, proofreaders, illustrators, printing companies which also offer design and layout services, and full service publishing organisations such as Mary Egan Publishing in Northland and PublishMe in Taranaki.
Gordon-Smith is encouraging the listed publishing professionals to put forward articles, tips and case studies for the directory’s free self-publishing advice blog.
“The thing about exploring the idea of self-publishing is that there is SO much information available online. It can be challenging for a new author to determine what’s applicable for their book and what’s trustworthy. Often the publishing advice is targeted for the US or UK markets, so may not suit a book intended for the New Zealand market. There are also some dodgy “self-publishing” outfits that you want to avoid, and I frequently see posts in author groups about freelance designers and illustrators from Ffiver or Upwork taking the author’s payment and never being heard from again.
“By asking our New Zealand-based publishing professionals to share their advice, Kiwi authors have access to information more focused on the local market if that’s relevant for their book. And, while I urge every author to do their own research about any publishing professional they opt to work with, I can say that those who choose to list with the NZ Indie Publishing Directory are all based in New Zealand and many are NZSA members.”
Gordon-Smith believes there is less stigma around self-publishing than there used to be, but only if the self-published book is indistinguishable from a mainstream published book.
“Through my work with the Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore where I’m proud to offer numerous indie Kiwi authors the opportunity to get their children’s books in front of prospective buyers, I know there are loads of Kiwi authors independently publishing wonderful stories and incredible non-fiction that’s a match for and, at times, even better than books I source from large and small publishers.
“These authors and illustrators have researched, learned and honed their skills to produce books to a very high professional standard. They know their audience and determined what their book offers in a crowded market. If you want the possibility of getting your books into bookstores and into the hands of your intended readers, this is the kind of strategic level work you need to do.
“Sadly, I also see books where you can tell the author has tried very hard but lets themselves down with poor editing, design, font choices or illustrations. It’s such a shame when you know they’ve put a lot of work into the story but didn’t know what they didn’t know. That’s where I hope the online directory can help with its free articles and opportunities to enlist the support of local publishing professionals.”
One of the services Gordon-Smith offers is what she calls a bookseller’s critique. She will review a book’s content, cover, description and marketing material, and provide feedback to the author on aspects she thinks they could improve before they send the book to print.
“Deciding to self-publish your book is not for the fainthearted, and every bit as challenging as writing the book in the first place. There’s a lot to learn and execute well simply to produce a quality book. And then, when we get into publicity, distribution and marketing, it’s a whole, new story…”
Bio:
Kate Gordon-Smith writes fun adventures and mysteries for readers aged seven to twelve. She owns the Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore devoted to books by New Zealand authors for children and teens. She is also a book publicist and indie publishing coach. She lives in North Canterbury with her husband, two dogs, two ponies and numerous, endlessly amusing sheep.
