Tauranga Writers is 40 years old this year, and as part of its celebrations, has created the first New Zealand Small Press & Self-Publishing Bookfair.

The fair will be called 'Imprints' and will be held on Saturday 23 June 2007 at The Cargo Shed (pictured) in downtown Tauranga. According to organiser Jenny Argante,

This is an advance warning, and we'd like to receive expressions of interest from the small presses; literary, arts or community magazines; anyone who has brought out their own book or books of poetry or prose; distributors; and publishers not listed in the BPANZ Directory. Organisations with an interest would also be welcome, such as BookRapt, SPANZ, Freelance Marketplace, etc. Come one, come all!

Though intended mainly for networking and skills exchange, this will be open to the public for gold coin entry. We have a draft programme in place that includes five free seminars on aspects of the small press and self-publishing, and a Celebrity Brown Bag Luncheon with Christine Cole Catley at 12 noon. We are organising a mail-out for the end of January when all speakers are confirmed.

Word of mouth is the best means of spreading good news, so if you're interested - or know anyone who is - contact jenny.argante@xtra.co.nz. She'll send you the information pack as soon as it is available.