#MeetMeOnMonday-Dan Hiscocks

Hello, yes it’s Monday again and another opportunity to get up close and personal with a titan of publishing-today is the turn of Dan Hiscocks of Eye Books!

Founder of Eye Books, Dan is a fount of wisdom about the perils and pleasures of inedpendent publishing, and was kind enought to take time from his busy schedule to answer some questions.

What route did you take into publishing?

Very strange – I was driven by stories ahead of books. I was a resistant reader when young and struggled to appreciate what they could do. This changed when reading Papillon aged 17. I suddenly saw the power books held. I was lucky enough to travel lots and had lived worked and backpacked in more than 40 countries by the time I was 26. I was inspired by many of the people I met who seemed to be living rather than simply existing. I wanted to champion them and tell their stories so felt books were a good way to do this. Many of our early books were amazing stories but not great books. I had not appreciated the difference but now do.

How important is being an indie publishing to you?

I have always been surprised at the passion independents have. I was a director (I believe the youngest ever) of the IPG for 10 years and have always championed people who are passionate. I think it is vital to being able to have a complete life – to have a passion and go at it with all your heart. Given the fact for many it is a tough road re remuneration it is even more important that people believe in what they are doing. I find this bonds us as independents in a way which perhaps being part of a corporate machine doesn’t.

What is the biggest challenge in being an independent publisher?

Getting support from media and retail. We only publish books we 100% want to publish and only do a small number a year as a result. It is seriously congested market with a large number of great books being published (and quite a few less good ones too J). Being able to be heard above others and for people to try your books is a REAL challenge. We know that most people who try our books love them. We just wish more people would try them and getting support to push them I find really challenging/frustrating – especially when we know people who do love them.

What is the biggest reward?

Lots actually. Wins where you genuinely feel proud of the book in terms of editorial & production. Building friendships with authors. Working as part of a small but passionate team who really care and therefore turn up authentically to how they work.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to submit a manuscript to Eye/Lightning?

Just check out the guidelines on the website. It is pretty frustrating when people don’t. We invest a significant amount of time reviewing manuscripts and do so as we believe people should be given the chance for their work to be considered.

What does the future hold for Eye/Lightning?

I feel more excited than I ever have done. I think that we have a great team who care and an ever increasingly good list of books. If we are able to do this with the limited amount of support retail currently gives us then once we get that support …

You heard the man!

How you can help-

• sign up to the newsletter to see the latest offers, realeases, competitions
• buy the books from the Eye Website, request them from your library,order from local independent bookshops,
• review them online
• share them online-if you like a title from Eye Books, tell people about it!
• Say hello-they are available on most social media platforms so if you bought a book, instagram it, booktube it, facebook it or tweet about it

Twitter @EyeAndLightning

@DanHiscocks