Odyssey Books was founded in 2009 by Michelle Lovi, who fell in love with publishing whilst working for the public service in Canberra. Through her volunteer work for a magazine, she began to consider the different types of independent publishing available. Print-on-demand, self-publishing, and independent publishing, in both print and eBook formats, became the model that Odyssey Books was built on.
Their publishing mission and vision shows a clear dedication to quality books and sharing the stories they contain:
“Odyssey Books is committed to publishing engaging and beautifully written books. Books that stretch the imagination, challenge pre-existing attitudes and beliefs, or take readers to far-flung climes. Books are always a journey. And as our name suggests, we invest in epic journeys, adventurous voyages and intellectual or spiritual quests. Readers are sure to find a book within our range of titles to challenge, inspire and entertain.”
Through their publishing system, Odyssey produce two books a month and will consider most genres. Michelle says about 75% of their authors are women; the most popular books are by the following authors:
Laura E. Goodin
Rachel Drummond
Isobel Blackthorn
Felicity Banks
Many of Odyssey’s authors have had their books reviewed for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge. Rebecca Burns has had her short story collections, Catching the Barramundi and The Settling Earth, long listed for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize in 2013 and 2015 respectively.
Odyssey markets and distributes their books in Australia and New Zealand through Novella Distribution, and internationally through Ingram. They currently have no intern placements or job vacancies.
Isobel Blackthorn’s novel, The Drago Tree, will be published in Spanish translation on the 7th of September this year. Michelle is hoping to arrange for the sequel to also be published in Spanish, as the setting for both novels is the Canary Islands in Spain. Odyssey Books see this as a ground-breaking first for an Australian small press and it’s a project that is very dear to both Michelle and Isobel. In 2016, Michelle accompanied Isobel to Lanzarote and they both fell in love with the island, which inspired the idea of a Spanish translation. Michelle’s Chilean mother read the novel, loved it, and then offered to translate, and from there, the concept was established.
Odyssey welcome quality submissions at any time, but urge authors to make sure they read through the submission guidelines prior to sending their work in. They are keen to see more submissions for their gift book imprint, Publisher Obscura. Odyssey does not usually give feedback on unsuccessful submissions, however Michelle has in the past encouraged authors with potential to resubmit after reworking their book.
To obtain a review copy of an Odyssey book, simply email Michelle at contact@odysseybooks.com.au and let her know which title or titles you would be interested in reviewing. Michelle welcomes enquiries about promotional book giveaways and author interviews, and enjoys working with reading groups and book clubs to provide book club discounts. Odyssey Books are eager to promote their authors and invite your contact.
About Ashleigh: I’m a book reviewer, student, aspiring author and hopeful editor living on the Central Coast, NSW. I blog at The Book Muse and can be found on Twitter @TheBookMuse1.
I enjoy these small publisher reviews by Ashleigh. Promoting Australian authors and publishers is great.