Steve and David were amazed to realise towards the end of last year, that 2010 actually marks ten years of Telos Publishing!
When we started the company back in 2000, we hoped it might last, but were realistic enough to try and ensure that what we published was of good quality both in terms of writing and physical appearance, in the hope that people would ‘buy into’ our work and hopefully return to sample other books and projects. Ten years on, and we’re pleased and proud with what we have acheived. Well over 100 titles published, many, many pages of fiction and non-fiction put in print, some experimental titles published, but throughout it all, we have been just pleased as punch to have worked with many talented authors and artists who have worked with us on developing their projects into books we hope everyone could be proud of.
We first came to people’s notice of course through the range of Doctor Who Novellas which we published under license to BBC Worldwide. We’re still so proud of that range of books – some of the best Doctor Who fiction ever published – and of course that enabled us to start publishing other projects and ranges. Along the way our titles have managed to pick up several awards: the Aurealis Award for Best Novel for Fallen Gods, an industry production and design Award for Shell Shock, a British Fantasy Best Novella Award for Breathe, and of course a World Fantasy Award for our publishing work in 2006. There have been many other nominations and shortlisted titles, and we’re always overjoyed when our work gets noticed by the people who buy and read it. We do this because we love books, we love publishing, and we love good writing – in whatever genre.
To celebrate ten years as a UK Small Press – and in this time a great many other small presses have come and gone – we are kicking off the year with a celebratory party panel at the Gallifrey One convention in LA at the end of February. This is probably the world’s biggest regular Doctor Whoconvention, and it also embraces other genres too. Unfortunately Steve is unable to attend, but David will be there, and we will have several of our authors at the event. Hopefully attendees will join us at 5pm on the Saturday afternoon to reminisce about the books, and to look forward to the future of Telos. For more information about the event, please visit: www.gallifreyone.com
After the publication delays of 2009 (caused in part by changes in David’s personal life) we will hopefully get back on schedule for 2010. The book on Space:1999 is now published, and the ones on Sapphire and Steel and Silver Scream Vol 2 are due to complete layout imminently and then they too will be off to print. We are on a mission to get Timelink finished this year – and what a MAMMOTH task that is! Over 1400 pages of detailed layout to be considered and executed – and then there’s other new titles bubbling under as well which we’re looking forward to letting people know about as soon as they are closer to publication.
Telos will be at the annual World Horror Convention in 2010, being held in the UK in Brighton for the first time, and we have two titles being launched there: Simon Clark’s amazing new horror novella Humpty’s Bones and an inspirational and incredible art book from Vincent Chong called Altered Visions.
Details of other events will be posted on the news pages as they are arranged.
Finally, David and Steve would like to thank all those people who keep Telos ticking over behind the scenes, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have. Firstly, Telos’s main man when it comes to layout and design, Arnold T Blumberg. Arnold was with us when we started Telos, and has stuck with us doing amazing work on theToybox books, and even finding time to research and co-write Zombiemania, an in depth guide to zombie movies. Arnold was also the designer on Axelle Carolyn’s impressive book about modern horror films, It Lives Again!, the layout of which has been universally praised. Arnold’s help and advice has always been valued by us, and we’re proud that he’s part of our team. Secondly, a shout out to Debbie Bennett, who keeps the online ordering process ticking over for us, and who maintains the customer database. She too has been with us from the start, and is a rock of reliability! Our website would not be half as impressive if not for the work of Roger Anderson who acted as webmaster and guru for many years before stepping down a couple of years back. His place has been taken by Anthony Forth, who continues to keep the site running and updated – a critical part of the team in these online days. Thanks also to Rosemary Howe who handled all the trade ordering, and who also compiles the indexes for our books when they are needed. Her eagle eye has spotted many typos and bloopers over the years! Sam Stone is now looking after the trade side of things, and keeping the books supplied to the shops and distributors who order from us.
Final thanks to all of you, our customers. Without you supporting Telos by buying the books – and from us directly where possible as this ensures that we get enough income to keep the books coming! – we would not be able to continue publishing. So thank you all.
We’re looking forward to meeting people at the events this year, and we hope you continue to enjoy and appreciate what we are publishing.
David J Howe and Stephen James Walker
Telos Publishing Ltd