Imran Hanif of Strand Publishing describes the excitement of launching a new book
Imran Hanif
After 18 years in the military, Imran Hanif took a Master’s degree in Business Administration and founded Strand Publishing in 2009. He is now the managing director of the London-based publishing house. Imran urges us to stop moaning, keep writing and to read publishing house guidelines before submitting our writing
What do you do in your role as Managing Director?
I manage the entire business but I am part of a creative team dedicated to ensuring that Strand Publishing UK becomes a leading player in the publishing world.
What is your professional background?
I served in the army for 18 years, retiring in the rank of Major. I soon discovered that the qualities I utilised as an army officer and while taking my Master’s degree were transferable to other disciplines. They included hard work, dedication, and (in the words of the Duke of Wellington, a general I admire) knowing what is on the other side of the hill.
What makes Strand Publishing different to other publishing houses?
We’re always thinking ahead - always planning our next move - and we are convinced that we can get to the top as a leading publishing house. The company’s attitudes are innovative and entrepreneurial.
We are always searching for talented writers from diverse backgrounds and the fact that we look for, and are finding, controversial topics definitely sets us apart. We have a conviction that while profits are necessary, our business strategies must always be completely ethical and have positive inputs into society.
We try to balance the interests of writers on an equal basis with the company - they are not simply stakeholders - they are central to all we try to accomplish.
What kind of books does Strand Publishing publish?
We publish books across the range. Our imprints are nonfiction, fiction, education, and crime.
What happens to a submission once it reaches your office?
All submissions that follow our website guidelines are read carefully and considered. If we are attracted, we ask to see the whole manuscript as an email attachment.
What do you look for in a submission?
We look for work that is well written and commercially viable. The style must fit the genre.
How can a new author get past the slush pile?
Because we are committed to electronic transmission, and to ethical dealings with authors, there is no slush pile at Strand Publishing.
Once you have accepted a manuscript for publication, how do you prepare it for publication?
We have experienced and qualified managers and editors, and they have been instructed to choose books that have value to society as well as intrinsic value. Like other publishing houses, we move from editorial decisions, to proof reading, through cover origination and design to mock up and then final print, when the book is launched into the market.
What is your favourite part of this process?
The best part is when a book is launched into the marketplace.
We are aiming to reach all Anglophone markets, and want to move to diversity in our list - diversity in terms of national, ethnic and gender backgrounds. And that does not, as with some publishers, therefore exclude the dominant culture
What is the most challenging part of it?
Proof reading and making any adjustments - improvements, as we see them - that may be required. And then marketing the finished product.
Whose writing has excited you recently?
It would be invidious to mention a particular author in our stable. All are part of the Strand Publishing UK family and have equal worth.
What advice would you offer an aspiring writer?
Stop moaning about how tough it is. It was always tough.
Listen to advice.
Keep writing.
Follow submission guidelines in all respects.
Oh yes, and try Strand Publishing UK! You never know: we might actually like your work.
For further information please visit www.strandpublishing.co.uk
Related posts:
- Strand Publishing UK Ltd calls for submissions from poets - If you're a poet who's yet to see your work...
- Simon Hicks of Seren Books talks about the value of marketability in book publishing - In our seventh interview in our series on publishing houses...
- Mara Bergman of Walker Books takes us through the book publishing process - Mara Bergman is Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books, an...
- Ed Wolf of Wild Wolf Publishing emphasises the importance of your synopsis and cover letter - For the 11th feature in our series on publishing houses...
- Brian Lister at Biscuit Publishing explains why authors need agents to mediate for them - For the 12th feature in our series on publishing houses...
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Imran, you are very energetic and enthusiastic by nature – a person full of life in all aspects. You are a source of inspiration for so many around you.