Book publishing is often a risky business, but no more so than when you go out of your way to represent the underdog. Truly a publishing phenomenon, Steele Roberts Aotearoa is the combined effort of Roger Steele and his partner Christine Roberts, who have been putting lesser-known artists, writers and activists into print for 26 years. Incredibly, Steele says they have published 610 books, a few under other imprints.
In an effort to retire, he hopes the last offering from Steele Roberts will be the collected works of the trailblazing late Māori writer JC Sturm later this year. Sturm’s now-celebrated book of poetry Dedications was their first back in 1996.
Now the spotlight is on Steele, with a talk and panel discussion at the Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival on Saturday 11 June.
Photo: Stuff Limited.
