"I've just had the good fortune to sign a five book publishing deal. There's simply no way I could've done it without Jan's help.
Send Jan your manuscript and he will help you straighten out the plot, the characters, your grammar and your style like he did for me. He won't just critique your book - he'll deliver a clear, detailed analysis of what's working and what isn't. He'll lead you out of the corners you've written yourself into, and he'll let you know your strengths. Most of all, he'll show you how to make your book ten times better!
All in all, having Jan assess my MS was the best investment in my writing that I've ever made. I cannot recommend him enough!”
Will Schaefer (Author of The Wolf Letters just released by Hybrid Publishing)
Creating New Opportunities
Possible Press is a new initiative designed to create more opportunities for Australian authors and illustrators. We deal with non-fiction and fiction including graphic novels and children’s picture books. If you have a manuscript which is publishable or close to it, send it to us. We will advise you on whether it is suitable for publication as it stands and if not, what work is needed to bring it up to that standard.
Personalised Service
All manuscripts are personally reviewed by the director, Jan Scherpenhuizen, who has spent over a decade helping authors start their careers. Whether you need an assessment, editing, illustration or an agent, we will advise you and, where appropriate, provide you with the necessary services ourselves. And we are also looking for authors suitable for our list. You may be one of them.
Why Possible Press was Started
Possible Press was begun in 2010 by Jan Scherpenhuizen in response to the needs of accomplished authors who cannot find publication. Jan has been involved in the world of literature and publishing since his early twenties when he was first published in the small press. Between 1997 and 2007 Jan was involved in the assessment industry, working first as a freelancer where he was much in demand and finally, for two and a half years, as Director of Lynk Manuscript Assessment Service. During that time Jan discovered two vital things:
A: there is a lot of good to excellent writing being produced in Australia every year.
B: there are very few opportunities for authors to receive the attention and recognition their work deserves.
Being involved in the process of helping authors develop their manuscripts to a publishable stage Jan, although having a gratifying number of successes, was increasingly frustrated by seeing too many of the manuscripts unpublished. Rather than continue in this unsatisfying way he sold Lynk to concentrate on his own creative work and plan a strategy to address the problem. And so Possible Press was born.
Our Main Principles
Possible Press is based on two principles:
A: Great writing deserves to be shared by the world. It belongs to the people. Just like the Mona Lisa belongs in the Louvre where it can enrich the lives of millions, great books belong in bookstores and libraries, not in manuscript form in the back draw.
B: Authors and illustrators who dedicate themselves to their craft should see their dreams fulfilled.
It is difficult to succeed as an author and always has been. Nearly everyone from George Bernard Shaw to J.K. Rowling has had to face rejection. However, in recent decades it has become harder and harder for new authors to gain publication with a commercial book publisher.
Possible Press exists to help identify talent and create opportunities. If you are a writer and/or illustrator it is hard to judge your own work. To develop you need to expose yourself to critiquing by informed persons. Some aspiring authors and artists do not have what it takes to become professionals. A great deal of the craft of writing and illustrating can be taught, but not everyone can progress to a professional level. However, if one has progressed to a professional level there are several degrees of excellence above that which one can progress to. In the sort of publishing climate that exists worldwide, mere professionalism may not be enough. While Possible Press does provide some tutoring, mentorship and workshops its primary focus is on authors whose work shows potential as being professional and publishable. If you are a writer who is just learning their skills there are very fine organisations that will help you with your goals. If, however, you have learnt your craft and need help refining your work to a level where it can be outstanding, we will help you with that.
A Premium Service
Possible Press is a premium service. What we offer is assessment by the Director, rather than an anonymous freelancer. In addition to assessing the artistic and commercial merit of your work we will consult with you on how to further your career as an author. If we see that you have potential as a professional author we will work with you to attain your goals. In addition to working on your manuscript, if desired, we will act as your agent or look at options whereby we publish you ourselves. We will look at whether commercial print, print on demand, online or electronic publishing or some combination of these applies best to your work (at least initially). If we decide you are not yet ready for Possible Press we will steer you toward those who we feel are able to help you with your current needs.
If you would like an honest, detailed assessment by someone with a proven track record in helping authors with their careers, send your manuscript to us. If you want to work closely with a writing mentor, you will have that experience at Possible Press. |
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Jan Scherpenhuizen
"Jan Scherpenhuizen is a passionate literary advocate who offers peerless advice to writers both budding and experienced. His assessment of my own work has been unusually comprehensive and astute, and proved instrumental to my early success."
Anthony O'Neill, author of the internationally acclaimed novels, Scheherazade, The Lamplighter, Empire of Eternity and The Unscratchables
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