Hello everyone,

I didn’t get around to sharing much at the time it was happening, but overall I have a lot of great outcomes from September and a lot to look forward to.

First of all, I went to Korea for the first time, for the Publisher’s Table book fair.

Overall, Korea was a very mixed bag.

On one hand, I sold maybe $2000 worth of books to stores in Seoul, which is so good.

On the other, the book fair was a total bust, just super, super slow.

On a THIRD hand, having a family holiday in Seoul was gorgeous and we have so many memories.

On a FOURTH hand, I think I went to the wrong fair. Seoul has two large art book fairs: Publisher’s Table (which I went to) and Unlimited Edition. The most consistent thing I heard when I was in Korea was ‘you’d sell WAY more at Unlimited Edition’. However, the timing of the fairs meant Publisher’s Table suited me and the family for a joint trip.

So - there are very encouraging signs in Korea - if I can continue to hold good relationships with book stores and find my feet at Unlimited Edition it could turn into a great once-yearly market for me.

Apart from Korea, I also had two large book events in Melbourne - the launch of Nobody Knows I’m Gay. Both events were just insanely well attended and we sold lots of books. This has been a very collaborative project and the benefit of that was really highlighted at the launch events where so many things I don’t have the time for (drinks sponsors, a DJ, etc, etc) someone else organised. With the book having been out about a month, we’ve sold 25% of the copies already. That’s just so good.

I am also working on getting all of 2027’s books prepared. At the moment, it looks like I will be a stay at home Dad from February onwards. This is because it is, frankly, a lot cheaper for my family for me to work on Tall Poppy Press 1-3 days a week, and care for my daughter 4 days a week.

So, I am hoping to have FOUR books 100% designed by the end of the year, leaving most of the design work finished. I think in 2027 there will be 5-6 titles released, which feels like our happy spot of working consistently on new things without being overworked, or having too much cash tied up in printing and shipping costs.

In October there’s a few things on:

1) I will be working as a substitute teacher for the whole month, four days a week. A good opportunity came up and I’m hoping to save some extra money while my partner is still on maternity leave. Still, I start Monday and I’m very, very reticent. Dragging my feet a lot.

2) Same Page Art Book Fair happens on the 24-25th of October in Melbourne. It’s just such a great fair and it’s close to my home, a lot of my friends and, this year, my daughter will come hang out which will be really lovely.

3) Preparation for Overprint Art Book Fair in Sydney - a fair I’ve founded with my friend Ruby Powell-Hughes. Sydney needs a good art book fair and we’re starting it. The first edition is November 8th so there’s loads of things to do, from confirming bookings, paying for suppliers, printing materials, marketing and keeping on top of the 35+ vendors, exhibition and events happening. It’s a good amount of admin and logistics, but I’m really excited to kick this off and see it grow.

Much love, sorry it’s been a bit hectic here!

Matt