Reimagine 01
Jacques Testard of Fitzcarraldo || Reimagine Publishing
There feels to me to be an audible sigh of exhaustion, of weariness, of disturbed momentum, of uncertainty. So, in this collection of conversations, we are going to discuss ideas, approaches and temperaments that could act an antidote to those of us working in the arts and creative industries.
Today’s guest is just the caffeine fix we all need and, for a bookworm like me, a real treat. We are going to hear the story of Fitzcaraldo Editions as told by its founder Jacques Testard. Fitzcarraldo Editions is an independent publisher specialising in contemporary fiction and long form essays. They focus on ambitious, imaginative and innovative writing, both in translation and in English.
Image Credit: Fitzcarraldo Editions
It seems to me that their independence is truly cherished, that it has an intellectual confidence and an eye on longevity, an energetic approach to the commercial side of things and a linguistic rhythm all its own.
We are going to find out about the importance of the written word, the early days of the business, the impact of a bilingual founder, some of the myths and legends of the world of publishing today, balancing editorial drive and commercial necessity, moments of great celebration and what the future holds.
Image Credit: Rick Pushinsky
“I was always interested in books that were innovative in some way. There was an appetite for them but not many of them were being published. I wouldn’t say that I saw a ‘gap in the market’, it was much more naive than that. It all felt like a massive gamble and something that I was going to start tentatively.”