About
Blacksmith Books is a publishing house based in Hong Kong and distributed throughout all the bits of Asia that we can reach. Our focus is non-fiction with an Asian angle, though we publish a couple of fiction titles a year. You’ll also find some of our books on sale in North America as of this summer. I’m the publisher, and this is my blog. I’m often asked how to go about publishing a book, and though I’m no expert, I have been doing it for a fair few years, so I have some of the answers. Comments and questions are welcome.
Wearing another hat (usually an akubra), I’m the author of two guidebooks — The Serious Hiker’s Guide to Hong Kong and The Leisurely Hiker’s Guide to Hong Kong — and I write occasional travel articles for magazines. I’ve been living in this part of the world since 1993.
There’s lots of info about our books and authors at our main site — please take a look! And thanks for reading.
Pete Spurrier
Dear Pete Spurrier
After visiting Blacksmith Books and blog, I wish I will be getting better someday like you. After struggling in publishing for 3 years more, I almost stop publishing my writings this year. It seems I need to have marketing inspiration for further publishing works. Congratulation on your success!
Sincerely
Jenny Yu Chih Chang
張 玉 治
YuChih Publishing Firm
玉治出版社
Thanks Jenny! It still seems a struggle for me too sometimes. There are so many things to attend to in publishing — you need to learn a lot of skills, make the right contacts and divide your time wisely. Hang in there and I hope you’ll see success one day soon.
Do you think it’s worth compiling articles posted on a blog to a book? If I have already had the books printed, how can I get it on the shelves of renowned bookstores?
That’s a pretty open question, eigna, as it all depends on the content of the blog, the quality of the writing, and whether your stories have an audience. The same will apply to getting it into bookshops — but they will also want to know what you are doing to promote the book, how you intend to drive buyers into their branches. All of this should be planned out before you go to print with any book.
Hi Pete,
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei. Would love a copy of Graham Earnshaw’s intriguing new book. If you are serious, drop me an email and I’ll send my Shanghai or HK address. Many thanks! Keep up the interesting blog. Rgds, SK
Sorry didn’t see this here. Yes, serious! And you’re winner no. 2. Email on its way.
Hello Pete – congrats on a great new blog! Even more, congrats on your guide to hiking reaching NUMBER ONE on the SCMP Bestseller List! Well deserved.
Thanks very much, Dania!