Ooh La La Ooligan: Creating Books AND Publishers

As part of my new role as Editorial Associate here at Berrett-Koehler, I've been dedicating more time to keeping up with industry news, which mostly means that I take advantage of my weekday commute by bringing along the office copy of Publisher's Weekly. Not only is this a great way to distract myself from the sights, sounds, and smells of a too-crowded SF Muni bus, but it's an easy and entertaining way to stay on top of book deals, projects that other publishers have in development, and those models that are or are not working in today's changing landscape. While most articles in PW do much to inform, one feature in the January 10th issue had me inspired and, as such, I'd like to share it with you.

As I flipped through the pages of the most recent PW, the profile on page 9 struck my eye. Perhaps it was the noble drawing of what I would later learn is a type of smelt known as candlefish, or maybe it was the giggle of delight I let out upon pronouncing the word 'Ooligan'. The world may never know what initially drew me to this story, but I do know that I'm glad it did.

Founded in 2011 by Dennis Stovall, Ooligan Press is a teaching press "dedicated to the art and craft of publishing." Affiliated with Portland State University, the entire house is staffed with students pursuing masters degrees in English, so that these young people can enter the professional environment with real-world publishing experience. With 25-30 students working on each Ooligan Press title, the entire publishing process - from development, to editing, production, and design - is handled by the students. "I'm the publisher of Ooligan," says Dennis Stovall, "but in reality, the students are the publishers."

"Ooligan Pressis a general trade publisher rooted in the rich literary tradition of the Pacific Northwest. A region widely recognized for its unique and innovative sensibilities, this small corner of America is one of the most diverse in the United States, comprising urban centers, small towns, and wilderness areas...From this wealth of culture, Ooligan Press aspires to discover works that reflect the values and attitudes that inspire so many to call the Northwest their home."

The sentiment conveyed in Ooligan's mission statement is further evident in the 25 titles Ooligan currently has in print. To name a few:

• 42 by M. Thomas Cooper - This unconventional thriller set in Portland, Oregon, follows George Olson as his life is thrown into chaos and his mind into a possible state of psychosis. Looking down at the city from his office in the Black Box Building, George tries to make sense of a string of disappearances, strange disasters, and the recurrence of the number forty-two.
• Brew to Bikes by Charles Heying - Dissatisfied with passive consumption, many residents of Portland, Oregon take matters into their own hands. Urban Studies Professor Charles Heying noticed these local artisans and set out to study their thriving economy. A treatise to local, ethical business practices, Brew to Bikes positions Portland as a hub of artisan ingenuity.
• Dreams of the West: The History of the Chinese in Oregon, 1850-1950 by Portland State University - This distinctive account of Chinese immigration is detailed in a well-researched text and photograph collection, many never before seen by the public. Dreams of the West presents brave stories of men and women who made America their home and kept China in their hearts.
• Ricochet River by Robin Cody - Set in a fictional Oregon town, Ricochet River is a coming-of-age story about teenagers preparing to break away from their small-town lives. The river rushes past the town, linking three friends with their pasts, their plans, and the world beyond.

Ooligan offers a great selection of titles like these, all of which are available on their comprehensive website, which also explains their name and logo, the aforementioned candlefish. "The name Ooligan is adopted from a Native American word for a smelt otherwise known as the candlefish. The ooligan was an abundant natural resource in Pacific Northwest rivers." Ah, got it!

So, why exactly am I so enamored of Ooligan? At the end of the day, I think it comes down to pure mission-match. While Berrett-Koehler is busy 'creating a world that works for all', it seems that Ooligan is doing the same -- for the world of publishing --, and I see a lot of overlap in the way we do business.

Ooligan currently features a category of books that they call the OpenBook Series, which is aimed at highlighting the press' commitment to transparency on the route towards sustainable publishing. "We believe that disclosing the impacts of the choices we make will not only help us avoid unintentional greenwashing, but also serve to educate those who are unfamiliar with the choices available to printers and publishers." Like Berrett-Koehler, Ooligan has been offering its titles in both print and e-book formats for the past couple of years, and Stovall is working with authors to get digital rights to backlist titles, a process with which Jeevan is all-too familiar. Another thing I love about Ooligan? Their blog - which features interesting and informative posts like "Making Yourself Marketable", "Launching Digital Publishing", "Paper Design", and much more. Servicey!

As you can tell, Ooligan has a fan in me, and I think there's a lot we can all learn from this model. Thanks, Ooligan, for being an inspiration to publishers both present and future!