Dear Editor,
The interview in Stabroek News with Dr David Dabydeen, published on Tuesday, May 14, unveils a bizarre preoccupation with self-importance. The concerns of local writers with the publicly funded Caribbean Press began with Ruel Johnson’s revelation of the irregular publication of the book written by Minister Frank Anthony’s daughter under the tradename of the Caribbean Press. But this was only a revelation; the real contention relates to efforts by myself on behalf of local writers who have never submitted any of their work to Dr Dabydeen, because the functions of the CP were unknown until revealed by Ruel. Thus Dr Dabydeen’s declaration in the interview that local writers are “poor in quality and lazy” and reflected “laziness and incompetence” was an aggressive camouflage; this ‘busing’ is almost comical and a distraction from the real issue. Our request to the Minister was intended to explore the real issue, which is to enquire as to how the Caribbean Press functions, since it was now publishing current books. Excluding the diatribes of Dr Dabydeen it remains unanswered as to what the memorandum of understanding is between the public and this publicly funded entity.
Writers of all ages must understand that there are only a few types of publishing operation. Most of them operate as businesses; a book is given the green light by the publishers, dispatched to their printers and a commercially viable print run is then distributed. Then there are the independents ‒ the self publishers ‒ who work the hardest, proof reading, editing and in the context of the Caribbean, distributing as well. Then there is the vanity press, which would be privately funded and would enable the proprietors to function as they presume fit, and where they accept work for which the author pays the cost of publication, and not the press. The Caribbean Press is none of the above; it is a bold attempt to establish a national publishing house, funded by taxpayers’ money.
Usually in nations with large populations there are publishing houses that cater for varied reading interests, enriching their communities by accommodating the talents of the mystery writer, the science fiction writer, horror, children’s stories, romance etc, etc. In a small nation like Guyana a national press has to facilitate all of the above to stay in existence; it’s obvious that Dr Dabydeen is asleep to the realities of the publishing world and who’s going to the bank.
Bloomsbury Publishing, the publishers of the pulp fiction ‘Harry Potter’ and the Hachette Book Group, publishers of Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ series have all gone to the bank giggling with satisfaction. Every publishing house catalogue has variety in keeping with today’s unpretentious book market. It ranges from highly illustrated coffee table books to the outrageous sensual novel, while the graphic novel fuels numerous other artistic areas. ‘Goose Bumps’ is rated as educational as its adventures in lore and fantasy encourage young minds to read. We are too poor as a nation to indulge and not recognize the counterproductive approach of Dr Dabydeen in relation to the Caribbean Press.
Yours faithfully,
Barrington Braithwaite
