Photo caption: Giola Cassar
For over 25 years, Chris Gruppetta has been the publisher and editor at Merlin Publishers. He studied law at the University of Malta, followed by a Masters in Publishing Studies in Aberdeen.
Milestones during his career include moving towards a publishing-only business setup, introducing the role of editor as something that’s increasingly integral to the publication process, ‘discovering’ new authors and illustrators by actively seeking them out and giving them a platform, exhibiting Merlin titles at the three largest international bookfairs (Frankfurt, London, Bologna), and giving a contemporary, at times even theatrical bent to book marketing and launches.
“Merlin was a family business – I’m the much-dreaded third generation (the saying is that the first generation creates, the second consolidates, the third wrecks!), following in my grandmother’s and father’s footsteps.”
Grupetta main guiding principle is “making reading fun, first and foremost.”
|He is especially proud of the various “long-shot” books that many would have rejected as too risky, but that they went on to publish and make a success of
Merlin has introduced ebooks in Maltese, and more recently interactive full-fledged digital Maltese textbooks. They also use all sorts of technologies extensively in their publication process.
“For a couple of decades, success in the publishing industry was pushing boundaries and professionalising. Nowadays, in the current complex climate, it’s ‘surviving’!”
On a personal note, Gruppetta says that running a small business does tend to flatten personal life – unwinding for him often involves reading (busman’s holiday!), gym and food (with the former justifying the latter), and travel.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start or scale a business in your industry today?
Starting a publishing business in Malta today is really, really tricky.
The market is tiny, market conditions and international movements (the price of paper, in primis) make it financial tricky.
But the satisfaction, especially if you genuinely love books, is immense.
Website: merlinpublishers.com
Email: [email protected]
