Interview with Ann Mallinson

Interview with Ann Mallinson, born London. Talks about travelling in her twenties, coming to New Zealand where her mother and stepfather lived, and returning to London where she worked as an assistant to the editor of two academic journals, then returned to New Zealand and got a job as an editorial assistant with Sweet and Maxwell. Refers to the merger of publishing companies in the UK, Australia and New Zealand in the 1960s, including the formation of Associated Book Publishers (NZ) Ltd, her employers. Discusses the Curriculum Development Unit, the commissioning process, and the lack of experience in New Zealand at the time in publishing local material. Comments on personnel in the company, being the only woman apart from typists, and becoming publishing director in 1972. Refers to the improvement in production values in the 1970s, and initially not being skilled enough for the sort of production Alison Holst wanted when she came onto the company's list.

Discusses joining up with David Rendel, an aeronautical engineer with publishing experience and starting Mallinson Rendel in 1980. Refers to publishing two titles by Lynley Dodd and in 1983 the highly successful "Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy". Mentions successful titles published for David Hill. Reflects on wanting to aim her publishing at the export area with children's publishing suiting this plan and specialising in this area since the mid 1980s. Describes how their company did everything including packing and distribution. Explains their slow and measured expansion, aiming for quality rather than quantity, and only publishing about six titles a year from about 500 manuscripts received. Comments on the team decision-making process and the design process. Discusses relationships with booksellers including Whitcoulls, and comments on how her company could be killed by bulk parallel importing of titles that she has sold to overseas publishers.

Interviewer(s) - Linda Cassells

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015769

Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5642.

Search dates: 1934 - 2003

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.