On the cusp of the launch of Imprint 2009, Bong Miquiabas examines the role played in Hong Kong literature by the Women in Publishing Society

“Am I the only mother in Hong Kong who loathes school pickups?” writes Sarah Brennan in The Subtle Art of Pickupmanship in Imprint 2009, a literary anthology to be released this fortnight by the Women in Publishing Society of Hong Kong [WiPS]. Her tongue firmly planted in cheek, Brennan further remarks, “No, it’s not the kids who are the problem at school pickups, it’s the other mums.”

Not that Brennan is seriously aggrieved. The Aussie mother of two, “happily writes until two in the morning” and is a best-selling children’s author of books like The Tale of Run Run Rat. Brennan’s lifelong passion for books took off after she became a member of WiPS in 2003. “I joined WiPS because I was very interested in writing and publishing,” says the former lawyer.

Brennan’s success story is hardly isolated. Since it was founded in 1988, WiPS has helped countless Hong Kong-based women find a voice in the literary industry. Many landed their first published work in Imprint, an annual compendium produced entirely by WiPS members.

This year’s submissions run the gamut of the society’s vast talents. “We’re artists, we’re journalists, we’re sculptors, some of us are in public relations – we’re everything,” explains Imprint 2009 coordinator Sandi Butchkiss, a frequent writer on food and wine. “WiPS hasn’t changed much since I joined, and that’s a good thing.”

A former advertising executive who left Malibu, California, to try living in Hong Kong for a year in 1984 but, in a familiar story, never left, Butchkiss says, “The group’s got variety, like our authors – we’re old, young, married, single, mothers, non-mothers.” Butchkiss describes Imprint, which has been published every year since 2002, as improving with each passing year, with a style that is “more Reader’s Digest than Vanity Fair.”

Imprint contains poetry, travel stories, memoirs, fiction and photography. One thousand copies are distributed to WiPS members – who pay $150 for annual membership in the all-volunteer, all-female group – and the general public. The price of this year’s collection is yet to be confirmed, but all profits will go towards covering costs and The Springboard Project charity, which provides quality education in Hong Kong for special needs children.

Submissions to Imprint are due every September, with over 40 authors making the final cut. The primary criteria are that the work must have something to do with Hong Kong, or the author has lived, or does live, here. Butchkiss says people learn about WiPS and Imprint by word-of-mouth. The society also regularly holds events with guest speakers who work in publishing and journalism.

Because works and meetings are conducted in English, the nearly 180-member group tends to draw a large number of expatriates. But this year’s edition encompasses 46 contributors from 13 countries and not just Hong Kong, the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, but also nations as far-flung as South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago, says Carol Dyer, editor of Imprint for the last four years.

“It’s been a very useful device to learn about the business of book publishing,” says Dyer, a Briton who got her start in medical publishing and now runs her own freelance editorial business. She adds that several authors have been approached about getting published as a result of their work appearing in Imprint. “For those new to writing, they can say they’re published. It gives them confidence that what they write can be read in the public domain.”

Dyer also updates Imprint’s comprehensive membership directory, a highly valuable resource for both members and industry movers. While this year’s circulation is yet to be determined, Dyer says the distribution will likely be handled by Haven Books, whose publisher, Dania Shawwa, is a past WiPS president. Dyer says Shawwa “cut her teeth at WiPS” and is a big supporter of the society.

As is Bookazine General Manager Ellie Luk. While no longer a WiPS member, Luk developed very good professional contacts through the group, and says “I will always promote WiPS. It’s a network.”

Networking has been WiPS’ watchword since it began 20 years ago, says founding president Robyn Flemming, now a freelance editor and proof-reader in Australia. “The objectives were to maximise the opportunity for everyone: to introduce writers, illustrators, photographers, and typesetters to editors and publishers. We subcontracted our work to others in WiPS.” Flemming says WiPS began with a dozen of her friends who met for breakfast every month, and formalised when strangers who’d heard of the group asked to join.

Writer Karmel Schreyer is one of those who heard about it through the grapevine. The Canadian came to Hong Kong to work in publishing, and joined WiPS in 1995 after a co-worker mentioned it. Schreyer, whose 2009 submission Lasting Impressions: My Wolf Willow was inspired by a month spent in Manitoba province, now helps to judge the annual student writing competition WiPS sponsors – the winning entries are printed at the back of Imprint. For Schreyer and others, the benefits are practical.

“Through WiPS I was able to get more familiar with business practices. I followed through on good job leads through the [WiPS] listserv. People who need writers find WiPS’ website one way or another. Over the years, it’s paid my membership fee many times over.”

Gillian Bickley, editor of publishing company Proverse and author of two travel poems in Imprint 2009, adds that learning is an overarching and ongoing reward. “Sometimes they have courses that have to do with editing or travel writing or using new technology.” Then she adds, with palpable gratitude, “WiPS has given me an opportunity to gain knowledge.”

The Imprint 2009 book launch is on Wed 11 at Kee Club. Non-members welcome, registration required. See www.hkwips.org for details on the book and joining the society.