2010 News & Events

Sept 16, 2010, 7:00-8:30pm

Featured Book

Peter E. Randall Publisher Celebrates 40 Years of Publishing

Riverrun Bookstore, Market Square, Portsmouth NH

Portsmouth, NH--"Independent publishing of printed books is alive and well," says Deidre Randall, CEO of Peter E. Randall Publisher, a forty-year-old independent publisher based in Portsmouth, NH. There is something special about a printed book; the feel of the pages, the scent of ink and paper, the sound the binding makes the first time it's opened up. Randall feels this despite Amazon.com's recent announcement that their e-books outsell hardbacks. In celebration of forty years of publishing, Peter E. Randall Publisher will host a party on September 16, 2010 at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, NH from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. "I am a regular customer at my local bookstore and I consider it a real treat to bring home a new book -- better than Christmas! We know there are many readers who love to hold real books in their hands," says Randall.

Peter E. Randall Publisher has been publishing hardcover and softcover volumes since the 1970s. Peter founded the book publishing house in 1970 following ten years as the editor of New Hampshire Profiles magazine, and two years as the editor of the Hampton Union. He wanted to offer a quality service for authors because he loves books. Today that mission still holds true and the subjects they publish are expanding beyond local history and photography to include new topics, such as green living, finance, and illustrated sports history.

Peter's daughter Deidre Randall joined him in 1998, assuming ownership of the company in 2007 and launching her own new imprint, Jetty House in 2008. Jetty House titles tend to have a special connection to New Hampshire, such as A Space for Faith: The Colonial Meetinghouses of New England by Paul Wainwright. "My experience has been very positive. Unlike other publishers, at Randall I had complete control over the book’s design, which was very important to me. Randall’s 'complete package' approach gave me access to a publicist, and their in-house support for publicity has exceeded my expectations," says Wainwright.

Another change, in addition to the new imprint, is the option to have books available in both print and ebook formats, to satisfy the need to meet the undeniable growing trend of readers who do want to relax on the couch with their e-readers.

Says Deidre, "We publish because we love books and we find authors to be interesting people. I feel, as my father does, that authors need to be treated fairly and that they have a right to high quality publishing process with all the necessary services, such as professional editing, design and printing. We offer several different marketing and sale options as well. Our books win awards and the authors accomplish their goals for publishing. That is the success we aim for when we choose a title to publish."

The company began by specializing in the production of individual and regional history books. Most of these books are heavily illustrated with black and white photographs, maps, and ephemera. Titles are printed on long-lasting acid-free paper and use rugged Smyth sewn binding for clothbound volumes. Depending on the client's needs, titles are produced with jackets, full color inserts, foldout maps, and printed end leaves. That foundation is still in evidence today, with the recent publications of Life In Newburyport 1950-1985 by Jean Foley Doyle and Toppan's History of Hampton by author/editor Lori W. Cotter.

Beginning in 1970, with a history of Hampton, as the first volume to carry the Peter E. Randall Publisher name, the company has published more than 400 titles, many of them histories, photography, memoirs, biographies or poetry. The 40th anniversary party on September 16th will feature many authors such as; Paul Wainwright (A Space For Faith), Jean Doyle (Life In Newburyport 1900-1950 and Life In Newburyport 1950-1985), Mike Bonacorsi (Retirement Readiness), Lindsey Carmichael (Greening Your Family), Richard Winslow (Portsmouth-Built, The Piscataqua Gundalow, Constructing Munitions, and more), Harold Whitehouse (Home By Nine, The Real South End), J. Dennis Robinson (Wentworth by the Sea and Strawbery Banke, A Seaport Museum 400 Years in the Making), Helen Goransson (Views from Rosemary Hill), Laurence Keenan (The Best of Intentions and Big Jim) and Peter E. Randall (New Hampshire: A Living Landscape, New Hampshire: Then and Now, Ghana: An African Portrait Revisited). A visit to the book catalog page offers a listing of books by author, title or ISBN.

The event is open to the public, but RSVPs are appreciated to plan for refreshments. There will be a print from Peter Randall given away in a drawing at the end of the event and several books given away as door prizes. Authors will be signing books and available for questions about their process. Paul Wainwright will bring his large format camera for a demonstration. Peter and Deidre will speak briefly about the pleasure they share in working with authors to publish quality, award-winning books. Sign up for an email invitation, or offer an RSVP and to learn more about the publishing process, or call 603-431-5667.