Renee Stead

I am a 28-year-old New Zealander and director of a publishing & distribution agency. I have a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University New Zealand, and have completed part of my Masters qualification in entrepreneurship. The publishing industry combines my acquaintance with marketing and media with my love of creativity, commerce and education. I am intrigued by every aspect of publishing: from the analysis of typography through to the overall experience books offer readers. In my role as a director of Stead & Daughters Ltd I am captivated by the potential of developing resources which are engaging, educational, encompassing of multi-media, and environmentally viable.

Reading is one of my favourite activities, so I am lucky my career revolves around it. When I am not immersed in a book I can probably be found partaking in other great New Zealand pastimes: at the beach, going for a run or enjoying a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Stead & Daughters Ltd was founded by myself and my mother in 2004 and is now a dynamic family-run enterprise. During this time we have expanded the company from an educational book distribution agency to also include a retail sector, an extended distribution list and a publishing programme. Companies in the publishing world have traditionally moved away from such vertical integration, but we consider it a successful formula for growth in the New Zealand market and a stimulating challenge.

Hello everyone from the New Zealand contingent,

Today we arrived in Munich which is quite possibly the most beautiful city ever! I have now won two awards: for travelling the longest distance to get to the fellowship (also an excellent excuse for anything “Oh, it is the jetlag, not the apple wine that is my problem”) and now I have won the award for the largest suitcase. Incase anyone wonders, yes I can fit inside the suitcase, I have tried.

We had two very diverse publishing house visits today: C H Beck, publishers for 246 years (I think that is older than my country) and then Random House. I feel I am learning so much, from both the publishers and the lively discussion that develops between the fellows. Also, the more I learn the more I realise how unique New Zealand’s publishing market is, but also how much we have to offer the world from both the sales and buying of rights. And of course much much more, but that will be another blog.

Tomorrow we have more publishing visits in Munich. Everyone is settling in to a nice routine here: the weather is warm, the atmosphere relaxed, our room size has tripled and we even have a team photographer and an Egyptian superhero on the fellowship. All up it feels like a great group and such a wonderful diversity.

For now, I have jetlag to sleep off and another action-packed publishing day to prepare for. So, Gute Nacht!