Phoenix Ark are delighted to announce that the sequel to The Sight, Fell by David Clement-Davies, will be published digitally this June. Fell is at the very heart of what happened in America to a real writer, and sadly what some readers have described as its ‘beauty’ was in marked contrast to the ensuing battle, and some very unbeautiful behaviour and politics. But that is over, and the founder may be struggling like so many writers to get financial backing, but at least he has complete say back in his own novels. The call for an independent publishing Ombudsman in the UK and America remains, to protect authors and editors too, but in many ways this is a great achievement, and one in the eye against a publishing machine that too often walks over talent, commitment and truly original voices.
PHOENIX ARK PRESS RELEASE
Filed under America and the UK, Childrens Books, Publishing
Phoenix Ark's Blog 
That’s great news. Despite the pros and cons of technology, the rise of e-book publishing has led to a life span for stories dictated by authors. That’s certainly a positive. I’ve seen too many good books go out of print in my days, even under the span of a decade. Some outstandingly profound novels are hardly even within access anymore, especially Garry Kilworth’s earlier catalog of animal stories, Hunter’s Moon and the like. I think we’re seeing shelf lifespan in the mainstream overtaken by sales margins instead of long term content that digs into the heart and sticks to the brain. Shakespeare might not be very popular with this generation, but his name is synonymous with literature for a reason. It’s difficult to step back sometimes and really see what’s going to stay in print for 100+ years anymore. What of our generation is that resonate? I guess we’ll find out. Communication mediums have become so convoluted these days. Well, anyway, that paragraph went 100+ directions itself!
This specific post kind of reminded me, I was on this blog about a year ago and stated that Phoenix Ark Press was founded on beautiful principles. Just to clarify, I was referring to the mission rather than the origins. The origins were an atrocious experience, obviously. Cynicism sparking independence. I like the idea of ‘small business’ regaining credibility in a corporately controlled environment, a return to humanity in short. That’s what I meant to convey. I don’t think everyone should necessarily use cynicism of course, to gain a sense of drive and aspire to something. Which isn’t to say it’s unavoidable. That’s a beast that rises at some point for everyone. Stories, writing, it’s all such a fundamental part of human history and the ever changing path of the collective human voice, that’s why these experiences hit so hard. There’s beauty in rising above these negative forces, that’s what Fell had to do, and I suppose his past wasn’t entirely overwritten (‘superstition’ doesn’t die off that easily) , but his past became integrated within him, a stepping stone to something stronger.