The quality of our publications is extremely good and will continue to improve as our distribution increases, our markets expand and we become better equipped to respond to the growing interest in our program and the demand for our services and materials. Whenever possible, production and design is undertaken or overseen by Indigenous artists, graphic artists, designers and printers. High quality design, materials and production are the cornerstones of our aesthetic approach to publishing. We look to be innovative in approach, to take risks as necessary in the selection and design of all of our material, insofar as it will challenge existing perceptions, stereotypes and expectations.
Kegedonce believes that creating and nurturing a larger audience will be of benefit to all of our writers. Building markets for all Indigenous writers - First Peoples, Native American, Maori, and Aboriginal - will develop an international readership with a wider range of Indigenous writing. For the past 9 years we have been active in the development of Indigenous publishing through networking with other Aboriginal publishers on an international basis. We demonstrate this commitment through our ongoing contact with four international Indigenous publishers: Jukurrpa Books (IAD Press), and Magabala Books both of Australia, and Huia Publishers and Kupu Ao Publishers both of Aotearoa /New Zealand.
Our groundbreaking work in this area of international collaboration serves to promote local Indigenous writers and exposes their work to promising new markets. It is our belief that collaborations and co-productions with other Indigenous publishers and others in the literary field are key in the development of Kegedonce Press and our writers.
In addition to our publishing efforts, Kegedonce provides editorial advice and assistance to several Aboriginal writers. We also review and provide commentary on the numerous manuscripts that we receive. We take the time to work with writers during the early stages of their work by providing feedback, suggestions for making manuscripts "publisher-ready" and circulating calls for submission and other relevant information. We develop strong relationships with our authors and work closely with them prior to accepting them for publication and throughout the entire publishing process.
We also develop and maintain networks within Indigenous writing circles and over the years we have attained a high level of acceptance and respect within the Indigenous arts community. Indeed, Kegedonce Press has recently accepted the responsibility as a third party recommender for the Ontario Arts Council's Writers Reserve Program. Based on our experience and specific focus on Aboriginal writers, it was deemed by the OAC that Kegedonce was in the unique position to identify new talent and encourage development through this program.
