About the Publisher

Owl Publishing is a small, independent publisher founded in June 1992 by Helen Nickas, a lecturer in Greek Studies at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. She saw this venture as an extension of her research on Greek-Australian writers, many of whom have documented the post-war period in Australia with acute sensitivity and perspicacity, as well as high literary skill.
Furthermore, Helen Nickas saw the publishing as an initiative, which would empower her in having a say about what books and/or authors could, or should be published in multicultural Australia. She believed then, and still does now, that Australia is a good place for cultural exchange. She also believes that diasporas engender good writing and that diasporic writers have their special ‘dual’ vision to impart. Greece has several such writers to thank for her literary reputation in the world.  Australia, likewise, also benefits from the diversity of its published writers, including Greek-Australians.

Writing the Greek Diaspora publication series

Owl’s publications gradually developed into the series Writing the Greek Diaspora, again as part of Helen Nickas’ multiple roles as lecturer, researcher and publisher.

Helen’s aim as the editor of the series is to nurture, study, translate and disseminate literary works by Greek-Australians. The publications so far include literary texts by selected writers, but also literary criticism and translations into Greek or into English.
Many of the books published are in bilingual form – aiming to cultivate and promote bilingualism – while others are monolingual – Greek, or English – depending on the target readership.

The books’ covers are adorned mostly with art by Greek-Australian artists. The art works are especially commissioned, or chosen for their relevance to the contents of the book. The design of the covers has been done in the last six years by graphic designer Nikki Theofilos, in consultation with George Nickas who oversees the final production of each book.

While Owl’s books can be bought from good shops around Australia, Owl is not commercially driven and its aim is to publish books of high quality by, and about, Greek-Australian writers at affordable prices.

Academics involved in research, or teaching of diasporic literature, can contact Owl Publishing and ask for a sample copy of a particular book – free of charge.

Book Reviews

Owl publications have been reviewed in reputable Australian newspapers, journals and magazines such as The Age, The Weekend Australian, Meanjin, Meridian, Australian Book Review and abroad in Journal of Modern Greek Studies, World Literature Today and others. 

In a review of an Owl publication, Thomas Shapcott wrote:  “... ‘Writing the Greek Diaspora’, under the general editorship of Helen Nickas...  is an enterprise that widens horizons...” (Australian Book Review, August 2000)

Links

The editor of the series, Helen Nickas, has now retired from teaching but remains at La Trobe University as an Honorary Associate.

Her contact details there are:

Greek Studies Program
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
La Trobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia
Email: h.nickas@latrobe.edu.au
Website: www.latrobe.edu.au/greek/