Mark Hanusz was born in Toledo, Ohio, the third of four
children. He graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Political
Science from Miami University in Ohio in May 1992. Mark then
began a successful career in the field of international finance
until he founded Equinox Publishing in 1998. In the span of
just six years, the company has since grown into a major English-language
publisher of books on or about Indonesia with over 60 titles
in print. Based in Jakarta, this independent boutique publishing
house brings out fiction, non-fiction, luxury illustrated
as well as specially-commissioned works.
How did you ever end up in Indonesia?
At the end of 1996 and beginning of ‘97 the Indonesian
stock market was booming and the company I was working for
at the time, Swiss Bank Corporation in Zurich, needed a new
salesman on their Indonesia desk. I had done several large
Indonesia-related deals in Europe and was chosen to join the
team. The whole process from the first phone call to arriving
in Jakarta took about a month.
How did you first become interested in writing and publishing?
I think everyone has at least one book in them. When I left
SBC in the fall of ‘98 I decided to stay in Indonesia
for awhile and get to know the country better before I moved
on to somewhere else. I traveled around Java for a month on
a golf trip. That’s when I got the idea to write a book
about kretek cigarettes. I had done rather well for myself
in the bank and didn’t have to work for a while so I
felt the time was ideal to focus on a personal project like
writing a book.
Were you a published writer yourself before starting Equinox?
No. My only experience in publishing was as the Managing Editor
of my high school yearbook.
How did the company get started?
When I decided to write my first book on the clove cigarette
industry, I didn’t want to go through the hassle of
finding a publisher. I fortunately was in a position to finance
the book myself. I set up the company with the single intention
of publishing my book, and had no idea I would still be doing
this 8 years later.
Was it difficult getting a toehold in Jakarta’s English-language
publishing scene?
Not really. English-language publishing here is a niche market
with very few participants. There is a wealth of content and
as I was well funded at the beginning. I was able to sustain
the business through the first few years until we turned a
profit. The biggest problem was finding a good distributor,
and I was lucky to establish a very good working relationship
with Java Books.
What is different about publishing English-language books
in Indonesia and in places like, say, Singapore or Bangkok
or Kuala Lumpur?
The English-reading market here is much smaller and I’m
certain there is much less regulation here than in Singapore,
KL or Bangkok. I should know – I have had books banned
in Singapore and Bangkok (also here, but that’s a long
story).
What is your percentage of Indonesian to foreign staff and
Indonesian to foreign writers?
I am the only foreigner in the office (we have seven staff),
but we do work with many native English-speaking freelance
editors, copy editors and translators. Most of my authors
are foreign native English speakers, and the ratio is roughly
7 native English-speaking writers to every one Indonesian-speaking
writer.
What is your own personal favorite Equinox title?
All of my books are like my children, and it is impossible
to choose a favorite. However, I was thrilled to publish The
Spice Garden by Michael Vatikiotis (fiction), and Kopassus
by Ken Conboy (non-fiction). These are very cutting-edge books
that most publishers wouldn’t have the nerve to touch.
Have your books ever had to conform to any censorship laws?
Not really. I did turn down a manuscript written by a former
member of Jemaah Islamiyah because - being American - I would
have been subject to 10 years imprisonment under the current
U.S. anti-terrorism law.
Is it difficult to promote and market books in Indonesia?
Not at all. I have great relationships with most of the media
and I have always found them interested in publishing reviews
of our books and in covering my launches. The bookstores are
always open to promotional ideas as well and we are working
on several at the moment.
How do you find writers? Or do they find you? Do you have
to deal with writers’ agents?
I have to say that most authors find me. There are a few cases
where I have sought out an author but in most cases they come
directly to me or Equinox was recommended by a friend. Only
one of my authors had an agent and she was a dream to work
with.
Does Equinox have a publishing mission statement?
We use a quote by Mark Twain on our catalog: “The man
who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the
man who can’t read them.” Following that, we aim
to publish books that enlighten and entertain and attempt
to explain this wonderful country.
Where can find readers find Equinox books and learn more about
the company?
Our books are available in most good English-language bookstores
around Indonesia and Singapore. They are always available
online through our website www.EquinoxPublishing.com and amazon.com.
A simple Google search for “equinox publishing Indonesia”
will turn up a few stories about the company as well.
For anyone interested in being considered for Siapa, please
contact : <pakbill2003@yahoo.com>
