Beyond the Printed Page: 3 Questions with Matt Novak
There’s a lot that goes into bringing a book to life, and some of the best insights come from the people working alongside publishers every day.
Color House Graphics’ Direct Sales Representative, Matt Novak, was recently featured in the Protestant Church-Owned Publishers Association’s (PCPA) new 3 Questions member spotlight series.
The series gives publishing professionals an opportunity to share their industry perspectives, experiences, and a little about themselves outside of work.
We enjoyed seeing Matt featured and wanted to share a few highlights from his conversation.
A Greater Appreciation for the Publishing Process
When asked about an assumption he had to unlearn about publishing, Matt reflected on how much his perspective has changed since entering the industry.
As a reader, he had always appreciated the time authors invested in their books. What surprised him was the tremendous amount of work happening behind the scenes, from editing and design to production and marketing. Understanding those contributions gave him a greater appreciation for publishers and an even deeper love of reading.
What Small and Large Publishers Can Learn from Each Other
Matt also shared his perspective on the strengths of publishers of different sizes.
One thing he particularly appreciates about smaller publishers is their willingness to ask questions, explore creative solutions, and have open conversations about book production. Those conversations can lead to opportunities to manage costs while maintaining the quality of the finished product.
Larger publishers, meanwhile, often benefit from established production processes and long-term planning strategies. Matt believes smaller publishers can benefit from adopting some of those same practices, particularly when it comes to coordinating multiple titles, planning inventory replenishment, and identifying potential cost savings.
As Matt explained:
“Regardless of size, the best results happen when publishers and their manufacturing partners communicate early and work together to find the most effective solutions.”
It’s an approach we value at Color House Graphics, where understanding each publisher’s goals is an important part of finding the right production solution.
And What’s Matt Reading?
Of course, the spotlight wasn’t all about work!
Matt recently finished The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel, a nonfiction account of a man who spent 27 years living alone in the Maine wilderness. What caught Matt’s attention wasn’t just the remarkable isolation, but also the unexpected generosity of people whose cottages the man had visited in search of food and supplies.
It’s a fascinating story, and one that clearly made an impression!
Getting to Know the People Behind Publishing
We appreciate PCPA creating opportunities for members to connect beyond their everyday work, and we’re glad Matt had the chance to participate in the first installment of 3 Questions.
Congratulations on the feature, Matt!
At Color House Graphics, we’re proud of the people who build relationships with our publishing partners and bring thoughtful perspectives to every project.
