A Little About RomaReads Publishing
The more I looked more into the world of publishing, the more I fell in love with the process of publishing a book. I'm fascinated with how a group of people can take a manuscript and polish the words through various types of editing, how they can make the manuscript have a professional appearance through type-setting, how people can use limitless imagination with cover design, and how people can showcase the manuscript to the world with inventive marketing campaigns.
I wanted to do this not only for myself but for other people. To collaborate and workshop with authors, experience their passion for a project, and bring this project to fruition. It became clear very early on that this publishing company was not about money. It was about creating a platform for authors to share their art, proudly watch them bring an idea into the world, see others become inspired by their message, and use this message for good. I love seeing people's inspiration, confidence, and belief in an idea, and if I can help make that concept a reality, I know it was something that went beyond a 'want' to do. It was a need. As corny as it sounds, the more I have been in the process of setting up this company, the more I realised it was something I was meant to do. Publishing felt right in every sense of the word, and I have fully invested my blood, sweat, and tears into this start-up with the hopes of bettering people's lives.
That is what RomaReads Publishing aims to do.
Our Staff
With You Every Step of the Way
Lauren Ilbury
Managing Director and Founder
My name is Lauren Ilbury, a 25 year old girl who has had a book in her bag whenever possible.
I have a weakness for fried chicken, or anything lemon flavoured, and I consider lemon and herb chicken the peak of humanities creations. I like to keep reasonably active, though I’ll be the first to admit I look absolutely ridiculous doing so, in activities like archery, horse-rising, parkour, swimming, and hiking. My dog considers hiking a ‘casual stroll’ and her stamina puts my fitness level to shame.
In my spare time, I write, write, write, and if I’m not writing, I’m imaging what the next plot twist of my book will be, or thinking of certain trials that will make or break a character.
I have a BA in Drama, and a MA in Theatre Practise, and with any luck one day I’ll find the motivation to put myself through a PhD in Theatre as well, although right now, I’m a lot more focused on engaging with the writing community and, hopefully, finding people who will want to engage on this publishing journey with me.
Roma the Cat
Supervisor
The man, the myth, the legend himself. If this cat looks familiar, you'd be right! Roma the cat was the inspiration behind both the name of the publishing company and the logo.
I live with the chilliest cat in the world, Roma, who purposefully sits on my lap when I’m reading, or on my warm laptop when I’m working. I consider him a supervisor, who is always in my peripheral vision, making sure I’m working and not slacking off. In fact, because of his fondness for sitting next to me and looking at my screen as if reading my work, he accidentally became my inspiration when I was deciding on publishing company names. Within seconds, 'Roma Reads' popped into my head and refused to leave. The logo you see is an accurate representation of my daily view of Roma, always curling up on the exact book I happen to be reading.
After a long day of doing nothing, he makes sure to get his energy back by taking a twenty-hour nap.
