New head for publishing house

The University of Otago has appointed Rachel Scott as the new publisher to head its flagship publishing house, Otago University Press.

Ms Scott, who has been the Canterbury University Press publisher for the past five years, will succeed Wendy Harrex, who is retiring next month after 20 years as publisher.

''My priority really is to get to know the staff, get to know the city, get to know the literary landscape and take it from there,'' Ms Scott said in an interview. Deputy vice-chancellor of research and enterprise Prof Richard Blaikie said Otago University Press (OUP) was one of New Zealand's oldest and most successful university presses.

The university had been ''extremely fortunate'' to have attracted a person of Ms Scott's qualifications and calibre to the role.

The ''dedicated service'' of Ms Harrex had resulted in a wide range of publications that has kept Otago University Press (OUP) in ''extremely high standing'', he said.

Each year, Otago publishes about 20 scholarly and general books on subjects from within New Zealand and the Pacific.

OUP also publishes New Zealand's longest-running literary journal, Landfall, as well as other poetry and educational titles.

Ms Scott was excited about taking up her new job this month.

She had undertaken freelance book editing and designing for nearly two decades before working for Canterbury University Press.

She aimed to carry on building OUP's profile by continuing to produce high-quality books, and wanted to develop an ebook list.