Ian Randle Publishers (IRP), one of the largest publishing houses in the Caribbean, will officially launch its brand in the United Kingdom this month.

The company will be promoting its books at a series of seminars and events throughout London to attract new readers and potential authors.

Ian Randle, founder, president and publisher, in a release yesterday, said he was looking forward to the launch.

"This initiative comes at a critical time and is meant to signal to writers in the diaspora and to the general trade that as difficult as times are, publishers like IRP are here to stay and will continue to support new, as well as established talent," he said.

The events will engage audiences while concentrating on the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora in a bid to identify the potential for the consumption and distribution of Caribbean books in the UK.

Publishers attending will be given access to sales and marketing techniques informing them about what they can do to make their books sought after in libraries and community book-shops.

Aspiring authors will be able to find out how to target publishers and develop their promotional strategies.

One of the key objectives is to start the development of a network for Caribbean and black authors in the UK, a mutual exchange and dialogue in the publishing world.

Guest authors from the Caribbean will make appearances and be available to autograph books at various events.

Most notable among the invited authors is prolific Trinidadian writer, Michael Anthony, who would be making his first visit to Britain in more than 50 years. Noted historian, Professor Verene Shepherd, will also be attending, along with Fred Kennedy, author of the recently published historical novel Daddy Sharpe.

The authors' visits are being supported by a grant from the Commonwealth Foundation, organisers of the Commonwealth Writers Prize.

( L - R ) Randle, Shepherd, Kennedy