Henry Newrick has been a publisher since he was a schoolboy, but is probably best known as founder of the National Business Review.
He has done an awful lot since 1970, but his latest publication — due in September — is a large book, filled with photographs and text about his home town and current place of residence, Whanganui.
From the Sea to the Mountain sits at 1500 pre-ordered copies, with 500 ordered by the Whanganui District Council and 100 copies by Whanganui & Partners.
The book has the full backing of the mayor, the council, Whanganui & Partners and the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce, says Henry.
He has gathered a strong editorial and photographic team, led by former Wanganui Chronicle editor John Maslin. They include Iain Hyndman, David Ogilvie, Tony Cato, Diana Beaglehole and Steve Caudwell.
"It will be 208 pages, minimum," says Henry. "I want it to be affordable."
He has set a retail price of $24.95, but Midweek readers will be offered the book at a special pre-publication price of $19.95.
"We'll be producing at least 4000 full colour, hard-bound books. Similar size books normally sell for $45-$60+. An online, facsimile edition will also be accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world, completely free of charge. By making the online version free we are ensuring the maximum possible readership around the globe without readers having to pay for access. This can only benefit those organisations that are featured in the book."
Henry says for the same amount of money as a similar sized book people can buy three copies of the book in time for Christmas and then give to friends or relatives in other parts of the country or overseas, a gesture that can only help to promote Whanganui as a tourist destination.
"I've already had a number of people say to me that they'll buy multiple copies at the full price because it's so affordable. In addition to the 20 per cent 'reader' discount I am also prepared to set aside a further 5 per cent ($1.25) from each copy sold to assist a worthwhile local charity in the run up to Christmas," he says.
