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Miller boasts success as the President and Editor-in-Chief of the Jamaica College Magazine Committee and Griffin Magazine, the past Editor-In-Chief and now Consultant at ON Deck Magazine, based in Massachusetts, U.S.A. He has also been a freelance editor on many projects in Jamaica, across the region and in the United States.
Young Adult Fiction is his forte and he has researched this area, having had consultations with high school students across Jamaica and studying diversity in expression across many islands in the region and many places across the United States and United Kingdom.
He is a writer and is currenlty working on a seven title series. The first title having three parts. He also has a background in art, having worked as the Manager / Curator of TEN Gallery in Maine U.S.A, and theatre, now serving as the General Secretary of the Jamaica Junior Theatre Company.
Miller has gained awards for his work with youth in the areas of Culture and Development and has also earned awards, more specifically, in Literature, Language and Communication.
He has been featured by the youth publications of The Gleaner and the Jamaica Observer, as well as Television Jamaica's Smile Jamaica. The young dynamo has also caught radio attention, having done interviews with Unbridled Editor based in Michigan, U.S.A and Hot 102 here in Jamaica.
His love for publishing has sprouted a blog to help writers get published, aptly called 'Becoming an Author'. He has also, through Miller Publishing, launched a seminar series of the same name. It was hosted in Kingston at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica on September 10.
He has an open door policy and writers who need advice should feel free to make contact at millerpublish@gmail.com.
He enjoys CNN, MSNBC, JK Rowling, Anne Rice and Anime!
Dare to think differently - Innovate and evolve!
- Roshane O. Miller
CEM did an Q & A with this talented and innovated young man, Roshane O. Miller
CEM: Tell us about your business? When did you start the business?
RM: Miller Publishing Limited is an innovative publishing house at the heart of Kingston. We publish, train, market, distribute and manage an array of multimedia projects including magazines. We started operations in January 2011. We may be contacted by email at millerpublish@gmail.com or our website at www.millerpublishing.weebly.
CEM:What were you doing before this, and is this your first business?
RM:I have worked extensively in publishing for many years, primarily aiding in concept development, editing and marketing. Additional to this I managed an art gallery in Maine, U.S.A and have a background in banking, having worked with the National Commercial Bank here in Jamaica. I also served as the Director of a private institution in Mandeville, Jamaica. I have taught English Language, English Literature, Principles of Business and Social Studies at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate level and Law, Sociology, Communications Studies, Caribbean Studies and Literatures in English at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination level.
CEM:How many persons do you have working for you?
RM:Miller Publishing Limited has a core team of consultants and project officers. Approximately, five persons. We increase our numbers when projects demand such action.
CEM:Where did you get the startup money?
RM:Start-up funding for the company came out-of-pocket, that is to say it was self-funded.
CEM:Do you think the government has enough aid or resources for small businesses and young entrepreneurs?
RM:The government through its Ministries and Agencies should do more to aid micro and small enterprises. There are currently not many government programs to aid budding entrepreneurs.
Publishing, and the sectors directly related, support the advancement of the Jamaican people and the economy.
CEM: Is there a need for your type of business in Jamaica?. Why?
RM:Publishing in Jamaica and the region is small when compared to other countries and regions of the world. There are no other young adult fiction publishers in Jamaica and fiction on a whole does not attract much attention from local publishers.
Jamaica has many talend writers, who feel that they have no avenue to express themselves and this is where Miller Puishing Limited comes in.
We publish, train, market and distribute. Even self-published authors can benefit from our existense, as we offer services that assist after the production of the book.
CEM:Who are your main competitors? And how is your business different
RM: Our business is different from others domicile in Jamaica as we offer services at the pre and post production stages.
We offer training, with a focus on different styles and techniques. We also offer assistance in developing concepts. Additional to this we offer marketing and distribution packages to individuals who have published with us and those who have published with others or are self-published.
CEM:What are your marketing strategies?
RM:We have primarily utilized social media channels such as Twitter (@MillerPublish and @TheMillerSchool) and Facebook (Miller Publishing Limited:
The publisher also has a blog which helps writers along the journey of becoming an author. It may be viewed here:- www.becominganauthor.
We have done radio, television and print media interviews.
Below are links to articles and interviews that may help readers better understand the company.
Smile Jamaica Interview
Style & Vibes Magazine Interview
Unbridled Editor Podcast Interview (Online Radio)
CorveDacosta.com
TEENage Observer Interview
CEM:How has your experience in running the business been different from what you expected?
RM:Our expectations have been realized. Though people are interested, the state of the economy has left many timid and growth has been slow.
We expect to see slow but steady growth. We are committed to innovation and always offer our clients exceptional service.
CEM:How can your business benefit young people? What training do you have available and where will it help?
RM:We currently have three major modes of training.
We have open mic sessions once a month to help persons gain critique and develop their work. The first session was held on August 26, 2011 at Nell's Cafe, 7 Grosvenor Terrace in Manor Park, St. Andrew.
We also have seminars twice per year, so that writers will gain insight into the world of publishing. Our last seminar was held on September 10, 2011. We had presentations by Kellie Magnus, Publishing Director, Book Industry Association of Jamaica and Damian Shaw, Personal and Corporate Image Consultant; he was the Image Consultant for the recently concluded Miss Jamaica World 2011. Communications Specialist and Project Manager Yolanda Paul also made a presentation.
The publisher's blog is also quite informative and instructive. Writers at any stage of the publishing process should give it a read.
CEM:Do you consider yourself a mentor? What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a similar business?
RM:A mentor, not exactly. I, however, do not shy away from helping others. I think that knowledge should be shared.
My advice to anyone who wants to start a business, similar or not, do extensive research. Understand your area of business and find innovative ways to be diferent.
CEM:Where do you see this business in 5 year?
RM:In five years Miller Publishing Limited should be even more diverse and innovative. We are currently not limited by geographical borders and by then we should also have other bases of operation.
CEM:What are some of the upcoming projects?
RM:Currently, we are working closely with primary and secondary institutions to provide school magazines. There is an amazing discount. We want graduates and students to have something to remember the golden days of school.
Additionally, the first writing project is now underway! We want five talented writers to be a part of the process. If you are interested and would like to be published please make contact.
We are also in the process of putting together a team of writers and contributors to assist with a magazine for writers.
If persons are interested we invite them to contact us via email at millerpublish@gmail.com.
CEM:Any current promotions?
RM:Currently, we have a weekly competition on Facebook. For the month of October our focus is poetry and in November we focus on prose.
The competition takes place on Fridays from 6pm to 12 midnight. Visit the page for more information:- Facebook Page
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