egun informally in 1983 by a small group of Quaker publishers and booksellers, Quakers Uniting in Publications is now an international network of over 50 Friends organizations and individuals concerned with the ministry of the written word. Members work together to achieve common goals:

accessible centers for the distribution of Quaker publications; a computerized on-line data base all Quaker publications currently available (www.quaker.org/quip); cooperative publishing to provide needed, good publications at lower prices. For example, George Fox's 'Book of Miracles'; forum for the exchange of editorial concerns; education of members in the conduct of sound and ethical business; Tacey Soule Fund to assist in the production and distribution of Quaker publications, especially in the Third World; increased awareness of Quaker publications in the broader religious book market; annual meetings for education, business and encouragement of faith in ;worship.

Bringing Together Far-Flung Quaker Publishers

Barbara Mays, who currently serves as director of Friends United Meeting (FUM) Press in Richmond, Indiana, described some of the motives behind QUIP's inception:

"A lot of the impetus for getting together initially was the reality of how alone each of us is in our own area and how far-flung we are from each other as Quaker publishers," recalled Barbara, who was one of QUIP's founders. "What brought us together was a shared vision of how much more we could accomplish together and how much we needed the information that we had collectively as well as the support."

Leroy Benham of Barclay Press.

QUIP has been successful in bringing together Friends from both the UK and the USA, and across the entire theological range of Quakerism. Leroy Benham of Barclay Press was pleased with both of these aspects of QUIP:

This was my second gathering, and the fellowship was especially good. Barclay Press is funded through Northwest Yearly Meeting, a Christ-centered branch of Quakerism that takes the Bible as well as the work of the Holy Spirit very seriously. Some members of my YM would not encourage me to come to a gathering like this, while others would. Encountering someone like Sally Rickerman, a Universalist Friend, helps me to see where we are on the theological spectrum. It's also interesting to hear a British Friend say he's pleased that Barclay Press is publishing a book like God is User Friendly that is liberal enough to appeal to a broader range of readers. That helped me to understand how we are seen and make up a part of that spectrum of Friends' thinking.

Sally Rickerman of the Quaker Universalist Fellowship.

Sally Rickerman of the Quaker Universalist Fellowship concurs: "This has been an excellent meeting. We've come together quicker than in the past. From a small publisher's viewpoint, QUIP is a life-saver because we get exposure we would get no other way without a great deal of money." She also feels that QUIP is a significant part of a Quaker presence around the world and thus excellent outreach.

Kenneth Sutton, senior editor of Friends Journal, has been impressed with the collegiality as well as the spirituality of QUIP gatherings: "I've been involved with QUIP for 10 or 12 years. It's been great to find colleagues and learn things about my job and myself, especially in my earlier years. The contacts I've made across the branches of Quakerism have been very rewarding spiritually."

AFSC representative Melissa Elliott appreciated QUIP's inclusiveness: "I think it's great to come together with kindred spirits and then all kinds of exciting possibilities can emerge. I was heartened when I was asked to share some of the AFSC publications because sometimes it seems that we don't fit in."

Newcomers and small publishers also felt welcome and found QUIP beneficial. Sue Gongwer, the new manager of Quaker Hill bookstore in Richmond, Indiana, hopes to make QUIP a regular part of her professional life: "I am new to the Quaker Hill Bookstore, but I felt right at home with the group. I hope for as long as I am working with the bookstore, I can be involved with QUIP."

The 2001 Session: Focus on Periodicals

In March 2001, thirty-seven members of QUIP met at Pendle Hill, a Quaker center for study and contemplation near Philadelphia, to discuss the role of Quaker periodicals. It was the first time that editors and staff from almost all the major Quaker periodicals, in both the USA and UK, have gathered together to discuss ways to be mutually supportive. They were joined by Quaker booksellers, publishers, and authors. This year's focus on periodicals opened up many new aspects of publishing for consideration and discussion.

Susan Corson-Finnerty, the new editor/manager of Friends Journal, was pleased by the opportunity for networking and exchanging ideas:

This meeting was very worthwhile because of the number of periodical folks who were here. I am particularly excited by the possibility of networking with other periodicals and being supportive in a variety of ways. I am eager to come back next year since the focus will be on youth, and that's something that I am very concerned about. Focusing on young people will help us to cultivate the next generation of Friends in a serious way.

Trish Edwards-Konic, the new editor of Quaker Life (the official publication of FUM) was also a first-time attender who found the QUIP experience helpful:

This meeting of QUIP was my first and I came specifically because the education sessions were on Quaker periodicals. It was great getting to meet editors and staff from Friends periodicals both in the United States and the United Kingdom. Although there are a wide range of publications, we are all facing some similar issues of writers and publication, revenue and marketing. I hope the networking begun will continue throughout the coming year.

Trish Carn, temporary assistant editor of The Friend, a British independent Quaker weekly, agreed:

It was helpful to find commonality among us on both sides of the Atlantic. The problems are common-increasing subscriptions, funding-and the solutions we discussed have given me ideas to share with my colleague Harry Albright.

Anthony Manousos, editor of Friends Bulletin, official publication of Independent Western (USA) Friends says:

I've learned a great deal about magazine publishing from my colleagues, and I've also been helped with marketing our new book, A Western Quaker Reader. What I like about QUIP is the combination of practical support and spiritual nurturing. I also like the bridge-building among diverse Friends organizations. It's exciting to be part of this cooperative effort.

These linkages occur not only during sessions but throughout the year, observed David Woolgrove, editor of Curlew Press, and member of Southeast Scotland MM:

One of the important things to me is that between gatherings I have contact with QUIP members and we have worked together on writing projects. Very often US QUIP members have stayed with us on their way to events in the UK or just passing through. On this particular occasion, I was able to come over a day early and we were able to discuss a project together that we will be able to help each other on.

A Transatlantic Marriage/Merger

The story of QUIP would not be complete without mentioning one delightful byproduct of "Quakers Uniting in Publishing," namely, the marriage of Lucy Duncan and Graham Garner. Lucy has managed the FGC bookstore since 1999, and attended QUIP three times. Graham Garner has managed the Quaker Bookstore in London for 15 years. Both met at a QUIP gathering in Charney Manor two years ago. They soon decided that a "transatlantic merger" would be mutually advantageous. They were married at London Grove Meeting near Philadelphia on April 28, 2001. This was the site of a QUIP meeting where the two of them got together and decided that they had more in common than simply a love of Quaker books.

Graham said of QUIP, with characteristically Quaker understatement, "It was always a very useful organization." Lucy was in unity with this remark.

Related Links:
QUIP Website