#031 ⤑ The Joys and Challenges of Remote Publishing
Balancing Creativity and Connectivity Across Continents
Hello all!
As a remote publishing company, we often mention our remote setup because it’s where we find both our solutions and our challenges. Working remotely definitely has its ups and downs, and it’s something that affects our daily grind in a big way.
What Works for Us
One of the great things about working remotely is being able to collaborate across different time zones. This gives us fresh ideas and new ways of solving problems from around the world. It’s been a big advantage, helping us figure out which titles work best in each region and how to connect with local audiences.
We’re not there yet, but it’s something we’re focused on as we move forward :)
Another great benefit of remote work is the trust we have in our team. Knowing everyone is handling their responsibilities without needing constant oversight has allowed us to work smarter, not harder. This trust is a key reason we’ve been able to achieve what we have.
Flexibility is another huge perk. Our team members can set their own schedules based on when they’re most productive, which leads to getting more done and being happier while doing it. Plus, we’re able to hire the best people, no matter where they are in the world.
Let’s not forget the cost savings. While we do use shared co-working spaces in different locations, keeping full-time offices to a minimum means we can invest more in projects, tools, and technology that drive our business forward.
A Note On Printers
When we produce books, the choice of printer depends on factors like location, print run size, special finishes, quantity, and logistics. Once that’s settled, our operations step in to determine the most efficient way to get the books where they need to go—whether it's our distributors in the UK and US, our fulfillment studio in Brussels, or a warehouse in Singapore. This flexibility allows our team to remain remote, and for now, it works well. If we ever need to change this approach, the right moment will make itself clear.
What Doesn’t Work for Us:
But, remote work isn’t all sunshine. Communication can be tricky. Even with all the tools we’ve got, sometimes things just don’t get across the way they would face-to-face. Those quick conversations that happen naturally in an office? They can feel like a chore when you have to schedule a call or a meeting for them.
Isolation is another issue. Working from home can get lonely, and we miss out on the camaraderie and those spontaneous chats that help build team spirit. We try to counter this with meetups, drinks, and creative sessions, and so far, that’s done the trick - we’d just like to do it more.
There’s also the challenge of keeping work and personal life separate. When your home is your office, it’s easy to blur the lines, and that can lead to burnout if you’re not careful.
Lastly, fostering (not just managing) a remote team means using different skills and tools. It’s not always easy to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Building and keeping a strong company culture takes some serious effort.
Fostering Community and Collaboration
We keep it casual when building community. Our Slack channel #random is where we share the tunes that get us going in the morning, along with other thoughts, daily news, or whatever’s on our minds.
Being remote also gives us access to bookstores around the world, so we encourage everyone to share their visits in the #research channel. It’s the small things like this that keep us connected and in sync.
PESHAY's 1996 Jungle set is on heavy rotation in both our London and Brussels studios.
Overcoming Challenges
To keep communication flowing across time zones, we do daily check-ins. Each morning, we do a quick rundown of what we accomplished and what’s on deck for the day. It keeps everyone in the loop without needing a bunch of meetings.
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is up to each person. We’re a pretty open team, so if someone needs time off, they just say so. That’s the beauty of being small but responsible. We focus on flexibility to keep burnout at bay and make sure everyone can handle their workload.
That’s About It
With tools like Slack for chatting, Google Drive for storage, Wise for transferring money, and better fulfillment options for sending out books, remote work and publishing aren’t a huge burden. As we grow, I think we’ll eventually need a central location, but we’ll still have partners, staff, and collaborators working remotely.
Right now, our central hub is London, where I (Shaz) have a shared workspace, close to Norwich where Suzi, our part-time designer, lives. We’ve got a great meeting spot and a top ramen place nearby.
London is a great base for me with its rich publishing history, perfectly aligning with my role as Publishing Director and Business Development lead. Meanwhile, Brussels, where Ryo is based, and Studio Ono, our art-directing partners, give us access to Europe, the largest internal market for trade. Steve, over in Indonesia (ASEAN's largest economy), heads operations and serves as our MD. Thanks to the time difference, he can tackle operational issues while we’re sleeping in Europe.
As we grow, we’re excited to pass on more responsibilities and step back from controlling every detail, which will help us expand. Remote work has brought both highs and lows, but it’s become a necessary part of how we operate. If we were all in the same place, decisions might come faster, along with quicker successes (and setbacks). However, working remotely has made us more practical and inventive. We’re always figuring things out and making adjustments to keep things running smoothly.
Next Week: The Creative Process Behind Stickerbomb: From Concept to Print