Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why Phenomenology Press?
A. Phenomenology can be described as the study of the objects of experience. Modern phenomenology owes much to the work of Edmund Husserl (1859-1938), which sought to understand how we perceive the material, psychological and spiritual phenomena in the universe we inhabit. Writing aims to create objects of experience for the reader, building a simulacrum of reality, a universe for the reader to inhabit, for a while at least.
Phenomenology Press is dedicated to the support of writing which aims to not only create objects of experience, but also to build an environment in which the reader can create objects of personal meaning.
Q. What is philosophical literary fiction?
A. Philosophical literary fiction has two primary characteristics:
- A significant proportion of the narrative includes the discussion or exposition of ideas which you might otherwise find in works of academic philosophy, and the narrative style emphasizes more than just plot, with the author also concentrating on character development, elegance of expression and layering of themes.
- A philosophical literary novel will often have a slower pace than other novels, can involve subject matter which is finely nuanced and/or complex, and might sometimes be described as ‘difficult’. Philosophical fiction requires the reader to invest more attention and consideration to the narrative than in other styles of fiction, offering rewards of greater levels of meaning, satisfaction and memorability.
Q. Do I need to have studied philosophy to understand a philosophical novel?
A. No, you don’t. Often a background in philosophy will help, but sometimes it will hinder. You should have no difficulty following the narrative, as long as you’re prepared to read the text closely (as opposed to skimming it), to look up unfamiliar words to make sure of their meanings, and to pay attention to significant conversations between the characters – you’ll know which ones they are.
Q. Can I get a printed edition signed by the author?
A. Yes, you can. Please enter ‘sign please’ in the delivery instructions during checkout, or drop us a line via the Contact page and we’ll organise that via e-mail.
Q. Can I purchase a book and get it signed by the author and sent to someone as a gift?
A. Yes, you can. Please drop us a line via the Contact page and we’ll organise that via e-mail.
Q. I have a Kindle but Phenomenology Press titles aren’t available on Amazon. How to I get my e-book onto my Kindle?
A. Click here to get e-book download instructions for both MOBI (Kindle) format files and other formats.
Q. Can I order a bound book for delivery outside of Australia?
A. Yes, you can. Please order as you would normally and the system will provide you with a quote for the postage from Australia Post.
Q. Are there any special resources available for book clubs to use?
A. On this site you have access to book club packs that have been prepared for our titles. Our aim is to have a book club pack for each title within six months of its release. Book club packs contain specific notes from the author concerning what to expect in the novel, how best to read it, possible points for discussion, what happens next (after the novel finishes), references for further reading and research, and the author’s address from the book’s launch.
Q. How do I follow up on the philosophy, literature, music and art references within the Phenomenology Press titles?
A. This site contains further information about many of the references made in our titles, including links to relevant articles and images. If you have a specific question about a reference that isn’t covered here, please contact the author via the Contact page.
Q. How do I order a Phenomenology Press title for my local public library?
A. Please drop us a line via the Contact page and we’ll provide you with the ordering codes applicable to the title(s) you want your library to order.
Q. What is Phenomenology Press’ current submissions policy?
A. Phenomenology Press is currently not accepting submissions. However, if you’re writing or have written a philosophical novel you would like to see published, perhaps we can help. Please drop us a line via the Contact page and we can have a chat.
Q. How do I obtain permission to reproduce material from a Phenomenology Press title?
A. Please drop us a line via the Contact page and we’ll organise that via e-mail. We’ll need to know the following information about your proposed use of our material:
- Information about our title:
- Title,
- Author,
- Edition, if applicable, and
- Page reference and word count of the extract you wish to reproduce.
- Information about your project:
- Title of your publication,
- Author,
- Publisher,
- Expected publication date,
- Format (print, eBook, etc.),
- Projected print run,
- Projected retail price and currency,
- Distribution territory (ANZ, British Commonwealth, World, etc.), and Language.