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By KATY CLARK Special to the Beaver In a Speers Road warehouse, clutâ€" tered with books, manuscripts, and files, many unknown Canadian literâ€" ary talents are being given their first chance. For the past two decades, Mosaic Press â€" a midâ€"size publishing house â€" has published more first and second time Canadian fiction and poetry than most of its larger competitors. ""Without us, there are lots of writâ€" ers that would never have seen the light of day," says Howard Aster, a McMaster University professor and manager of Mosaic Press. "(In some cases), we‘ve lost money, but that‘s alright," says Aster, who points out that the company has also had its share of success stories. Mosaic Press has published one Nobel Prize winner, eight Governor General‘s Award winners, and one Stephen Leacock Award winner. When Mosaic Press opened in 1975, its academic founder decided * TABLES CHAIRS * JELLY CUPBOARDS * MIRRORS PANTRIES * CHINA CABINETS * ROCKING CHAIRS * SHELVES * WALL UNITS * COFFEE AND END TABLES HOURS: TUES., WED. FRI 10 A.M.â€"5:30 P.M. THURS. 10 A.M.â€"8 P.M., SAT. 9 A.M.â€"4 P.M. OPEN HOUSE Sunday 2â€"4 p.m. 1069 Manchester Cres. $279,500 Backs onto lavish ravine. Glen Orchard built. 3 bedrooms. Join us for a Small Coffee Donut with this coupon Royal Windsor/Ford Dr. location only Offer expires July 15th/94 Royal Windsor Ford Dr. Location now offers a smoke free environment for THE Sales Renresentative Countrywide Town Centre Realty Inc. Specializing in solid Oak, Pine, Maple, Birch your convenience. HELP KEEP RED CROSS READY... Please Give Generously the company would publish books that were important culturally, intellectualâ€" ly, and academically. Mosaic Press remains firmly committed to its founding principle and only publishes books in four areas: international studâ€" ies, social studies, literature, and art/architecture/music. "We can be defined as a type of university press, but in the private secâ€" tor," he says. ‘"We‘re not interested in publishing best sellers." Mosaic Press has come a long way since its modest beginnings â€" two employees and small facilities â€" 19 years ago. Today, it has more than 340 books in print and publishes 20 to 25 original titles each year. "The strategy of this company has been to grow slowly but precisely," says Aster. Five years ago, the publishing house doubled the size of its headâ€" quarters, and five more partâ€"time employees and sales reps were hired to ease the workload. Despite the increase in work, Mosaic Press has not experienced an « MINWAX PRODUCTS « FINISHING SUPPLIES + HOMESTEAD HOUSE PAINTS * DRESSERS ARMOIRES * TVNCR UNITS * BAR STOOLS * MICROWAVE STANDS * TOY CHESTS + HIGH CHAIRS accompanying growth in revenue. "The company historically has never made a large profit or suffered a large loss," says Aster. "We continue publishing literary works even though we lose money with them." "If there was not public support for literary works, I don‘t think it would be possible to publish new Canadian authors." Indeed, grants from the Canada Council and the Ontario Arts Council help make Mosaic Press‘ work possiâ€" ble. "On average, the Ontario Arts Council would support our books to the tune of $500 to $800 per book (10 to 15% of total cost)," explains Aster. "Without that kind of subsidy, we couldn‘t do it." Last February, Mosaic Press received an additional $20,000 from the Ontario Publishing Centre for book promotion. The money is being used to buy advertising â€"â€" a luxury the company would otherwise be unable to afford. r 2t * : Arnoup‘s FunuLanD # iD AnC \NFA'VI T \) 1_': "In the book industry, paid adverâ€" First Choice § Esso Mosaic Press CEO and general manager, Heather Wade at work inside the Speers Road office. (Peter McCusker) tising is very good for the public proâ€" file of publishing houses, and wonderâ€" ful public exposure for the author," he says. Although federal and provincial grants make a tremendous difference, * Largest selection and the latest games in town * Fully licensed bar and restaurant * Restaurant open until 3 a.m. * Large screen T.V. * Party rooms for any occaâ€" sion: Groups of 10â€"50 * 16 Pool and 2 Snooker tables ew games arriving all the time. Mosaic Press cannot rely on them. In the future, Aster hopes to increase Mosaic Press‘ profits by expanding into the United States. Video Games: * Air Combat « Daytona USA * NBA Jam Tournament * Mortal Kombat II * Virtual Fighter « Out runners * Street Fight II Turbo *« Revolution X « Virtual Racing ® Lucky Wild * Lethal Enforcer Gun Fighters * Sazacha 8 hours PinBall Games: *« Royal Rumble * Star Trek *« Demaolition Man * Tales from the Crypt * World Cup Soccer