Michael Neugebauer Edition

The Michael Neugebauer Edition was newly founded in 2004 after the publisher Michael Neugebauer ended his affiliation with the Swiss Nord Süd Publishing in 2003.

Already successful on all five continents, today’s publishing structure is still positioned internationally. The headquarters for Michael Neugebauer Publishing Ltd. is located in Hong Kong. Here, Michael Neugebauer operates as the director of publishing and as editor. Publishing headquarters for the German speaking countries is located in Kiel, also operations and distribution. Rights and licences are handled from Zürich, the media relations are organized from Salzburg, the former publishing headquarters

The international production functions as the imprint minedition and is a “package” with international partners. Thus the complete program for English speaking countries is handled through the well known Penguin Publishing in New York. In Italy it is with the third largest publishing house, Edizione Salani in Milan. In France it is minedition France, for Greece it is Kaleidoskop in Athens, and in the Netherlands it is De Vier Windstreken. Many other European countries, Spain for example, Portugal and also Slovenia as well as Asian countries such as Taiwan, Japan, Korea and India also publish the minedition title. Even South Africa is on the list of partners.

The question is often asked how it is possible for this publishing entity to be so uniquely strong in the business of licensing. The answer is easy.
The name Neugebauer has always stood for the highest artistic quality. Friedrich Neugebauer, the father of today’s publisher set the standard for the creation of typeface and book design and layout. Michael Neugebauer followed in this tradition after an education with a strong foundation in typeface and book design, painting, and sculpture. After his studies he worked as a graphic artist at Michael Beazley Publishing in London, which is today Dorling Kindersley Publishing. He then began teaching in the Art Education department at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg and to work freelance with his father for Edition Friedrich Neugebauer in the Hermann Schroedel Verlag . The numerous typefaces they developed are well known today and are also found in most computer programs. Since 1979 Michael Neugebauer has worked as an independent publisher.

The picture books of Michael Neugebauer are published with the highest aesthetic standards. With Australian Robert Ingpen, Květa Pacovská from the Czech Republic and the Austrian Lisbeth Zwerger there are now three Hans Christian Andersen Medals in the program. This internationally prestigious award is given for life time achievement in the area of literature for children and youth.

Making books is not only his profession but also his passion and so doesn’t leave Michael Neugebauer much private time. Nevertheless he finds time for projects that are important to him. One such project is the Chinese artisan group China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe, which he looks after when they are on tour in Europe. All the performers in this group are in some way physically challenged but their performances on stage are of the highest or even miraculous standard. It is important to him that people are not limited, even when they are “different” and that they have a platform to present their abilities.

It is not only human beings in difficult situations that move him. His close friendship with the world renowned primate researcher, Jane Goodall has spanned many years. They have worked together on numerous projects focusing primarily on protecting the species, the rescue of chimpanzees, and environmental protection. He is enthusiastic about her philosophy and to be able to help improve a little bit of the world is a matter of concern for him. He has built up over the last twenty years a large photo archive of Jane Goodall and the chimpanzees.