Oneiroi: a publishing house specializing in imaginary literature

It is a very young publishing house.

“Oneiroi”, to pronounce “Oniri”, was born a year ago according to an original idea by Camille Ragot, editor from Guingamp, passionate about Greco-Roman mythology.

Oneiroi, in fact, is not a word chosen at random but a name given by the ancient Greeks to the gods of dreams.

This is how each of the books published in its catalog offers the reader a journey of the mind.

Specializing in steampunk literature, fantasy thrillers and fantasy, her ambition is to combine reflection on the world with the marvelous.

Camille Ragot, founder of the house, tells us about her literary project.

LE FIGARO.

- What is "Oneiroi"?

Camille RAGOT.

-

This is a publishing house that I created a year ago and whose first book was published in September 2019. It is unique in France because it is the first specialized French publishing house in steampunk novels and short stories.

What is it about?

Steampunk, literally steam "steam" and "marginal" punk, refers to the history of the 19th century.

The authors and illustrators who are part of it imagine an alternative past but also the future, from the point of view of an individual of this same time.

We speak of “retrofuturism”.

Writers like Jules Verne inspired this genre which relates to uchronia.

Steampunk stories are also characteristic of being engaged.

It is a literature that gives voice to those left behind.

Like science fiction, it offers a critique of society and its dysfunctions, taking as a backdrop the story of the first industrial revolution.

It is a pivotal time;

man passes from the countryside to the city, from the status of peasant to that of worker.

Is this why the text is so visual?

Yes.

This publishing house is also special in that it offers an immersive experience to readers.

Visuals, like cabinets of curiosities, plunge them directly into the atmosphere of the 19th century.

So, even before reading a book, they swim through illustration or sets, costumes, etc., in the world of steampunk.

Today, in France, the novelists who can be included in this current are not yet very numerous.

Let us quote: Mathieu Gaborit, Victor Fleury, Emmanuel Chastellière, Johan Heliot…

You have launched a crowdfunding campaign.

Why?

2020 has been a dramatic year for literary and pop-culture events.

It was not possible to meet the public, so it was very difficult for my publishing house to make itself known.

In addition, the book in preparation will have a fairly luxurious workmanship.

The cover will be cardboard with imitation leather on the back and hot stamping.

With this campaign, I hope to raise 5,700 euros.

This would allow me to partially finance the creation of our 5th book:

Chronoportation of Ostramus, illustrated by Gwendal Lemercier.

Oneiroi - Ostramus