Books / Bristol Publishing
Bristol publishers out in force for regional showcase
The thriving Bristol publishing scene will be very much in evidence at a forthcoming gathering of south west based independent publishers.
Co-founder of the inaugural Small Publishers’ Gathering, Sad Press publisher Samantha Walton, says: “I think the publishing scene in Bristol is really lively and dynamic, and many Bristol publishers are represented at the event.”
She adds: “We’re hoping the event will help publishers in the south west to build stronger networks, acting like the formidable Bristol Artist’s Book Event for publishers specialising in fiction, poetry and non-fiction, and their readers.”
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Kate Macdonald, publisher at Bath-based Handheld Books, who has set up the event with Samantha, says: “Independent publishing is beginning to break free of London’s gravitational pull, with new groupings of publishers established in the north, and Scotland, and Wales. It’s time that publishers in the South West had their own event.”
The event will open to the public from midday until 4pm, after a closed trade session from 10 am until midday. Publishers from across the region including those based in South Wales, Cornwall and Devon have been invited to participate.
On the publishing scene in Bristol, Samantha continues: “There’s a strong DIY ethos here, with small presses, collaborative projects like No Bindings, and zines making sure local and grassroots writing is thriving. Poetry is particularly well represented, with Burning Eye, Shearsman, Moot Press, Hesterglock Press, and my own Sad Press catering to a variety of tastes and audiences.
She adds: “Bristol University Press and Tangent Books both do great work bringing radical, global and local histories to academic and general readers, and the science fiction and fantasy community is really strong thanks to the annual BristolCon and the efforts of Wizard’s Tower Press.”
The inaugural Bath & Bristol Small Publishers’ Gathering is taking place at The Friends’ Meeting House on York Street in Bath on November 3 from 10am until 4pm, For more information, visit https://bathbristolsmallpublishers.wordpress.com
Photo: Samantha Walton and Kate Macdonald, co-founders of the Small Publishers’ Gathering
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