Wales’ publishers unite to represent sector

Published Fri 21 May 2021 - By Publishing Wales

Publishers in Wales are joining forces under a new umbrella organisation to represent the sector.

Cyhoeddi Cymru Publishing Wales (CCPW) will promote and develop publishing from Wales to the world, establishing a clear identity for the sector. It will also be a platform to showcase its talented writers and illustrators and its innovative publishing across all genres.The new organisation will work bilingually, representing Welsh language and English language publishing and creating a recognised, authoritative voice for Welsh publishing, with an international outlook.

CCPW was founded by a core group of publishers, The University of Wales Press, Graffeg, Welsh Academic Press, Atebol, Crown House, Y Lolfa, Firefly Press, Honno and Parthian, in recognition of the absence of a single voice for publishing from Wales. And it is now consulting widely with all Wales-based publishers on aims and plans for the future.

Membership will be open to eligible publishers headquartered in Wales and there will be associate membership for affiliated organisations.

CCPW has the backing of the Books Council of Wales. More details are available on its website: https://www.cyhoeddi.cymru/

Speaking about the new organisation, Natalie Williams of the University of Wales Press said:

‘This is just the start of our new organisation and the founding members are keen to extend a warm welcome to all Wales-based publishers to join us. We aim to bring publishers across Wales together to unify the sector, and to take a big step forward in boosting Wales’ publishing presence on the world stage. We’re very grateful to the many publishers who’ve given their time during lockdown to bring this to fruition, and we can’t wait to see what we, together and independently, can accomplish through the strength of Cyhoeddi Cymru/Publishing Wales over the coming years.’

Penny Thomas, Publisher at Firefly Press said:

‘There is an urgent need for a strong, publisher-led voice to speak for and represent publishing from across Wales at a UK and international level, and within the country itself. I’m delighted that CCPW will be able to promote the outstanding work of Wales’ independent, creative and innovative publishers.’

Kathryn Tann, Reading Engagement Editor at Parthian said:

‘As publishers, our voices are important, but from Wales they have often felt much too quiet. Collaboration can only be a good thing, strengthening those voices into something that can shout much more loudly about the brilliant books and authors we represent. A unified body – as Publishing Wales will be – is something I’m very much looking forward to, and I hope the move helps to spur on progress which, alone, we could only take so far.’