Publishers from across Wales are joining forces to represent the sector under a new umbrella organisation, Cyhoeddi Cymru Publishing Wales (CCPW).
Having recognised the absence of a single identity and voice for Wales’ publishing sector, a group of publishers from across Wales have come together to establish Cyhoeddi Cymru Publishing Wales (CCPW). CCPW has been set up with the aims to unify, represent and promote publishers in Wales, and to develop Wales’ publishing sector into an international powerhouse. It will also be a platform to showcase its talented writers and illustrators and its innovative publishing across all genres.
‘As publishers, our voices are important, but from Wales they have often felt much too quiet,’ said Kathryn Tann, Reading Engagement Editor at Parthian. ‘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.’
Founded by a core group of publishers (University of Wales Press, Graffeg, Welsh Academic Press, Atebol, Crown House, Y Lolfa, Firefly Press, Honno and Parthian), CCPW is now consulting widely with other Wales-based publishers on aims and plans for the future. Speaking about Cyhoeddi Cymru Publishing Wales, Natalie Williams of 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’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.’ Membership will be open to eligible publishers headquartered in Wales and there will be associate membership for affiliated organisations.
Cyhoeddi Cymru Publishing Wales will work bilingually, representing Welsh-language and English-language publishing and creating a recognised, authoritative voice for Welsh publishing. ‘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,’ explained Penny Thomas, Publisher at Firefly Press. ‘I’m delighted that CCPW will be able to promote the outstanding work of Wales’ independent, creative and innovative publishers.’
Cyhoeddi Cymru Publishing Wales is supported by the Books Council of Wales. To find out more about the organisation, visit their website.
