In a city that prizes creativity and independence, it’s hardly surprising that indie publishers thrive in Bristol. Newcomers have joined stalwarts like the Redcliffe Press, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Helen Hart set up SilverWood Books in 2007. Her team provides self-funding authors with professional publishing services, trade book distribution, and on-going support. “Advances in technology are at the heart of our business,” Helen says. “Rather than investing in large print runs, Print On Demand (POD) means authors can test the market.” This frees up funds for high quality editing, proofreading and cover design, all of which make a book more saleable. 
Many local authors publish their own work, often with mutual support through the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). ALLi members help each other produce and sell books to a high standard. The group also has approved suppliers like SilverWood.
Debbie Young of ALLI echoes Helen Hart’s views on POD, adding, “the advent of the ereader has made it possible to reach readers worldwide, at a low cost to them.”
ALLi member David Penny agrees. “Arrogance and impatience” drove him to publish his Moorish detective mysteries himself. He didn’t want to wait two years to go through the traditional publishing process. “I published the first of the Thomas Berrington series in May 2014,” he says. Sales were slow at first, but, “Now, with three books in the series, I am on track to sell 12,000 books this year and earn over £20,000 from my writing.”
Empowerment coach Ann Hobbs published Kick Ass Your Life independently to give herself flexibility. She doesn’t just sell the book, but uses it as a tool in her workshops. “I wanted to help others,” she says. “I had one of those moments in the middle of the night. I just knew I’d regret it if I died tomorrow without sharing my tried and tested techniques for a fulfilling life.”
Ann Hobbs and David Penny use professional editors, proof readers and cover designers, with each book costing around £1,000 to produce. Children’s writer Suzanna Stanbury, however, pays virtually nothing. Her creative friends supply editing and cover design, and she lists her books on Amazon and Lulu for free.
All agree that Bristol is a creative and vibrant city. Brislington-based Suzanna says, “The place where you live peppers your stories with life experience. I also write for adults and Bristol, being a spicy city, is great for creating well-seasoned stories.”
Writers are getting more inventive in reaching out to readers too. ALLi’s Debbie Young took time from writing short stories and cozy mystery novels to set up the Hawkesbury Upton Literary Festival near Bristol. She says, “The festival is free of charge. I saw an opportunity for the general public to enjoy literary events that didn’t focus on famous names at big prices.” 
Meanwhile, the Redcliffe Press has carved out a profitable niche, publishing 250 books about Bristol alone in addition to the rest of their list. To founder John Sansom’s excitement, they’re now planning to expand their local history publishing programme in tandem with UWE.
John’s also developing sister company Sansom & Co, which publishes books on modern British and Contemporary art.
So what next? The Bristol Literary Festival takes place in October, and both Suzanna Stanbury and Helen Hart have events planned. “SilverWood is hosting a range of panel events and writing workshops,” Helen says. Are you tempted?
AA Abbott, pictured above, is an independently published thriller writer, whose fourth novel, The Vodka Trail, was launched in July.
Links:
AA Abbott http://aaabbott.co.uk/
Redcliffe Press http://redcliffepress.co.uk/
SilverWood Books www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk
The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/
Debbie Young https://authordebbieyoung.com/
David Penny http://www.david-penny.com/
Ann Hobbs www.annhobbs.co.uk
Suzanna Stanbury http://snubtry.weebly.com/
