SYP South West: 5 Key Takeaways from Decentralising the UK Publishing Industry

Posted on April 15, 2024 in South West

The MA publishing students in Exeter recently had a wonderful launch event for their publication, Literary Networks in the Southwest. This day-long event was packed with a good measure of entertainment and thought-provoking panels, ranging from tutorials on knitting landscapes of the Southwest, to how to support marginalised voices in publishing. Our co-chair Sophie Dickinson featured on the panel ‘Decentralising the UK Publishing Industry’, a discussion that was insightful, hopeful and honest in its unpacking of the challenges and opportunities facing literary networks based outside of London. Alongside Sophie on the panel was Anna Cohen Orchard – Executive Director of UNESCO Exeter City of Literature (who chaired the discussion), Billy Kahora – Quay Words writer-in-residence 2024 and lecturer in creative writing at the University of Bristol, and Ray Chubb – co-founder of non-profit Cornish language publisher Spyrys a Gernow. Here are our five key takeaways from this lively discussion on decentralising publishing in the UK:

1. Harness the power of technology to broaden opportunities:

Being able to use technology to your advantage is essential in decentralising the UK publishing industry. When asked how to tackle the main challenges faced by publishers and writers based outside of London, the panellists’ answers had a similar theme – that being the opportunities provided by technology. Ray Chubb claimed that the main challenge facing publishers based outside of London is that they are lacking the digital skillset that is rapidly being required by the industry. Being outside of industry practice and trends in technology (and lacking in the ability to invest in the latest software) leads to publishers outside of London falling behind. It was, however, suggested that this can be tackled by creating digital networks, which provide opportunities to share knowledge, work collaboratively, and combat the isolation faced by publishers working outside of London. Opportunities for networking and mentorship are no longer bound to physical meetings, and increasing remote working opportunities allow for those living outside of London to still pursue careers in the industry.

The opportunities presented by digital platforms, particularly social media, can be harnessed to create stronger networks between London and the Southwest, but also amongst those in the Southwest looking to boost the literary community within their area.

2. The need to create community:

The power of community to create change cannot be underestimated and is key to growing publishing opportunities outside of London. Billy Kahora highlighted that Bristol’s literary scene has been strengthened significantly by creating links between both the events occurring in the city, and those who are living in it. By creating a Whatsapp group that keeps people up to date on literary events occurring in the city, Bristol has raised awareness of its literary community, and by creating collaborations between literary events and businesses, Bristol has managed to create more opportunities for their literary landscape to grow.

3. Keep it local!

The third key takeaway from this event was the need to invest in local businesses. Our co-chair, Sophie Dickinson, suggested that by using institutions and networks that are already tapped into communities (such as universities) we can create more opportunities that spiral into creating a bigger and better literary network outside of London. It was also stressed by Billy Kahora that researching your area, and as a writer, by being inspired by your local area is a powerful tool in bringing awareness to the opportunities your local area provides. This was also reflected in Ray Chubb’s determination to keep his business local, ensuring that all Spyrys a Gernow’s printing is sourced in the Southwest. By investing in local businesses, literary production in the Southwest grows, which helps to create a sustainable future for literary networks based outside of London. Having institutions recognise the publishing scene outside of London and encouraging their local community to become involved in it, creates self-sustaining literary networks.

4. Financial incentives:

As expected, the biggest challenge facing literary networks outside of London are the financial strains. Anna Cohen Orchard, chair of the panel, argues that government funding is a powerful tool in strengthening these networks, as it gives publishers, writers, and other literary movements the boost that they need to reach wider audiences, invest in their futures, and catch up with rapid industry developments.

Billy Kahora also highlighted the financial incentives of investing in the Southwest literary scene for publishers based in London. By not seeking opportunities to publish in the Southwest, publishers miss out on the opportunities and new markets offered by voices who are currently underrepresented.

Thus, greater investment by external forces could offer great opportunities for the Southwest to expand and strengthen our current literary network.

5. Who does onus fall on?

Underpinning this entire discussion, however, is the question of who the onus of decentralising the publishing industry falls on, as highlighted by Sophie Dickinson. Why should the Southwest have to incentivise publishers in London to seek opportunities and recognize the literary talent we provide? Should the responsibility to nourish the literary scene of the entire country not fall on the much better funded publishers based in London? Although this panel was fascinating and raised many excellent ways to improve the literary community in the Southwest, it also reflected that so much of decentralising the industry is dependent on regions outside of London proving that they are worth investing in, rather than investment creating opportunities.  Perhaps there needs to be more effort from publishers and agencies based in London to actively encourage the industry to diversify become accessible to people across the country.

The publishing industry will benefit greatly by investing more in talent outside of London. That is not to say that there is not already a flourishing industry that exists outside of London but highlights that a disconnect exists – one that prevents the industry from growing, diversifying, and improving to make a greater impact. Though the industry has a lot of work to do to increase diversity and recognise the breadth of opportunity for success outside of London, what this panel demonstrated is the need for the Southwest to make the wider industry recognise the talent, opportunities, and interest in growing literary communities outside of London, which will improve the industry as a whole.

Thank you to MA Publishing students at the University of Exeter for an excellent event!