Post by Marta Sobczak and Fahima Chowdhury

We would like to dedicate and share on this month pages of Write Westminster Blog the subject we have all been introduced to on the recent speaker event lead by Neil Griffiths – a writer and founder of the Republic of Consciousness prize for Small Press.

We all realise these days how much struggle a writer must go through to get published. Big houses must meet their needs of big names, and big money, therefore their interest in helping rising authors, or those with innovative, creative ideas deviating from the generally accepted standard, is rather very small.

But don’t be mistaken, for there is a hope and we all can benefit from the alternative solutions given by Independent press.

We would like to encourage all of you to reach out into the wonderful world of publishers, who will do their best to support and give you a platform to be heard. The Small Press rely on people like you via subscriptions and donations, therefore any contributions are highly appreciated.

Fitzcorraldo is an independent publisher specialising in contemporary fiction and long-form essays. It was founded in 2014 and its main focus is on ambitious, imaginative and innovative writing.

Galley Beggar commits to publishing daring, innovative fiction and narrative non-fiction.

Influx Press publishes books obsessed with places. Funded by a couple of old school friends from Kent in 2011.

Republic of Consciousness  promotes and celebrates small presses in the UK and Ireland, founded by Neil Griffiths.

Marta Sobczak Fahima Chowdhury,  16 November 2018