Britain’s first authors’ co-operative launches

The first author-run publishing co-operative in Britain has launched with the publication of two titles. Gritstone Publishing, founded by four experienced outdoor writers and journalists, will specialise in...

The first author-run publishing co-operative in Britain has launched with the publication of two titles.

Gritstone Publishing, founded by four experienced outdoor writers and journalists, will specialise in non-fiction and fiction books relating to the landscape and the countryside.

Andrew Bibby, Colin Speakman, Chris Goddard and Chiz Dakin decided that, by establishing Gritstone as a fully mutual co-operative, they would be able to exercise more control over the way that their work is published.

Ms Dakin is an award-winning freelance photographer and writer who is also vice-chair of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild. Mr Goddard has built a considerable following with his hand-drawn guides to Yorkshire’s countryside.

“Gritstone is more than just a means of reaching the market more effectively,” said Mr Bibby. “Members of the co-operative are committed to supporting each other and taking a keen interest in each other’s work. Solidarity is an important part of this co-operative endeavour.”

Mr Bibby, a journalist and writer with strong links to the co-operative movement and a Co-operative News contributor, is the author of Gritstone’s first two titles, which were launched in November.

His previous non-fiction books include a profile of the Pennine moorlands, Backbone of England. His new titles represent a move from non-fiction into fiction. The Bad Step and In the Cold of the Night are crime novels set in the Lake District’s high fells.

Left-Right: Andrew Bibby, Chris Goddard, Colin Speakman and Chiz Dakin, co-founders of Gritstone Publishing
Left-Right: Andrew Bibby, Chris Goddard, Colin Speakman and Chiz Dakin, co-founders of Gritstone Publishing

Mr Speakman, the author of numerous books on the Yorkshire Dales, is turning his attention to the lesser-known Yorkshire Wolds for Gritstone’s third title, which will be published early in 2017.

“As authors we are aware of how quickly the British publishing and book-selling trade is changing,” he said. “Authors need to respond to these changes, and we foresee other authors also looking at co-operative options to strengthen their position in the market.”

Although Gritstone is the first wholly author-run publishing co-operative in Britain, the model is gaining traction in the United States where, in October, World Branch Publishing in Appalachia converted from a privately owned business to a writer-owned co-operative.

In Wales, Honno Press is an independent co-op run by women for Welsh female authors, while the Cambria Publishing Co-operative headquartered in Carmarthenshire is a multi-stakeholder family of authors and the publishing professionals who support them.

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