MA Publishing
University of Exeter
This Masters programme at the University of Exeter allows students to join a growing hub for the publishing industry and literary community in the South West, as Exeter develops as an UNESCO City of Literature.
Each year the cohort create a publication which since 2023, Exeter City of Literature have been able to contribute to through interviews and connecting students to other Cities of Literature.
2024 Project - UNESCO Cities of Literature
The 2024-2025 MA Publishing cohort will be creating a publication about the 53 cities within the Cities of Literature network, covering everything from Indigenous literary histories, UNESCO writing residencies, and myths & folklore. Watch this space for more news regarding the publication and our involvement in this exciting project!
2023 Project - Publishing and Literary Networks in the South West
“We hope that by sharing the series of pieces that make up this publication, connections and interventions can be sparked for readers that contribute to and continue this work”
Publishing and Literary Networks in the South West is a publication created by the 2023-2024 MA Publishing cohort at the University of Exeter. Publishing and Literary Networks in the South West presents a collection of essays, interviews and reviews written for book lovers, writers, researchers and publishers alike. This critically engaged celebration of the South West’s bookish creativity puts the region on the publishing map.
‘THAT’S WHAT BOOKS ARE MEANT TO BE: FUN AND JOYFUL!’ Sophie Blauth
Executive Director of Exeter City of Literature Anna Cohn Orchard was interviewed in the 2023 publication about Exeter’s designation as a City of Literature, collaborations with our global Cities of Literature network, and the literary scene of the South West.
“Knowing that publishing needs to exist beyond London, the cities in the North have kind of coalesced the sector around that. Down here, we are lucky enough to have Hachette in Bristol now, and through the University of Exeter and other organisations we have connections, but it is up to the South West what gap they want to fill.
Maybe it is not independent publishing, because the North does that really well. Maybe it is some kind of independent bookstore organisation or centre for storytelling; other things that the South West can offer with all of its talent and passion for reading.”
Anna Cohn Orchard
Launch Event
Publishing and Literary Networks in the South West was officially launched at a celebration event at Exeter Library on Saturday 23rd March 2024.
Decentralising the UK Publishing Industry was a panel at the event, chaired by Exeter City of Literature Executive Director Anna Cohn Orchard, which delved into the crucial topic of decentralisation in the UK publishing industry and creating opportunities for publishers outside of London, focusing on the expansion of publishing in the South West. Panellists from publishing and academia included Sophie Dickinson, Billy Kahora, and Ray Chubb.
