Creating a centre of publishing excellence

15 May 2024

UCLan publishing and Bluemoose Books are creating a Centre of Publishing Excellence at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

Award winning UCLan publishing is launching its adult fiction list in June 2024 and in collaboration with Bluemoose Books they will be developing a central publishing hub which will be home to designers, illustrators, typesetters, publishers, artists, writers, editors, sales and marketing professionals.

The vision is to create a cluster of creative publishing excellence promoting publishing regionally, nationally, and internationally becoming a beacon for those who wish to start their careers in publishing.

Bluemoose Books has a history of publishing award winning writers whose novels have become TV series. The centre will be working with TV and Film professionals to replicate this success, bringing millions into the regional and national economy.

"This is a great opportunity to build upon a thriving creative sector in the North. There is so much talent here, and to have an accessible hub for creatives to meet, work and share ideas will only enhance the Northern publishing scene."

Hazel Holmes who runs the University’s award-winning Publishing House

Access to publishing has always been an issue within the industry and the centre of excellence will attract creative people who wish to start their careers in publishing without having to live or travel to London.

Hazel Holmes, who runs the University’s award-winning Publishing House, said: "This is a great opportunity to build upon a thriving creative sector in the North. There is so much talent here, and to have an accessible hub for creatives to meet, work and share ideas will only enhance the Northern publishing scene."

Bluemoose Books is a multi-award winning publisher based in Hebden Bridge.

UCLan Publishing is an award winning independent publisher based at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston. They are unique in their innovative approach to publishing, combining the best in publishing education with exciting live projects.

Photo caption: Garden of Her Heart by Zoë Richards launches UCLan’s Adult Fiction Imprint.