18th January, 2016

Seren stands against proposed 10.6% cut threat to Welsh books industry

The future of publishing in Wales and with it ‘a distinctive literature from Wales’ could be under threat if the Welsh Government agrees a proposed 10.6% cut to industry funding, and we at Seren stand with our fellow publishers, with authors and with the literary community of Wales in opposition to these cuts.
The unprecedented 10.6% cut (£374,000) to the Welsh Books Council is more than twice that of planned cuts to other cultural organisations such as the Arts Council of Wales. Coming after a decade of standstill funding, grants to Welsh publishing in English will have been cut by 21% – £158,050 – in the last three years if these latest plans go through.
Wales’ small but vibrant and diverse publishing industry produces everything from Costa prize-winning poetry titles to young adult novels, from books about sporting and music legends to Welsh history and art, from prize-winning literature: fiction, biography, travel and memoir, academic titles and Welsh classics, to richly illustrated titles and books for children, in English and Welsh.
Its independent publishing companies are spread across the country, providing skilled work for an estimated 1000 plus people, from authors to publishers, freelance editors, designers, illustrators, printers, booksellers and many others, often in areas of high unemployment.
Publishing is an essential part of a vibrant and dynamic Welsh culture within a diverse UK, which can cover all aspects of life from literacy to putting great Welsh writing on the world stage. Welsh Government support, via the Welsh Books Council, contributes towards a ‘level playing field’, allowing publishers like Seren to compete by publishing attractive, high-quality titles which have an important economic, educational and cultural impact.
To safeguard the future of Welsh publishing, please stand with us in opposition to the proposed cuts. Sign the petition online now.
You can join in with the conversation online by using the hashtag #WelshBooksMatter. Why not tweet directly to Ken Skates (@WG_CultureMin), Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, the name of a favourite title by Welsh publishers?