About Seren

Seren is Wales’ leading independent literary publisher, specialising in English-language writing from Wales. With a list spanning poetry, fiction and non-fiction, many of our books are shortlisted for - and win - major literary prizes across the UK and America.

Our aim is not simply to reflect what is going on in the culture in which we publish, but to drive that culture forward, to engage with the world, and to bring Welsh literature, art and politics before a wider audience.

At the heart of our list is a good story told well or an idea or history presented interestingly or provocatively. We’re international in authorship and readership, though our roots remain here in Wales, where we prove that writers from a small country with an intricate culture have a worldwide relevance.

Since its beginnings in 1981, Seren has developed into one of the most interesting publishing houses in Britain. Based in Bridgend, Seren continues to nurture and publish new talent whose quality is recognised around the world.

The Team

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Natalia Elliot

Admin & Marketing Officer for Seren

Natalia joined the team in 2022. She holds a Masters in English Literature from Aberystwyth University, with focus on surveillance criticism. She can often be found on a hike or in a tent, with a good cup of coffee in her hand, and usually accompanied by a crime fiction book.

Frances is a white woman with short dark hair and glasses. She is standing in a white brick archway and is wearing a long line blue shirt.

Frances Turpin

Admin & Marketing Officer for Poetry Wales

Frances joined Poetry Wales in 2022. After growing up in Greater Manchester, she studied English and Drama at the University of Hull before moving to Cardiff after graduating. In her spare time Frances writes, reads, spends time with her cat and dog, and is an activist and advocate for the chronic illness community.

Zoe Brigley is a white woman with mid-length blonde hair. She is wearing a dark velvet dress and is sitting in front of a blue studio wall.

Zoë Brigley

Poetry Editor

Zoë Brigley is an award-winning poet with three PBS recommended poetry collections: The Secret, Conquest, and Hand & Skull (all from Bloodaxe) as well as several pamphlets and a non-fiction book of essays Notes from a Swing State (Parthian). In 2021 she co-edited 100 Poems to Save the Earth (Seren) with Kristian Evans. She is Assistant Professor in English at the Ohio State University and editor of Poetry Wales magazine. She shares the role of Poetry Editor with Rhian Edwards.

Rhian Edwards

Poetry Editor

Rhian Edwards is a multi-award winning poet and a winner of the John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry. Her first collection Clueless Dogs (Seren) won Wales Book of the Year 2013 and was also shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection 2012. Her second collection The Estate Agent’s Daughter (Seren) was published in 2020. She shares the role of Poetry Editor with Zoë Brigley.

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Sarah Johnson

Deputy Publisher

Sarah joined Seren in 2019. She studied English Language with Creative Writing at Bangor University and has published stories in several independent anthologies. She juggles many hobbies in her spare time including playing in brass bands and crochet. For all marketing and publicity enquiries please contact sarahjohnson@serenbooks.com.

Jamie Hill

Design Assistant

Jamie is Seren’s resident design man and has been with the company since 2014. Jamie has a degree in Fine Art from Cardiff Metropolitan University and can be found on his skateboard in his spare time.

Simon Hicks

Sales and Marketing Manager

Simon Hicks has been at Seren since 1994, working in sales, marketing, design and production. He was previously a copywriter and features editor. He likes reading, music, art, food and sitting in the garden. You'll always find him with a smile on his face. For sales enquiries email simonhicks@serenbooks.com

Mick Felton

Publisher

Mick Felton has over thirty years experience in publishing and the book trade and has been representing, managing and editing at Seren for many of them. He is a former Trustee of the Poetry Society and has a longstanding interest and involvement in environmental issues.