Celebrations of Independent Publishing at De Montfort University

By Finn Moore

Students from De Montfort University will use this weekend’s States of Independence event celebrating independent publishing of books, poems and other forms of publications, as a stepping stone into the creative writing industry.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students are holding talks and selling publications at the book fair in order to try and get themselves into the writing market.

Successful crime author John Harvey, known for his latest novel Body & Soul, is doing a talk about crime fiction and his work.

The event also features talks about dyslexic writing and book illustrations.

The event is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and has been very successful in the past.

Dr Simon Perril, programme leader of creative writing at DMU, has organised the event alongside Five Leaves bookshop in Nottingham.

Dr Perril said that: “This event is a splash of colour against grey corporate publishers”

The event will be held from 10.30am until 4.30pm at the Clephan Building on the DMU Campus and will be situated on the ground and first floor.

Organisers have described the event as ‘a free book festival in a day’ as the event costs nothing unless attendees want to purchase optional extras.

Books and other independent publications will be on display for purchase all day long, including work by students of the university.

For more information see the event’s full programme at www.statesofindependence.co.uk or their Facebook page named States of Independence.20190322_125654.jpg

Dr Simon Perril with a flyer of the event