University of Wales Press launches a new trade imprint, ‘Calon’, with the aim to publish books for general readers.
Calon will focus on nonfiction writing concerned with Welsh life and culture, and publisher Amy Feldman has already commissioned five launch titles that feature ‘fresh and engaging’ stories that are going to be published in the summer and autumn of 2022.
Among these freshly commissioned titles are Welsh Food Stories by food historian Carwyn Graves, which is to be published on 26th May and investigates the history of traditional Welsh food and the people who are still making it today.
The following release will be in September of 2022 with Return to My Trees by Matthew Yeomans. Return to My Trees maps a path through ancient and modern forests of Wales in order to explore how people can reconnect with nature.
Also to be released in September is Rock Legends at Rockfield, a revised edition of Jeff Collins’ 2007 book. Rock Legends at Rockfield tells the story of world famous recording studios in Monmouth, where records including Oasis’ “What’s the Story (Morning Glory)” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” were recorded.
Other titles to be published include a healing and bereavement memoir that weaves together art, landscape and indigo dying, entitled An Indigo Summer and written by Ellie Evelyn to be published in October of 2022, and This Day by Huw Rees and Sian Kilcoyne, a book that offers 366 inspirational stories about Welsh culture and history.
Speaking on the new imprint, Amy Feldman said: “Our name Calon reflects our goal to publish books with Wales at their heart, and to be at the heart of not just Welsh publishing, but publishing in general. Our ambition is that these books will help give Welsh writers and publishing the same prominence as those from, for example, Scotland and Ireland. While all Calon’s books have a uniquely Welsh flavour, the stories within them resonate regardless of whether you have an existing connection to or knowledge of the country – if you like music and art, food and nature (and much more) then Calon’s books are for you.”
Director of the University of Wales Press added: “We are very excited to be launching the Calon non-fiction imprint, especially in our centenary year. The press has a treasure trove of fascinating content built over 100 years, but Calon is our opportunity to reach new audiences and tell stories in a fresh and engaging way.”
