Why Honno? Just Asking the Question. @Honno #authors
"Great Women, Great Writing, Great Stories."
Honno is my kind of publisher; small, independent, and led by strong women who know what kind of books they want to publish and don’t accept anything but the best that an author can produce. So the editing is hard, but fair, and leads to many discussions – and a few compromises on both sides.
Because it is known to be a Welsh press it is sometimes assumed that all its authors will be Welsh as well. So, often, when I’ve appeared at events, people are surprised to hear my broad Northern English accent. The supposition is false; Honno’s aim as an inspiring, feminist, Welsh press is to provide opportunities for women writers. The only proviso is that they are either Welsh, are living in Wales or have a connection to the country – which actually covers a great many writers. I love their strapline -. “Great Women, Great Writing, Great Stories.” So it always gives me a thrill when the manuscript I’ve been toiling over for months (or years!) is accepted by them.
I've had experience of having an agent, of being asked to conform to the commercial market; to fit in. And it wasn't for me. As a creative writing tutor, I've spent the last couple of decades encouraging students to "write in their own voices". So when the agent told me I needed to conform if I wanted to be published by one of the big publishing companies, I knew it wasn't for me. This, after she'd placed me with a commercial editor who, not only wanted me to write in a different way, but also wanted me to write in a different genre."The talent and skill as a writer is there but you need to be open to change.", was the advice.
I took it; I changed from being a client with an agent ( who had, after all, accepted me on the strength of my first book) to seeking other outlets for my work.
I was lucky, I found https://www.honno.co.uk/
Honno’s mission is to publish Welsh women writers – for the purposes of submission to Honno this means that you must be a woman born in Wales or resident in Wales at the time of submission. Honno also publishes titles of exceptional interest to women within Wales from writers who may not meet the first two criteria i.e. that they are female and that they are of Welsh birth or residence
The Memory
Honno is my kind of publisher; small, independent, and led by strong women who know what kind of books they want to publish and don’t accept anything but the best that an author can produce. So the editing is hard, but fair, and leads to many discussions – and a few compromises on both sides.
Because it is known to be a Welsh press it is sometimes assumed that all its authors will be Welsh as well. So, often, when I’ve appeared at events, people are surprised to hear my broad Northern English accent. The supposition is false; Honno’s aim as an inspiring, feminist, Welsh press is to provide opportunities for women writers. The only proviso is that they are either Welsh, are living in Wales or have a connection to the country – which actually covers a great many writers. I love their strapline -. “Great Women, Great Writing, Great Stories.” So it always gives me a thrill when the manuscript I’ve been toiling over for months (or years!) is accepted by them.
I've had experience of having an agent, of being asked to conform to the commercial market; to fit in. And it wasn't for me. As a creative writing tutor, I've spent the last couple of decades encouraging students to "write in their own voices". So when the agent told me I needed to conform if I wanted to be published by one of the big publishing companies, I knew it wasn't for me. This, after she'd placed me with a commercial editor who, not only wanted me to write in a different way, but also wanted me to write in a different genre."The talent and skill as a writer is there but you need to be open to change.", was the advice.
I took it; I changed from being a client with an agent ( who had, after all, accepted me on the strength of my first book) to seeking other outlets for my work.
I was lucky, I found https://www.honno.co.uk/
Honno’s mission is to publish Welsh women writers – for the purposes of submission to Honno this means that you must be a woman born in Wales or resident in Wales at the time of submission. Honno also publishes titles of exceptional interest to women within Wales from writers who may not meet the first two criteria i.e. that they are female and that they are of Welsh birth or residence
The Memory
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