Sissy Anarchy
P Eldridge
P Eldridge is a writer, editor, and founder of the radical trans anarchist zine SISSY ANARCHY. P Eldridge is the managing editor of Worms and co-founder of The Compost Library. SISSY ANARCHY explores trans queer anarchism and advocates against discrimination worldwide.
‘Writing Like a Sissy’
In this talk, P. Eldridge will explore the topics of trans writing, anarchism, love, somatic writing practices and trans publishing.
Good Press
Jessica Higgins & Matthew Walkerdine
Jessica Higgins and Matthew Walkerdine are the founders of Good Press, a workers cooperative dedicated to the promotion, distribution and production of independent or self-published printed matter which has existed in Glasgow since 2011.
‘Why Open-Submission?’
Good Press has operated an open submission policy since its formation in 2011. In this talk, Jessica and Matthew will cover the importance of this policy, the breadth of diversity it brings to the bookshop, and how it supports publishing practices internationally.
BOOKS Peckham
Peter Willis
Peter Willis runs BOOKS, a second-hand book and zine shop based in Peckham, South London. From vintage Penguin titles and niche travel books to zines both local and international, BOOKS carries a huge variety of publications and champions print in all its guises.
‘it was easy, it was cheap – go and do it!’
In this talk, Peter Willis will expand on the topics of affordability and self-publishing.
Chutney Magazine
Osman Bari
Osman Bari is a Pakistani-Canadian graphic designer and occasional writer based in London. He edits and designs Chutney, an independent magazine launched in 2019 to share stories from Global Majority voices about cultural identity. He is also a designer at MagCulture.
‘A Taste of Chutney’
In this talk, Osman Bari will cover topics including (irregular) self-publishing, working alone, editing and designing, magazine-making and cultural identity.
Lithemba Velleman
Nataal Media
Lithemba Velleman is a contributing fashion editor for Nataal Media, a magazine focusing on contemporary African fashion, culture, music, and art. Alongside eight years of experience covering all major fashion weeks, Velleman has served as a senior legal counsel for Aldermore Bank.
‘The Windy, Unorthodox Road to Success’
In this talk, Lithemba Velleman will explore the windy, unorthodox path to success, using his dual expertise in fashion and finance law. He delves into the idea that, sometimes, the key to success lies in embracing unconventional routes rather than following traditional paths.
Sticky Fingers/SICK Magazine
Sophie Paul & Kaiya Waerea
Sticky Fingers Publishing is an ‘intra-dependent’ press based in Southeast London, run by Kaiya Waerea and Sophie Paul. They are a feminist, queer, disabled-led publisher producing experimental non-fiction at the intersection of academia, visual culture, art, design and performance.
‘On Intradependence’
In this talk, Kaiya Waerea and Sophie Paul will delve into the concept of ‘intra-dependence’ within their practice, exploring its implications. They will discuss various projects aimed at dismantling the hierarchies of knowledge using feminist, crip, and queer methodologies.
Irene Vasquez
Irene Vasquez
Irene Vázquez is a queer Black Mexican American poet working out of Manhattan. Currently working at Levine Querido, they have been nominated for Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize. Their debut chapbook Take Me to the Water was released by Bloof Books in 2022.
‘Translation, Solidarity and Social Justice’
In this talk, Irene Vázquez will explore the role of translation as a tool for solidarity, highlighting its significance in fostering connections across cultures. Irene will also discuss broader concepts of solidarity within the publishing industry, particularly in support of social justice movements.
Jen Calleja
Jen Calleja
Jen Calleja is an author, literary translator and publisher based in Hastings. Shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2019, their books include Vehicle: a verse novel and Dust Sucker. Alongside Kat Storace, Jen co-founded Praspar Press, which publishes Maltese literature in English translation.
‘The Small Press: An Author-Publisher Perspective’
In this talk, Jen Calleja will explore the unique strengths of small presses in opening up publishing to writers traditionally excluded from the industry. They will draw upon their experiences as a working-class author, a German-language translator and a co-founder of a small press.