MA Publishing
University of Exeter
This Masters programme at the University of Exeter allows students to join a growing hub for the publishing industry and literary community in the South West, as Exeter develops as an UNESCO City of Literature.
Each year the cohort create a publication which since 2023, Exeter City of Literature have been able to contribute to through interviews and connecting students to other Cities of Literature.
2024 Project - UNESCO Cities of Literature
“For anyone who has ever wondered what the UNESCO City of Literature designation means, in all its marvellous diversity, this beautifully-produced book is your answer.”
Christopher Morash (Seamus Heaney Professor or Irish Writing, UCD)
Inspired by Exeter’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature, this collection spotlights the different ways the network – which comprises fifty-three cities in thirty-nine countries – sustains authors and readers, and stimulates global publishing industries.
UNESCO Cities of Literature explores the literary landscape connected to the Creative Cities Network. Alongside articles, interviews and reviews written by the 2024/25 MA Publishing cohort at the University of Exeter, the collection features four pieces of short fiction, specially commissioned by Davina Quinlivan, by authors connected to four UNESCO Cities of Literature – Edinburgh, Exeter, Lviv and Granada. The publication focuses on concepts of ‘heritage’, ‘survival’, ‘connection’, and ‘community’, blending stories from across the globe to answer pressing debates on translation, global conflicts, and the intersections that emerge from collaborative communities, among much more.
Despite this global reach, the publication maintains a strong connection to Exeter as a City of Literature with a burgeoning literary community and rich literary and cultural history. Showcasing how literature shapes diverse communities and forges intercultural collaborations, UNESCO Cities of Literature examines what it means to cross cultural borders and share in a mutual love of words.
“In these essays, interviews, and narrative, you’ll expect a global conversation unfolding, proof that storytelling knows no borders and that the written word remains one of humanity’s most enduring acts of survival and hope” - Anna Cohn Orchard (Executive Director, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature)
Launch Events
The online launch was held on Wednesday 19th March 2025 over Zoom and included discussions on the future of Cities of Literature, what the UNESCO designation means for writers in each city, and the growing opportunities for students in these cities to connect with their local and global publishing industries.
Alongside staff and students from University of Exeter were:
Adam Watt, Board Deputy Chair, Exeter City of Literature
Lilas YUAN Shuang, Nanjing UNESCO City of Literature
Mia Nie, Creative Producer of Express Media and freelance artist
Natalia Matolinets, Author and contributor to the publication
Olive Olusegun, 2024 Poetry Africa Slam Champion
The physical launch event was organised by the MA Publishing students, and held at the Exeter Phoenix on Tuesday 25th March 2025.
The launch was held in collaboration with Bookbag, Exeter’s independent bookshop, who had a stall selling the publication alongside other key texts that engage with concepts of ‘place’ and the UNESCO City of Literature network.
The launch was a great success with a panel composed of students that worked on the publication, as well as writing curator Davina Quinlivan, writer Devika Ponnambalam, University of Exeter academic Huge Roberts, and Exeter City of Literature’s Liv Hooper and Jordan Thomas.
2023 Project - Publishing and Literary Networks in the South West
“We hope that by sharing the series of pieces that make up this publication, connections and interventions can be sparked for readers that contribute to and continue this work”
Publishing and Literary Networks in the South West is a publication created by the 2023-2024 MA Publishing cohort at the University of Exeter. Publishing and Literary Networks in the South West presents a collection of essays, interviews and reviews written for book lovers, writers, researchers and publishers alike. This critically engaged celebration of the South West’s bookish creativity puts the region on the publishing map.
‘THAT’S WHAT BOOKS ARE MEANT TO BE: FUN AND JOYFUL!’ Sophie Blauth
Executive Director of Exeter City of Literature Anna Cohn Orchard was interviewed in the 2023 publication about Exeter’s designation as a City of Literature, collaborations with our global Cities of Literature network, and the literary scene of the South West.
“Knowing that publishing needs to exist beyond London, the cities in the North have kind of coalesced the sector around that. Down here, we are lucky enough to have Hachette in Bristol now, and through the University of Exeter and other organisations we have connections, but it is up to the South West what gap they want to fill.
Maybe it is not independent publishing, because the North does that really well. Maybe it is some kind of independent bookstore organisation or centre for storytelling; other things that the South West can offer with all of its talent and passion for reading.”
Anna Cohn Orchard
Launch Event
Publishing and Literary Networks in the South West was officially launched at a celebration event at Exeter Library on Saturday 23rd March 2024.
Decentralising the UK Publishing Industry was a panel at the event, chaired by Exeter City of Literature Executive Director Anna Cohn Orchard, which delved into the crucial topic of decentralisation in the UK publishing industry and creating opportunities for publishers outside of London, focusing on the expansion of publishing in the South West. Panellists from publishing and academia included Sophie Dickinson, Billy Kahora, and Ray Chubb.
