NPO Activity
Summary of Comma Press’s NPO Activity, 2018/19 to 2021/22
Comma's activity over the next four years will fall into the following three 'core' strands:1. Talent Development
2. Commissioning, Publishing & Public Events
1A. COURSES
Specialised short story courses (meeting monthly and lasting for six months) in six different locales, as well as special one-off 'fictionalising history' workshops, and one course a year entirely online. The intention is to vary the locations of the six physical courses as much as possible, whilst always hosting one in Manchester and Liverpool.
1B. THE NATIONAL CREATIVE WRITING INDUSTRY DAY
An annual day-long industry event for unsigned and emerging writers, offering one-to-one contact with industry figures (agents, publishers, etc.) and continuing advice and resources on how to make a living as a writer (previously known as the National Creative Writing Graduate Fair).
1C. PRIZES
Comma will also co-ordinate two annual prizes devised to find new talent in both short fiction and translation The Dinesh Allirajah Short Story Prize (in conjunction with the University of Central Lancashire) and the Manchester Translation Day Emerging Translator Award.
2A. SINGLE AUTHOR COLLECTIONS
The commissioning, editing and publication of two single-author collections a year, bringing together work developed over previous challenges, one-off commissions, and separately developed bodies of work. These will include established authors, authors in translation, and debuting authors (see also 2C).
2B. INTERDISCIPLINARY ANTHOLOGIES
The pairing of writers with expert consultants from other disciplines across two anthologies a year: one societal challenge-themed 'science-into-fiction' anthology, and one 'history-into-fiction'.
2C. TRANSLATION
The translation and publication of one international anthology every year, and one translated single-author collection every 2 years. Plus the coordination of an annual translation competition, in partnership with City, University of London.
2D. NORTHERN CITY ANTHOLOGIES & DIGITAL PLATFORMS
The commission and publication a Northern ‘Book of the City’ each year, featuring 10 stories set in that city, by at least two by writers developed through the courses. Plus the development of a new interactive digital platform to allow users to map their way through the literary landscapes of the North and add their own work.
2E. COMMA 360: Events & Digital Access
- To host, co-host or help organise approx. 75 public events a year featuring Comma authors and editors (including a minimum of 20 'Outreach Days' in libraries and FE colleges, as well as working in partnership with festivals, arts venues, bookshops, and universities across the UK).
3. SECTOR SUPPORT & ACCESS TO THE INDUSTRY
- A 3-month paid internship targeting graduates from BAME or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, in partnership with Northern universities.
- The expansion of the NFA to the Northern Publishing Alliance, to offer Publishing Seminars and an annual IP Forum.