For writers, 6 min read
What we look for in a first page
An editor on the first three hundred words: why they matter so much, and what makes us turn to page two.
29 October 2026
Journal
Notes from the house
Essays on editing, translation and the trade, news from the shop and the occasional confession from the production desk.
Read
Latest essays
Translation, 7 min read
On translating poems from Hausa
A translator on rhythm, proverbs and the words that refuse to travel, from our side by side poetry editions.
14 October 2026
News
In brief
- Rights news. Small Gods of Ungwan Rimi sold into French and Portuguese (example).
- Shop. New opening hours on Saturdays: 9am to 7pm in December.
- Prize. A record 640 entries for the last First Novel Prize (example).
- Printing. We have moved to paper from a certified sustainable mill.
The reading list
Once a month: new books, an essay from the journal, events at the shop and when the prize opens. No more than that.
You are on the reading list
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