New Publisher for Local Stories

Two North Somerset men are part of a new publishing venture that aims to tell the stories of the people, places and events of the area and the city of Bristol.

Bristol Books, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company based in Long Ashton has been formed by four professionals with a passion for the area.

Clive Burlton, author, broadcaster and social historian, who lives in Congresbury and Martin Powell, journalist and public relations specialist who lives in Backwell have formed the business with Bristol-based publisher Richard Jones and book designer Joe Burt.

Said Clive Burlton: "There is a huge appetite for stories about Bristol and the surrounding area. This has been the home of some fascinating characters and the venue for some amazing events in history.

"Bristol Books plans to uncover the untold stories of Bristol and surrounding area and we believe the stories we will publish will gain interest alol over the country. We have put together a skilled and experienced team and we will have our first two books published in time for the Christmas market."

As well as traditional books the company plans to have electronic versions of its publications available for download for E-readers such as Kindle.

Said Clive Burlton: "We are commissioning books on subjects that we believe people want to read. The team all have their own successful businesses but have joined forces for this venture. We will be working with authors to enable them to get books published that perhaps in the past were not economically viable so that those stories are captured for future generations.

"There are so many fascinating facets to Bristol that unless they are chronicled, recorded and captured there is a danger that the stories will be lost. One of the main drivers behind the business is to create a legacy of stories for future generations."

Bristol Books will be looking at recent events and people in the city's immediate past as well as stories with historical significance. The business is using the "B" from the "Bristol scroll" as its logo.

The scroll, first introduced to the city 100 years ago and familiar to older Bristolians as it was used on the side of Bristol buses will live on in a new business for the 21st century.