Hebden to Hollywood - The Story of 'Bluemoose Books, a small but mighty literary hit factory.' The Guardian. Bluemoose Books started 20 years ago in Hebden Bridge when Hetha and Kevin re-mortgaged their house to find and publish stories the corporates thought too risky or not profitable enough. Their writers have won or been short listed for 31 literary prizes with two books adapted for BBC Television - The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers and Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession. Their books have been translated into 15 languages and are sold across the globe. It can also be read as a 'How to start a publishing company, the do's and don'ts and what not to do on the peanut and champagne trail in literary London.'Kevin won a national writing prize and had a disastrous meal at The Ivy in London, was asked to leave a literary award ceremony from a Mayfair Gentleman's Club for not wearing a tie, nearly lost their house after a spoof press release had the second biggest publisher in the world firing off cease and desist letters, dined with a Duke sold another Duke a boiler and chatted to Hollywood royalty with a real royal thrown in for good measure and created the 'world's first One Book Bookshop.' But what they're most proud of is establishing an Independent publisher in the North of England that champions voices and stories from the margins which are read and celebrated around the world and isn't that just bloody marvelous.
