Story Works is a small independent press launched in September 2024 at David's Bookshop, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, England. Many of you receiving this invitation will remember being there and what a good night it was!

The Story Works journey has been revelatory or, put another way, once upon a time I had a good idea. The good ideas multiplied and have formed into a framework of publishing, events and training. But first, before I go on, why do stories matter? What good are they in a world as, apparently, messed up as ours? Recently I read that news providers are struggling to hold people’s attention when there is so much difficult and painful information. I think stories have a positive role to play In helping knowledge and understanding and much more. Here’s an extended Story Works list of why, I think, stories and storytelling matter:

• Stories are good for everyone

• Stories nurture resilience

• Stories help us remember our power

• Stories tell us about the past

• Stories open and deepen our spirit

• Stories strengthen our courage

• Stories lift up hidden voices

• Stories reveal secrets

• Stories fire our imagination

• Stories nurture community

• Stories make us laugh

Story Works is unashamedly radical and positive. I believe the work for a just, kinder and better world requires more than ordinary politics and economics – imagination, creativity, awe, laughter and wonder are also necessary. Story Works is making a small contribution to that requirement and is, I think, exceptional in its offer.

So, why the need for financial supporters? At present Story Works is one person – me. That said there are several people without whom the work could not have progressed or continue – an initial generous gifter, critical readers, proof readers, a cover designer, a typesetter, film maker, a great printer, good friends and an illustrator. Sometimes the work feels lonely but, actually, it’s not.

What is Story Works doing? One book is published, Stories That Help – courage and hope in a difficult world. There are four more at various stages of development – one is almost print ready. There are five bookfairs and events awaiting confirmation and attendance and lots of promotional activities in process. I am working on training and storytelling offers. I have to balance administrative and promotional work with what is most important – the writing and creation of books.

To aid, sustain, develop and secure this project I have been encouraged to seek funding from, for example, the Arts Council. However, administering that is time consuming – time, if I’m honest, I can’t afford. A friend suggested that I do what lots of other creatives do and just ask people to aid the work. He said that nineteenth century poets, spurned by publishers, did just that. I discover that I have a surprising, probably working class, resistance to asking for this sort of help but also recognise that it is, temporarily, necessary.

What is the need?

I want the next two books to have secure funding and thus for me to be able to concentrate on completion and writing. I know, in the current economic climate, that this may be quite an ask.

I have four books in various stages of completion. They are:

‘Ohh…. but listen’. This a radical retelling of thirty-four stories from the book called the bible. I lift up hitherto hidden, neglected or denied voices of children, women, some men, the marginalised and, sometimes, reviled. I see these stories as part of a great myth - in this way they are more open to reflection, wonder and empathy beyond traditional interpretation.

‘Really grim tales’. This book recrafts some traditional ‘fairy’ and folk stories that we take for granted but which have had most of their original meaning, complexity and depth written out of them.

‘Earth story’. A very visual and beautiful account of the forming of the Earth to the present day and our current difficulties.

‘The Seasons’. An illustrated book for children about the seasons that follows the life of a silver birch.

This request for support is for the first two of these.

For the first, £1900.00 is needed for the printing and initial promotion costs – the cover design and typesetting costs are already covered.

The second of the two will need £3000.00 for the whole process. As these books are printed and selling, along with Stories That Help, I anticipate generating enough income to fund the subsequent publications. Yes, I am continuously optimistic – my experience of talking with and selling to people encourages me.

I am emboldened by the idea that the work we do to grow the world we want should reflect how we want the world to be – reaching out, risk taking, mutual aid and collaborative working, I think, are part of that.

Anybody who gifts to Story Works will be acknowledged and thanked in one of the books that they enable. A fancy thankyou postcard of the list at the beginning of this piece will also be forthcoming.

Thank you.