We are an award winning Indie Cornish publisher & specialist bookseller based in Penryn, Cornwall who are dedicated to showcasing the talent of Cornish Writers.
As an Indie publisher we endeavour to amplify voices in print that would otherwise be overlooked and unrepresented by the main publishing industry. We aim to highlight alternative perspectives and voices that contribute to the rich literary landscape of Cornwall and we support community based work that would be otherwise be overlooked.
Launched in 2020 by Dr Paul McCartney-Taylor, the press was set up to create publishing opportunities for Cornish writers. In the five years under Paul's guidance the press created five amazing books following the initial open call for submissions in 2021. These books successfully showcase the unique voices of Kath Morgan, Claire Dwyer, Polly Roberts, Robin Falvey, and Scott Jones. His final contribution to the collection of 'home-grown' books was to co-ordinate and publish the award winning short story anthology - Twelve Stories for Twelve Sections which was produced in collaboration with the Cornwall National Landscape organisation and featured the work of twelve renowned Cornish authors,
Paul stepped back from the press in 2025, handing over the reins to freelance writer- Sam Stone - whose first task was to amalgamate two of the largest Cornish writing communities - The Writers Collective and Cornwall Writers - as well as the Cornish Authors Bookshop into the press.
Alongside offering a traditional publishing service Hermitage Press now offers a no-nonsense, collaborative consultancy service dedicated to helping writers make their books the best they can be. So whether a writer is stuck in an editing slump, or is in need of a fresh pair of eyes to fine-tune your work for publication; someone to format your book for the printers, convert it to audio; a book cover design, our team can help. Our services range from standard editorial assessments and detailed line-edited reports to submission support and full mentoring packages, tailored to help you from any point in your writing journey.
So what next for the press?
Salt & Stone - our first collection of emotive short stories from Cornish Writers was launched on May 16th 2026, to coincide with our Cornish Indie Book Festival.
Adult fiction submission window - opened on May 16th and closes on September 16th. The submission can be commercial fiction, crime, thriller, psychological drama, romance, fantasy, mystery, science fiction and/or literary fiction. No memoirs or memoir based novels, no children’s books or YA.
Cornish Indie Book Festival - our annual festival offered FREE workshops, talks and discussions relating to independent publishers , self publishing authors as well as a vibrant book fayre. The next festival will be in May 2028
Hirethow - Clare Howdle's debut collection of life-spanning short storieswhich finds fresh perspectives on the myriad meanings of the Cornish word, catapulting it into a contemporary landscape and ever so off-kilter reality, to reflect on how the world works. Due for Launch 06th September 2026
Creatures of a Brief Season - Clare Owens Debut adult novel is a beautifully written gentle book of regret, growth, and reconciliation which follows two unlikely companions journeys to acceptance. Written as a dual narrative, the unflinching look at the challenges of old age seen through the eyes of a complex, often cantankerous protagonist, is comparable to Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge; in putting a carer and her attempts to carve out space for herself centre stage as well, the novel is also akin to Clare Chambers’ Small Pleasures and the international prize winning When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén.
Due for Launch September 2026.
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