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Brecon-based visual artist, Tessa Waite, did a four-week residency at The Story of Books in Hay-on-Wye, collecting and responding to memories of childhood books. More than 60 people called in to chat with Tessa, locals of all ages bringing the physical books with them, visitors just their words. Each week Tessa wrote a blog, which can be read below. She also created artists books in response to the books and stories shared with her at The Story of Books. STORY POWER Week One | October 4th A beautiful sunny day in Hay brought a stream of visitors to The Story...

Our #HayCartoneras project focuses on Latin American editoriales cartoneras (cardboard publishers) - a publishing movement which grew out of the Argentine economic crisis of 2001 but has now spread to countries as far apart as Mexico and Mozambique, but with a strong focus on the Spanish and Portuguese speaking world. Richly diverse, the cardboard publishers have in common the use (and love) of cardboard, a commitment to making literature accessible, and an interest in both the artistic and literary potential of artisanal book-making. Dr Lucy Bell and Dr Patrick O’Hare, (Hispanic Studies lecturer and Social Anthropologist at the University of Surrey), led...

The Story of Books is an initiative to create a dynamic working museum that celebrates the ongoing story of books. Through collaboration with experts and enthusiasts in the world of books, we create experiences where stories are told and books are made. For several years we were working on a joint venture with Baskerville Hall near Hay-on-Wye. In the end this didn't work out, and although that was hugely disappointing at the time, we now see it was for the best. We then had two wonderful years in a characterful building on Castle Street in Hay-on-Wye. This was a great base...

We have adapted our production of Unicorns, Almost by Owen Sheers as an audio book for broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Listen to it on BBC Sounds free until 9 June 2020: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000j2bn Buy the playscript from our online shop.   

Why is The Story of Books a social enterprise? We exist to make a positive contribution to society. People matter. We start with our social purpose and work out from there, not the other way around. We strive to give, not to take. We want to find joy in the success of others, not just our own. We don't believe that for some to win, others should lose. When society gains, we all should gain. We want to be part of making that happen, at least on our patch.Why are we a social enterprise rather than a charity? As a...