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New magazine announced for writers and readers in Wales
A new literary periodical for Wales called Folding Rock focused on creative prose will launch its first issue in Spring 2025. The new magazine, which plans to support new writing in and from Wales, will launch after securing funding from the Books Council of Wales.
Co-founders of the publication—editor and designer Robert Harries and writer, editor and creative producer Kathryn Tann—describe it as "a magazine to pay attention to", similar to the likes of The Stinging Fly in Ireland, England’s Granta, and Gutter in Scotland.
Folding Rock: New Writing from Wales and Beyond aims to be "the catalyst needed to usher in a new era for Welsh literature". The founders are aiming to "tirelessly develop talent, grow skills, advocate for authors and open as many doors as we can, this magazine will give the UK-wide publishing industry—and reading population—no choice but to pay attention".
The funding has been granted by the Books Council of Wales and awarded for a period of four years, up to March 2028, following the advertisement of an open tender for a new English-language literary magazine in March 2024. The process was concluded over the summer and Folding Rock will publish its first issue in March 2025, with subsequent issues to follow every four months.
Helgard Krause, chief executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: "We would like to offer our warmest congratulations to Kathryn and Rob at Folding Rock for their successful application to secure this funding. The vision they presented to the publishing sub-committee was for a magazine that will champion and celebrate the best emerging and established Welsh and Wales-based writers, and create a powerful, visible pipeline for new talent to find publishing success."
Natalie Jerome, literary agent and founder of Originate Literary Agency, said: "The launch of Folding Rock is such an exciting and meaningful development for the literary scene in Wales. The energy and creativity Kathryn and Rob are bringing to the magazine is a reflection of where the industry is heading and the future that is being built for the sector in Wales by all of us. It’s so great to be here right now and be part of this evolving publishing eco system that is growing by the day."
Folding Rock will be based at Tramshed Tech in Barry, South Wales and will platform literary fiction, creative non-fiction, literature reviews and more. Matt Needle is in charge of art direction.
The magazine will be issued three times a year, in print and digital, across the UK and with a network of international outlets. Tiered subscription options will be available for readers, as well as the opportunity to become a founding member. More information will be announced in the coming months.
Follow Folding Rock on social media or go to foldingrock.com to find out more.
