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Peter Mortimer on the IRON Press Archive

Collected Voices

IRON Press is a North East-based independent press which publishes poetry, fiction and drama from the region and elsewhere, with a particular focus on publishing new authors.

The press began as IRON Magazine which was established in 1973, and was funded by Northern Arts. It featured art work, reviews, short stories and poetry. The magazine ran for 26 years, ending in 1997. Across 82 editions, it published more than 1200 writers world-wide.

IRON Press published its first book in 1976, Three North-East Plays by C.P. Taylor, Tom Hadaway and Leonard Barras. The press has been funded by Northern Arts, and Arts Council England North. It seeks to publish four or five new titles annually, as well as hosting festivals and literary events in the North-East.

Producing the first issue of IRON magazine

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Producing the layout of IRON magazine by hand

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The importance of artwork in IRON magazine

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The importance of replying to authors personally

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On publishing well-known authors before they became famous

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Publishing the first book, Three North East Plays by CP Taylor, Tom Hadaway and

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The IRON Press team

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Designing the covers of IRON Press books

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On keeping IRON Press a small publisher

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Hosting the IRON Age Festival in Cullercoats in 2013

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Listen to the full interview