AN independent publisher run by a former university reader has been recognised by an award shortlisting.
Peter Lewis, an English reader at Durham University for 30 years, and his wife, Margaret, run Flambard Press from their home near Hexham, Northumberland.
Their commitment to championing local writers has been rewarded by the shortlisting of The End of My Tether, by Neil Astley, for the Whitbread First Novel Award 2002.
Mr Astley said: "I'm enormously grateful to Flambard for taking on the challenge of publishing a novel which the big London publishers had shied away from, not just because of its size but because it straddles several genres.
Peter, 65, and Margaret Lewis, 60, established Flambard Press in 1991 and with support from Northern Arts, have nurtured new and neglected local writers.
Mark Robinson, of Northern Arts, said: "Flambard Press has served the writers of the North-East brilliantly for the last ten years.
"It's great to see Peter and Margaret receive recognition for their effort and bravery in publishing writing of the highest standards."
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