Right here in Hebden Bridge is one of the most admired independent publishers in the country. This year Bluemoose Books celebrates its 20th anniversary, and its remarkable journey from Calder Valley start-up to international literary success. Founded in 2006 by Kevin and Hetha Duffy, Bluemoose grew from a simple but powerful idea. As they once put it: “We’re a family of readers and writers passionate about the written word and stories. Stories are transformative, and as publishers we delight in finding great new talent.”

The name itself reflects their local roots and playful spirit — inspired by the Blue Pig pub near Hardcastle Crags and the legendary saxophonist Bull Moose Johnson.

Over the past two decades, Bluemoose Books has become an award-winning independent publisher with an international reputation. This small but extraordinarily talented team — publishing just ten books a year — won North of England Small Press of the Year in both 2023 and 2025, a remarkable achievement.
Their original vision has carried their books far beyond the Calder Valley. Today Bluemoose titles are read around the world – from places such as Moscow, Sofia and Budapest to the United States, Australia, India, Colombia, Greenland, Iceland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Their list of prize-winning books is impressive. Many local readers will know one of their greatest successes: The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers, which won the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction in 2018, the world’s leading award in the genre. The novel was later adapted by Shane Meadows into a three-part BBC Two drama series broadcast in May 2023.

At this special event, Kevin Duffy will be in conversation with Mark Wright of The Book Case, who introduced so brilliantly Matt Cain to our audience in February 2026.

If you love books, enjoy hearing the inside story of publishing, and want to celebrate a remarkable local success that has made its mark across the world, this is an event not to be missed.