"Dorset Voices" (Roving Press); an anthology edited by "Poundbury Voices" - a reminder

Roving Press: publisher's information and details

Overview

"This delightful mixed bag showcases a thought-provoking selection of contemporary writing and photographs reflecting Dorset’s variety – a changing modern county, yet still a traditional rural place beloved by so many.

Dorset Voices includes work from new and established writers and photographers, which you can dip into and enjoy – rather like finding nuggets of sea-glass on a beach. It represents the diversity of people, places and talents and is set against a backdrop of the beautiful Dorset landscape. It explores the county through the eyes of local people, with something for everyone: stunning images, poems and verse, intriguing short stories and reminiscences.

This ambitious project was brought to fruition by Poundbury Voices – three established authors with a strong track record for seeking out and promoting artistic talent. The book provides a platform for diverse voices and different forms of writing – dark, imaginative and socially aware – as a celebration of local creativity".

Extract from the Preface

"The publication of the Dorset Voices anthology takes place in the year of the Cultural Olympiad, and the year when Poundbury’s Queen Mother Square promises to become the centrepiece of this exciting new urban development and, who knows, the key destination of a new coffee-house artistic and literary culture. Let’s make it the Dorset equivalent of Prague’s Wenceslas Square! 

Dorset Voices draws on the literary and photographic talents of the people of Dorset. The editors’ aim was to create a book full of images and quality writing of real beauty and interest. We are delighted to have received a portfolio of outstanding photographs submitted by students at the excellent Thomas Hardye School, another magnet for families all over the county. Not surprisingly, Ofsted inspectors rated it as one of the best comprehensive schools in the country. 

Our starting-point was the firm belief that everyone here has a story to tell. We believe that there are many talented writers and photographers (both established and unpublished) in our communities, who deserve to have their work made available for the appreciation of others".

Maria Strani-Potts, Louisa Adjoa Parker, Jim Potts, OBE

Dorset Voices: some customer reviews from Amazon (UK):

Customer Reviews Dorset Voices: A Collection of New Prose, Poetry and Photography 5.0 out of 5 stars A Dorset treasure, 19 Oct 2013 By  Sandra Horn (England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Dorset Voices: A Collection of New Prose, Poetry and Photography (Paperback) The editors of this delightful volume of images, stories, reminiscences and poetry took a chance and invited new and established writers and photographers to send in contributions, from which they selected the final items by vote. did it pay off? Yes! The black-and-white images alone speak to the quality of the content. This is a book for dipping into and finding treasures, of which there are plenty, factual, fictional, visual and poetic. Those who love the county already will rejoice in the book; those who don't will want to visit it. Hats off to Roving Press, one of an increasing number of small independent presses, who had the faith and vision to produce this little gem of a book. 5.0 out of 5 stars All the flavours of Dorset, 2 Feb 2013 By  Dorset Meggie - See all my reviews This review is from: Dorset Voices: A Collection of New Prose, Poetry and Photography (Paperback) I bought this book last year and find myself returning to it more and more during the dark days of winter. It's a book I can dip into and I always find something to uplift me and remind of Dorset's beauty. 5.0 out of 5 stars Dorset Voices, 15 May 2012 By  Scott Irvine - See all my reviews This review is from: Dorset Voices: A Collection of New Prose, Poetry and Photography (Paperback) A great read of an anthology of Dorset memories, tourism, fiction, sci-fi, ghost stories, poems and photographs. A must have for anyone interested in the lives of people from Dorset. 5.0 out of 5 stars Real flavour of Dorset, 4 May 2012 By  Lily - See all my reviews This review is from: Dorset Voices: A Collection of New Prose, Poetry and Photography (Paperback) Gives a real sense of the county, past and present. Just the right mix of fiction, memoir, verse and pictures, written by exceptionally good writers who know and understand the area. Definitely take a look at this if you're interested in Dorset or just want a good read.