About Arkbound
Arkbound was founded in Bristol in early 2015 as a social enterprise with a clear mission: to open up the world of publishing and writing to people from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2018, we became the charitable trading arm of the Arkbound Foundation, with all profits reinvested to support our work.
Starting from socially excluded roots, Arkbound has since earned national and international recognition for our impact. We publish a diverse range of books by authors across the UK, focusing on stories with strong social or environmental themes. Many of our authors face barriers to publishing because of their backgrounds, and we work closely with mentors, literary agents, editors, and other partners to develop their skills and provide a platform for their voices to be heard.
meet the team
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Publisher
Bridget currently oversees the publishing arm of Arkbound. She holds an MLitt in Publishing from the University of Stirling, where she researched the presence and effect of editorial branding in indie publishers. From there, she narrowed her focus on the UK small press, supporting authors with recourses, opening communication, and challenging gatekeeping in the industry. Bridget is passionate about amplifying diverse voices and driving positive change through storytelling.
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Lead Designer
Tasmin is a freelance book designer based in Scotland. She has a degree in Communication Design from the Glasgow School of Art, where she specialized in editorial print design, alongside an MSc in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier University, focusing on print production. With extensive experience in book design, she distils complex narratives into compelling visuals, creating concept-driven and audience-focused cover artwork.
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Social Media Manager
Originally from Spain, Julia moved to Scotland to study an MLitt Publishing Studies at University of Stirling. With her academic life grounded in literature and publishing, Julia has built a strong foundation that fuel both her professional interests and personal love of storytelling.
Outside of publishing but not unrelated, Julia enjoyed working as a tour guide for school trips in Madrid.
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Grant Writer & Fundraising Support
Emma is a PhD-educated researcher and editor currently working as Grant Writer and Fundraising Supporter for Arkbound. An early modern scholar, she earned a doctorate in English Literature from the University of Leeds and an MPhil in Renaissance Literature from the University of Cambridge. She has previously held positions in publishing and academia and is committed to advancing literary studies through collaborative scholarship, open research practices, and public engagement, with particular strength in challenging traditional generic classifications and exploring cross-cultural perspectives within the field.
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Volunteer Coordinator
Kay is based in North Yorkshire & works remotely for Arkbound. She coordinates our volunteers, assists with book promotions & deals with general admin tasks. She also uses her experience in social media marketing to continue to build Arkbound’s social media presence across a variety of platforms. Through her role she is excited to offer opportunities to both authors & those interested in a career in publishing regardless of their personal circumstances & backgrounds.
Our Divisions
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Our the main charity behind Arkbound, supporting its mission through social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and widening access to literature and publishing.
https://www.arkfound.org/ -
Arkbound Foundation’s publishing imprint that enables EU-based distribution and partnerships, ensuring our books reach readers across Europe post-Brexit.
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Arkbound’s writing mentorship and workshop programmes, including 'Bridging Literary Divides' in Scotland, offer one-to-one mentoring from professional authors and literary agents alongside creative group sessions, empowering writers from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop skills, build portfolios, and progress towards publication.
Click here and visit Arkfound.org for more information. -
The Small Publishing Fellowship offers an in-depth, 12–18 month publishing placement where participants lead a book from acquisition to post-publication—gaining hands-on experience across editorial, design, marketing, and distribution. Designed to break down industry barriers, the Fellowship equips under-represented individuals with the practical skills and mentorship needed for a sustainable publishing career.
Click here and visit Arkfound.org for more information. -
Arkbound Foundation’s free, charitably-run crowdfunding platform, launched in June 2022, to support social‑inclusion and environmental sustainability projects (especially books by under‑represented authors), offering match funding, Gift Aid eligibility, and dedicated campaign guidance.
our Commitment to the environment
At Arkbound, we see environmental sustainability as the foundation of long-term development. Without a clear and active approach to sustainability, organisations risk contributing to social and ecological harm. That’s why we place sustainability at the heart of everything we do.
We’re fully committed to reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energy, and promoting recycling. Alongside this, we actively encourage sustainable living and aim to raise awareness around environmental issues. All of our books are printed on recycled paper or sourced from certified sustainable materials.
Arkbound is a member of Go Green, the Earth Journalism Network, the COP26 Coalition, Culture Declares Climate Emergency, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We also act as an accredited Civil Society Organisation for the UN Environment Programme in the UK. From the very beginning, we’ve recognised the climate emergency for what it is: a profound threat to humanity, other species, and the planet’s ecosystems.
In 2016, we were proud to receive an award from the Bristol Go Green initiative in the Sustainable Travel and Transport category. This recognised our delivery of every issue of Boundless magazine (2015–17) by foot and bike, as well as our team’s commitment to commuting on foot, by bicycle, or via public transport.
In 2020, we organised the planting of 1,000 oak saplings across the Bristol area, with a further 1,000 planted in 2022. We have further plans for tree-planting initiatives and are exploring the use of derelict land to grow food in disadvantaged urban communities.
We’re also part of Business Declares, a growing network of organisations that recognise the Climate and Ecological Emergency. Sustainability has always been central to our work, and we’re proud to be part of a collective movement calling for bold and urgent action on climate.
our Commitment to people
Arkbound is an equalities-led organisation shaped by lived experience. We’re overseen by the Arkbound Foundation charity, whose trustees and board members reflect a wide range of backgrounds – across ethnicity, age, gender, orientation, and more. Our team also brings direct experience of challenges such as homelessness, disability, and imprisonment.
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard and to contribute meaningfully to society. For us, social inclusion isn’t a box to tick, it’s a daily practice and a core principle that underpins our work.
All of our staff are paid above the National Living Wage. Our organisational structure is circular rather than top-down, enabling equal and fair input into decisions based on individual strengths and experience. We also offer voluntary placements and paid internships to young people interested in gaining a foothold in the publishing world.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to supporting those who might otherwise be excluded from society and the publishing industry.
We actively collaborate with a wide network of organisations – including Clinks, VOSCUR, Bristol Disability Equality Forum, SEUK, GSEN, World Youth Alliance, Corbett Network, and Global Justice Now, among others. We believe that creative partnerships and collective approaches are the most effective way to create lasting, inclusive change and reach those who need it most.