📣 We have some rather significant news to share. Our founder and Chief Reader, Gareth James, has officially been shortlisted for the 2026 London Book Fair Trailblazer Awards. For those outside the publishing industry bubble, the London Book Fair is the UK’s biggest literary event, and the Trailblazer Awards are designed to recognise “rising stars” who are effectively rewriting the rulebook of publishing. But here is the kicker: Gareth has just made history as the oldest-ever nominee for this award.

Breaking Records (and Stereotypes)

Usually, “trailblazer” is a term the industry reserves for the twenty-somethings. But at Margin to Margin Books, we’ve always been a bit rebellious. We know that innovation isn’t a byproduct of youth; it’s a byproduct of having a vision that the rest of the world hasn’t caught up with yet. Being an independent press in the current climate requires more than just a love for books—it requires a radical rethink of who those books are actually for.

The “For, Not About” Philosophy

When Gareth founded M2M Books, he did so with a specific, stubborn goal: to stop publishing books about marginalised communities for a mainstream audience, and start publishing high-quality literature for those communities. It sounds simple, but in the world of UK publishing, it is a total shift in the power dynamic.

“I am thrilled and excited to be shortlisted for this award, especially at the UK’s biggest literary event,” says Gareth. “The nomination so early in our publishing journey is a meaningful acknowledgement of our game-changing philosophy. We publish for the people in the margins, ensuring they are the primary audience for their own stories. To be recognised as a trailblazer at my age simply proves the importance of our message and that you’re never too old to set the industry on fire.”

What’s Next?

The final winners will be announced at Olympia London during the fair (10-12 March). Whether we take home the glass trophy or not, being shortlisted is a massive win for independent press culture and for Welsh publishing as a whole.

We want to say a huge thank you to our readers and authors. You are the reason we do this. Congratulations to all the other nominees, and thanks to LBF for broadening nominations to include us over-thirties.
See you next week in London!