Book Lovers Unite!

We are always excited to discover creative British brands and learn more about their process and work, so when we met Nicola Beauman the founder of Persephone Books and her daughter Francesca, we had lots to talk about.

Persephone Books reprints neglected fiction and non-fiction, mainly by women writers and mostly dating from the mid-twentieth century. You can rediscover short stories, diaries, poetry as well as titles on gardening or cookery. All their titles are intelligent, thought-provoking and beautifully written, but at the time of their original publication they were mainly overlooked. Persephone brings these forgotten words to a new audience and the attention to detail in the books themselves means they are exquisite collector’s items too.

Each title is published in a distinctive and elegant plain grey cover, with patterned endpaper inside from a female designer from the same period as the author, and a co-ordinating bookmark. Nicola and Francesca only publish titles that they personally love, ensuring a ‘good read’ and the many Persephone fans and book clubs would agree!

Persephone Books published their first title in April 1999 and took their name from the Greek Goddess of Spring and new beginnings. 25 years later, having built up a huge following, they are about to publish their 150th title to coincide with the anniversary and will be celebrating with a 3-day Festival in the city of Bath, Somerset.

Our conversations with Nicola and Francesca revealed shared interests and led to ideas of a commission – a bespoke printed silk scarf featuring a brand new painting by Emma, echoing their beautiful classic books whilst ensuring this piece was set in 2024.

The design is based on intricate woven structures, enlarged to become abstract patterns, and featuring the Persephone brand colours of dusky pink and grey, with inky blue and a touch of yellow. Our digitally printed Silk Square scarves showcase the painting in great detail, with the brushstrokes and subtle hues translated onto luxurious silk de chine.

Available in two sizes - Silk Scarf and Pocket Square - they have been designed with their readers in mind, including 'The Persephone Man'!

The Persephone Festival takes place this weekend on from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 April and there are still tickets available!

Consisting of three days of events, based at their Bath bookshop and at other venues across the city, there will be talks, panels, book groups, literary walks, film screenings and concerts. Across the weekend there will also be plenty of opportunities to meet other Persephone readers over tea and cake!
The full Persephone Festival programme is available to view here.

The Wallace Sewell + Persephone Books scarves will be available exclusively to visitors to the Festival from the Persephone Books shop.