Keith Skipper on the launching of Harnser Press

Normal for Norfolk?  Well, even by that legendary yardstick this could be stretching it a bit.

After the best part of 60 years writing and talking about his native patch for a living and for pleasure, and with 44 books of his own making their mark along the way, Keith Skipper is starting a bold new chapter.

With elder son Danny masterminding all the complicated technical bits, he is launching Harnser Press in October as a publishing company aiming to feature more volumes carrying the Skipper label  as well as work of other local authors.

“I fancy a change – and it might as well be a proper challenge after all those books with other publishers, the majority of them operating  in Norfolk” says the Cromer based, writer, broadcaster and entertainer.

“There’s so much more to share about this wonderful part of the world, especially when it comes to dialect and humour, my trademark specialist subjects. And I know a host of local scribes of all ages keen to join this great adventure”.

The company takes its name from the old Norfolk dialect word for a heron, a bird earning literary fame through close attention from luminaries Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare.

Harnser Press will take flight with The Norfolk Almanac, a hardback book with a cheery souvenir for every day of the year. “A treasure trove of local gems” hints Keith Skipper as he savours number 45 off his proud production line …. but first from a solo runway.