Peter Owen steps down

Peter Owen

Britain’s longest-serving publisher has stepped down as managing director of the company that has borne his name since 1951. Peter Owen, who was given an OBE for services to literature last year, announced in a letter to his writers, “In my eighty-ninth year, I have started to feel that the business of running a publishing house on a day-to-day basis is becoming a burden I can no longer shoulder with the energy and commitment of yore.”

Owen, started his business with a single typewriter and has published writers from Salvador Dali to Yoko Ono. His first editor was Murial Spark, who’s memories of working for Owen informed her novel A Far Cry From Kensington.

The Guardian called Peter Owen Publishers "A byword for literary adventure and experimentation."

Nick Kent takes over as managing director, with Peter’s daughter Antonia Owen as publishing director. Peter Owen will, however, retain overall charge of the company as chairman.

Douglas McPherson's Circus Mania, published by Peter Owen, is available from Amazon. The Mail on Sunday called it "A brilliant account of a vanishing art form." Click here to read the 5-star customer reviews.