Roncadora Press

Roncadora Press is a small independent publishing imprint based in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, founded in 2005 by the printmaker, painter and writer Hugh Bryden. Bryden established the imprint to allow him to pursue one-off artists' book projects and to explore book ideas incorporating his own writing. The press grew out of his earlier collaborative publishing venture, Cacafuego Press, which he had formed with the poet Tom Pow in 1999. Roncadora has since expanded into poetry pamphlets by writers with whom Bryden has collaborated in past projects or with whom he works closely as friends. The press is closely associated with the Scottish small-press poetry scene and with the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award (CMMA), which recognises excellence in Scottish pamphlet poetry. Roncadora titles have been shortlisted for the CMMA several times and have won it on three occasions: in 2009 for 'Postcards from the Hedge' by Hugh McMillan with illustrations by Hugh Bryden; in 2017 for 'SheepPenned' with Hugh McMillan; and in 2021 for 'Achanalt' with Donald S Murray. Bryden's own pamphlet 'If Ah could talk tae the Airtists' was shortlisted in 2008, and 'Nest' by Tom Pow and Hugh Bryden was runner-up in 2013. The press has also been recognised by the Michael Marks Poetry Award, with 'Devorgilla's Bridge' — a poem by Hugh McMillan and a linocut by Hugh Bryden — shortlisted in 2010. Roncadora Press operates as a very small, hands-on imprint. Its output typically combines poetry with visual art, often featuring Bryden's own linocuts, drypoints and other printmaking techniques. The press publishes both artists' books and poetry pamphlets, and its catalogue is sold directly through the website's Publications category. Bryden's wider practice as a printmaker and painter — including exhibitions at artists' book fairs and cross-arts events with craft-makers and musicians — is intertwined with the press's identity. As a private, owner-run imprint, Roncadora Press does not have publicly listed status or a large corporate structure. It remains active and continues to publish work rooted in the Scottish literary and visual arts community.

Roncadora Press was founded in 2005 by Hugh Bryden, a printmaker, painter and writer based in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Bryden had spent 30 years as an art teacher in the region while continuing to practice as a printmaker and painter, exhibiting nationally and internationally and being involved in the gallery business in Dumfries. In 1999 he had formed Cacafuego Press with the poet Tom Pow, and in 2002 he was a visiting lecturer at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York State with an emphasis on artists' books. In 2005 he began his own imprint, Roncadora Press, to allow him to make more one-off and personalised artists' books and to explore book ideas incorporating his own writing. After joining the Dumfries Writers group in September 2005, Bryden enjoyed writing poetry and short stories. His poems were published in Lallans, Markings and The Eildon Tree poetry magazines, and his short story 'We have to do Something' was the people's prize winner in the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association's Flash Fiction competition in 2006. He was one of twelve Dumfries and Galloway poets featured in 'Chuckies fir the Cairn', published by Luath Press in 2009. When Roncadora began publishing poetry pamphlets, Bryden's own 'If Ah could talk tae the Airtists' was shortlisted for the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award (CMMA) in 2008. In 2009, 'Postcards from the Hedge' — poems by Hugh McMillan with illustrations by Hugh Bryden — won the CMMA. 'Devorgilla's Bridge', a poem by Hugh McMillan and a linocut by Hugh Bryden, was shortlisted for the Michael Marks Poetry Award in 2010. 'Nest' by Tom Pow and Hugh Bryden was runner-up in the CMMA in 2013. 'SheepPenned' with Hugh McMillan won the CMMA in 2017, and 'Achanalt' with Donald S Murray won it in 2021. 'Lady Marks' with poet Hugh McMillan and Hugh Bryden was presented at the National Library of Scotland. Bryden was one of four facilitators at the Wexford Artists Book Symposium in September 2005 and has exhibited at numerous artists' book fairs. More recently he has been involved in exhibitions and cross-arts events with craft-makers and musicians, resulting in performances as well as publications. Since the 2020 lockdown he has returned to painting, focusing mainly on small still life groups using favourite objects from his house with flowers and fruit. Roncadora Press continues to publish poetry pamphlets and artists' books, with its catalogue available through its website.

• 2021

  'Achanalt' with Donald S Murray wins the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award.

• 2017

  'SheepPenned' with Hugh McMillan wins the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award.

• 2013

  'Nest' by Tom Pow and Hugh Bryden is runner-up in the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award.

• 2010

  'Devorgilla's Bridge' — poem by Hugh McMillan and linocut by Hugh Bryden — is shortlisted for the Michael Marks Poetry Award.

• 2009

  'Postcards from the Hedge' by Hugh McMillan with illustrations by Hugh Bryden wins the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award.

• 2009

  Bryden is one of twelve Dumfries and Galloway poets featured in 'Chuckies fir the Cairn' published by Luath Press.

• 2008

  Bryden's own pamphlet 'If Ah could talk tae the Airtists' is shortlisted for the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award.

• 2006

  Bryden's short story 'We have to do Something' wins the people's prize in the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association's Flash Fiction competition.

• 2005

  Hugh Bryden founds Roncadora Press to pursue one-off artists' book projects and explore book ideas incorporating his own writing.

• 2005

  Bryden joins the Dumfries Writers group in September and is one of four facilitators at the Wexford Artists Book Symposium.

• 2002

  Bryden is a visiting lecturer at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York State, focusing on artists' books.

• 1999

  Hugh Bryden forms Cacafuego Press with Tom Pow, a precursor to Roncadora Press.

Small, artisanal Scottish imprint specialising in poetry pamphlets and artists' books that combine writing with printmaking.

• Postcards from the Hedge

• SheepPenned

• Achanalt

• Nest

• Devorgilla's Bridge

• If Ah could talk tae the Airtists

1. 1Hugh Bryden » Roncadora Presshughbryden.com
2. 2Hugh Bryden » Abouthughbryden.com
3. 3Roncadora Press - Wikidatawikidata.org