About Us

Established in Ambleside in 2021, by archaeologist, curator and writer Deborah Walsh, the Black Powder Press is committed to its Cumbrian roots. Our preference is for thoughtful works which demonstrate not only a deep connection to the region, but a resonance far beyond. Concerned with all aspects of cultural heritage, including art, photography, literature, social and natural history and works which defy classification, we aim to delve into the deeper concerns, and cast a potentially subversive eye, on this much mythologised corner of England.

Deborah is assisted in design and editorial work by her partner, renowned multimedia artist, designer and composer, Russell Mills, whose mixed media works and immersive site-specific installations have been exhibited world-wide. Probably best known for producing album covers for the likes of Brian Eno, Nine Inch Nails, Michael Nyman and Nils Petter Molvaer, he has also designed book covers for Samuel Beckett, Ian McEwan, Milan Kundera, Peter Ackroyd and Graham Swift amongst others. He has held Honorary Professorships at the Glasgow School of Art and the University of the West of England, and from the mid-1990s until 2014 he was Visiting Lecturer at the Royal College of Art.

Our office assistant is Pooka, a 5-year-old border terrier. Her main duties are meeting and greeting, guarding important items (archives, balls, food etc) and making sure the staff are well exercised. She likes plant pots, and her favourite literary character is Jumble from the Just William stories.

Black Powder, also known as gunpowder, was one of the major products of the historic county of Westmorland and the Furness area of Lancashire from the mid 18th to the early 20th centuries. A mixture of saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur, it developed in response to demand from the mining and quarrying industries of the region, making use of the natural resources of woodland and water-power.

Thanks to Bill Birkett for use of all landscape photography.