It’s time strip down to your pants and count down the hours until every dog kicks off in the neighbourhood to the explosion of noise and a backing track of Auld Lang Syne. All this delivered by a smiling Jazz musician whose taste in music has been steadily declining since the 0’s!

Okay, well maybe that’s just how I like to celebrate New Years these days. But what is certain, the pigs will be raising a glass of something to each and every one of our readers, authors and contributors.

This has been a huge year for UPP that has seen 3 books published and countless stories and poetry. It has been a challenging year that has finished much stronger than it started. This is owed largely to our new editors Virginia and Mark who have joined with a huge wealth of talent and enthusiasm. Their hard work and determination has allowed us to begin taking UPP to the next level and we are very excited about what 2026 will bring. On top of this we have seen an increase in Colin‘s contributions that has finally dispelled the myth that I made him up!

So what’s up next?

2026 will kick off with the opening of our submission window for our next charity anthology. This will be followed by Mark’s open call for the zine and finally the re-release of Virginia’s short story collection – A Camera Obscure. And rumour has it that a certain founder of the press may be releasing his fourth book too. (Alright, it’s me and it’s not a rumour. Just sounded better saying it that way).

So, from all of the Pigs we wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year full of lit, grit and the Pig’s shit!