CREAR PUBLISHING
Find your next independently published read here.
We are an independent book publisher based in the North East of England, founded in 2023 on a simple belief: brilliant stories deserve to be told, wherever their authors call home.
From gripping true crime and powerful memoirs to laugh-out-loud women's fiction, heartfelt poetry, page-turning YA and magical children's books. Our catalogue is built for readers who love discovering something fresh, honest and independently published. If you're tired of the same big-publisher names and want books with real heart behind them, you're in exactly the right place.
Our authors write from lived experience, from the North East of England to Australia, and every book we publish is one we're genuinely proud to put our name on.
Readers: browse our books and find your next great read.
Authors: if you have a story to tell, we'd love to hear from you.
Book Launch! Come and see Humphrey the tortoise!
A little dream, 40 years in the making…
When our own Karen Crear was nine years old, she wrote a story. It was about a tortoise called Humphrey.
And now, more than 40 years later, Humphrey is finally stepping out into the world.
Please come and join us at Field & Fodder on Saturday 27th June, from 12–2pm to celebrate the launch of Where There’s a Wheel There’s a Way.
There’ll be:
Snacks and nibbles for the children
Cheese and nibbles for the grown-ups
And the chance to see the ORIGINAL Humphrey book, it's tatty but truly treasured.
EVERYONE is welcome.
This feels about so much more than a book launch.
This story was written by nine-year-old Karen and tucked away for decades while life unfolded in ways she never imagined. After battling cancer twice, being able to see that little girl’s dream finally become real, and to work alongside the Dragonfly Cancer Trust through it all, feels incredibly special.
It reminds us all that children’s dreams should never be dismissed.
Because that story they write, that picture they draw, that idea they won’t stop talking about… that’s where the magic lives.
Forty years ago Karen created a little tortoise called Humphrey.
She never imagined one day children would meet Humphrey, hold the book in their hands and celebrate a dream that quietly waited all those years to be seen.
So bring your little ones. Bring your grown-ups. Bring your dreams too.
We’d love to see you there
Northeast Indie Book Festivals
After the huge success of the inaugural North East Indie Book Festival in 2025, Crear Publishing is delighted to bring two exciting literary events to the region in 2026.
North East Children's Indie Book Fest 25 July 2026
A fun and inspiring event celebrating independent children's authors, with storytelling, author talks and opportunities for young readers to discover new books. More details in the events section of the website. You can reserve your free tickets using the button below.
North East Indie Book Fest 3 October 2026
Returning for its second year, this festival showcases talented independent authors from across the North East, sharing their writing journeys and connecting directly with readers. More information and tickets will become available in the near future.
Both events celebrate independent publishing, local authors and a love of books.
Join us and discover your next favourite story.
North East Children's Indie Book Fest
Are you a children's author or illustrator based in North East England?
Are you indie or self-published and passionate about sharing your stories with young readers?
We are looking for authors and illustrators to take part in our book festival and showcase their work.
If that sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Tell us more about yourself by completing our form on the right.
Registration is closed!
Registration for children's authors and illustrators is now closed!
We thank everyone for your interest in this year's event. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 25th July.
Registration for next year's event will open soon. Please keep an eye out for this!
Upcoming release!
New novel by Jonathan Brough
Openly gay school leaver Sandy Chapman loves the magic of musical theatre. But when mysterious faerie forces begin interfering with the school play that he’s helping to produce, how can he keep his vision untainted and ensure that everyone, including himself, remains genuine and true to themselves?
Upcoming Release
The Christmas Rift
Daisy and Kate have been housemates and best friends for three years. Sure, they clash over everything from the television remote to Christmas décor, but their bond is unshakeable. Or so they think.
What Our Authors Say
"It is a real delight to work with the wonderful people at Crear Publishing. Karen and Ryan clearly love books, love writing, love readers and love authors."
Welcome to the refreshed
Teapots & Tequila Shots series
This much-loved collection of three laugh-out-loud novels celebrates reinvention, friendship and the joy of starting again later in life. Packed with sharp humour, heartfelt moments and heroines who refuse to fade quietly into the background, these stories prove that life does not slow down with age, it simply gets more interesting.
Whether it is rediscovering confidence, embracing romance, or throwing the rulebook out altogether, each book follows a woman navigating life’s twists with wit, warmth and a well-earned splash of tequila.
If you enjoy uplifting, escapist reads that celebrate living boldly at any age, the Teapots & Tequila Shots series is waiting to be devoured, teacup in one hand, cocktail in the other.
Available from
30 May 2026
Join us for a special book launch event celebrating The Antiquities of Amalthea Academy, the exciting new children’s adventure by Jonathan Brough.
Packed with mystery, friendship and imagination, this treasure-hunt adventure blends a touch of the supernatural with a twist of Greek mythology. Three friends must work together to save their school, but can Thumper, their lively and loyal border collie, help them uncover a hidden collection of twentieth-century artefacts, and will it be enough to save the day?
Meet Jonathan Brough, who retired from teaching in 2023 after one hundred terms in education, including serving as headteacher of three schools. Jonathan now shares his love of reading and writing with young readers across the country, visiting bookshops, festivals, libraries and schools to talk about storytelling, answer questions, and inspire children to create stories of their own.
Perfect for families, young readers, teachers and book lovers, this event will include an author talk, audience Q&A, book signing, and the chance to discover a wonderful new adventure story.
Come along and celebrate the launch of a brilliant new book full of puzzles, surprises and heart.
A Letter from Clarence House
We were deeply honoured to receive a letter from Clarence House, written on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, following the receipt of our book Playing with Fire, which my Coleen Greenwood kindly sent to Her Majesty.
Dated 14th October 2025, the letter expresses appreciation for the book and acknowledges the work we continue to do in support of women facing adversity. It was both humbling and uplifting to read such thoughtful words, and to know that our efforts have resonated with someone who has shown lifelong dedication to championing women’s causes.
Receiving this message of encouragement from Clarence House is a profound honour. Playing with Fire was written to highlight resilience, courage and the power of shared experience. To have our work recognised in this way is both a privilege and an inspiration to continue supporting those whose voices deserve to be heard.
A portion of all sales from Playing with Fire is donated to Women’s Aid, a charity dedicated to supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. It is a cause that remains deeply personal to us and we are proud that our book continues to help raise both awareness and vital funds for their important work.
We are deeply grateful for this gracious acknowledgement, which we will treasure always.
Available 11th April 2026
"Words from the Soul"
by Natasha Robinson
Words from the Soul is a heartfelt collection of poetry drawn from Natasha Robinson’s memories, hopes and lived experiences. Each poem offers a glimpse into her world, from the comfort of long held friendships to reflections on family, childhood and the beauty found in everyday life. Honest and deeply personal, these verses shine with warmth, resilience and sincerity.
Writing has long been Natasha’s way of expressing her feelings and experiences, including her journey living with epilepsy. This debut collection marks a proud and powerful milestone, representing years of dedication and courage. Her words remind us that no matter who we are or what challenges we face, our voices matter.
Tender, uplifting and authentic, Songs from the Soul invites readers to step into Natasha’s world and discover poetry that truly speaks from the heart.
Thank you to all who attended the book launch at Electric Beacon Books on Saturday 11th April. We had a packed venue with readings of her poetry from Natasha and a word from local Northeast poet Demelza d'Hotel. More details with puictures and videos are on our socail media.
Recent Release
Evelyn Weaver is a Later Life Diva
Evelyn Weaver has lost her spark. In fact, it has dimmed to a mere flicker. Her life is boring her senseless and she has taken to living vicariously through her soap operas. Her usual activities of the bridge club and supermarket shopping just aren’t cutting it anymore.
She may be in her late sixties but is this really all there is? Must she just shuffle along for the remainder of her life in her fluffy slippers with knitting at hand.
Or could there be more? Could there be one final love affair waiting for her if only she dared to be brave enough?
Join Evelyn as she flips the script on her life completely. There are dating disasters, plenty of drama and surprising new friendships along the way.
In a tale that is both heartwarming and hilarious Evelyn proves that growing old is inevitable but thinking old, well that’s a choice. And sometimes life’s best chapters are still to be written.
Now on Audiobook!
A Christmas Caroline
She's the Queen of Mean, until one chaotic Christmas Eve night threatens to blow her life and budget wide apart!
Caroline’s got frugality down to a fine art. She can make a tin of soup stretch for days, considers “reduced to clear” her love language, and thinks Christmas is just a daft excuse for people to throw their money away on tinsel trimmed tat.
But Christmas Eve night takes a turn when her best mate, Marlene, drops in for a chat. Lovely, right? Except Marlene’s been dead for seven years and she’s got a message for Caroline, she will be visited by three spirits and if she doesn’t pay attention, her future’s looking bleaker than the contents of her fridge freezer.
Caroline’s convinced she’s having a hallucination. Ghosts? Surely not! But as the night goes on, she starts to wonder if she might just learn something worth more than her latest discount voucher. And for someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing, this might be the wake-up call she didn’t see coming.
Perfect for fans of Anstey Harris, Dawn French and The Thursday Murder Club – A Christmas Caroline is a hilarious, heartwarming festive tale about second chances, eccentric family ties and learning that some things in life are worth the splurge.
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