Melin Bapur ('Paper Mill' in Welsh) is an independent Welsh book publisher dedicated to making classic and new literature available to Welsh audiences. They publish literary classics in Welsh, including rediscovered classics from the past, and classic literature from all over the world in Welsh translation.
In 2024 they published a Welsh language version of JR Tolkein's 'The Hobbit', which became the best-selling Welsh language book of the year. The relationship with Eirios was key in ensuring that the surge in demand experienced on publication of the book could be met, with Melin Bapur taking over 1,000 pre-orders in the UK alone.
Before joining Eirios, Melin Bapur had just begun as a new publisher and were fulfilling orders themselves. In the words of Founder Adam Pearce, "Fulfilling orders myself was taking forever and cutting down on the time I had for things like marketing and writing."
Melin Bapur was keen to work with a Welsh company to help with its fulfilment operations, while retaining its independence. Unlike other Welsh language publishers, they don't receive any arts grants or public subsidy, and were keen to bypass the sort of requirements that grant organisations might require.