The Lela Initiative

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The Lela Initiative

Not-for-profit independent publishing house. Profits go to support literacy projects in Uganda.

13/04/2026

Can you spot Ashes of Childhood? We have a new stockist of Ashes.... - thank you so much for stocking our book and to .uk for all your support!

21/03/2026

So proud of our Save Our River Author, is in the papers!!!

She was interviewed about her new book and the article is in The Maidenhead Advertiser and The Henley Standard this weekend!

In her own words Amanda says “I can’t wait to share this story with more people and help focus a bit more attention on how we can all help to look after our planet and the wildlife we share it with.”

You can buy Save Our River’ online, from high street bookshop, on Amanda’s website amandaboulding.com or from the Lela initiative website.

05/03/2026

This World book day we want to congratulate our author, on the official publication of her book ‘Save Our River’ a very special and important book in the current environmental climate. Like all our other authors, Amanda cares deeply about the world around us and wants to be part of any meaningful change hence choosing us to be her publisher. Thank you Amanda for sharing our vision to transform lives through book.

02/03/2026

Ahead of World Book Day we have some very exciting news... a brand new book! Author/Illustrator Amanda Boulding will be releasing Save Our River this Thursday and we couldn't be more excited!

Set along the River Thames between Cookham and Henley, Save Our River! follows a family of otters who discover pollution flowing into their peaceful backwater. As wildlife begins to struggle, the animals unite to protect their home...

The book will be available on our website from Thursday and will be heading into bookshops too.... please do pick up a copy. As with all our books, buying a copy of Save Our River helps support our literacy projects in Uganda.

27/01/2026

Happy New Year! We are a bit slow getting to our social media this year, but life is busy behind the scenes! Just look at our wonderful community library project in the sunshine. We are so proud of all the work that is ongoing in Uganda... and so proud of the work we are doing supporting authors in the UK too.

We couldn't have achieved all of this without your support and after our latest building renovation, our reservations are running low. Could you or one of your loved ones donate to help us continue our work? Or perhaps buy one of our books so that we can gift a child in Uganda a book? Maybe twinning your bookshelf is an idea? There are lots of ways you can help support our mission. Send us a DM or click the link in our bio to learn more.

08/12/2025

When she attended Oxford Brooks University to receive her ‘First Chapter’ award a few weeks ago, our found, did not only come away with a trophy. She was also inspired by the many talent the university is nurturing in the publishing industry. And thanks to the and introductions on that day, many conversations have been held since with our team and MA students Lela met at the university. And although we would like to work with all those brilliant students, our current capacity allows us to welcome only one at this time.

We are very excited to introduce Sara Marinucci. She joins us as our 2025-2026 editorial intern.

Sara is a Ugandan-Italian who has attended school worldwide. Residing in Oxford, UK, she has completed her undergraduate degree in Digital Media and Communications in London and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Publishing at Oxford Brookes. During her university career, she has been an active committee member of several societies, including serving as the current financial secretary of the Media, Publishing, and Journalism Society at Brookes. Sara’s educational background and practical experience have prepared her to be an efficient Editorial Assistant.

We are very excited to have Sarah on our team and look forward to supporting and working with her.

07/12/2025

Sunday Celebrations! Check out this exciting unboxing of brand new picture book - 'Save Our River!' Written and illustrated by Amanda, we will announce the release date in the New Year. It is looking fabulous!

03/12/2025

A huge thank you to for featuring us in your Witney and Villages editorial this month! We are so grateful to you for spreading the word about what we do ♥️♥️♥️

29/11/2025

We are all set up in Warwick Hall for today's Christmas Market! Selling all our lovely books and gifts, supporting our library projects in Uganda... Come and say hi!

We are here alongside some of our other favourite makers and creators!!!

12/11/2025

In need of gift ideas? Come along to on Saturday 28th November! Our Lela Initiative team will be there all day selling our beautiful books. As a not for profit publishing house with a purpose, when you buy one of our books... you help gift a book to a child in Uganda.

Want an even more unique present? Why not twin a bookshelf with one of our library projects?

11/11/2025

We strongly believe that networking is a treasure hunt for new opportunities.

Recently, our team sat on a panel discussion at the media hub, organised by Sarah Parfitt. The discussion, led by Cathy from Inkspot Publishing, provided significant insights and wisdom about the industry. Our team also had the pleasure of connecting with brilliant talent, including illustrator and author , who now joins the Lela initiative team with a passion to use her talents and creativity to transform lives with us.

We are incredibly grateful to the Media Hub team for consistently enabling events that help turn dreams into reality and foster such meaningful connections.

Address

PO Box 316
Chipping Norton
OX79FX

Website

http://www.thelelainitiative.org/

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