A New Beginning: Announcing Ink & Ribbon Press
The official launch of Ink & Ribbon Press — a nonprofit publisher devoted to poetry
About 18 years ago, 2,000 printed copies of my first ever book, The Night Shines Like Fireflies, arrived in a massive truck. I didn’t realize how much space thousands of copies of a coffee table art book would take up - nor did my bemused housemate.
I didn’t have a publisher, just myself and burgeoning social media channels; remember this was long before social media had changed the game. I had a stack of poems, a belief in paper, and an old stapler that barely held them together. Over the next few years, I self-published three more books —The Sail, The Anteater That Didn’t, and Carbon.
Each one was a lesson in devotion. In making something real from nothing but language and faith.
And then life happened.
I had children. Got married. I built a career. I moved countries. I learned how to earn a living through creative leadership, but somewhere in that pursuit, I lost the center of myself — the conviction that making something beautiful for its own sake was enough. I took on what I now call ‘human debt’.
Lately I’ve been finding my way back. This new venture is part of that return.
Introducing Ink & Ribbon Press
I’ve founded Ink & Ribbon Press, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literary publisher devoted to poetry as art — to the permanence of the printed word.
It’s not a business move. It’s a renewal of belief.
Ink & Ribbon exists to publish fewer books, but make them unforgettable.
Every publication will be a finely crafted, limited-edition work — built slowly, printed beautifully, and made to last.
Our mission is simple:
To slow the press.
To make books that endure.
To push beauty into the world.
You can explore the beginnings here:
👉 inkandribbon.org
A Collective Act of Belief
This isn’t about me finding my voice again — it’s about building something that helps others share theirs.
Ink & Ribbon will champion poets who care about craft and permanence — writers whose work feels alive in the hand as well as the mind.
We’ll publish new and old voices, create beautiful books, and hold space for those who still believe that poetry deserves more than a digital feed.
If that speaks to you, I’d love you to join us - and follow our journey.
What’s Ahead in 2026
Here’s a glimpse of the road ahead:
December 15, 2025 – February 14, 2026
The Inaugural Open Reading
Our first submission window — inviting poets to submit full manuscripts or selections of poems for consideration as our debut publication.
March 1 – June 15
The LemonLight Prize
A $3,000 award and publication for poetry that follows its own path — illuminating what often goes unseen.
June 15 – November 14
🍂 Autumn Open Reading
Preparing our 2027 list and welcoming new voices into print.
Between these, we’ll release The LemonLight Anthology, host readings, and celebrate the quiet miracle of bringing art into the world — page by page, hand by hand.
How You Can Be Part of It
Subscribe to Ink & Ribbon Press on Substack to follow the journey and receive updates, essays, and calls for submissions.
Visit the website: inkandribbon.com
Share this post with someone who still believes in poetry, craft, and care.
The future is about remembering what makes us human through the act of creating something beautiful and offering it to the world.
Thank you for reading my work over the years, for the encouragement, the comments, the faith. I joined Substack almost a year ago and this place has given me the belief to take a risk.
Ink & Ribbon is what happens when that faith takes form.
It’s the page made physical again.
Here’s to beginnings that feel like home.
— G. K. Allum (Greg)
inkandribbon.org | Ink & Ribbon Press on Substack
P.S.
The inaugural open reading opens December 15.
If you’ve been writing quietly, perhaps this is your moment.
Submit your poems — or help us find the poet who will become our first published author.
If you want to get involved in any other way feel free to message me here or email admin@inkandribbon.org
This is incredible! Fantastic news!
Have to repost for all you poets out there!