Fly on the Wall Press and Founder Isabelle Kenyon Celebrate Dual Finalist Honours at FutureBook Awards 2025

Manchester indie publisher Fly on the Wall Press is celebrating a double shortlist at The Bookseller’s FutureBook Awards 2025: founder and Managing Director Isabelle Kenyon is a Leader of the Year finalist, while The Fly on the Wall Publishing Academy is shortlisted for the FutureBook Excellence Award.

The Bookseller’s judges praised the Excellence Award finalists for showing “a true understanding of their audience, plus tangible, meaningful impact,” and described the leadership shortlist as “innovative, agile and resilient… deeply human, with a zeal for spreading access to books.”

29-year-old Managing Director Isabelle Kenyon said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for Leader of the Year. It’s wonderful to see the growth of Fly on the Wall Press recognised — I’ll be celebrating on behalf of my fabulous authors too.”

On the Academy’s recognition, she added:

“The Publishing Academy has exceeded all expectations. Teaching such passionate career changers and future entrepreneurs is pure joy, and the support from Big Five and indie publishers alike shows how strongly we all believe in breaking down barriers to the industry.”

Founded in 2018, Fly on the Wall Press publishes up to 12 bold, ethical, and socially engaged books a year. The press won Northern Small Press of the Year at the 2024 British Book Awards and launched the Publishing Academy in September 2025, to make industry careers more accessible.

Learn more: www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/publishingacademy