Fly on the Wall Press Named Finalist for Small Press of the Year at The Bookseller Industry Awards (The Nibbies) 2026
- Isabelle Kenyon
- Feb 19
- 3 min read
Manchester-based independent publisher recognised for financial growth, literary innovation, and commitment to accessible publishing
Fly on the Wall Press, the award-winning independent publisher of politically engaged, upmarket fiction and poetry based in Manchester, is delighted to announce its selection as a finalist for Small Press of the Year at The Bookseller Industry Awards 2026 for FOTW's sixth year running — widely known as The Nibbies — the UK publishing industry's most prestigious annual honours.
The nomination recognises an exceptional 2025 for the press, in which it achieved 47.36% growth in turnover and 43.63% growth in net profit, transitioning decisively from a micro-press into a sustainable small business with international reach — all without Arts Council funding.
Managing Director Isabelle Kenyon said: "Being shortlisted for the Nibbies is a huge honour and a testament to every author, bookseller, reader, and collaborator who has believed in what we're building. We've always known that small presses can be both radical and resilient — and this recognition means the world to our elbow grease and determination over the last year!"
A Landmark Year
Celebrating its seventh year of independence in 2025, Fly on the Wall Press published eight titles, including multiple reprints and titles receiving international prize recognition. Highlights include The Wager and the Bear by John Ironmonger, nominated for the Dublin Literary Award 2025 and now in its fourth print run, and Witchborne by Rachel Grosvenor, selected for the Booksellers Association Christmas campaign and into its second print run. The press also secured its first international sale, with North American, Canadian, and audio rights for Lying Perfectly Still by Dr Laura Fish sold to the Feminist Press USA.
Three authors who had previously published with Big Five houses chose to move to Fly on the Wall Press in 2025, citing its collaborative editorial process and creative freedom — including internationally bestselling author John Ironmonger, whose forthcoming novel The Angel of St Piran (2026) will be the press's first hardback publication.
Innovation in Publishing and Education
In September 2025, Fly on the Wall Press launched the Fly on the Wall Publishing Academy, an affordable, fully online training platform designed to democratise access to publishing careers, with subscriptions from £14.99 per month. The Academy attracted over 30 members within its first month and has been endorsed by Manchester Metropolitan University, York St John, and Arts University Bournemouth. Isabelle Kenyon also continued as Module Leader for '21st Century Publishing' on the MA programme at Arts University Bournemouth.
The press's commitment to experiential marketing — including polar bear window displays that were reprinted three times due to demand, wax-sealed 'protection spell' bookshop mailers for Witchborne, and a 1920s speakeasy event at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street — has set a new benchmark for creative indie publishing in the UK.
In 2025, Isabelle Kenyon was a fellow and speaker at the Interliber Book Fair (Croatia), Jaipur Literature Festival (India), and the Riga Book Fair (Latvia), cementing Fly on the Wall's growing international profile.
Looking Ahead
In 2026, Fly on the Wall Press will publish its first two translated titles — from Slovenia and Latvia — and launch its 'Year of Travel Through Books' initiative, with each of its eight chosen titles travelling to a new country. The press continues to demonstrate that a small, regional, independent publisher can achieve national and international impact without sacrificing ethics, creativity, or care.
Press contact: Isabelle Kenyon, Managing Director
Email: isabelle@flyonthewallpress.co.uk
Website: www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk
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