by Jean G-Owen

Two years ago, I founded the Isle of Wight-based press to champion the work of local writers, and celebrate the Island’s vibrant creative community. Since then, we’ve published fourteen books, including poetry collections, chapbooks, and a guide to the wild orchids of the Island. The fifth issue of our popular literary magazine, The Figlet, is out in January, once more featuring more than 50 IW contributors.

As we move into our third year, Naked Figleaf Press is taking a natural next step with the launch of its new imprint, Figmentum. If the parent press champions the Island’s distinctive storytelling, Figmentum reaches toward the experimental writing that crosses thresholds and explores the spaces between genres, forms and histories. It will be open to submissions from across the UK.

Both presses share the same heart and home: a belief that writing matters, that stories connect us, and that creativity thrives when a community supports it. As I say: “We’ll always give a fig for language, for craft, and for the people who make and read books.”

Figmentum launches on November 29 at the historic Osborne Royal Stable Block, in East Cowes – a fitting venue for a new chapter in Island publishing, and to celebrate we will publish two new titles.

For more information, visit our new website at nakedfigleafpress.com or email figmentumbooks@gmail.com