Ink & Ribbon Press envisions a world where poetry is cherished as a physical art — where books are made with care, read with devotion, and endure beyond the moment.
We believe that to print a poem beautifully is to make it permanent — not as nostalgia, but as an act of cultural stewardship.
About Ink & Ribbon
Our Mission
To advance poetry through craft, collaboration, and community.
We are a nonprofit literary publisher dedicated to producing limited-edition poetry books of enduring artistic and educational value. Each publication is made by hand and heart — designed to honor language, design, and form.
To accomplish our mission, Ink & Ribbon Press:
Publishes finely crafted, small-run poetry editions that unite art and literature.
Hosts The LemonLight Prize — an annual $3,000 award and publication celebrating new poetic voices.
Engages the community through readings, workshops, and educational outreach.
Collaborates with schools, libraries, and other nonprofit presses to expand access to the printed word.
Supports the wider literary ecosystem by reviewing, promoting, and uplifting the work of fellow small presses and poets.
Every dollar raised directly supports poets, printers, designers, and the endurance of the book as an art form.
Our Values
Craft
We believe in the tactile power of books — in paper, ink, and the quiet human labor that makes beauty last.
Community
We exist within a network of poets, readers, and presses. Our strength lies in shared purpose, mutual support, and generosity.
Integrity
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are transparent and accountable. Every project is guided by fairness, sustainability, and respect for art and audience alike.
Inclusivity
We welcome poets and readers from every background, honoring diverse voices and experiences in both our publications and our programs.
Discovery
We see poetry as a lifelong craft, something to learn, teach, and pass on. Our readings, reviews, and workshops exist to nurture both new and established voices.
Meet the Founder
G. K. Allum founded Ink & Ribbon Press as an act of devotion to words, to beauty, and to the tactile art of bookmaking.
A Pushcart Prize–nominated poet and award-winning artist, his own books began as limited self-published works, created out of necessity and love.
What began as a personal press has grown into a quiet collective for those who believe that art, like love, is worth doing beautifully.
“I wanted to create a space where literature could breathe again, where a poem could be held, touched, and remembered.
— G. K. Allum, President & Founding Editor