Ink & Ribbon Press envisions a world where poetry is not only read but deeply felt — where words move beyond the digital screen to find permanence in print, and in memory.
We believe that to publish a poem beautifully is to honor it — not as nostalgia, but as an act of cultural stewardship and faith in language itself.
About Ink & Ribbon
Our Mission
To advance poetry through craft, collaboration, and community.
Ink & Ribbon Press is a nonprofit literary publisher devoted to poets and their work — creating opportunities for discovery, recognition, and lasting connection between writer and reader. Each book we produce reflects our belief that poetry deserves to be made, shared, and remembered with care.
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 readers through readings, workshops, and mentorships that deepen the experience of poetry.
Collaborates with schools, libraries, and peer presses to expand access and amplify new, and old, voices.
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 honor the art of poetry — the discipline, precision, and imagination that shape language into something lasting.
Community
We thrive within a constellation of poets, readers, and presses — bound by generosity and shared purpose.
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 believe in lifelong learning — in reading, writing, and listening as acts of renewal and connection.
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