Spotlight on – Fly on the Wall Press
Fly on the Wall Press
There’s an indie publisher out there that I want to shout about. Run by the formidable duo of Isabelle and Sarah Jayne Kenyon, these women know good books when they see them. They are so supportive of The BookTrail and it’s a love fest all round.
So, let’s take a look shall we?
- Independent publisher
- Shortlisted as the Northern finalist for Small Press of the Year at the prestigious British Book Awards 2025
- Recognised for its innovative approach to publishing and commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices.
- Manchester based
- Really making a difference
- Incredible growth in 2024
So, in 2025, what’s happening? Well……
Book map of locations in The Wager and the Bear
What a lovely simple, yet highly effective way of showing readers just what the climate crisis is all about.
Two men meet in a bar. And no, that’s not the start of a joke. It’s a meeting of two very different minds as one is 20 and all too aware of the climate problems. The other, a hard hearted politician who denies all what he sees and hears on the subject. It’s a brilliantly effective way of having a balanced argument, seeing views from all sides and letting the reader make up their own minds.
Plus I really, really loved the lyrical writing and the descriptions of Cornwall and Greenland. Anything with a polar bear in it too gets my vote!
Book map of The Devil’s Draper
Sequel to The Unpicking but The Devil’s Draper is a strong standalone. We get to meet Mabel again – one of the only two female police officers in 1920s Scotland. She’s a fantastic character!
Mabel is ahead of her time and in a role where men dominate so for her to do and think what she does is something quite special. In this story, Mabel hears women report violence and it’s the same man – so she makes it her mission to find him and bring him to justice. At that time, women were so much more under the control of men than they are now. There was no #metoo movement so this felt fresh and daring.
There are of course some dark themes explored in the book but the story is insightful, interesting and full of Mabel charm.
Fly on the Wall doesn’t just publish really unique books – they are behind the very successful Northern Publishers fair. I managed to get to it this time. Wangled a work trip to head down early and attend this before having a pamper in a nice hotel. Got to take your chances when you can right? Came out loaded down with a few books of course…..
Sarah Jayne was there but suffering from feeling quite ill – but like the trooper she is, she was chatting to authors, welcoming everyone and being the best book person there could be. Now THAT is dedication.
