PAPERSHELL MICROPRESS is built on the belief that small forms can carry immense weight. Founded by writers, for writers, it exists to publish work that might otherwise disappear, fragments and experiments that defy categorisation. We are not interested in publishing trends or market logic – we are drawn to distortions, the surreal, and the liminal.
In the heart of PAPERSHELL is a quarterly literary journal, with every issue shaped by a distinct aesthetic. We also publish chapbooks, focusing on magical realism and literary horror that explores, questions, and reframes our socio-political reality. We seek writing that takes risks without spectacle, that trusts the reader; writing that lingers.
As a micropress, PAPERSHELL embraces precision. Each publication is treated as a discrete object, carefully edited and thoughtfully produced. We value our authors and work with them closely: this is a dialogue and both parties are involved in all stages – from proofs, to production.
We are committed to print-only publishing and to the book as a physical form. For us, materiality matters: texture, weight, and design are integral to the reading experience. Each edition is crafted to complement the text, to establish an intimate connection between reader and object. PAPERSHELL operates as a cultural practice, not a commercial enterprise. Our scale allows us to follow instinct rather than trend, and to build a catalogue that is true to our vision.
In an oversaturated, content-driven landscape, PAPERSHELL offers a different rhythm, grounded in care and the tenacity of indie presses.
You can steal tiny glimpses from our physical publications here. The rest lives on paper, waiting to be picked up.