“The beginning is always today”
-from The Short Stories of Mary Shelley by Mary Shelley
You may remember that my January blog celebrated the opening of a new independent York bookshop. I have been fortunate enough to meet a great person called Arya Walton, who is launching her own indie press in April 2026. The press will support authors who are wanting to self-publish and offer “wild creativity” and “professional guidance”. It is very exciting because Arya has already had a lot of interest in her initiative.
As a young writer, who is currently researching small press significance in the north, it is a perfect time to chat with someone who is starting fresh in the publishing scene. Small independent presses have a strong connection of supporting each other and the first few months to a year for a new press, is vital to receive widespread shares to boost knowledge of who they are.
Through PaperWild, Arya will be offering a complete self-publishing support service, taking independent authors from first draft through to publication with confidence and structure, including editing, formatting, cover design, character art and illustration, and marketing support. Self-publishing has never been more accessible than it is today, but for authors interested in having a professional quality book that stands out in a crowded marketplace, it can also be extremely overwhelming, expensive and risky. By personally overseeing every book, Arya will ensure that each book is of the highest possible standard both inside and out, and that authors are protected from scammers charging extortionate amounts and delivering awful AI-generated images.
I felt happy to be able to offer Arya support in the process before the press launches and love the logo. The branding is so important for a new press to be recognised and its values further create how the brand is perceived.
The quote for this blog is a short catchy one, simply as Shelley says how a “beginning is always today.” We all love something new and fresh, the possibilities of how it will grow, be received and the way in which a press will become part of a network of well-respected individuals and independent publishers.
Throughout the past year, Arya has personally seen and spoken to several authors who have been conned out of large amounts of money purchasing book cover design and character art, only to be delivered an AI-generated image. While AI can be a useful tool in many ways, it has no place in a creative environment, and one of PaperWild Publishing’s core values is a strong stance against the use of AI in books and art. Because of this, Arya is personally vetting a team of readers and artists to ensure that everyone she collaborates with shares the same stance and is not using AI in their work.
PaperWild has a flourishing Instagram page and you can subscribe to receive their weekly emails. I love the way as a young writer, my engagement with indie presses lets me see authors who are new, up and coming or more established but I just have not seen. After all, there are thousands of authors, and it can be difficult to craft a unique selling point that allows you to become well known.
The emphasis on community and supporting fellow writers, authors, small publishers and those wanting to become more well known, is good for everyone because it gives opportunity to see the newest talent within writing and the presses of tomorrow.
I want to wish Arya every success in her excellent new journey and hope you will check out her page, share and support. I am always delighted to network because you get to meet so many different people from the writing and publishing world. Northern presses have never had such a high point and may it continue to grow.
Work Cited-
Photo/Logo- Kind permission from Arya Walton- Founder of PaperWild
Quote- Penguin. “The best literary quotes about new beginnings”. Penguin. Date last updated: 20th December 2021. URL: https:/www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/best-new-year-beginning-quotes-authors-books-literature.