Islandport Press

12/30/2025

The Press Herald Toy Fund is such an inspiring example of the generosity and kindness of Mainers. We were so happy to be a small part of it! A huge thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and organized for the 76th year of this incredible gift.

"Most of the parents who wrote the Toy Fund this year said the high costs of housing, food, heat, health care and other basic needs had simply left them unable to afford holiday gifts. The increased need forced Toy Fund Operations Manager Jeff Ham to order a second shipment of toys and to bring in volunteers for additional shifts in the workshop. When the book supply was also about to run out, Islandport Press donated more."

A surge in demand this year prompted an extra order of toys and added shifts for volunteers, but every family who asked for help has gotten it, thanks to nearly $200,000 in donations.

12/18/2025

A gift card isn't just a last-minute gift (though sometimes it is, and we're not judging!). An Islandport Press gift card also opens doors to the stories that 2026 has in store...

While we have 25 years of regional stories available today to choose from, this next year of books will feel different. These carefully selected titles elevate what "New England literature" means, weaving together truths and stories rooted in this place, but expanding ecstatically (and literally) beyond the stars. ✨

Our gift cards can be used online (for pre-orders and regular purchases) and never expire, so you can shop through the whole next year of new Islandport titles.
Gift cards are delivered immediately to giftee's email inbox.

PURCHASE A GIFT CARD HERE:
https://www.islandportpress.com/gift-card

12/17/2025

Our editorial coordinator got on a bit of a rant on our last newsletter... But for good reason!

"Here's my take: gift guides are overrated! ... People, least of all book-lovers, don't fit into neat categories. Complex as we are, algorithms will never be better than you at choosing a book for someone you love. That's why we are so grateful for our booksellers this time of the year. They have real skin in the game, and will advise you towards tried-and-true titles that they can really stand behind."

We highlighted a few of our favorite independent bookstores whose booksellers seem to always have the perfect recommendation up their sleeve, but we want to hear from YOU!

Who's your favorite bookseller, or your favorite place to buy books? What reads are you gifting this season?

Still figuring it out? Check out these bookstores, or shop online at www.islandportpress.com/bookshop

PICTURED:
Print: A Bookstore, Portland, Photo for Penguin Random House
Arctic Tern, Rockland
Bridgton Books
Sherman's Maine Coast Bookshop

12/09/2025

Get out your calendars! This truly is the best time of the year for celebrating community through stories.
❄️🎄✨ WEEKEND EVENT ROUND-UP: Christmas stories, Maker's Markets, and MORE! From Eliot to Gouldsboro...

🎄 Shannon Butler Holiday Readings (2)
Dec 10, 2025, 6:00 PM / Kennebunk Free Library, 112 Main St, Kennebunk, ME and
Dec 13, 2025, 1:00 PM / South Portland Barnes and Noble, 200 Running Hill Rd, South Portland, ME
Celebrate the holiday season with Shannon Butler! She will be reading from the short story collection she edited, ALL IS CALM (Islandport Press, 2019)

🎭 Holiday Book Signings with Susan Poulin (2)
Dec 12, 2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Dec 13, 2025, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM / Holiday Open Studio, 111 Fore Rd, Eliot, ME
Actor and Islandport Author Susan Poulin (THE SWEET LIFE, FINDING YOUR INNER MOOSE) will be signing books as her famous Ida character at this Holiday Open Studio

🏠 Panel with Marpheen Chann, author of MOON IN FULL (Free)
Dec 12, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM / Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq, Portland, ME
Everyone deserves to have a roof over their head at the holidays. Project Home (formerly Quality Housing Coalition) presents a powerful 16-minute documentary---"Finding Home"---exploring housing navigation and eviction prevention through the firsthand stories of former foster youth.

🪵 Islandport Press at Bangor Authors' Book Fair and Literary Festival
Dec 13, 2025, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM / Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St, Bangor, ME
Stop by our booth at the Bangor Authors' Book Fair and Literary Festival to say hello!

🎨 Maker's Market at Thompsons Point
Dec 14, 2025, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thompsons Point, Thompsons Point, Portland, ME 04102, USA
Stop by our booth at the Maker's Market at Thompsons Point to say hello!

🐮 Open House at Darthia Farm
Dec 14, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM / Darthia Farm, Gouldsboro, Darthia Farm Rd, Gouldsboro, ME
Cynthia Thayer (author of WE'RE GOING HOME) will be hosting an open house and signing books in her kitchen at Darthia Farm

Perfect opportunities for local holiday shopping 🎁
More details here:

Islandport Press events including book signings, book launches, and author discussions!

12/08/2025

We can't wait! See you this weekend!

Now that we are getting closer to the Bangor Authors' Fair, we would like to take this week to highlight the amazing sponsors that make it possible for us to host this amazing free event.

Starting with They are Maine's largest and oldest locally owned publishing house. They have published some truly astounding works by local Maine author's highlighting the beauty that is Maine.
One of their works includes 'DOWNTOWN, UP RIVER: BANGOR IN THE 1970'S' by depicting what life was like in the 70's for Bangor locals.
Emily is attending the fair as well!
You can come grab your copy and watch Emily's panel during the fair from 2:30-3:15!

We are so lucky to be supported by such amazing companies and people. Stay tuned for more spotlights this week!


Bangor Public Library
Islandport Press

12/03/2025

Islandport author, Executive Director of Khmer Maine and Trustee of Project Home, Marpheen Chann will be part of a panel this weekend at the Portland Museum of Art. After the 16-minute documentary "Finding Home" Marpheen and others will discuss the systemic challenges facing young people transitioning out of foster care.

Other panelists include Lucas Schrage, Moderator, Director of Project Home Housing Initiatives, Austin Pine, Project Home Housing Navigator and Senator Chip Curry, Maine District 11.

REGISTER FOR FREE HERE
https://portlandmuseum.ticketapp.org/portal/product/113/event/dddd8174-72c7-4151-816c-c1d885160da9

12/02/2025

Great feature of Christi on 207 last night! Check it out below:

Christi Elliott grew up in Machias and has spent most of her life adventuring in the Maine outdoors.

12/01/2025

Astrid Sheckels - Author/Illustrator's The Scallop Christmas is a lovely Christmas classic 🐚 Buy your copy from a local business like Monkitree!

Happy December! It’s the perfect time for all things cozy and warm! We are now open every day to help you check off everyone on your gifting list. Please visit us at 263 Water St. in Gardiner! (Open 10-5 today) (Featured in this photo are Less us More, Stove Kitchen, Venas Fizz House, Maine Naturals, Mother Earth Mittens, marshmallow company, sweets, , Islandport Press, and )

12/01/2025

Thanks VillageSoup for the great shoutout! Maine loves Ruth Moore ❤️

https://www.midcoastvillager.com/life/this-book-was-written-when/article_03e550bc-0283-4bd5-8bb1-a27c11d49bc8.html

11/24/2025

Some snaps from our recent Wild Game dinner with Christi Elliott and Villager Cafe! Over the course of two hours, we savored stories and many delicious dishes inspired by Christi's adventures in her book, ALWAYS GAME. Chef Tim was inspired by Christi to show the many creative and classic ways that wild fish and game can be served.

Thank you so much to the Villager Cafe for hosting, and for everyone who attended.

11/20/2025

The holiday season is upon us!! Get cozy and listen to some stories from Shannon Butler next weekend 🎄