MOIST exists both to put a dampener on the mainstream 'literary' gatekeepers and to juice up the tentative fumblings that occur on the fringes.

Inspired by the North American DIY publishing traditions that grew out of art, music, and LGBTQI+ scenes, MOIST publishes works of literary fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry in series of threes. Each of these ‘seasons’ are loosely based around a common theme, and acknowledge a diverse range of lived experiences, educational backgrounds, and cultural reference points. This shouldn’t be read as a euphemism for poverty porn or ‘bake-off blandness’ however, but as a preference for formally innovative, emotionally immediate books, and a vibe that is as much global as it is local.

MOIST was founded by Paul Finlay in 2020. Paul ran the press with the assistance of friends and family for three years. However, at the age of 84 he retired. In January 2024 his daughter, the author Susan Finlay, and the artist-writers Nastassja Simensky, and Hugh Nicholson took over as co-directors. Since then, they have worked expand the press in terms of production and distribution. This includes the production of art events and editions conceived in relation to each new title.

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