HappenStance Press has nearly wound down. I know that’s old news. But I had a heart attack in January, and although I survived and think I’m good for another few years, well – who knows? So the end is nigh.
The most recent publication (Richard Meier’s After The Miracle, 2025) was the last. Matthew Stewart’s Whatever You Do, Just Don’t (2023) was reprinted in 2025 and again in 2026. We’ve got three copies left. Three!
We still post out books when orders come in, but energy is running low and orders are now few. It’s time to get the show off the road.
But what about all the books under the stairs? The ones in the study? The publisher’s copies stowed in boxes in the roof? The poetrycards? The drink mats with poems from StAnza 2019? The bookmarks? Well, at least things made of paper can be recycled. But they can also be given away if homes can be found.
Where possible, I will return unsold books to their authors (with luck, they’ll pay shipping costs). If you’re an author and you’re reading this, drop me a line. The road to Nell is paved with good intentions.
If you’re a customer and there’s a publication you wanted but never got, tell me now. If I can find a copy, I’ll send it. Cost negotiable. You can see most titles in the online shop. That shop will disappear by the end of this year.
The various pamphlet reviews and features at sphinxreview.co.uk are still online as a reference source. That too will disappear permanently – even sooner.
But Helena Nelson (me, Nell) is still doing away, as they say round here. I help online with The Friday Poem (run with joi de vivre by Hilary Menos) but not just that. I’m involved with some poetry-related activity in physical locations.
Together with poet Eleanor Livingstone, for example, I’m delivering a workshop for Push The Boat Out in Edinburgh on 12 November, 13.45-15.30. The theme is ‘editing your own poems’ and it’s free. If you’re close enough to come, book a place, it will be fun. Push The Boat Out is a poetry festival with a buzz. Do a look at the programme. Things disappear. Other things appear.
As regards HappenStance disappearing, I like the product life cycle concept. Nothing flourishes forever. Quit while you’re ahead. (Think Fawlty Towers.)
Thank you for your support over the years from the bottom of my newly-stented heart. Onwards, and sideways!
The HappenStance website will soon become a holding page, no shop, no detailed information. If you need to get hold of me, the email address is (as ever) nell followed by @happenstancepress.com
Sorry to learn of your ill health & thank you so much for all you’ve done to promote poetry over the years, in particular your encouragement and feedback for poets.
Nell,
You’ve done a splendid job with your press. I cherish the pamphlets and books that I have bought over the years which have introduced me to many enjoyable, rewarding poets. Thank you scattring such poetry my way.
I wish you a n enjoyable, creative retirement.
Good luck Nell, and thank you for being such an inspiring example for so many years. I’ve enjoyed knowing you, and your publications, and am very glad that you’ve recognised that every good thing should come to dignified ending, Happenstance that is, not you! Take care of yourself, stay well,
Mary
Dear Nell, Very sorry to hear of your heart attack – which clearly didn’t afflict the humour valve. Though we’ve been out of touch for a while, I remain very gratefully aware for Happenstance and your considered criticism back whenever. I too think all good things come to an end – except poetry? Maybe you’ll have a space for all those poems which have been waiting in the wings.
With love and thanks,
Margaret
Sorry to see you go, but totally understand. You once mentored me (I won the prize in a poetry competition, a competition where I thought I was only winning a dictionary and then they added on the mentoring afterwards!). Unknown to you, I’d written very few poems at the time – I just happened to hit the jackpot with one of my first ones – so it was a totally daunting prospect. But I remember you were kind and patient. It’s 15 (I think) years later and I’ve returned to poetry and I’m now doing a MA.
HappenStance is right up there with the very happiest happenings of my life Nell. I can’t tell you how lucky I feel to have been a small part of its story. You are phenomenal.Thank you. Will check out the remaining goodies and be in touch.
End of the Happenstance era! Glad of the books I bought, should have bought more, enormously glad of your poetry comments and hugely glad of the times we have met in person. And gigantically glad you are still here and still full of poetry.
Dear Nell
You have sent me Happenstance publications you thought I’d like– and I do! I’ve bought others and I always like them — your editorial nous and encouragement and insistence on high production standards have made Happenstance legendary in the annals of British poetry publishing
Thank you! And thanks for your friendship, though we didn’t meet nearly often enough in real flesh-pressing life. May your heart go on beating strongly in time with the hearts of so many who love and appreciate you.
Nancy xx
Small presses come and go – it’s in their nature – but I’m sorry that Happenstance (not you!!) is approaching the road-end. What a journey, and what an impact it has had on poetry in Scotland and further afield. The work involved in setting up such a press and keeping it going cannot be over-exaggerated. Many thanks for it all, Nell, and hope to see you before long.
Really sorry to see you and Happenstance go, Nell. Your early generous comments on my poems which you wrote in ink pen and covered a couple of sides, were so encouraging. I also loved the Happenstance books and their overall design, so simple and elegant as though what was within the covers mattered so much more than a colourful binding.
I’m sure you will keep up with the poetry world in the future and probably get back to your own writing? Good luck with everything.
Veronica x
Thank you for everything, Nell, from creating HappenStance and making it such a big presence in the world of small poetry publishers, to your shrewd edits! And thank you for your company – many conversations on poetry and everything. Enjoy your workshop with Eleanor, wish I could go. Very best of luck xxx
I fervently believe in “…the product life cycle concept. Nothing flourishes forever. Quit while you’re ahead.” And congratulate you on your wisdom, courage and clarity in making the decision while you’re ahead have total agency. Really sorry (and shocked, I’d no idea) about the heart attack. And really grateful for your generous persistent marvellous Happenstance endeavours and contributions to the poetry and poets of today. Here’s to lots more time for your own poems and creative work. Naomi x
Happenstance has brought magic into my life for many years – thank you! I treasure the publications I have and the sage advice you have kindly given me about my poetry-writing. It’s rare to experience such a personal touch in these busy times. I wish I lived closer so that I could come to the Edinburgh workshop! Sending you love and luck in your future endeavours. Thanks to you, words and poetry are now more crafted, cherished, and shinier in this world.
I’m sorry to hear Happenstance is going, Nell, but obviously health comes first, and everything has its day. I’ve ordered a few books and pamphlets over the years and always enjoyed them. I also sent in a few poems for analysis in the last couple of years that you did that, and was always grateful for your feedback.
I’ll miss your email newsletters and the website. Good luck in the future, and enjoy your retirement.
I owe so much to your encouragement and guidance, Nell. A History of Walking would never have seen the light of day without you. And you have given the world so many beautiful books. Our work is never done but I hope you can sit back now with some satisfaction, knowing that you’ve done so much to shape the course of poetry in the UK. Thank you.
HappenStance has been such achievement. So congratulations for that magnificent work, and thank you for being a fabulous editor, a supportive publisher, and a champion of poetry. I’ll be forever grateful for the privilege of having being published and encouraged by you back in the early days, and the joy as well as benefit of your input as editor over a much longer period. The various HappenStance activities you organised, groups of poets on jaunts to Edinburgh, Carlisle, London and elsewhere, collective readings, the HappenStance flash mob events at StAnza, and many more made poetry not only important but also playful and fun.