Books from the Caribbean
Papillote Press is a small, independent publishing house specialising in books about Dominica and the wider Caribbean. We publish a range of books, both fiction and non-fiction. Our books reflect the culture and literary heritage of the Caribbean.
NEW
Looting Hummingbirds
In the first quarter of the 20th century, Daniel Thaly (1879-1950) of Dominica, then a British Caribbean colony, was one of France’s most celebrated poets. He was educated in Martinique and then at medical school in France before returning to Dominica. His illustrious reputation crumbled when the emerging anti-colonial Negritude movement criticised his work. From then on he wrote little poetry.
''Thaly's islands vividly inscribe themselves in his treasured 'blue panorama of poetry' where the complexities of a Caribbean life inflected according to class, colour and race, and marked by rooting, uprooting and tentative re-rootings are simultaneously revealed and concealed.''
— Maria Cristina Fumagalli
Recently published
Renewal
Much admired by Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, the poetry of the Saint Lucian poet Irvin Desir (1954-2024) is published here for the first time. Appearing in only a few anthologies during his life, this posthumous collection at last brings to our attention a voice too long unknown.
Lost and Found
This is an amazing treasure trove of mid-20th century writers who have slipped out of view or whose work has never been properly recognised.
Resistance Refuge Revival
Shortlist, Non-fiction Category, 2025 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature
“I am honoured as a Kalinago leader to be part of this wonderful work as it relates to the history of our people.” – Irvince Auguiste, former Kalinago Chief.
News and Updates
Seminar on Daniel Thaly
In this seminar, we celebrate the publication of Looting Hummingbirds: Selected Poems of Daniel Thaly (Papillote Press, 2026).
Vassar College – Grants in Action: Looting Hummingbirds
Professors Mark Andrews and Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert publish, Looting Hummingbirds: Selected Poems of Daniel Thaly, Poet of Dominica
Looting Hummingbirds and Daniel Thaly
In the first quarter of the 20th century, Daniel Thaly (1879-1950) of Dominica, then a British Caribbean colony, was one of France’s most celebrated poets.
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Papillote Press
Books from the Caribbean