Limited Editions of Poetry
The Lettre Sauvage aesthetic draws on underground/democratic and fine press traditions striving for harmony of process and presentation. All projects are letterpress on post industrial cotton or recycled wood papers and cut, folded, and sewn by hand. My three main projects are presenting works that are already celebrated literary gems, collaborating with new and emerging writers and artists in our chapbook series, and offering contest opportunities for poets.
Lettre Sauvage broadsides and chapbooks are included in collections at the Getty Research Institute, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections, Brown University, The Library of Michigan, and the Art City Ventura Archives.
New and emerging poets are featured in our ongoing chapbook series The Forest Drive. Each issue is a collaboration among poets and artists and has a distinct theme or concept overall. Each of these chapbooks is designed as a harmonious form.
Contest
Lettre Sauvage contests are open to poets who haven’t yet published a book or chapbook. Past contests were judged by Mark Irwin and Stephen Dunn. The next contest is planned for 2027. The first prize is publication of a chapbook and the second prize is a broadside. Both are accompanied by readings and events to celebrate the publications.
Studio
Our Vandercook SP15 was inherited from Marion Baker, one of the founders of the Women of Letters letterpress printing group founded in Los Angeles in 1980. Our Chandler & Price platen presses were saved from destruction by the late Frank Boross, incredible printer and mentor to many, of Toxic Coyote Press. Those presses and other equipment used at Lettre Sauvage were part of the Fillmore High School industrial arts program.
History
Lettre Sauvage is a private press where I publish very limited editions of poetry chapbooks and broadsides. Everyone calls me Fiona Leggett, but my pen and maiden name is Fiona Spring.
I’m grateful for my training in letterpress printing and book design with Kitty Maryatt at Scripps College Press and Harry Reese and Carolee Campbell at UCSB College of Creative Studies. My incredible teachers and fellow students in the creative writing MFA at University of Saint Thomas, Houston inspire a lot of my recent work.
Lettre Sauvage was founded in 2003 by Fiona Spring Leggett and Genevieve Yue. Genevieve got me started in literary publishing. Her scholarship and creativity continue to inspire me and I recommend her book, Girl Head. (https://fordhampress.com/girl-head-hb-9780823289554.html)
Cameron Leggett amassed much of the studio’s equipment and has designed books, posters, and media packaging, and taught the trade to many aspiring printers.
Yma Ray has been a creative contributor since she was old enough to share her wisdom and photography. She’s grown up with the press.
The accomplished curator and scholar, Sophia Kidd, has been a huge supporter from the beginning and has collaborated on several projects as well as printing her own zine, bric, at Lettre sauvage.