A publication vending device for vending a single publication per vend cycle. The single publication vending device includes a forward transport assembly located within a housing and connected to a carriage for reciprocating movement with the carriage. A the publication is advanced forward through a publication vend port, by operation of the forward transport assembly including. A first finger is positioned laterally to a first edge of the publication and a second finger is positioned laterally to a second edge of the publication. Each of the fingers is forwardly movable with forward operation of the carriage. Each of the fingers is configured for transpositional travel in a plane substantially coplanar to a plane of an interleaf of the publication and towards the centerline of the publication. As the carriage advances forward, the fingers insert between pages of the publication and exert a force against an inner surface of a fold of the publication and the publication advances through a vend port of the housing.