Alberta Book Publishing: 2024 Year in Review
Every time we reach December and look back at the past 12 months, we are simply amazed at the activity in the Alberta book publishing industry. When do book publishers sleep!?
Over the past year, in addition to releasing lots of new books (our to-read list is large and unwieldy!), Alberta book publishers have led the country in accessible publishing (they were a finalist for a very prestigious accessible book publishing award), supported Alberta educators and classrooms with curriculum resources, shared Alberta’s Story internationally (ICYMI: Alberta book publishers were at the largest book fair in the world, which saw 230,000 visitors), and been recognized across the country with book awards. As we wind down the year, we are grateful for the book publishers in our province that are relentless in their efforts to share the diverse perspectives and stories of our province.
Read on for more noteworthy highlights and accomplishments from Alberta book publishers!
RENEGADE ARTS ENTERTAINMENT
Renegade Arts Entertainment scored an Alberta publishing hat-trick in 2024: Secrets of Jarrow won three awards at the 2024 Alberta Book Publishing Awards, including Graphic Novel of the Year, Mystery and Thriller Book of the Year, and Book Illustration of the Year.
Secrets of Jarrow Bill Slavin
Published: May 17, 2023 by Renegade Arts Entertainment
Bill Slavin 
Published: May 17, 2023 by Renegade Arts Entertainment
ISBN: 9781989754269
Renegade finished off their noteworthy year with the publication of their most ambitious graphic novel to date: Wheetago War Roth by award-winning, bestselling author Richard Van Camp and visionary illustrator Christopher Shy. Pitched as the Indigenous Walking Dead, this graphic novel is captivating from the first glance!
Roth Richard Van Camp
Published: Oct 18, 2024 by Renegade Arts Entertainment
Richard Van Camp
Published: Oct 18, 2024 by Renegade Arts Entertainment
ISBN: 9781989754221
EDGE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY PUBLISHING
EDGE finished 2024 with rave reviews for The Tongue Trade by Michael J. Martineck, a science fiction novel in which an interpreter becomes entangled in a murder investigation. It is a riveting exploration of language, loyalty, the lethal power of secrets, and, as one reviewer put it, “it moves like Wile E. Coyote wearing Acme Rocket Skates (without encountering any of the Coyote’s disasters).”
Although it didn’t include any colourful metaphors, The Tongue Trade also received a glowing review in the October 14, 2024 issue of Publishers Weekly: “Martineck has crafted a sunny noir, a charming spin on a storied genre that makes for an ecstatic journey readers will struggle to put down.”
The Tongue Trade
Michael J. Martineck
Published: July 6, 2024 by EDGE Science Fiction & Fantasy Publishing
ISBN: 9781770532427
FREEHAND BOOKS
Freehand Books was excited to have the opportunity to work with so many Alberta authors this year! Catherine Owen (Moving to Delilah), Benjamin Hertwig (Juiceboxers), and Jasmina Odor (The Harvesters) all live in Edmonton, and Marion Douglas (The Game of Giants) lives in Calgary. They had launches at independent bookstores across the province, including Audreys Books, Analog Books, Shelf Life Books, and Paper Birch Books!
It was an exciting year for award nods for Freehand, as well. Calgarian Charlotte Bellows became the youngest winner of a High Plains Book Award for The Definition of Beautiful, which was written between the ages of 15 and 17. And fellow Calgarian Ali Bryan was a finalist for the Leacock Medal for Humour for her hilarious novel Coq.
The Definition of Beautiful: A Memoir Charlotte Bellows
Published: Sep 01, 2023 by Freehand Books
Charlotte Bellows
Published: Sep 01, 2023 by Freehand Books
ISBN: 9781990601460
Coq Ali Bryan
Published: May 01, 2023 by Freehand Books
Ali Bryan
Published: May 01, 2023 by Freehand Books
ISBN: 9781990601255
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA PRESS
2024 was a year characterized by award announcements for University of Alberta Press. Some significant award nods include the following:
- Astrid Blodgett won the Howard O’Hagan Short Story Award at the Alberta Literary Awards for her short story, “How to Read Water,” one of twelve stories in her collection, This Is How You Start to Disappear.
- This Is How You Start to Disappear was a finalist for the Trade Fiction Book of the Year at the 2024 Alberta Book Publishing Awards and won a design award in the Book, Poetry & Literature category of the AUPresses Book, Jacket, & Journal Show.
- Canada as a Settler Colony on the Question of Palestine won the 2024 Canadian Studies Network prize for Best Edited Collection in Canadian Studies.
This Is How You Start to Disappear Astrid Blodgett
Published: Aug 11, 2023 by University of Alberta Press
Astrid Blodgett
Published: Aug 11, 2023 by University of Alberta Press
ISBN: 9781772127133
Canada as a Settler Colony on the Question of Palestine Published: Oct 25, 2023 by University of Alberta Press
Published: Oct 25, 2023 by University of Alberta Press
ISBN: 9781772126853
LABERINTO PRESS
It’s been a non-stop year of go-go-go for Laberinto Press! In February, they welcomed US-based author Margarita Saona to participate as a featured writer at the Grant MacEwan English Department Reading Series. At the end of April, they traveled to Argentina to participate in the Business Session of the Buenos Aires Book Fair. On their way back, they launched their fourth book, the bilingual anthology Beyond the Park, at Librairie Paragraph in Montreal to a full house. Towards the end of the summer they received the good news of their first ever successful Canada Council for the Arts grant as a literary publisher. And to culminate the year, they won the 2024 Mel Hurtig Publisher of the Year Award. What a year!
The Ghost of You Published: Mar 31, 2023 by Laberinto Press
Margarita Saona
Published: Mar 31, 2023 by Laberinto Press
ISBN: 9781777085926
Beyond the Park: An Anthology of Ecological Experiences: An Anthology of Ecological Experiences
Diego Creimer , Antonio D’Alfonso , Marie-Denise Douyon
Published: by Laberinto Press
ISBN: 9781777085957
FOLKLORE PUBLICATIONS
Standing out amongst hundreds of entrants, Folklore Publishing’s The Rangeland Derby: 100 Years of Chuckwagon Racing at the Calgary Stampede was awarded the Eric Hoffer Honorable Mention award in the Reference Category. Folklore continues to be thrilled by the success and notice this book has garnered throughout 2024, as is Read Alberta!
Rangeland Derby, The: 100 Years of Chuckwagon Racing at the Calgary Stampede Glen Mikkelsen
Published: Mar 01, 2023 by Folklore Publishing
Glen Mikkelsen
Published: Mar 01, 2023 by Folklore Publishing
ISBN: 9781773110134
NEWEST PRESS
One of NeWest Press’ big highlights this year was Cole Nowicki being interviewed on CBC’s The Next Chapter for his quirky essay collection Laser Quit Smoking Massage. With book coverage reducing drastically in numerous outlets, it’s refreshing to see an Alberta-published book and author recognized nationally.
Laser Quit Smoking Massage Cole Nowicki
Published: Apr 01, 2024 by NeWest Press
Cole Nowicki
Published: Apr 01, 2024 by NeWest Press
ISBN: 9781774390900
NeWest Press also achieved Benetech Certification this year, thanks to the tireless efforts of Meredith Thompson, their Production Coordinator. Benetech Certification is a lengthy process in which a publisher’s workflow is reviewed to ensure the production of born accessible eBooks. Alberta is truly leading the way in this important area of the book publishing industry.
MYTHIC ROADS PRESS
2024 was a notable year for Mythic Roads Press, because it marked the release of their very first book: Moon Dust in My Hairnet, a fresh, hopeful, and diverse sci-fi romp following an autistic lunar lunch lady as she juggles relationships and threatening corporate overlords. Mythic Roads’ first book received glowing reviews, including from Publishers Weekly and The Washington Post.
Moon Dust in My Hairnet Published: Apr 19, 2024 by Mythic Roads Press
JR Creaden
Published: Apr 19, 2024 by Mythic Roads Press
ISBN: 9781738125401
Moon Dust in My Hairnet is not the only one getting coverage— Edify Magazine featured Mythic Roads Press and their commitment to publishing “unique, thought-provoking stories that resonate with people who may not have had the chance to see themselves in mainstream” in their October issue. What a year for a new press!
STONEHOUSE PUBLISHING
Stonehouse Publishing is finishing 2024 with everyone reading Going to Beautiful by Anthony Bidulka, which was chosen for the Together We Read Canada Digital Book Club from November 29 – December 9. If you want to go into the new year reading one of their books as well, check out their Fall line up.
Going to Beautiful Anthony Bidulka
Published: May 01, 2022 by Stonehouse Publishing
Anthony Bidulka
Published: May 01, 2022 by Stonehouse Publishing
ISBN: 9781988754352
RED BARN BOOKS
For the fourth consecutive year, Red Barn Books won the Children’s & YA Book of the Year at the Alberta Book Publishing Awards— this year, for Flip Flop Flapjack, the wild and true story behind the 100-year-old tradition of the Calgary Stampede pancake breakfast.
Although they didn’t publish a new children’s book this year, the Red Barn Books team has been busy working on the third book in the award-winning Howdy Series, which will be released in April 2025. Howdy, I’m Singh Hari profiles Calgary’s Punjabi pioneer, Harnam Singh Hari, who founded one of Alberta’s legacy farm families. We can’t wait to read it!
Flip Flop Flapjack: Wildhorse Jack and the First Stampede Breakfast Brenda Joyce Leahy
Published: May 15, 2023 by Red Barn Books Inc.
Brenda Joyce Leahy
Published: May 15, 2023 by Red Barn Books Inc.
ISBN: 9781989915110
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY PRESS
It’s been a year of award recognitions for University of Calgary Press’ Prairie Interlace: Weaving, Modernisms, and the Expanded Frame, 1960-2000. It was awarded an Honourable Mention for the Melva J. Dwyer Award by the Art Libraries Society of North America, was a finalist for the Alberta Book Publishing Trade Non-Fiction Book of the Year, and won a High Plains Book Award for Art & Photography. With reviews by Canada’s History Magazine and the Journal for Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers, Prairie Interlace and its stories of textile art in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan has found an international audience!
Prairie Interlace: Weaving, Modernisms, and the Expanded Frame, 1960-2000 Published: Nov 30, 2023 by University of Calgary Press
Published: Nov 30, 2023 by University of Calgary Press
ISBN: 9781773854878
In 2024, the press also published the fifth edition of Law, Politics, and the Judicial Process in Canada, which has been an essential resource for students and researchers since it was first published in 1984. Revised and updated to reflect current issues and debates, Law, Politics, and the Judicial Process in Canada, 5th Edition, remains a leading source for everyone interested in the development of judicial power in Canada.
Law, Politics, and the Judicial Process in Canada, 5th Edition Published: Jun 15, 2024 by University of Calgary Press
Published: Jun 15, 2024 by University of Calgary Press
ISBN: 9781773855189
BWL PUBLISHING
Two BWL authors were recognized with award announcements in 2024. Eileen Charbonneau won first place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards for her series, American Civil War Brides, and Eileen O’Finlan won First Place in the Mark Twain Awards for Humor and Satire for All The Furs And Feathers. BWL also signed Emmy award winning musician Scot Little Bihlman in 2024. They’ll be releasing a creative non-fiction story of his musical journey in the new year.
All the Furs and Feathers
Eileen O’Finlan
Published: Jan 2, 2023 by BWL Publishing
ISBN: 9780228624172
BWL is finishing 2024 with the release of A Killer Whisky: Alberta, the last novel in their Canadian Historical Mysteries Collection. The collection features twelve novels set in each of the Canadian provinces and territories, and are based on actual historical events blended with fictional characters, bringing to life stories of Canadian legend and lore.
A Killer Whisky
Susan Calder
Published: Nov 14, 2024 by BWL Publishing
ISBN: 9780228631989
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY PRESS
Athabasca University Press’ hit book of 2024 was Writing Ukraine by former AU writer-in-residence Myrna Kostash. Kostash presented her book at several events this past fall, including events at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon and the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre at MacEwan University.
Writing Ukraine Myrna Kostash
Published: Aug 27, 2024 by Athabasca University Press
Myrna Kostash
Published: Aug 27, 2024 by Athabasca University Press
ISBN: 9781771994224
Writing Ukraine is the most recent addition to AU Press’ newly minted Writing in Residence series, collecting books published in partnership with AU’s writer-in-residence program. Also included in the series are The Virtues of Disillusionment by Steven Heighton and Joshua Whitehead’s Indigiqueerness, winner of the 2024 Alberta Book Publishing Award for Book Design. The next entry in the series will be My Works, Ye Mighty by Christian Bök, forthcoming in early 2025.
The Virtues of Disillusionment Steven Heighton
Published: Sep 30, 2020 by Athabasca University Press
Steven Heighton
Published: Sep 30, 2020 by Athabasca University Press
ISBN: 9781771993265
Indigiqueerness: A Conversation about Storytelling Joshua Whitehead
Published: Apr 25, 2023 by Athabasca University Press
Joshua Whitehead
Published: Apr 25, 2023 by Athabasca University Press
ISBN: 9781771993913
My Works, Ye Mighty Christian Bök
Published: Feb 25, 2025 by Athabasca University Press
Christian Bök
Published: Feb 25, 2025 by Athabasca University Press
ISBN: 9781771994347
DURVILE & UPROUTE
In 2024, Durvile & UpRoute published two groundbreaking and important works:
Ascenti: Humans Opening to AI. This book, symposium, and art exhibition broke new ground in the analysis of how writers, artists, musicians, and multimedia professionals can experiment with AI Tools — successfully or not. Read the feature in Quill & Quire.
Ascenti: Humans Opening to AI Verna Vogel
Published: Apr 01, 2024 by Durvile Publications Ltd.
Verna Vogel , Rich Théroux , Uchechukwu Umezurike
Published: Apr 01, 2024 by Durvile Publications Ltd.
ISBN: 9781990735509
Îethka: Stories and Language from Stoney Nakoda Country. Written by the late Dr. Trent Fox and his mother Valentina Fox, Îethka was a cornerstone of the Îethka Îabi Bare Îchiyabi – Stoney Nakoda Language Conference held at the Banff Springs Hotel in November 2024. The success of the book and conference demonstrates the belief in celebrating and maintaining Indigenous languages.
Iethka: Stories & Language in Stoney Nakoda Country Valentina Fox
Published: Jun 01, 2024 by Durvile Publications Ltd.
Valentina Fox , Trent Fox
Published: Jun 01, 2024 by Durvile Publications Ltd.
ISBN: 9781990735455
BRUSH EDUCATION
In 2024, Brush completed work on the second edition of Elements of Indigenous Style, which will be available in January 2025. Continuing the legacy of the late Gregory Younging, the second edition offers updated and expanded principles for writing, editing, and publishing projects involving Indigenous Peoples. With a new editorial team led by Warren Cariou, a writer, scholar, and artist of Red River Métis and European heritage, this new edition covers topics ranging from Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer identities to Indigenous citation practices and digital representation. We’re eager to get our hands on the updated edition in the new year— it will be an amazing resource for many people.
Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples Gregory Younging
Published: Jan 13, 2025 by Brush Education
Gregory Younging
Published: Jan 13, 2025 by Brush Education
ISBN: 9781550599459
2024 was also defined by Kay Rollans, the Managing Editor of Brush Education, being awarded the Lois Hole Award for Editorial Excellence at the 2024 Alberta Book Publishing Awards for her work on Last But Not Least. The jurors remarked that “only an extremely skilled editor could have edited this book”. Last But Not Least also won Learning Book of the Year at the same awards ceremony.
Last But Not Least: A Guide to Proofreading Text Leslie Vermeer
Published: Dec 11, 2023 by Brush Education
Leslie Vermeer
Published: Dec 11, 2023 by Brush Education
ISBN: 9781550597875
SUMMERTHOUGHT PUBLISHING
It’s been a year defined by new books, bestseller lists, and trade shows for Summerthought Publishing. In 2024, they published two books by local historian Harry Sanders: Fairmont Palliser: The Story of Calgary’s Most Iconic Hotel and Abee to Zama City: How Alberta’s Cities, Towns, Villages, and Hamlets Got Their Names.
Fairmont Palliser: The Story of Calgary’s Most Iconic Hotel
Harry Sanders
Published: Oct 2024 by Summerthought Publishing
ISBN: 9781926983684
Abee to Zama City: How Alberta’s cities, towns, villages, and hamlets got their names
Harry Sanders
Published: Oct 2024 by Summerthought Publishing
ISBN: 9781926983561
Two of their books were also on Read Alberta’s 2023 Alberta Bestseller List and five books were on the August 2024 Bestseller List. Alberta is home to over 30 book publishers, so making the Read Alberta bestseller lists for a small, regional publisher that does its own distribution is always notable, but also illustrates that there is a strong demand for non-fiction books about Alberta. This demand was amplified at the Calgary Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show and the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival which Summerthought attended.
Thank you to all the readers who picked up an Alberta book this year, whether from an independent bookstore, library or digitally. We’ll be back with more book recommendations in the new year!