Tightrope Books is a Canadian independent book publisher based in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2005 by Halli Villegas, Tightrope Books publishes mainly poetry and fiction, as well as non-fiction and anthologies. As a "writer-centric press," Tightrope Books involves its authors and poets in the publishing process."About Tightrope Books"
/ref> According to Villegas, Tightrope Books “prides itself on introducing readers to writers who are a little bit out there,” working with both new and established authors who are open to experimentation. Tightrope Books was purchased by Jim Nason in 2014. Tightrope Books is represented by the Independent Publishers Group (IPG).

Annual publications

Among the publications are the annual anthologies, ''Best Canadian Poetry in English'' and ''Best Canadian Essays''. For both series, the series and guest editors collaborate and choose the best poems and essays by Canadians published in the preceding year from online and print Canadian literary journals. The idea for the anthologies sprung from ''

The Best American Poetry ''The Best American Poetry'' series consists of annual poetry anthologies, each containing seventy-five poems. Background The series, begun by poet and editor David Lehman in 1988, has a different guest editor every year. Lehman, still the general ...

'' Series created by

David Lehman David Lehman (born June 11, 1948David Lehman
at poets.org) is an American poet, non-fiction writer, and li ...

''Best Canadian Poetry in English''

''The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2008'' Editors: Stephanie Bolster and Molly Peacock Writers: Maleea Acker, James Arthur, Leanne Averbach,

Margaret Avison Margaret Avison, (April 23, 1918 – July 31, 2007) was a Canadian poet who twice won Canada's Governor General's Award and has also won its Griffin Poetry Prize.Michael Gnarowski,Avison, Margaret" ''Canadian Encyclopedia'' (Edmonton: Hurtig ...

Ken Babstock Ken Babstock (born 19 January 1970) is a Canadian poet.House of Anansi ...

, John Wall Barger, Brian Bartlett, John Barton, Yvonne Blomer,

Tim Bowling Tim Bowling (born 1964 in Vancouver, British Columbia) is a Guggenheim winning Canadian novelist and poet. He spent his youth in Ladner, British Columbia, and now lives in Edmonton, Alberta. He has published four novels. He was a judge for the 2 ...

, Heather Cadsby,

Anne Compton Anne Compton (born 1947) is a Canadian poet, critic, and anthologist. Biography Compton was born and raised in the farming community of Bangor, Prince Edward Island. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Prince Edward Island, h ...

, Kevin Connolly, Meira Cook,

Dani Couture Danielle (Dani) Couture (born 1978) is a Canadians, Canadian poet and novelist.

Sadiqa de Meijer Sadiqa de Meijer is a Canadian poet. Her debut collection, ''Leaving Howe Island'', was a nominee for the Governor General's Award for English-language poetry at the 2014 Governor General's AwardsBarry Dempster,

Jeramy Dodds Jeramy Dodds (born 4 December 1974 in Ajax, Ontario) is a Canadian poet. Born in Ajax, Ontario, Dodds grew up in Orono, Ontario. He studied English literature and anthropology at Trent University, medieval Icelandic studies at The University of ...

Jeffery Donaldson Jeffery William Donaldson is a Canadian poet and critic. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Donaldson was educated at Victoria College, University of Toronto. He teaches American literature, poetry, and creative writing and literary criticism in the En ...

, Susan Elmslie,

Jason Guriel Jason Guriel is a Canadian poet and critic. Works Poetry * * * * * Criticism * Awards * 2007 Frederick Bock Prize * 2009 Editors Prize For Book Reviewing, poetry References External linksGoing NegativePoetry Foundation essay by Jaso ...

, Aurian Haller, Jason Heroux, Iain Higgins, Bill Howell,

Helen Humphreys Helen Humphreys (born March 29, 1961) is a Canadian poet and novelist. Personal life Humphreys was born in Kingston-on-Thames, England. Her brother Martin and sister Cathy were born after the family moved to Canada. She now lives in Kingsto ...

, Amanda Lamarche,

Tim Lilburn Tim Lilburn (born 27 June 1950) is a Canadian poet and essayist. Lilburn was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He obtained a B.A. from the University of Regina, a Master's Degree in Philosophy from Gonzaga University, and his PhD from McMaster Uni ...

Michael Lista Michael Lista (born September 1, 1983) is a Canadian poet. He is the author of ''Bloom'', a book of poems about Canadian Manhattan Project physicist Louis Slotin. He writes a monthly column on poetry for ''The National Post'' and lives in Toront ...

Keith Maillard Keith Maillard (born 28 February 1942 in Wheeling, West Virginia) is a Canadian-American novelist, poet, and professor of creative writing at the University of British Columbia. He moved to Canada in 1970 (due to his opposition to the Vietnam ...

, Don McKay,

A. F. Moritz Albert Frank Moritz (born April 15, 1947) is a United States-born Canadian poet, teacher, and scholar. Born in Niles, Ohio, Moritz was educated at Marquette University. Since 1975, he has made his home in Toronto, Ontario where he has worked vari ...

, Jim Nason, Peter Norman,

Alison Pick Alison Pick (born 1975) is a Canadian writer. She is most noted for her Booker Prize-nominated novel ''Far to Go'', and was a winner of the Bronwen Wallace Memorial Award for most promising writer in Canada under 35. Life and career Alison Pick ...

, E. Alex Pierce,

Craig Poile Craig Poile is a Canadian poet, who won the Archibald Lampman Award in 2010 for his collection ''True Concessions''.

, Matt Rader, Michael Eden Reynolds,

Shane Rhodes Shane Rhodes is a Canadian poet. Life He graduated from the University of New Brunswick, and currently lives in Ottawa. He is a two-time winner of the Archibald Lampman Award for poetry. In 2008, when his work ''The Bindery'' won the award, Rho ...

, Joy Russell, Heather Sellers, David Seymour, J. Mark Smith,

Adam Sol Adam Sol is a Canadian-American poet. Life Adam Sol was born in New York and raised in New Fairfield, Connecticut. He graduated from Tufts University, from Indiana University with an M.F.A, and from the University of Cincinnati with a Ph.D. He li ...

Carmine Starnino Carmine Starnino is a Canadian poet, essayist, educator and editor. Biography He was born in 1970 in Montreal, Quebec, into an Italian heritage. His first poetry collection ''The New World'' (1997) was nominated for the 1997 A. M. Klein Priz ...

Anna Swanson Anna Swanson is a Canadian poet. In May 2011, Swanson received a Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Poetry for her debut poetry collection, ''The Nights Also''. In June, she received the Gerald Lampert Award The Gerald Lampert Memorial Award is mad ...

Todd Swift Stanley Todd Swift (born April 8, 1966), is a British-Canadian poet, screenwriter, university teacher, editor, critic, and publisher based in the United Kingdom. Background Swift was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and raised in Saint-Lambe ...

, J.R. Toriseva, and Leif E. Vaage. ''The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2009'' Editors: A. F. Moritz and Molly Peacock Writers:

Margaret Atwood Margaret Eleanor Atwood (born November 18, 1939) is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, teacher, environmental activist, and inventor. Since 1961, she has published 18 books of poetry, 18 novels, 11 books of non-fiction, nin ...

, Ken Babstock, Shirley Bear,

, Asa Boxer,

, Jan Conn,

Lorna Crozier Lorna Crozier, OC (born 24 May 1948) is a Canadian poet who holds the Head Chair in the Writing Department at the University of Victoria. She has authored fifteen books and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2011. She is credited as ...

, Barry Dempster,

Don Domanski Don Domanski (April 29, 1950 – September 7, 2020) was a Canadian poet. Biography Domanski was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and lived briefly in Toronto, Vancouver and Wolfville, before settling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he lived ...

, John Donlan, Tyler Enfield, Jesse Ferguson,

Connie Fife Connie Fife (August 27, 1961 – February 3, 2017) was a Canadian Cree poet and editor. She published three books of poetry, and edited several anthologies of First Nations women's writing. Her work appeared in numerous other anthologies and lite ...

, Adam Getty,

Steven Heighton Steven Heighton (August 14, 1961 – April 19, 2022) was a Canadian fiction writer, poet, and singer-songwriter. He is the author of eighteen books, including three short story collections, four novels, and seven poetry collections.

, Michael Johnson, Sonnet L'Abbe, Anita Lahey, M. Travis Lane,

Evelyn Lau Evelyn Lau (; born July 2, 1971) is a Canadian poet and novelist. Biography Evelyn Lau was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 2, 1971 to Chinese-Canadian parents from Hong Kong, who intended for her to become a doctor. Her parents' am ...

, Richard Lemm, Dave Margoshes, Don McKay, Eric Miller, Shane Neilson, Peter Norman,

David O'Meara David O'Meara (born Pembroke, Ontario) is a Life He was raised in Pembroke, Ontario. He lives in Sandy Hill, Ottawa, where he tends bar at The Manx Pub. He is known as the Awkward Brother of Canadian Poetry. O'Meara was a judge for the 2012 ...

P. K. Page Patricia Kathleen Page, (23 November 1916 – 14 January 2010) was a British-born Canadian poet,Peter ScowenP.K. Page dies at age 93 ''The Globe and Mail'', 14 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010. though the citation as she was inducted as a ...

, Elise Partridge, Elizabeth Philips,

Meredith Quartermain Meredith Quartermain, née Yearsley (born October 1, 1950) is a Canadian poet, novelist and story writer who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Life Quartermain was born in Toronto, Ontario and lived in a variety of locations in chi ...

, Matt Rader, John Reibetanz,

Robyn Sarah Robyn Sarah (born 1949, in New York City) is a Canadian poet and short story writer.Robyn Sarah ...

Peter Dale Scott Peter Dale Scott (born 11 January 1929) is a Canadian-born poet, academic, and former diplomat. A son of the Canadian poet and constitutional lawyer F. R. Scott and painter Marian Dale Scott, he is best known for his critiques of deep politics a ...

, Cora Sire,

Karen Solie Karen Solie (born 1966) is a Canadian poet. Born in Moose Jaw, Solie grew up on the family farm in southwest Saskatchewan. Over the years, she has worked as a farm hand, an espresso jerk, a groundskeeper, a newspaper reporter/photographer, an acad ...

, Carmine Starnino,

John Steffler John Steffler (born November 13, 1947) is a Canadian poet and novelist. He served as Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate from 2006 to 2008. Biography John Steffler was born in Toronto, Ontario, on November 13, 1947, and grew up in a rural area ne ...

Ricardo Sternberg Ricardo da Silveira Lobo Sternberg (born 1948) is a Canadian poet. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sternberg moved to the United States with his family when he was fifteen. He received a B.A. in English literature from the University of California ...

John Terpstra John Terpstra (born in Brockville, Ontario) is a Canadian poet and carpenter. During much of his childhood, he lived in Edmonton, Alberta, but moved back to Ontario to attend high school in Hamilton, where he lives today. Released a spoken-wo ...

Sharon Thesen Sharon Thesen (born 1946 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian poet who lives in Lake Country, British Columbia. She teaches at University of British Columbia Okanagan. In 2003, Thesen was a judge for the Griffin Poetry Prize. Selected works ...

, Matthew Tierney, Patrick Warner, Tom Wayman, Patricia Young, Changming Yuan, and

Jan Zwicky Janine Louise Zwicky (born 10 May 1955) is a Canadian philosopher, poet, essayist, and musician. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2022. Life and career Zwicky received her BA from the University of Calgary and earned her PhD at the U ...

. ''The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2010'' Editors: Lorna Crozier and Molly Peacock Writers:

Ken Babstock Ken Babstock (born 19 January 1970) is a Canadian poet.House of Anansi ...

, John Barton, Anne Compton, Allan Cooper,

Mary Dalton Mary Dalton (born 1950) is a Canadians, Canadian poet and educator. Life and career Mary Dalton was born in the parish of Harbour Main, Newfoundland and Labrador. She edited ''Newfoundland Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal'' in 1987 and was ...

, Barry Dempster,

Kildare Dobbs Kildare Robert Eric Dobbs (10 October 1923 – 1 April 2013) was a Canadian short story and travel writer. Born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, he was educated in Ireland and later spent 5 years in the Royal Navy during the Second World Wa ...

, Don Domanski, Glen Downie, Sue Goyette, Rosemary Griebel, Adrienne Gruber, Jamella Hagen,

, Warren Heiti, M.G.R. Hickman-Barr,

Maureen Hynes Maureen Hynes is a Canadian poet."Poets in Profile: Maureen Hynes"
. ...

, Michael Johnson, Jim Johnstone,

Sonnet L'Abbé Sonnet L'Abbé, is a Canadian poet, editor, professor and critic. As a poet, L'Abbé writes about national identity, race, gender and language. Career L'Abbé has a PhD in English literature from the University of British Columbia, a master's d ...

, Fiona Tinwei Lam,

, Katherine Lawrence, Ross Leckie, Tim Lilburn, Dave Margoshes, Jim Nason, Catherine Owen,

, Rebecca Leah Papucaru, Marilyn Gear Pilling, Lenore and Beth Rowntree,

Armand Garnet Ruffo Armand Garnet Ruffo (born in Chapleau, Ontario) is a Canadian scholar, filmmaker, writer and poet of Anishinaabe-Ojibwe ancestry. He is a member of the Chapleau (Fox Lake) Cree First Nation. Life Since receiving degrees from York University, the ...

, Lori Saint-Martin,

Peter Sanger Peter Sanger (born 1943) is a Canadian poet and prose writer. Sanger, who is also described as a critic and an editor, was born in Bewdley, Worcestershire, England, and immigrated to Canada in 1953. He was educated at the University of Melbourne, ...

Robyn Sarah Robyn Sarah (born 1949, in New York City) is a Canadian poet and short story writer.Robyn Sarah ...

, Eleonore Schönmaier, David Seymour,

Melanie Siebert Melanie Siebert is a Canadian poet."Ten Questions with Melanie Si ...

Sue Sinclair Sue Sinclair is a Canadian poet. She was raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador,Carey, Barbara (4 January 2009)Whirling dervish in verse ''Toronto Star'' and studied at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, graduated i ...

, Nick Thran, Carey Toane, Anne-Marie Turza, Paul Tyler, Patrick Warner,

Zachariah Wells Zachariah Wells (born 10 September 1976)https://viaf.org/processed/LAC, 1013A1476 Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2015-05-18. is a Canadian poet, critic, essayist and editor. Wells was born Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and was raise ...

, Patricia Young,

David Zieroth Dale Zieroth (born November 7, 1946, in Neepawa, Manitoba)PRISM international ''Prism International'' (styled ''PRISM international'') is a magazine published quarterly in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Established in 1959, it is Western Canada's senior literary magazine. The magazine was started with name ''Prism'' ...

Brick A brick is a type of block used to build walls, pavements and other elements in masonry construction. Properly, the term ''brick'' denotes a block composed of dried clay, but is now also used informally to denote other chemically cured cons ...

* Contemporary Verse 2 *Matrix *

The Malahat Review ''The Malahat Review'' is a Canadian quarterly literary magazine established in 1967. It features contemporary Canadian and international works of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction as well as reviews of recently published Canadian litera ...

*Event *Descant *

The Fiddlehead ''The Fiddlehead'' is a Canadian literary magazine, published four times annually at the University of New Brunswick. It is the oldest Canadian literary magazine which is still in circulation. History and profile ''The Fiddlehead'' was establis ...

* Maisonneuve *enRoute *

This Magazine ''This Magazine'' is an independent alternative Canadian political magazine. History and profile The magazine was launched "by a gang of school activists" in April 1966 as ''This Magazine Is About Schools'', a journal covering political issues ...

*Arc *Antigonish Review *Exile *

Canadian Literature Canadian literature is the literature of a multicultural country, written in languages including Canadian English, Canadian French, Indigenous languages, and many others such as Canadian Gaelic. Influences on Canadian writers are broad both ge ...

* Prairie Fire *

Border Crossings ''Border Crossings'' is a live, all-request, music-oriented radio show that is broadcast worldwide by the US government-operated Voice of America. Premiering on October 13, 1996, with Judy Massa as host, it is one of VOA's longest-running music p ...

*Grain *

Literary Review of Canada The ''Literary Review of Canada'' is a Canadian magazine that publishes ten times a year in print and online. The magazine features essays and reviews of books on political, cultural, social, and literary topics, as well as original Canadian poet ...

*The Capilano Review *

Room In a building or large vehicle, like a ship, a room is any enclosed space within a number of walls to which entry is possible only via a door or other dividing structure that connects it to either a passage (architecture), passageway, another roo ...

*Vallum 2009: *Descant *Brick *The Fiddlehead *West Coast LINE *Arc *Literary Review of Canada *Maisonneuve *Vallum *Canadian Literature *Prairie Fire *Event *Grain *

The Dalhousie Review ''The Dalhousie Review'' is a Canadian literary magazine, founded in 1921 and associated with Dalhousie University. It publishes three times a year, in the spring, summer, and fall. Content includes fiction, poetry, literary essays and book reviews ...

*Hammered Out *The New Quarterly *Queen's Quarterly *The Antigonish Review *subTerrain *The Malahat Review *This Magazine *

The Walrus ''The Walrus'' is an independent, non-profit Canadian media organization. It is multi-platform and produces an 8-issue-per-year magazine and online editorial content that includes current affairs, fiction, poetry, and podcasts, a national s ...

*The Capilano Review *The Nashwaak Review 2010: *Literary Review of Canada *Arc *Riddle Fence *Studio *The Malahat Review *Prairie Fire *Exile *enRoute *Event *The Walrus *Grain *The New Quarterly *The Fiddlehead *PRISM international *Room *Queen's Quarterly *The Dalhousie Review *

Existere ''Existere - Journal of Arts & Literature'' is a Canadian magazine that publishes twice a year through York University's Writing Department in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The magazine publishes poetry, short stories, Article (publishing), articles, ...

*Descant *

Geist ''Geist'' () is a German noun with a significant degree of importance in German philosophy. Its semantic field corresponds to English ghost, spirit, mind, intellect. Some English translators resort to using "spirit/mind" or "spirit (mind)" to he ...

*The Antigonish Review *Brick *This Magazine *

Canadian Notes & Queries ''Canadian Notes & Queries'' is a literary magazine published in Canada on a triannual basis. History and profile The magazine was first published in 1968 by William Morley as a four-page supplement to the ''Abacus'', the newsletter of the Antiqua ...

*Contemporary Verse 2

''Best Canadian Essays''

''The Best Canadian Essays 2009'' Editor: Alex Boyd and Carmine Starnino Writers: Kamal Al-Solaylee, Katherine Ashenburg, Kris Demeanor,

Jessa Gamble Jessa Gamble (born April 25, 1979), née Sinclair, is a Canadian and English author and co-owner of the science blog The Last Word on Nothing. Her book, ''The Siesta and the Midnight Sun: How Our Bodies Experience Time'' (Penguin Group), documents ...

, Nicholas Hune-Brown, Chris Koentges, Anita Lahey, Alison Lee, Nick Mount, Denis Seguin, Chris Turner, Lori Theresa Waller, Nathan Whitlock, and Chris Wood. ''The Best Canadian Essays 2010'' Editors: Alex Boyd and Kamal Al-Solaylee Writers: Katherine Ashenburg, Ira Basen, Will Braun, Tyee Bridge, Abou Farman, Paul Gallant, Lisa Gregoire, Danielle Groen, Elizabeth Hay, Jason McBride, Carolyn Morris, Katharine Sandiford, Andrew Steinmetz, Timothy Taylor, Chris Turner, and Nora Underwood. Sources of Essays 2009: *Canadian Notes & Queries *

Toronto Life ''Toronto Life'' is a monthly magazine about entertainment, politics and life in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ''Toronto Life'' also publishes a number of annual special interest guides about the city, including ''Real Estate'', ''Stylebook'', ''Eatin ...

*Unlimited * Up Here *Swerve *Maisonneuve *This Magazine *Queen's Quarterly *The Walrus *

Alberta Views ''Alberta Views'' (also ''AlbertaViews'') is a Calgary, Alberta regional magazine, established in 1997, that covers political, social and cultural issues in the province of Alberta. It is published 10 times annually and its monthly print run w ...

* Briarpatch Magazine 2010: *

Vancouver Magazine ''Vancouver Magazine'' is an English-language lifestyle magazine focused on Vancouver, British Columbia and the Lower Mainland. ''Vancouver Magazine'' describes its mission as informing, guiding and entertaining residents of a "dynamic, internati ...

*Maisonneuve * Geez *Swerve *This Magazine *

Canadian Geographic ''Canadian Geographic'' is a magazine published by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, (RCGS) based in Ottawa, Ontario. History and profile After the Society was founded in 1929, the magazine was established the next year in May 1930 unde ...

Chatelaine Chatelaine may refer to: * Chatelaine (chain), a set of short chains on a belt worn by women and men for carrying keys, thimble and/or sewing kit, etc. *Chatelaine (horse), a racehorse * ''Chatelaine'' (magazine), an English-language Canadian wom ...

*New Quarterly *Toronto Life *Up Here *Queen's Quarterly *The Walrus *Alberta Views

Other titles

*''Fortune Cookie'' by Heather J. Wood *''In the Dark Stories From The Supernatural'' edited by Myna Wallin and Halli Villegas *''The Stone Skippers'' by Ian Burgham *''She's Shameless'' edited by Stacey May Fowles and Megan Griffith-Greene *''GULCH'' edited by Sarah Beaudin, Karen Correia Da Silva, and Curran Folkers *''The Girl on the Escalator'' by Jim Nason *''Confessions of a Reluctant Cougar'' by Myna Wallin *''A Thousand Profane Pieces'' by Myna Wallin *''Onion Man'' by Kathryn Mockler

Recognition

''The Nights Also'' (2010) by

was awarded the 23rd Annual

Lambda Literary Award Lambda Literary Awards, also known as the "Lammys", are awarded yearly by Lambda Literary to recognize the crucial role LGBTQ writers play in shaping the world. The Lammys celebrate the very best in LGBTQ literature.The awards were instituted i ...

for Lesbian Poetry. It made the 2011

Gerald Lampert Memorial Award The Gerald Lampert Memorial Award is made annually by the League of Canadian Poets to the best volume of poetry published by a first-time poet. It is presented in honour of poetry promoter Gerald Lampert Gerald Lampert (c. 1924 - April 29, 1978) w ...

shortlist. ''Wrong Bar'' (2009) by Nathaniel G. Moore made the 2010

ReLit Award The ReLit Awards are Canadian literary prizes awarded annually to book-length works in the novel, short-story and poetry categories."Three indie writers honoured by ReLit Awards". ''The Globe and Mail'', July 19, 2007. Founded in 2000 by Newfoundla ...

novel shortlist.

References

External links

Tightrope Books
{{Authority control Book publishing companies of Canada Small press publishing companies Companies based in Toronto Publishing companies established in 2005