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Anstruther Press

Toronto, ON

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Anstruther Press Team

Jim Johnstone – Editor-in-Chief
Erica Smith – Design
Ally Fleming – Publicist / Editor

Editorial Board
Katie Fewster-Yan
David Ly
Klara du Plessis
Blair Trewartha
Daniel Scott Tysdal



Shane Neilson – Manifesto Editor

Tell us a bit about your press. How did you start? Who are your influences, in Canada and beyond? What is your mission? 

 
Anstruther Press is a Toronto-based chapbook publisher that is particularly committed to working with first-time poets (although we do welcome authors at all points in their careers). We also publish limited-edition broadsides and a series of poetry-based manifestos.

What about small press publishing is particularly exciting to you right now?

 
We love micropress for its quick turnaround / ephemerality. The literary zeitgeist often develops in small publications.

How does your press work to engage with your immediate literary community, and community at large?

 
The answer to this question would have been very different pre-pandemic, however we’re currently working to launch and sell books online / participating in initiatives like this year’s virtual IFOA to get word out about our authors.

Tell us about three of your publications. What makes them special, needed, and/or unique?

   
It’s hard to choose between any of our books, so we’ve decided to feature our three latest titles: Mark Callanan’s Skylarking, Elizabeth Mudenyo’s With Both Hands, and Kirby’s What Do You Want To Be Called? These three poets couldn’t be more different – from the type of poetry they write to the place they’re at in their careers – and we love that about them. We strive to make sure no two Anstruther Press books are alike.

How have the current multiple global crises impacted your work with the press?

Certainly printing has been impacted. But demand for poets and poetry are constant, and we’re happily evolving to continue supporting Canadian authors.


What Do You Want To Be Called? book cover

What Do You Want To Be Called?
Kirby
Summer 2020


With Both Hands by Elizabeth Mudenyo book cover

With Both Hands
Elizabeth Mudenyo
Fall 2020


Skylarking by Mark Callanan cover

Skylarking
Mark Callanan
Fall 2020


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