Palimpsest Press publishes poetry, literary fiction, and non-fiction titles that deal with poetics, cultural criticism, and literary biography. We look for poetry that displays technical mastery, precise language, and an authentic voice, and fiction that is rich in imagery, well crafted, and focused on character development. Our non-fiction titles are essays or memoirs written by poets, and books that examine Canadian poetry and the Canadian cultural landscape. Palimpsest Press’ mission is to publish high quality work in beautifully designed and collectible volumes. Our belief is that a book should be an object of beauty and inspiration. Our objectives are to seek out the best new and established voices in Canadian literature and we have committed at least 30% of our titles to authors living with disability. We are committed to maintaining high editorial and production standards, ensuring our trade books are well distributed, kept in print, and promoted through readings, events and advertising.

Our imprint, Anstruther Books, is named after a lake in the North Kawarthas and curated by Jim Johnstone. Anstruther Books publishes poetry from a diverse cross-section of the Canadian literary community. This imprint specializes in poetry that is tapped into the speed and spirit of the 21st century, and includes political, socially-minded, and transgressive poetry, as well as conceptual books that maintain a lyric bent.

Small presses help build and strengthen literary communities. Please help support the continuation of small presses by buying their books. You can purchase our books at national retail chains and independents or through our online bookstore.

Palimpsest Press sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomie. (source: University of Windsor)