Tightrope Books was a Canadian independent book publisher based in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, 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 genera ...

'' Series created by

David Lehman David Lehman (born June 11, 1948) is an American poet, non-fiction writer, and literary critic, and the founder and series editor for '' The Best American Poetry''. He was a writer and freelance journalist for fifteen years, writing for such pub ...

''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, 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, ...

, Kevin Connolly, Meira Cook, Dani Couture, Sadiqa de Meijer, Barry Dempster,

Jeramy Dodds Jeramy Dodds (born 4 December 1974 in Ajax, Ontario) is a Canadians, 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 U ...

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 Eng ...

, Susan Elmslie, Jason Guriel, Aurian Haller, Jason Heroux, Iain Higgins, Bill Howell, Helen Humphreys, 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 Univ ...

, Michael Lista,

Keith Maillard Keith Maillard (born 28 February 1942, in Wheeling, West Virginia) is an American Canadian 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 Vietn ...

, Don McKay, A. F. Moritz, Jim Nason, Peter Norman, Alison Pick, E. Alex Pierce, Craig Poile, Matt Rader, Michael Eden Reynolds, Shane Rhodes, Joy Russell, Heather Sellers, David Seymour, J. Mark Smith, Adam Sol,

Carmine Starnino Carmine Starnino is a Canadians, Canadian poet, essayist, educator and editing, editor. Biography He was born in 1970 in Montreal, Quebec, into an Italian people, Italian heritage. His first poetry collection ''The New World'' (1997) was nomina ...

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 an ...

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 novelist, poet, literary critic, and an inventor. Since 1961, she has published 18 books of poetry, 18 novels, 11 books of nonfiction, nine collections of short fiction, eight chi ...

, Ken Babstock, Shirley Bear,

, Asa Boxer,

, Jan Conn,

Lorna Crozier Lorna Crozier, (born 24 May 1948) is a Canadian poet, author, and former chair of the Writing Department at the University of Victoria. She is the author of twenty-five books and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2011 as one of Ca ...

, 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 novelist, poet, and short story writer. Biography Evelyn Lau was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 2, 1971, to Chinese-Canadian parents from Hong Kong. Lau attended Templeton Secondary ...

, Richard Lemm, Dave Margoshes, Don McKay, Eric Miller, Shane Neilson, Peter Norman, David O'Meara,

P. K. Page Patricia Kathleen Page, (23 November 1916 – 14 January 2010) was a 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 Fellow of th ...

, 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, Peter Dale Scott, 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 n ...

, Ricardo Sternberg,

John Terpstra John Terpstra (born in Brockville Brockville is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, in the Thousand Islands region. Although it is the seat of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, it is politically Independent city, independent of the ...

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 wo ...

Matthew Tierney Matthew or Matt Tierney may refer to: * Matthew Tierney (poet) (born 1970), Canadian poet * Sir Matthew John Tierney (1776–1845), Irish surgeon * Matthew Tierney (Gaelic footballer) (fl. 2020s) * Matt Tierney (rugby union) (born 1996), Canad ...

, Patrick Warner,

Tom Wayman Thomas Ethan Wayman (born 13 August 1945) is a Canadian author. Born in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Wayman has lived most of his life in British Columbia. He studied at the University of British Columbia (BA 1966), and the University of California, ...

, 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 June 2022. Life and career Zwicky received her BA from the University of Calgary and earned her PhD at ...

. ''The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2010'' Editors: Lorna Crozier and Molly Peacock Writers: Ken Babstock, John Barton, Anne Compton, Allan Cooper, Mary Dalton, 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 W ...

, Don Domanski, Glen Downie,

Sue Goyette Susan (Sue) Goyette (born 4 April 1964 in Sherbrooke, Quebec) is a Canadian poet and novelist. Biography Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Goyette grew up in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, on Montreal's south shore. Her first poetry book, ''The True Na ...

, Rosemary Griebel, Adrienne Gruber, Jamella Hagen,

, Warren Heiti, M.G.R. Hickman-Barr, Maureen Hynes, Michael Johnson, Jim Johnstone, Sonnet L'Abbé, Fiona Tinwei Lam,

, Katherine Lawrence, Ross Leckie,

, 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,

Eleonore Schönmaier Eleonore Schönmaier is a Canadian poet and fiction writer. Career Eleonore Schönmaier is the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collections ''Field Guide to the Lost Flower of Crete'' (2021), ''Dust Blown Side of the Journey'' (2017) ...

, David Seymour, Melanie Siebert,

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 in ...

, Nick Thran, Carey Toane, Anne-Marie Turza, Paul Tyler, Patrick Warner, Zachariah Wells, Patricia Young,

David Zieroth David Zieroth (born November 7, 1946, in Neepawa, Manitoba)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 June 2022. Life and career Zwicky received her BA from the University of Calgary and earned her PhD at ...

. Sources of Poems 2008: *

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 construction material used to build walls, pavements and other elements in masonry construction. Properly, the term ''brick'' denotes a unit primarily composed of clay. But is now also used informally to denote building un ...

* 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 establ ...

* 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 written in several languages including Canadian English, English, Canadian French, French, and various Indigenous Canadian languages. It is often divided into French- and English-language literatures, which are rooted in th ...

* Prairie Fire *

Border Crossings Borders are generally defined as geographical boundaries, imposed either by features such as oceans and terrain, or by political entities such as governments, sovereign states, federated states, and other subnational entities. Political borders c ...

*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 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. The entrance connects it to either a passageway, another room, or the outdoors. The space is ...

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

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

*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. ''Geist'' can be roughly translated into three English meanings: ghost (as in the supernatural entity), spirit (as in the Holy Spirit), and mind or int ...

*The Antigonish Review *Brick *This Magazine * Canadian Notes & Queries *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), document ...

, 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'', ''Eati ...

*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 Foundation, Lambda Literary to recognize the crucial role LGBTQ+ writers play in shaping the world. The Lammys celebrate the very best in LGBTQ+ literatur ...

for Lesbian Poetry. It made the 2011 Gerald Lampert Memorial Award 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