In this new instalment of our 5 questions with series, we interview Art Bouman from Fernwood Publishing.

1. Tell us about Fernwood Publishing. Where are you located and what kinds of books do you publish?

Fernwood Publishing is an independent publisher located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fernwood was founded in 1992 and over the last thirty years it, and its imprint Roseway, have published over 900 titles.

Our books analyze exploitation and oppression while amplifying struggles that seek to transform the status quo. We publish critical books for critical thinkers.

Fernwood is politically driven; publishing radical analysis and underheard voices. Readers choose Fernwood books because they engage with radical ideas and contribute to the structural change we are seeking.

2. What’s the single best thing you’ve done to promote your books to readers?

Despite our relatively small size we take a lot of time promoting each book. We leverage the contacts of the authors and work with them closely to find the audience for their book.

We pride ourselves on creating deep relationships with independent bookstores that are vital spaces of encounter for communities.

We prioritize backlist promotion rather than just promoting our new releases as many publishers do. We do this not just to sell our backlist but because we care deeply about the books we publish beyond the seasonal cycle.

3. What makes your publishing house different from others?

Fernwood has published books that challenge the status quo and push for the liberation of marginalized peoples for over thirty years. We are often the first to publish books that break new ground or provide critical analysis for the Canadian context.

Fernwood has created a workplace culture that is very collaborative. Members of the staff have the autonomy to do their work while also completing the necessary big tasks in democratic group meetings.

We take this same approach in author care. Our authors are consulted on every step of the book production and promotion process, and we work with them closely so we can help them realize their work fully.

This creates a culture where both authors come back to us and workers want to stay at the workplace.

4. What do you wish you had known about publishing when you were starting out?

Independent publishing is a barebones industry where each step of the process, from editing to production, to design, to marketing, is critical for the success of a given title. While it may seem glamorous, success often means maintaining strong relationships both with your co-workers and with the industry more widely. It means building new relationships in the community where you are located and doing things like offering consignment for new independent bookstores or lugging boxes to table local events.

5. What’s next for Fernwood Publishing?

We are excited to say that in the upcoming seasons we are expanding our trade forward collection. In the past, the majority of our titles were geared towards academic audiences, but we have been consciously shifting towards producing accessibly written books that appeal to a general audience. We hope that this will help spread the ideas in our books farther than ever before.

Thank you Art for answering our questionnaire! Read more instalments of our 5 questions with series here.

Are you an independent bookseller, small publisher, or library staffer interested in being featured in our 5 questions with blog series? Send us an email!