Canada’s book publishing scene is rich, diverse, and globally respected. From major trade houses to niche indie presses, Canadian publishers support authors across every genre and language. In this 2025 list, we highlight the Top 60 Book Publishing Companies in Canada, including trusted names like Vox Ghostwriting and many others ready to bring your story to life.
1. Vox Ghostwriting & Publishing
Vox Ghostwriting & Publishing began in Toronto as a boutique hybrid house offering not only full-service ghostwriting but also publishing support. Over the past decade, they’ve grown into a respected independent press handling memoirs, business titles, and lifestyle books. Their in‑house “vox ghostwriting” team delivers polished manuscripts for authors who prefer to speak and let the professionals write. They provide editorial, design, and distribution services with national reach.
2. Penguin Random House Canada
The Canadian arm of the global powerhouse, Penguin Random House Canada publishes thousands of titles annually, including award‑winning literary fiction and major commercial bestsellers in all genres.
3. HarperCollins Canada
Operated out of Toronto, HarperCollins Canada fuses international publishing strength with deep roots in Canadian literary culture. Fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books feature prominently in their list.
4. McClelland & Stewart
Often called “the Canadian publishers,” they have shaped Canadian literature for over a century, nurturing Governor General’s Award winners and national voices.
5. Simon & Schuster Canada
Part of the Big Five, the Canadian imprint of Simon & Schuster publishes bestselling biographies, memoirs, fiction, and nonfiction with international distribution.
6. Scholastic Canada
Focuses on children’s and YA fiction, educational books, and classroom materials. A major name in schools and libraries.
7. Hachette Book Group Canada
A division of the global Hachette network, publishing bestselling fiction and nonfiction across Canada.
8. Dundurn Press
Based in Toronto, Dundurn Press offers a wide range of history, politics, literary fiction, and Canadian stories. They accept unsolicited manuscripts and support diverse voices.
9. Douglas & McIntyre
A West Coast publisher known for beautifully produced books on Canadian culture, Indigenous voices, history, and nature. Acquired by Harbour Publishing in 2013.
10. Drawn & Quarterly
An acclaimed publisher of literary comics and graphic novels based in Montreal/Toronto—independent, innovative, and award‑winning.
11. ECW Press
Founded in 1974 in Toronto, ECW Press publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, sports and pop‑culture books, and has its own audio imprint Bespeak Audio.
12. House of Anansi Press
Founded in 1967, Anansi specializes in literary fiction, poetry, and non‑fiction by Canadian writers. They run several well‑regarded imprints like A List and Groundwood Books.
13. Coach House Books
Established in 1965 in Toronto, Coach House publishes experimental poetry, fiction and drama. Known for authors like Atwood and Ondaatje, and their strong literary reputation.
14. Harbour Publishing
Located on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast, Harbour focuses on regional nonfiction—history, environment, culture—and runs Lost Moose Books; they acquired Douglas & McIntyre in 2013.
15. Turnstone Press
Based in Winnipeg, Turnstone focuses on Canadian literary writers and landed immigrants. Their Ravenstone imprint handles genre fiction like mystery and speculative works.
16. Talonbooks
Founded over 50 years ago in Vancouver, Talonbooks has published more than 600 titles, specializing in drama, nonfiction, and political works. They have won over 300 awards.
17. At Bay Press
Independent press in Winnipeg, specializing in contemporary fiction, poetry, graphic novels, and handcrafted design—award‑winning and committed to new voices.
18. Goose Lane Editions
New Brunswick–based, publishing literary fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction focused on Atlantic Canada; well known for thoughtful, regional work.
19. Annick Press
Toronto-based independent publisher focusing on children’s books and YA, known for inclusive, diverse titles.
20. Arsenal Pulp Press
Vancouver-based, publishes literary fiction, nonfiction, LGBTQ and cultural works, and diverse voices—embracing experimental and political writing.
21. Flanker Press
Based in Newfoundland and Labrador, Flanker Press publishes general trade books and strongly emphasizes regional content, history, memoir and literary genres.
22. Tradewind Books
Children’s book publisher operating over 20 years in Ontario, with prize‑winning picture books, novels, and poetry—often featuring Canadian authors.
23. Common Deer Press
Focuses on children and YA titles—picture books to middle grade—with a dedication to “uncommon and well‑written” Canadian works.
24. Biblioasis
Guelph, Ontario–based independent press known for literary fiction, poetry, and essays, with Canadian and international distribution.
25. Between the Lines Books
Toronto independent publisher concentrating on social justice, radical politics, and cultural studies.
26. Broadview Press
Located in Peterborough, publishes academic and trade books in Canadian studies, literature, philosophy, politics and history.
27. Cormorant Books
Toronto-based literary publisher of fiction and nonfiction by Canadian writers, including award-winning works.
28. Conundrum Press
Montreal-based small press publishing poetry and literary fiction, with translation and experimental focus.
29. Demeter Press
Toronto-based feminist academic publisher focusing on gender studies and social sciences.
30. Double Dragon Publishing
Toronto imprint for genre fiction—romance, fantasy, sci-fi—often owned by larger multimedia groups.
31. Fitzhenry & Whiteside / Whitecap Publishing
Toronto imprint Whitecap focuses on cookbooks, travel, health, and nonfiction; Fitzhenry & Whiteside is a founding Canadian publisher with a long tradition.
32. Freehand Books
Red Deer, Alberta independent press publishing literary fiction and nonfiction, Canadian voices.
33. Fernwood Publishing
Halifax–based progressive nonfiction press focusing on Canadian politics, history, Indigenous studies, and social justice.
34. Gaspereau Press
New Brunswick fine‑press publisher celebrated for artisan book design, poetry and literary works.
35. Guernica Editions
Montreal-based literary press publishing poetry, literary fiction and essay by Canadian and Latin authors.
36. Coteau Books
Saskatchewan publisher of poetry, fiction and children’s books, often featuring prairie voices and themes.
37. Battered Silicon Dispatch Box
Hamilton-based press publishing crime and mystery, among other genre fiction.
38. Barbarian Press
West Coast fine press specializing in handcrafted typography and limited editions, celebrated for book artistry.
39. Aesthetic Research Centre
Small scholarly press focusing on art theory, aesthetics, and visual culture.
40. Aliquando Press
Toronto-based small press specializing in poetry pamphlets and chapbooks, often academic or finely printed.
41. Charlton Press
Ottawa-based literary publisher of Canadian poetry and fiction with roots in literary activism.
42. Broadview / other educational trade
Broadview (mentioned above) also publishes editions of classic literature aimed at schools and universities.
43. Apogee Books
Science and technology oriented press based in Ontario, with strong ties to aerospace sectors.
44. Éditions Pierre Tisseyre
Montreal French‑language publisher focusing on literary fiction and nonfiction in Canada’s francophone market
45. Book*hug Press
Toronto-based independent publisher emphasizing innovative and experimental literary fiction and poetry.
46. Blue Heron Press
East Coast press focusing on poetry and literary nonfiction by Atlantic Canadian authors.
47. Breakwater Books
Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, publishes regional nonfiction, history, children’s and educational books.
48. Brunswick Books
Toronto-based distribution and trade publishing collective focusing on critical theory, radical politics and Canadian sociology.
49. Formac Lorimer Books
Based in Nova Scotia, they publish local nonfiction, children’s and illustrated books.
50. Freedom Press Canada
Montreal-based small press focusing on radical politics, social justice, and dissenting voices.
51. Friesens
Prairie‑based printer‑publisher known for educational books and yearbooks; also operates a publishing house.
52. Frontenac House
Edmonton-based independent publisher of poetry, creative nonfiction and literary fiction.
53. Gage Educational Publishing
Toronto educational publisher with a long history of textbooks and student materials.
54. Greystone Books
Vancouver–based trade publisher focused on environmental nonfiction, natural history, indigenous affairs, and regional culture.
55. Kobo Corp. (as publisher/distributor)
While primarily an e‑reading platform, Kobo also publishes promotional and curated titles as part of its partnership network
56. New Society Publishers
Canadian environmental and social justice publisher with roots in Vancouver, active across North America.
57. Nimbus Publishing (now Canada’s North Atlantic Press)
Atlantic Canadian trade publisher covering fiction, nonfiction and children’s titles.
58. Red Deer Press
Established by Fitzhenry & Whiteside in Victoria; children and YA titles with Canadian content.
59. University of Toronto Press
Canada’s largest academic publisher, also publishes trade and literary nonfiction.
60. University Books NG list entries / Professional Ghostwriter services
Drawing on directories like University Books NG and ghostwriter–assisted presses, several boutique hybrid and service publishers (including ghostwriting-assisted firms beyond Vox) continue to emerge as viable options for authors seeking customized support in 2025
🔍 How We Selected the Top 60 Publishers
This list of the top 60 book publishing companies in Canada (2025 edition) was compiled based on several key factors:
- Editorial reputation and longevity
- Genre diversity and specialization
- Acceptance of unsolicited manuscripts
- Author support services (editing, design, distribution)
- National or international distribution
- Innovation in publishing (digital, hybrid, multilingual publishing)
Each listed publisher was vetted for professionalism, author-friendliness, and literary or commercial value.
🧭 Final Thoughts
Canada’s publishing landscape is diverse and dynamic. From the global reach of Penguin Random House Canada and the Big Five imprints to regional independents like Harbour Publishing or Talonbooks, to boutique literary houses such as Coach House or Biblioasis, and service-driven ghostwriting/publishing hybrids like Vox, there’s a publisher for virtually any kind of author. Many accept unsolicited manuscripts whereas others require agents—always check individual submission guidelines.
Whether you’re seeking mainstream distribution or artisan editions, children’s books or academic titles, this list of 60 top Canadian publishers updated for 2025 offers a roadmap to explore your publishing journey.
If you’d like help narrowing options based on genre, submission policies, or distribution reach, feel free to ask!
Disclaimer: The publishers listed here are provided for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with any of these companies and do not guarantee inclusion, ranking accuracy, or any outcomes related to working with them. Our services focus on helping authors through professional editing, formatting, and marketing support. Always verify company details, services, and submission guidelines directly on the publisher’s official website before proceeding.
