2008 Fall Event News

You're invited to join us for the "Small Press Affair" on Saturday November 1st - a special night of fun and frolic, celebrating the sparkling spirit of independent press.

We're still catching our breath after the successful spring fair, and you probably are, too. In order to bring you a bigger and better fair in May of 2009 - featuring the nifty features and extra publicity you've been asking for - we're changing our format to one blockbuster fair in the spring and a lively evening get-together in the fall.

The "Small Press Affair" will feature panel discussions and eclectic entertainment promoting small press talent - including a Spoken Word vs Page Poetry vs Neo Wine Labelists Read-Off and a Saturday Night Smackdown with Nathaniel G. Moore, plus a silent auction and much more.

Want to get involved? This is your chance to shine, so send us your ideas, proposals and offer up your unique talents. E-mail us at torontosmallpressbookfair@yahoo.ca or contact us through our Facebook page.

The Small Press Affair
When: November 1, 2008,
Where: The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick (south of Bloor)
Time: 6pm -11pm

Featured Press - September

This month's featured press is Sweetie Pie Press

Read the interview - Visit their website

Fevered Spring

The Fevered Spring Almost Instant Anthology, edited and beautifully designed by Luciano Iacobelli, was published June 7th, 2008. One free copy was made available to contributors on the day of the fair.

Thanks to enthusiastic interest in the anthology from both local and international writers, we are printing more copies to meet the demand from contributors and the general public. Copies are available at $5 per copy. If you would like to order a copy or receive your free contributor's copy, e-mail us at torontosmallpressbookfair@yahoo.ca or contact us through our Facebook page. Thanks!

See the list of people who made it into the anthology.

New Photos

Photos from the 2008 fair have been added!

Saturday, June 7th

The Toronto Small Press Book Fair celebrates its 21st year highlighting the work of Toronto's small presses this Saturday at the Miles Nadal JCC on Saturday. Christopher Dewdney, Moez Surani, Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, Emma Donoghue, Sky Gilbert, Nathaniel G. Moore, Gianna Patriarca, Valentino Assenza, Shawn Parker, Anna Camilleri, Edward Brown, David Clink, Clara Blackwood and Catherine Graham will perform at the event.

Attention budding writers & poets - the writing doctors are in!

For the low price of only $2, you can take advantage of a special opportunity to have one (1) page of your poetry or prose critiqued by one of these four respected Small Press writers - Catherine Graham, Allan Briesmaster, Edward Brown and Sandra Kasturi. Come to our "Writing Doctors" table with your page of work and $2, and you will benefit from some friendly advice & helpful criticism. And who knows, in a couple of years, you could be attending the Small Press Book Fair as a featured reader!

* Funds go to support the fair's writers/readers.

Podcast

Just wanted to let you know that the podcast has been posted. To listen, head to www.futureale.com, click on the 'podcasts' link, followed by 'FutuRéale Radio'.

High Heel Lo Fi

Just to add to the excitement of this years Fair we have hot Indie Band High Heel Lo Fi as our musical guests!!!

Christopher Dewdney Headlines The 21st Toronto Small Press Book Fair

Four-time Governor-General Award nominee and 2007 Harbourfront Festival Prize Winner, Christopher Dewdney, will be the featured reader as The Toronto Small Press Book Fair celebrates its 21st birthday at a brand-new location - the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre on Saturday, June 7.

From noon to 5:00 p.m. publishers, writers, fans and friends of Canada's smaller presses/publishers/publications will gather at the JCC to support a long-standing tradition on the Canadian literary scene.

Small presses of every size, from the micro to the not-so-tiny will offer all kinds of books for sale, including chapbooks, spoken word CD's and 'zines that offer different perspectives and opportunities to enjoy alternative literary experiences.

The Fair is also offering readings from some of Toronto's better known and emerging writing talents. In addition to headliner Christopher Dewdney, Moez Surani, Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, Emma Donoghue, Sky Gilbert, Nathaniel G. Moore, Gianna Patriarca, Valentino Assenza, Shawn Parker, Anna Camilleri, Edward Brown, David Clink, Clara Blackwood and Catherine Graham will perform their work. As well there will be door prizes to be won, a special "Fevered Spring" anthology for sale, and every opportunity to mingle. The Toronto Small Press Book Fair offers family-friendly fare, too.

The Miles Nadal JCC is at 750 Spadina Avenue at Bloor, a half-block south of the Spadina subway station.

Fevered Spring Anthology

Writers and artists have from now until May 31st at midnight to send us their entry for the Fevered Spring Anthology:

~ a one-page, one-sided document only
~ any genre of prose or poetry, or laundry list or manifesto, as well as artwork welcomed
~ please use 18 point font on regular white bond paper, 8.5 x 11
~ include your name on the work, this is not blind judging and approximately 50 entries will be used.

Please mail to:
The Toronto Small Press Group
17 Greyton Cres., Toronto, On.
M6E 2G1

An editor for the Anthology will choose pieces by the due date for inclusion and then they will be made into a chapbook for purchase on the day of the fair.

Successful contributors will receive one free chapbook.

Good luck!!
The Small Press Fair Board

THE 2008 FAIR

We're going to be holding the fair at the JCC -- the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre -- this spring, June 7th, 2008. It's bigger, with room for more exhibitors, and it's air-conditioned, too!

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
750 Spadina Avenue
Toronto Ontario
M5S 2J2
(corner of Spadina/Bloor)

Time: 12-5
Date: June 7, 2008

DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM (PDF)

Please note the following volunteer positions are available to help us out with the fair:
~ greeter
~ raffle ticket distributor
~ press/info table
~ collecting donations
~ morning set up
~ evening clean up

Please email carolina@carolinasmart.ca if you are interested.

Featured Press - April

This month's featured press is Vauve Press

Read the interview - Visit their website

Featured Press - March

This month's featured press is Repeating Pig Press

Read the interview - Visit their website

2008 Budget News

Click here to read our letter to the Toronto Arts Council.

Letter to the Toronto Arts Council 2008

Click here to read our letter to the Toronto Arts Council.

Funding Update

Myna Wallin successfully deputed at The City Hall on Feb. 5th, in front of the Budget Committee, on behalf of the Toronto Small Press Book Fair. As soon as the Committee lets us know, we'll post the results here. But the TSPBF was up against 69 other arts groups and worthy community causes. The competition is fierce for additional City of Toronto funds.

Plasticine Poetry Series

Join us for another stellar night of wicked-wild poetic stylings from: Iza Bryniarska, James Dewar, Boonaa Mohamed, and Halli Villegas. Hosted by the ever-effervescent Cathy Petch and Michael Fraser.

Host: Cathy Petch & Michael Fraser
Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Time: 8:00pm - 11:55pm
Location: The Central
Street: 603 Markham St.
City/Town: Toronto, ON
Map: Click to view map

Misunderstanding

Check out our interview with Misunderstanding Magazine.

Support the Fair

The Toronto Small Press Book Fair has been added to the Budget Committee's speakers' list. Myna Wallin* will have 5 minutes to address the Budget Committee on February 5th, 2008, in the Committee Room, second floor, City Hall. We will be presenting a written submission as well, with copies on hand for the Budget Committee members and staff. We will be deputing the need for additional Arts Funds for the fair, and we are slated as number 40 on the list of 70 arts organizations listed to depute that day. Please come on out and support us!

Please note that the Budget Committee will have a lunch recess from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (They have not given us a specific time to depute; it may be that the Arts Organizations and individuals must be there all day. We will be finding out that information and let you know.)

*(They have added my name to the list, on behalf of the Toronto Small Press Book Fair but if anyone on our board wants to approach this committee with me, I'd appreciate the support!)

We Placed Third!

We're proud to annouce that we placed third in the Torontoist's annual heroes and villains contest.
Check it out!

Thanks Everyone!

Organizers Halli Villegas and Myna Wallin want to thank all the presses who took part this fall and all the tireless volunteers who made the fair run smoothly, as well as the excellent readers who took part. The small press book fair was a huge success, thanks to everyone involved -- that means you!

The next fair will be on SATURDAY JUNE 7th, 2008! So mark that down in your calendars, everyone!

Read our Letter to the Presses

Keep an eye out for the downloadable entry form for the next fair. First come first served! It will go up well in advance of the next fair, June 7th, 2008.

Meet the New Board

A board of directors has volunteered to help with the fair:

David Chilton - Publicity and Marketing Director
Luciano Iacobelli - Community Outreach Coordinator
Carolina Smart - Volunteer Coordinator
Myna Wallin & Halli Villegas - Small Press Book Fair Co-organizers