Toronto, ON | The Quilliad Press, a new Canadian small press publisher best known for their literary and arts journal, The Quilliad, is expanding, and they’re using crowdfunding to do it.
Why Kickstarter? Press founder Sarah Varnam says crowdfunding is a great way to garner support from the people who matter: The Quilliad‘s current and future readers. The campaign provides The Quilliad Press with a way to approach potential supporters while offering something in return, namely rewards ranging from copies of The Quilliad, books from the press’s upcoming chapbook line, and publications by staff members (all writers—and, in many cases, artists—themselves) to custom art and poetry written for backers on demand.
The press has previously raised funds on an issue-to-issue basis, but now that they have experienced the potential of their projects, they want to become more sustainable. The Quilliad is now available at local zine libraries (the Toronto Zine Library and the OCADU Zine Library) and on the shelves at Artarium, a new art store on Spadina. The press’s web presence is growing as well, as they post reviews of small press books, artist profiles, and coverage of local art and literary events on their blog. An online store is also in the works, and readers can already order copies by emailing the press directly.
Interest in The Quilliad is evident in what other publications, contributors, and readers have to say about the journal. A review in Broken Pencil, “the magazine of zine culture and the independent arts”, called The Quilliad “[A] cleverly-named litzine full of clever writing.” Issue 5 contributor Lisa Young, author of the poetry collection When the Earth, published by Quattro Books, says, “I highly recommend The Quilliad. The folks at the helm of this journal are open to good writing of all kinds. Great for readers and great for writers.” Long-time supporter and Toronto resident Paul Green states, “I look forward to each issue of The Quilliad—clever name!—with keen anticipation. This magazine, and now blog, is a window into the emerging arts scene and a great way to support new talent. Bravo!”
The press’s Kickstarter runs until October 20, 2015 at midnight, concurrent with The Quilliad‘s issue 6 submission call. The launch party for issue 6 will take place at Betty’s on King on October 29, 7-11 PM.
About The Quilliad Press
The Quilliad Press publishes and promotes Canadian writing and art and champions small press publishing. Their literary and arts journal, The Quilliad, is a biannual publication of poetry, flash fiction, short stories, visual art, and photography by emerging and established Canadian writers and artists. The press is open to everything from sonnets and landscape photography to literary science fiction and horror-inspired art. The Quilliad is a paying publication, and chapbooks writers and artists will likewise be compensated for their work.
Website/blog: thequilliad.wordpress.com
Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com
Press Contact (available for interview)
Sarah Varnam, Founder of The Quilliad Press and Editor-in-Chief of The Quilliad
Phone: 416-949-7980
Email: thequilliad@gmail.com
