Chicken House Press

09/10/2025

Huge congratulations to author Jack Stilborn on the release of his debut novel today! If you're in the Ottawa area, consider joining him at Perfect Books this evening for a very special launch event.

Chicken House Press releases satirical debut celebrating democracy’s smallest battlefield.

08/10/2025

✨ There’s nothing quite like watching young readers discover a world where they truly belong ✨

Today we celebrate the release of HABITAN: The Parallel Place by Cheryl Skory Suma — a magical middle grade fantasy that weaves Cree language into spells, brings Canadian wilderness to life, and shows kids that being different isn’t just okay, it’s exactly what makes you capable of extraordinary things.

Born from bedtime stories and honouring Indigenous heritage, HABITAN is where C.S. Lewis meets Canadian Aboriginal storytelling. It’s a place where prairie dogs crack jokes, wise chickadees offer guidance, and young heroes learn that kindness and courage are always a choice — even when it’s hard.

For every child who’s ever felt different, who’s faced challenges, or who’s wondered if they have what it takes to make a difference… this story is for you. 💫

📖 Read the full press release at chickenhousepress.ca/press

📚 Available now in paperback and ebook wherever books are sold.

08/08/2025

Roots Before Branches 🌱

Hey there beautiful dreamers! This message went out to the CHP mailing list this morning, but in case you’re not part of that, I want to make it known that I’ve decided to keep traditional publishing submissions at Chicken House Press on pause to focus on what matters most: nurturing the incredible community I’ve already built.

Since going full-time in 2022, I’ve published 32 novels, 6 non-fiction titles, plus children’s books and magazines. I’m proud of this work, but that pace isn’t sustainable for a sole proprietorship.

When I started CHP, I led from scarcity—always saying yes because I wasn’t sure when the next opportunity would come. Now, with confidence blooming and CHP books winning international awards, I’m feeling called to nurture rather than over-extend.

I’m investing this time in stronger marketing for current authors, building distributor partnerships, and cultivating library relationships.

How you can help? Share the CHP books you love! Post about them, leave reviews, ask for CHP titles at bookstores and libraries. It may seem small, but it makes a tremendous impact.

Current authors: nothing changes for you. Your journey with me continues exactly as it has been - hopefully even better.

This is abundance, not scarcity. This is faith, not fear. This is choosing deep roots before wide branches. And this is trusting in an exciting future that is just around the corner.

You can read my full thoughts on this decision at chickenhousepress.ca/press

08/04/2025

BIG NEWS! 🚜📚

CHP is thrilled to announce the acquisition “Milksop” by recently retired English professor John Van Rys, a transformative coming of a novel set on a 1979 Ontario dairy farm.

When John signed his contract aboard his “midlife-crisis tractor” using a pen made from the wood of a maple that fell on his roof, and wearing a “Easily distracted by chickens and books” t-shirt… I knew he was meant for a publishing house that works out of an old chicken coop. 🐓

From city kid to farm hand, this is the story of 17-year-old Evan’s life-changing summer that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt stuck between who they were and who they’re becoming.

Coming Spring 2026! Read the full announcement on our website.

07/18/2025

🔥 EXCITING NEWS! 🔥

CHP is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Ace Baker’s second collection, “Bathing in Fire” - another powerful baker’s dozen coming October 2025!

Following the warm reception of “How to Make a Killing Jar,” in 2023, this new collection explores what happens when we’re fully immersed in life’s most transformative moments. From futuristic smokejumpers to intimate betrayals, these thirteen stories prove that real change requires total immersion, not just exposure.

Fun fact: Ace signed his contract while sitting on his library floor, surrounded by an 18,000-piece jigsaw puzzle 🧩 - the perfect metaphor for how he assembles seemingly disparate pieces of human experience into unforgettable stories.

Read the full acquisition announcement and learn more about what makes this collection so special by visiting the news section of our website.

05/30/2025

We're coming in at a cool number four on two of Amazon's Hot New Releases Charts! Sticks & Stones is sitting pretty among Canadian Collections and Readers as well as Canadian Short Stories. 🇨🇦❤️ https://amzn.to/44WvyPx

05/15/2025

Just imagine… the quiet joy of sitting in community (in an art gallery!) and giving your writing the attention it deserves. 😍 Join me on Saturday May 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Durham Art Gallery for the unmatched experience of a 12 hour writing intensive. I provide you with lunch and dinner and snacks and coffee. You provide the inspiration. Think of it like a spa day. But for your story. Learn more at chickenhousepress.ca/intensive and register to reserve your seat.

05/06/2025

This stunning little collection is coming later this May, featuring the eight winning stories from the Blank Spaces Magazine/Chicken House Press 2024 Anthology contest.

The stories within transform ordinary moments into revelations, exploring the delicate terrain between what we’ve lost, and what we might become. With luminous prose and unflinching honesty, this collection maps the quiet resilience of human heart – leaving readers changed in ways they never expected.

Pre-order at chickenhousepress.ca

05/02/2025

Makenzie’s Ring transported me back to those magical summer camp days of my youth with its vivid portrayal of friendship, s’mores by the campfire, and the bittersweet growth that comes from being away from home.

Teri Stevens crafts a compelling story that perfectly balances the everyday experiences of camp life with a touch of mystery and the supernatural. I was immediately drawn into 13-year-old Makenzie’s world as she navigates her first summer as a junior counsellor, dealing with overprotective parents, making new friends, and discovering an unusual ring in Lake Tahoe that seems to have a mind of its own.

The historical elements woven throughout the narrative added rich layers to the story. The Baldwin Manor’s century-old history and the gradual revelation of the ring’s tragic past kept me turning pages. I particularly enjoyed how Makenzie’s dreams connected her to events from long ago, blurring the lines between past and present in a way that felt both mystical and plausible.

Stevens captures the authentic voice of a teenage girl beautifully. Makenzie’s struggles with honesty, friendship, and understanding her parents’ perspective felt genuine and relatable. The relationships in this book, especially between Makenzie and Hannah, and later with Thomas, show meaningful character growth that resonated with me.

This charming middle-grade novel reminds us that objects can hold stories, that understanding comes with age, and that sometimes the most important discoveries at summer camp aren’t found in the lake, but within ourselves. A perfect summer read that will appeal to young readers and nostalgic adults alike!

05/01/2025

Huge congratulations to Teri Stevens on the launch of her sweet summer camp mystery today!

Chicken House Press is thrilled to announce the release of Makenzie's Ring , a mesmerizing middle grade novel by debut middle-grade author Teri Stevens. This enchanting summer camp mystery becomes available May 1, 2025, at Chicken House Press, Barnes & Noble, and all other major online reta

04/11/2025

Join CHP and April Sunshine for a virtual toast and author Q&A over Zoom, tonight at 6:30 EST.

Pop over to chickenhousepress.ca/calendar to find the zoom link. See you there!

02/14/2025

💫 Magic awakens this Valentine’s Day… 💫

SPARROW is finally here! After years of crafting this world of elemental magic, hidden realms, and impossible choices, this spellbinding debut from April Sunshine is ready to be shared.

Grab your copy to discover a world where magic always has a price and nothing is quite what it seems. Perfect for readers who love intricate magic systems, coming-of-age journeys, and characters who must decide who they truly are when everything they believed about themselves turns out to be an illusion.

Grab your copy today from the Chicken House Press website or search it up on your favourite online platform. Available in paperback and ebook.