Tagona Press

07/07/2025

The Sporting Life …

As a keen, enthusiastic, committed lifelong athlete (descriptors like 'talented', 'accomplished' would take this post into the world of fiction) -- I am thrilled that our Tagona Press team is releasing two memoirs in Autumn 2025 that have high level competitive sports as key narrative themes. Today, I am pleased to introduce the first one …

'The Book of Geoff' is an incredible story of personal growth and resilience told by California's Geoff McArthur. Geoff's journey from a tough Lynwood / Watts Los Angeles neighborhood upbringing to University of California Berkeley football fame (All American wide receiver, Cal Sports Hall of Famer) and followed by a fine career as an educator / football coach (now part of the elite LA-area St John Bosco High School program) - a nice story on its own. But Geoff then battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a fearsome disease that almost took his life at age 39 … and Geoff came out the other side with an entirely new outlook on life and his place in the world.

Geoff's fine friends from Cal Berkeley and beyond are contributing their insights into his life and times - NFLers Marshawn Lynch, Tully Banta-Cain, and Neville Gallimore (also one of Ottawa's finest!) … James Beshara, noted Silicon Valley tech investor and philosopher … the multi-talented Rod Benson (former professional basketballer, now an accomplished author (‘Different Dude') / visual artist / improv comedian) is kindly providing a 'Geoff' foreword. Our Sault pal and international sports expert Romain Landu is part of the Tagona team (… and Romain IS a talented and accomplished athlete!) … we are honoured to help Geoff take his inspiring life story to the world.

The 'Book of Geoff' is set for North American release this fall.

06/30/2025

Intro
A Tagona Press book - almost 55 years in the making

On August 24, 1970 four anti-Vietnam war activists known as the 'New Year's Day Gang' detonated a massive bomb at Sterling Hall, University of Wisconsin (Madison). One scientist was killed; 3 people were badly injured. These events forever shifted the American anti-war movement's trajectory - it was the first time that protestors had taken an innocent person's life.

The Sterling Hall events attracted international attention. The bombers escaped and fled to Canada. Three were eventually recaptured and extradited to Wisconsin. Each received significant prison sentences. One has remained at large to this day - Leo Frederick Burt, still named as one the FBI's '10 Most Wanted' domestic terrorists.

… And veteran award winning Canadian crime / investigative journalist Rik Davie has a remarkable story. Rik believes that he has located Burt - alive and living in south central Ontario. I have known Rik a long time - he epitomizes 'dogged, determined, and insightful' journalism. We have carefully reviewed his work tracking Burt - last seen in Peterborough, Ontario in September 1970, when he escaped from a rooming house surrounded by police who were awaiting the RCMP's takedown call - it never came (and fuel for the theory that Burt was an FBI plant in the Madison anti-war movement).

We are proud to work with Rik - he crafts a compelling, fact-driven story no matter whether the reader accepts or rejects Rik's conclusions. A detailed article published today by Madison's Doug Moe (a fine reporter with 50 years’ experience covering Burt and Sterling Hall) provides further insights into the great unsolved question, "What really happened to Leo Burt?"

The Doug Moe article is accessible at Madison Magazine (our fine digital platform / media laws prevent me from sharing it directly - but it is a good read).

… the 'Burt' photo attached here is an age-enhanced FBI image.
Rik's book 'Leo Burt: The 50-Year Hunt' is listed on our Tagona site. It is fascinating for us to be part of this remarkable 1970 story whose echoes - like the fatal Sterling Hall bomb blast - have never faded away.

06/30/2025

A Tagona Press book - almost 55 years in the making

On August 24, 1970 four anti-Vietnam war activists known as the 'New Year's Day Gang' detonated a massive bomb at Sterling Hall, University of Wisconsin (Madison). One scientist was killed; 3 people were badly injured. These events forever shifted the American anti-war movement's trajectory - it was the first time that protestors had taken an innocent person's life.

The Sterling Hall events attracted international attention. The bombers escaped and fled to Canada. Three were eventually recaptured and extradited to Wisconsin. Each received significant prison sentences. One has remained at large to this day - Leo Frederick Burt, still named as one the FBI's '10 Most Wanted' domestic terrorists.
… And veteran award winning Canadian crime / investigative journalist Rik Davie has a remarkable story. Rik believes that he has located Burt - alive and living in south central Ontario. I have known Rik a long time - he epitomizes 'dogged, determined, and insightful' journalism. We have carefully reviewed his work tracking Burt - last seen in Peterborough, Ontario in September 1970, when he escaped from a rooming house surrounded by police who were awaiting the RCMP's takedown call - it never came (and fuel for the theory that Burt was an FBI plant in the Madison anti-war movement).

We are proud to work with Rik - he crafts a compelling, fact-driven story no matter whether the reader accepts or rejects Rik's conclusions. A detailed article published today by Madison's Doug Moe (a fine reporter with 50 years’ experience covering Burt and Sterling Hall) provides further insights into the great unsolved question, "What really happened to Leo Burt?"

The Doug Moe article is accessible here (Madison Magazine): https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/has-a-canadian-journalist-found-bombing-fugitive-leo-burt/article_0ad15b6c-3ae7-431a-adb0-fc22f1e2eacb.html

… the 'Burt' photo attached here is an age-enhanced FBI image.
Rik's book 'Leo Burt: The 50-Year Hunt' is listed on our Tagona site. It is fascinating for us to be part of this remarkable 1970 story whose echoes - like the fatal Sterling Hall bomb blast - have never faded away.

06/30/2025

A Tagona Press book - almost 55 years in the making

On August 24, 1970 four anti-Vietnam war activists known as the 'New Year's Day Gang' detonated a massive bomb at Sterling Hall, University of Wisconsin (Madison). One scientist was killed; 3 people were badly injured. These events forever shifted the American anti-war movement's trajectory - it was the first time that protestors had taken an innocent person's life.

The Sterling Hall events attracted international attention. The bombers escaped and fled to Canada. Three were eventually recaptured and extradited to Wisconsin. Each received significant prison sentences. One has remained at large to this day - Leo Frederick Burt, still named as one the FBI's '10 Most Wanted' domestic terrorists.

… And veteran award winning Canadian crime / investigative journalist Rik Davie has a remarkable story. Rik believes that he has located Burt - alive and living in south central Ontario. I have known Rik a long time - he epitomizes 'dogged, determined, and insightful' journalism. We have carefully reviewed his work tracking Burt - last seen in Peterborough, Ontario in September 1970, when he escaped from a rooming house surrounded by police who were awaiting the RCMP's takedown call - it never came (and fuel for the theory that Burt was an FBI plant in the Madison anti-war movement).

We are proud to work with Rik - he crafts a compelling, fact-driven story no matter whether the reader accepts or rejects Rik's conclusions. A detailed article published today by Madison's Doug Moe (a fine reporter with 50 years experience covering Burt and Sterling Hall) provides further insights into the great unsolved question, "What really happened to Leo Burt?"

The Doug Moe article is accessible here (Madison Magazine): https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/has-a-canadian-journalist-found-bombing-fugitive-leo-burt/article_ … the 'Burt' photo attached here is an age-enhanced FBI image.

Rik's book 'Leo Burt: The 50-Year Hunt' is listed on our Tagona site. It is fascinating for us to be part of this remarkable 1970 story whose echoes - like the fatal Sterling Hall bomb blast - have never faded away.

06/26/2025

On June 25, Tagona author and Sault Ste Marie native Diane Sims ('Living Beyond The Shadow') formally received her Order of Canada honours from the Governor - General at Rideau Hall, Ottawa. We were pleased to celebrate Diane's grand achievements that evening at Ottawa's excellent indie book store, Perfect Books.

Diane has also been named as MAiD advocacy organization Bridge C-14's 'Honourary Champion' - we are proud to publish Diane's story.

06/13/2025

Children's books may the single literary genre most impacted by AI-based technologies. ChatGTP and its rivals have triggered a massive rise in publications apparently geared to young readers. On even a cursory review, many of these offerings seem hollow. They plainly lack the human centred power of high quality storytelling.

We are proud to publish three fine books that remain true to human creation and the literary craft. 'Dreaming of Dates', 'Backgammon with Bababorzog', and 'Home - A Sense of Belonging' have been conceived and authored by four Canadian subject matter experts: Ardavan Eizadirad, Rabia Khokhar, Cathy Miyata, and Natalie Royer. These works will not only resonate with children of any age. They also exemplify how truly skilled writers can use contemporary Canadian settings and our wonderful societal diversity to seamlessly engage with young readers.

All three books are available through Tagona Press through the links provided. They will also be marketed across two national distribution networks commencing July 1, 2025. We are honoured to contribute to books that make a difference.

06/11/2025

🚨 Big News from Tagona Press! 🚨
We now accept Bitcoin and all major cryptocurrencies as payment! 🪙📚

Whether you're buying books, publishing with us, or accessing our creative services — you can now pay with BTC, ETH, and more. No borders, no banks, just stories and technology working together.

Tagona Press: proudly independent, future-ready, and now crypto-friendly.

👉 Learn more or shop now at tagonapress.com

05/28/2025

It is not everyday that a Canadian writer / military historian has their work featured in the famed Imperial War Museum (London, UK) - but Tagona Press author (and former Saultite) Tom Douglas can now claim this fine distinction.

Tom's excellent 'Duke Schiller' biography chronicles the life - and death - of a true Canadian aviation hero --- American born, Sault Ste Marie-based bush pilot pioneer, famed rescuer of the 1928 'Bremen' crew (the first to cross the Atlantic from Europe by air, crash landing in Labrador), and a remarkably brave Bomber Ferry Command pilot during WWII … among many other distinctions - and now one of the world's great museums has Tom's 'Duke' story … Well done!!

The book is available through our Tagona website (https://tagonapress.com/product/whispering-duke-schiller/) -- and long live the 'Duke'!

05/20/2025

Excited about this fine story finally being told ...

November 1943 … a letter sent to a young Canadian soldier serving in southern England by his North Bay, Ontario sweetheart. They had only met once in person, but their long distance romance bloomed for almost three years through correspondence like this. Imagine the 19 year old sender's pain when she first read the stamp: 'Return to Sender: Deceased'. Perhaps Rita Pinkerton took some comfort then from the words penned in ink, doubtless those of a kind soul sensing this letter would cause deep sorrow: '15 Nov 43 Ad Astra' - 'to the stars'.

Tagona Press is proud to publish 'Dear Rita', a wonderful story of wartime romance and two lives that remain inextricably linked over 80 years later. Sault Ste Marie's Joanne Gallant found a 75 letter collection carefully preserved among her Aunt Rita's effects after Rita's death - Joanne is determined that Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery gunner Bob Lumsden's life would not be forgotten. North American publishing award winner Helen Dow has crafted a fine narrative linking these letters to the War and the wider world. What was, what is, and what might have been …

'Dear Rita' will be available for pre-order on our Tagona Press site. Please contact Bryan Davies ([email protected]) for more details.

05/20/2025

November 1943 … a letter sent to a young Canadian soldier serving in southern England by his North Bay, Ontario sweetheart. They had only met once in person, but their long distance romance bloomed for almost three years through correspondence like this. Imagine the 19 year old sender's pain when she first read the stamp: 'Return to Sender: Deceased'. Perhaps Rita Pinkerton took some comfort then from the words penned in ink, doubtless those of a kind soul sensing this letter would cause deep sorrow: '15 Nov 43 Ad Astra' - 'to the stars'.

Tagona Press is proud to publish 'Dear Rita', a wonderful story of wartime romance and two lives that remain inextricably linked over 80 years later. Sault Ste Marie's Joanne Gallant found a 75 letter collection carefully preserved among her Aunt Rita's effects after Rita's death - Joanne is determined that Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery gunner Bob Lumsden's life would not be forgotten. North American publishing award winner Helen Dow has crafted a fine narrative linking these letters to the War and the wider world. What was, what is, and what might have been …

'Dear Rita' will be available for pre-order on our Tagona Press site. Please contact Bryan Davies ([email protected]) for more details.