St. John's literary journal Riddle Fence, edited by Megan Gail Coles, launches imprint for debut books
Riddle Fence Debuts, helmed by author Megan Gail Coles, aims to publish its first titles in 2023
St. John's-based literary journal Riddle Fence is launching a book imprint that will publish debut titles by Canadian authors whose work has previously appeared in the magazine.
The imprint, which aims to help emerging writers get their first books published, will publish works of poetry, fiction, short fiction and visual art.
Award-winning author, poet and playwright Megan Gail Coles, Riddle Fence's executive director and managing editor, says the imprint was inspired by the gaps in Newfoundland and Labrador's publishing sector, which has seen some recent closures of literary and art publishers.
"Many of our contributors had expressed concerns about being unable to get their debut work published," Coles told CBC Books by email. "We saw a lack [of opportunity] in our community and felt we had the skills to respond to it in a meaningful way."
Originally from Savage Cove, N.L., Coles is currently based in Montreal, where she is a PhD candidate at Concordia University. She is the author of the short story collection Eating Habits of the Chronically Lonesome and the novel Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club, which was a finalist both for the 2019 Scotiabank Giller Prize and Canada Reads 2020. Her latest book, Satched, is a darkly comedic and honest collection of poetry.
Coles, along with Canadian poets Armand Garnet Ruffo and Hoa Nguyen, is on the jury for the 2022 CBC Poetry Prize.
- CBC Poetry Prize juror Megan Gail Coles reflects on the 'weird and wonderful' ways of writing poetry
Riddle Fence Debuts plans to publish five titles a year and is hoping to launch its first books in 2023.
Authors whose manuscripts are accepted will receive an advance regardless of genre and will also be matched with mentors to assist them in their publishing journey.
As with the Riddle Fence literary journal, which spotlights contemporary literature and visual art from Newfoundland and Labrador, across Canada and around the world, Coles says the imprint will also focus on showcasing the work of emerging writers and artists to a larger national audience.
She notes that while many Atlantic Canadian authors, including herself, have had the benefit of working with larger traditional publishing houses, creating additional opportunities for new writers and artists to have their debut books published is also necessary.
"Riddle Fence feels strongly that there must be choice in order to ensure innovation and self-determination throughout the publishing industry. Everyone benefits from presses of all sizes and tastes — additional pathways to publication will ultimately strengthen and support the entire industry," said Coles.
The imprint, which will be run as a nonprofit arts organization, is now accepting submissions until October in all four genres it plans to publish.
Coles said she and her colleagues who put together Riddle Fence have often been asked for advice from the journal's contributors about how to get published, particularly if their work is more unconventional.
"Riddle Fence intends for the debuts imprint to remain a small independent artistic initiative servicing needs directly related to the publications of experimental new work that may be deemed not commercially viable by established publishers," she explained.
"Our intention is to securely propel emerging artists from our pages into the professional world of publishing in a manner that empowers them to navigate the next steps of their career with confidence. We want their first time to be positive."
LISTEN | Megan Gail Coles talks to Alison Brunette about the CBC Poetry Prize:
