David A. Robertson to develop and lead Indigenous-authored imprint at Penguin Random House Canada
Nikky Manfredi | | Posted: October 3, 2022 4:04 PM | Last Updated: October 3, 2022
The prolific writer will become the editorial director of new children's imprint as of Nov. 7
Award-winning writer David A. Robertson is adding a new title to his resume: book publisher.
Robertson is set to become the editorial director of a new children's imprint dedicated to publishing Indigenous writers and illustrators at Penguin Random House Canada.
In this new role, Robertson will develop, launch and lead the yet-to-be-named children's imprint.
The imprint will publish books targeted toward young readers of all ages and across all children's book categories in the hopes of attracting emerging Indigenous talent and supporting a few established authors in the industry.
Tundra Book Group, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, is Canada's oldest English-language children's book publisher. Robertson's imprint will expand on Tundra's publishing program.
Robertson has published several books across a variety of genres, including the graphic novels Will I See? and Sugar Falls, and the Governor General's Literary Award-winning picture book When We Were Alone, illustrated by Julie Flett.
His most recent books are the novel The Theory of Crows, the YA series The Misewa Saga, the picture book On the Trapline and the memoir Black Water. He also hosted the CBC Manitoba podcast Kiwew and served as the CBC Books judge of The First Page student writing challenge in 2020-2021.
"As my career has progressed, I've recognized the importance of creating opportunities for new and emerging Indigenous writers so they can write stories that matter, that heal, that inspire and that lead us on a good path," Robertson said in a statement.
"Working with Tundra has been an incredible experience. They've believed in my vision as an author, and I trust them to carry out that vision. I'm thrilled to strengthen our relationship in this way, and work with a team that sees how vital it is to amplify voices and continue to open doors."
WATCH | David A. Robertson reflects on the path to reconciliation:
An ongoing internship open only to Indigenous people will launch alongside the imprint. Robertson will help the team recruit for the role.
Robertson will begin this new role on Nov. 7 once he has completed the majority of his promotional tour for The Theory of Crows and The Stone Child.
The Theory of Crows, is about a disconnected and distant relationship between a man named Matthew and his teenage daughter Holly. Following a tragic event, Matthew and Holly come together and head out onto the land in search of a long-lost cabin on the family trapline, miles from the Cree community they once called home.
The Stone Child is the third book in the Misewa Saga series. After finding her brother close to death, main character Morgan embarks on a race against time to find Eli's soul. Along the way, with her friends Emily and Arik by her side, she encounters new challenges and life-threatening adventures.
Robertson also recently won the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award for his picture book, On the Trapline. The prolific author was nominated in two categories at the 2022 Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards.