Featured Press

Tell us a little bit about your small press, such as it's original history.

I started Vauve Press in 1992 when I was encouraged to publish my thesis about Tibetan women's involvement in rights and freedom issues in the Diaspora and Tibet. I tried the regular publishing route very briefly but was impatient, anxious that it might take too long, or never happen. I had some extraordinary support from friends, family, Tibetan colleagues and an academic in the US who sent a cheque, unsolicited. The first book, Determination, sold out in 12 months around the world.

What does being part of the small press community mean to you?

It means supporting small but special publications and helping them not be obscure.

What inspired you to start your own small press?

A sense of justice and a Macintosh computer.

What projects are you currently working on?

In 2003 I published, perhaps by no coincidence, another book about an exile community and a people's struggle for independence. A second book by Vauve Press was Irma, written by my mother. Irma is the story of an amazing Estonian-Canadian woman who escaped the war, was in displaced persons camp in Germany and then came to Canada. She worked hard to use her skills and languages, eventually becoming a teacher across Ontario. The story of Irma's living and dying is one of a remarkable woman. She also had a great secret. Irma was picked up by an Estonian publisher and I helped the author tour Estonia. Irma is nearly sold out.

Where can small press fans find your press next?

I don't know, maybe I'm waiting for a story of a remarkable Afghani, Burmese or Iraqi woman in Toronto to land on my plate. I know there are many many of them.