Dundurn Press

Shown is the Dundurn Press logo, which is used as the main logo on their website, business cards, and published books.

Dundurn Press was founded in 1927 by Kirk Howard, who was a Canadian book publisher. The press is located in Toronto, Ontario. Currently, Dundurn is one of the largest independent publishers in Canada. Dundurn publishes a variety of different Canadian authors, supplying people with Canadian history, literature, and culture.

Mission and History

Dundurn started out as a small press, supplying readers with books on Canadian history. Over time, Dundurn grew to acquire multiple, smaller presses, including: Hounslow Press, Simon & Pierre, and Boardwalk Books. These acquisitions allowed Dundurn to become one of the largest independent publishers in Canada.

Dundurn’s mission is to supply readers with Canadian entertainment and history, focusing on their motto: “Read with us. These are your stories.”

Structure

Dundurn was founded by Kirk Howard. After his recent death in 2023, ownership has since passed to Kwame Scott Fraser and his team: Chris Houston, Kathryn Lane (Senior Editor), Graham Matthews (CFA, CPA, Chief Financial Officer), and Meghan Macdonald (Chief Publishing Officer).

News about the press can be found under the “blog” tab on their website. Recently, Akin Akinwumi joined the press’s acquisitions team as of September 4, 2025.

Editorial Staff

The Dundurn Press's editorial staff is made up of Elena Radic (Managing Editor), Janna Green (Project Editor), Kathryn Lane (Senior Editor), Russell Smith (Acquisitions Editor), and Nicholas Freer (Editorial Assistant).

Elena Radic

Radic is the current Managing Editor for Dundurn Press and has worked previously as Dundurn’s project editor. Radic has past experience as a self-employed freelance editor and proofreader and a staff member at Oxford University Press.

Janna Green

Green is the current Project Editor at Dundurn press. She also works as a Localization Editor at IXL Learning. Green has had various experiences working for Top Hat, KBRS, and Oxford University Press.

Kathryn Lane

Lane works as the Associate Editor for Dundurn Press, and in the past held the position of Editorial Director at the press. Currently, Lane is a self-employed freelance editor and she received her publishing certificate at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Russell Smith

Smith is a novelist and the Acquisitions Editor for Dundurn Press. Some of his works include How Insensitive (1994) and Confidence (2015). Smith worked as a freelance reporter and cultural commentator, having been published in various journals, including the New York Review of Books, Toronto Life, and The Walrus.

Nicholas Freer

Freer is currently the Editorial Assistant for Dundurn Press. He also worked as a freelance editor at House of Anansi Press and works as a freelance copyeditor at Lancaster House Publishing. Freer holds a certificate in publishing at Ryerson University.

Publishing Program

Dundurn publishes a variety of books with many different genres. Their most common book genres include: Fiction, non-fiction, Canadian history, memoir & biography, politics, sports, true crime & mystery, and lifestyle. The press primarily publishes Canadian literature and authors, sticking to their deep rooted connection to Canadian history and culture.

Notable Authors and Titles

The cover of Jinwoo Park's first novel, Oxford Soju Club. The book is one of Dundurn's bestsellers.

Notable authors of Dundurn Press include: Lincoln Alexander, Linda McQuaig, Ted Barris, Michael Coren, Xue Yiwei, and Austin Clarke. Recent bestsellers of Dundurn Press include: Corporate Control (May 2025) by Nora Loreto, The Drive Across Canada (May 2025) by Mark Richardson, Oxford Soju Club (September 2025) by Jinwoo Park, and Bad Juliet (August 2025) by Giles Blunt.

Formats

Dundurn publishes books in paperback, hardcover, and E-books (ePub). They also have a less common PDF format for a select few of their books.

The average price range of their books are from $24.99-$30.00, primarily for paperbacks.

Brand Identity

The branding colors of Dundurn press are hot pink, white, and teal.

The press publishes all sorts of books, so each book has a unique cover design that is not consistent with the other books Dundurn publishes. The very diverse aesthetic of the press allows each book to stand out on their own. However, the trait that each book has in common is being written strictly by a Canadian author, which keeps the branding consistent.

Audience and Community

Dundurn Press has multiple social media handles, including Instagram (@dundurnpress) and Facebook (Dundurn Press). On their social media, Dundurn aims to promote their new releases, such as Hemo Sapiens (September 2025) by Emily Weedon, and Eerie Whispers (September 2025) by Brian Baker. They are consistent with making relevant posts and updates about their press, and they even have a blog on their website where new information about employment, authors, and books can be found.

Dundurn also promotes their books through The Dundurn Press Bookshop, located in Leslieville, Ontario. Recently, Dundurn Press has participated in the Brooklyn Book Festival 2025, connecting with more readers outside of Canada.

While Dundurn focuses on publishing Canadian authors and stories, the press aims to spread their Canadian culture to those all over the world. Dundurn aims to share their stories and enlighten, entertain, and satisfy their readers. Dundurn calls their press and books a “home” for underrepresented voices. The press is welcoming to all and shares their community and passion for Canadian literature, culture, and life.