Dundurn Press

Dundurn Press is a Canadian-owned publishing company founded in 1972 by Kirk Howard. It developed as an independent publisher with a broad adult publishing program rather than as a specialist house confined to one literary category. Its catalogue encompasses fiction and nonfiction, including Canadian literature, history, biography, politics, and books about the arts. The company has also published works associated with public life, national history, cultural identity, and contemporary social and political debate. The publisher's identity is closely connected with Canadian authors and subjects. Authors associated with Dundurn include Lincoln Alexander, Linda McQuaig, Ted Barris, Michael Coren, Xue Yiwei, and Austin Clarke. This author list reflects the breadth of the house: its publications have included political and public-affairs writing, historical works, literary fiction, biography, and books by writers connected with Canada's multicultural and intellectual life. Dundurn has consequently occupied a distinctive position among independent Canadian publishers, combining commercially oriented general-interest books with literary and culturally significant titles. By the period described in reference material, Dundurn had approximately 2,500 books in print and released about 50 new titles per year. Its scale was supported in part by acquisitions and publishing partnerships. In 2009, the company entered a co-publishing partnership with the Ontario Genealogical Society, extending its activity into genealogical and family-history publishing. In 2011, it purchased Napoleon & Company and Blue Butterfly Books. These transactions expanded the company's catalogue and publishing capabilities. In 2013, Dundurn acquired Thomas Allen Publishers, the publishing branch of Thomas Allen & Son Limited, further strengthening its position in the Canadian publishing sector. A major ownership transition occurred in January 2019, when Kirk Howard sold Dundurn Press to a consortium of Canadian technology investors. Following the sale, Kwame Scott Fraser was appointed publisher, while Howard became publisher emeritus. The change preserved Howard's association with the company while introducing new leadership and ownership. During Fraser's tenure, acquiring editor Russell Smith established Rare Machines, an imprint dedicated to literary fiction and memoir. The imprint gave Dundurn a more clearly defined vehicle for publishing literary work within its wider catalogue. In February 2024, Fraser changed roles within the firm and Meghan Macdonald was named publisher. This leadership transition marked another stage in Dundurn's development after the 2019 ownership change. Howard, the company's founder, died in June 2023 after living with Parkinson's disease. His death ended the life of the person most directly associated with Dundurn's establishment and long-term development. Dundurn's business is centered on selecting, editing, producing, marketing, and distributing books. Its catalogue model combines continuing backlist value with a regular flow of new releases. The company is best understood as an independent Canadian general publisher with particular strength in nationally rooted fiction and nonfiction. Its publishing subjects and author roster give it a role in documenting Canadian history, politics, culture, and literary expression, while its acquisitions and imprints have broadened the range of books it can bring to market.

Dundurn Press was established in 1972 by Kirk Howard as a Canadian publishing company. From its beginning, the house operated as a general publisher of adult fiction and nonfiction, with a particular interest in books connected to Canada. Its subject areas included literature, history, biography, politics, and the arts. This combination allowed Dundurn to publish both literary works and general-interest nonfiction while maintaining a strong national and cultural identity. The company developed a substantial catalogue over the following decades. Its publishing program included works by authors such as Lincoln Alexander, Linda McQuaig, Ted Barris, Michael Coren, Xue Yiwei, and Austin Clarke. The range of these writers illustrates Dundurn's involvement in political commentary, public affairs, history, literary fiction, and writing shaped by Canada's diverse cultural experience. Rather than concentrating exclusively on one market segment, the company built a broad adult list supported by both new titles and backlist books. Dundurn expanded through partnerships and acquisitions. In 2009, it formed a co-publishing partnership with the Ontario Genealogical Society. The arrangement brought genealogical and family-history publishing into the company's activities. In 2011, Dundurn purchased Napoleon & Company and Blue Butterfly Books. Two years later, in 2013, it acquired Thomas Allen Publishers, the publishing division of Thomas Allen & Son Limited. These transactions increased the breadth of Dundurn's publishing assets and reinforced its status as one of Canada's larger independent, Canadian-owned book publishers. By the period covered by the available reference material, Dundurn had about 2,500 books in print and was releasing approximately 50 new titles annually. This scale reflected the importance of catalogue management to its business: new publications were added regularly while previously published books continued to form a substantial part of the list. In January 2019, Howard sold Dundurn Press to a consortium of Canadian technology investors. The transaction changed the company's ownership while retaining Howard in an honorary senior role as publisher emeritus. Kwame Scott Fraser was appointed publisher. Under the new leadership, acquiring editor Russell Smith launched Rare Machines, an imprint devoted to literary fiction and memoir. The imprint added a more focused literary identity to a company whose main list already ranged across fiction, history, politics, biography, and the arts. Kirk Howard died in June 2023 after living with Parkinson's disease. His death marked the passing of Dundurn's founder after more than five decades of association with the company. In February 2024, Fraser changed roles within Dundurn and Meghan Macdonald became publisher. The appointment represented a further leadership transition following the 2019 sale. Dundurn remains an active Canadian publisher. Its historical role has been to bring Canadian stories, scholarship, public-affairs writing, and literary work to readers through a broad adult catalogue. Its partnerships, acquisitions, and specialist imprint have allowed it to combine the character of an independent Canadian house with a relatively substantial publishing program.

• 2024

  Meghan Macdonald becomes publisher

  [1]Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Fraser changes roles within the firm and Meghan Macdonald is named publisher.

• 2023

  Founder Kirk Howard dies

  [1]Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Kirk Howard dies in June after living with Parkinson's disease.

• 2019

  Ownership transition and new publisher

  [1]Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Kirk Howard sells Dundurn to a consortium of Canadian technology investors, and Kwame Scott Fraser becomes publisher.

• 2019

  Rare Machines is launched

  [1]Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Acquiring editor Russell Smith launches Rare Machines, an imprint focused on literary fiction and memoir.

• 2013

  Acquisition of Thomas Allen Publishers

  [1]Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Dundurn acquires the publishing branch of Thomas Allen & Son Limited.

• 2011

  Acquisition of Napoleon & Company and Blue Butterfly Books

  [1]Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Dundurn expands through the purchase of Napoleon & Company and Blue Butterfly Books.

• 2009

  Ontario Genealogical Society co-publishing partnership

  [1]Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Dundurn begins a co-publishing partnership with the Ontario Genealogical Society.

• 1972

  Dundurn Press is founded

  [1]Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Kirk Howard establishes Dundurn Press as a Canadian publishing company.

An independent Canadian general-interest publisher focused on Canadian literature, history, biography, politics, arts, and other culturally grounded adult fiction and nonfiction.

• Fiction · 1972

  Adult fiction

  Dundurn's adult fiction program forms part of its broad Canadian publishing list. It includes literary and general fiction connected to the company's interest in Canadian writers and stories. The list is complemented by Rare Machines, a more focused imprint for literary fiction and memoir.

• Nonfiction · 1972

  Canadian history and biography

  History and biography are central areas of Dundurn's nonfiction publishing. These books contribute to the documentation and interpretation of Canadian people, events, institutions, and public life, and form an important part of the publisher's nationally oriented catalogue.

• Nonfiction · 1972

  Politics and public affairs

  Dundurn publishes books about politics, public policy, and social debate. This area connects the company to Canadian political writing and to authors whose work addresses public institutions, national issues, and contemporary civic life.

• Nonfiction · 1972

  Arts and culture

  The arts and culture list covers books concerned with artistic practice, cultural history, and Canada's creative life. It complements Dundurn's literary and historical publishing and reinforces the company's role as a culturally focused Canadian house.

• Literary imprint · 2019

  Rare Machines

  Rare Machines is a Dundurn imprint launched by acquiring editor Russell Smith for literary fiction and memoir. It provides a dedicated home for literary projects within Dundurn's larger general publishing program.

• Reference and local history · 2009

  Genealogy and family-history books

  Through its 2009 co-publishing partnership with the Ontario Genealogical Society, Dundurn became associated with genealogical and family-history publishing. These works extend the company's historical and Canadian-interest programme into family research and community records.

• 2009Ontario Genealogical Society co-publishing partnership

  Canada

  Dundurn partnered with the Ontario Genealogical Society to co-publish genealogical and family-history material, extending the publisher's history-oriented programme.

  Outcome. The partnership broadened Dundurn's subject coverage and publishing relationships in Canadian genealogy.

  Source

• 2024

  Publisher transitionOther

  Background

  Dundurn adjusted its leadership structure following the post-2019 ownership period.

  Action taken

  Kwame Scott Fraser changed roles within the firm and Meghan Macdonald was appointed publisher.

  Aftermath

  Macdonald became the company's publisher while Fraser moved to another role within Dundurn.

  Source

• 2019

  Sale to a consortium of Canadian technology investorsM&A

  Background

  After decades under founder Kirk Howard's leadership, Dundurn underwent an ownership transition.

  Action taken

  Howard sold Dundurn Press to a consortium of Canadian technology investors. Kwame Scott Fraser became publisher and Howard became publisher emeritus.

  Aftermath

  The company continued operating under new ownership and leadership, later adding the Rare Machines literary imprint.

  Source

• 2019

  Launch of Rare MachinesProduct launch

  Background

  Dundurn sought to create a dedicated publishing identity for literary fiction and memoir within its broader list.

  Action taken

  Acquiring editor Russell Smith launched Rare Machines as a new imprint.

  Aftermath

  Rare Machines added a specialized literary-fiction and memoir channel to Dundurn's publishing structure.

  Source

• 2013

  Acquisition of Thomas Allen PublishersM&A

  Background

  Dundurn continued to grow its Canadian publishing operations through the purchase of an established publishing division.

  Action taken

  Dundurn acquired Thomas Allen Publishers, the publishing branch of Thomas Allen & Son Limited.

  Aftermath

  The transaction strengthened Dundurn's position and expanded the assets associated with its publishing programme.

  Source

• 2011

  Purchase of Napoleon & Company and Blue Butterfly BooksM&A

  Background

  Dundurn pursued catalogue and business expansion through acquisitions in the Canadian publishing market.

  Action taken

  The company purchased Napoleon & Company and Blue Butterfly Books.

  Aftermath

  The acquisitions expanded Dundurn's publishing portfolio.

  Source

1. 1Dundurn Pressen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Dundurn Press official websitedundurn.com