Freehand Books
Sub-brand
UnclaimedA Calgary-based Canadian literary publisher specializing in fiction, literary nonfiction, memoir, poetry, and graphic narrative.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Freehand Books is a Canadian literary publishing imprint based in Calgary, Alberta. It was established in 2007 by Broadview Press, a Canadian academic publisher, to publish literary fiction and nonfiction alongside Broadview's academic and educational list. Freehand's publishing program has included novels, memoirs, poetry, literary essays, graphic memoir, and other forms of narrative nonfiction, with a particular emphasis on Canadian writers and subjects. The imprint's first publishing season, in 2008, established its literary profile through Marina Endicott's novel Good to a Fault. The book was shortlisted for the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize and won the 2009 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Canada and the Caribbean. Freehand subsequently developed a list that combined established Canadian literary voices with emerging and regionally diverse writers. Authors associated with the imprint include Susan Olding, Stuart Ross, Clea Roberts, Saleema Nawaz, Jeanette Lynes, Sarah Leavitt, Yasmin Ladha, Paul Hendrick, Joan Crate, Jesse Patrick Ferguson, Ian Williams, Elizabeth Philips, Lorna Crozier, Keith Maillard, Cary Fagan, and others. The list has also been notable for work that crosses conventional genre boundaries. Sarah Leavitt's Tangles, a graphic memoir published in 2010, was the first graphic book shortlisted for the Writers' Trust of Canada nonfiction prize. Karyn L. Freedman's One Hour in Paris: A True Story of Rape and Recovery, published in 2014, won the British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction in 2015 and was later longlisted for Canada Reads. In 2018, Freehand published Homes: A Refugee Story, written by Abu Bakr Al-Rabeeah with Winnie Yeung. The book became a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for Nonfiction and a 2019 Canada Reads contender, where it was championed by musician Chuck Comeau. Freehand's ownership structure changed during the 2010s. In 2016, under the leadership of JoAnn McCaig, the imprint became independent of Broadview Press. The two organizations continued to cooperate in some areas for a period after the change. In 2021, veteran Canadian publisher Glenn Rollans purchased the company. According to the available reference material, these ownership changes did not alter the imprint's editorial direction. Freehand remains an active literary publisher with a Canadian-centered list spanning novels, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, and graphic works.
History
Freehand Books was created in 2007 by Broadview Press, a Canadian academic publisher seeking to establish a dedicated literary list. The new imprint was designed to publish Canadian literary fiction and nonfiction rather than academic or instructional titles. It began publishing in 2008, and its first season included Marina Endicott's Good to a Fault. The novel quickly gave the imprint national visibility: it was shortlisted for the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize and won the 2009 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Canada and the Caribbean. During its first decade, Freehand built a list across several literary forms. Its fiction program was accompanied by memoir, poetry, essays, and narrative nonfiction, and the imprint showed a willingness to publish books that did not fit narrowly defined genre categories. Sarah Leavitt's Tangles, released in 2010, was a graphic memoir and became the first graphic book shortlisted for the Writers' Trust of Canada nonfiction prize. This recognition helped demonstrate the literary possibilities of visual memoir within the Canadian publishing landscape. Freehand's nonfiction list also included books dealing with trauma, recovery, identity, displacement, and social experience. Karyn L. Freedman's One Hour in Paris: A True Story of Rape and Recovery, published in 2014, won the British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction in 2015 and was later longlisted for Canada Reads in 2017. In 2018, the imprint published Homes: A Refugee Story, written by Abu Bakr Al-Rabeeah with Winnie Yeung. The book became a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for Nonfiction and was selected as a 2019 Canada Reads contender, with Chuck Comeau as its champion. The imprint's author list has included Marina Endicott, Susan Olding, Stuart Ross, Clea Roberts, Saleema Nawaz, Clem and Olivier Martini, Jeanette Lynes, Sarah Leavitt, Yasmin Ladha, Paul Hendrick, Joan Crate, Jesse Patrick Ferguson, Ian Williams, Elizabeth Philips, Lorna Crozier, Keith Maillard, and Cary Fagan. These writers reflect Freehand's broad interpretation of literary publishing, spanning novels, poetry, memoir, graphic work, and nonfiction. Freehand's corporate relationship with Broadview changed in 2016. Under JoAnn McCaig's leadership, the imprint became independent of Broadview Press. The organizations nevertheless continued to work together in selected areas for some time after the ownership change. In 2021, veteran Canadian publisher Glenn Rollans purchased Freehand Books. The available account states that the change in ownership did not affect the imprint's editorial direction. Freehand continues to operate from Calgary as an active Canadian literary publisher.
- 2021
Glenn Rollans acquires the company
[1]Canadian publisher Glenn Rollans purchases Freehand Books.
- 2018
Homes: A Refugee Story is published
[1]Freehand publishes Abu Bakr Al-Rabeeah and Winnie Yeung's refugee memoir.
- 2016
Freehand becomes independent of Broadview
[1]The imprint changes ownership structure and separates from Broadview Press while retaining some cooperation.
- 2015
One Hour in Paris wins a British Columbia nonfiction award
[1]Karyn L. Freedman's book wins the British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction.
- 2010
Tangles receives landmark graphic-narrative recognition
[1]Sarah Leavitt's graphic memoir becomes the first graphic book shortlisted for a Writers' Trust of Canada nonfiction prize.
- 2009
Good to a Fault wins a Commonwealth Writers Prize
[1]Marina Endicott's novel wins the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Canada and the Caribbean.
- 2008
First publishing season
[1]The imprint begins publishing, including Marina Endicott's Good to a Fault.
- 2007
Freehand Books is established
[1]Broadview Press creates Freehand Books as a literary imprint specializing in fiction and nonfiction.
Products and positioning
An independent Canadian literary publisher focused on distinctive fiction and nonfiction, with a strong interest in memoir, poetry, graphic narrative, and books addressing complex social and cultural experiences.
Literary fiction · 2008
Good to a Fault
Marina Endicott's novel was part of Freehand's first publishing season in 2008. Its recognition, including a Giller Prize shortlist placement and a Commonwealth Writers Prize win, helped establish the young imprint's reputation for ambitious Canadian literary fiction.
Graphic memoir · 2010
Tangles
Sarah Leavitt's graphic memoir explores family experience and illness through a combination of visual storytelling and personal narrative. Published in 2010, it became the first graphic book shortlisted for a Writers' Trust of Canada nonfiction prize.
Memoir and literary nonfiction · 2014
One Hour in Paris: A True Story of Rape and Recovery
Karyn L. Freedman's memoir examines sexual violence and the long process of recovery. Freehand published it in 2014; the work won the British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction in 2015 and was later longlisted for Canada Reads.
Memoir and narrative nonfiction · 2018
Homes: A Refugee Story
Written by Abu Bakr Al-Rabeeah with Winnie Yeung, this memoir recounts a young refugee's experience of displacement and resettlement. The 2018 Freehand publication became a Governor General's Literary Award finalist and a 2019 Canada Reads contender.
Books · 2007
Freehand literary list
The imprint's broader list includes Canadian literary fiction, literary nonfiction, memoir, poetry, essays, and graphic narrative. Its authors have included Marina Endicott, Susan Olding, Stuart Ross, Clea Roberts, Saleema Nawaz, Jeanette Lynes, Yasmin Ladha, Ian Williams, Lorna Crozier, Keith Maillard, Cary Fagan, and other Canadian writers.
Brand decisions
2021
Glenn Rollans purchases Freehand BooksM&ABackground
The independent literary publisher underwent a further ownership change after its separation from Broadview.
Action taken
Veteran Canadian publisher Glenn Rollans acquired the company.
Aftermath
Available reference material indicates that the editorial direction was not affected by the purchase.
2016
Separate Freehand from Broadview PressStrategyBackground
After operating within Broadview's structure for several years, Freehand changed its ownership arrangement under JoAnn McCaig's leadership.
Action taken
The imprint became independent, while the two organizations continued to cooperate in selected areas for some time.
Aftermath
The editorial direction and focus on Canadian literary publishing continued.
2007
Create a dedicated literary imprintStrategyBackground
Broadview Press operated primarily as an academic publisher and established Freehand to pursue literary fiction and nonfiction.
Action taken
Freehand Books was launched as a separate literary publishing imprint.
Aftermath
The imprint developed a Canadian literary list and achieved early attention through award-recognized titles.
Sources2 sources
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