Quarry Press

Quarry Press was founded in 1965 at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, by poets Tom Eadie, Tom Marshall, and Colin Norman. The founders intended the press to publish poetry and fiction by unknown Canadian writers. This founding purpose placed Quarry Press within Canada's independent literary-press movement, in which small publishers helped develop national writing communities and gave emerging authors access to print publication. The press's early identity was centered on literary publishing, especially poetry and fiction. Over time, its role expanded beyond the initial focus. In 1986, Bob Hilderley took control of Quarry Press and widened the company's publishing scope. By the 1990s, the press was issuing as many as 20 books per year. Its list included children's books, radio plays, biographies, literary criticism, poetry, and fiction, reflecting a transition from a primarily literary small press into a more diversified publishing operation. Periodicals were an important part of Quarry Press's activities. The company produced Quarry Magazine and Poetry Canada Review, extending its contribution to Canadian literary culture beyond book publication. These magazines provided additional outlets for writing, criticism, and literary conversation. In 1996, Quarry Press purchased Canadian Fiction Magazine, reinforcing its position in Canadian fiction-related periodical publishing. The company faced financial difficulties in the 1990s. In 1995, it became a subsidiary of Stoddart Publishing of Toronto. The change connected Quarry Press to a larger Canadian publishing organization, but the available sources do not provide enough information to establish the full operational consequences of the transaction or the later fate of the Quarry Press name. The press's present status is therefore recorded as unknown. Historically, Quarry Press represents the development of a Canadian literary publisher from a university-based initiative into a diversified small publishing company. Its story combines support for emerging Canadian writers, expansion into multiple book categories, participation in literary-magazine publishing, and eventual absorption into a larger publishing group following financial strain. The available record documents its founding, leadership transition, catalog expansion, periodical activities, and 1995 subsidiary arrangement, but does not establish a complete account of its later publishing output or current corporate existence.

• 1996

  Canadian Fiction Magazine is acquired

  [1]Quarry Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Quarry Press purchases Canadian Fiction Magazine and expands its literary-periodical portfolio.

• 1995

  Quarry Press becomes a Stoddart subsidiary

  [1]Quarry Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Following financial difficulties in the 1990s, Quarry Press becomes a subsidiary of Stoddart Publishing of Toronto.

• 1986

  Bob Hilderley takes control

  [1]Quarry Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Bob Hilderley assumes control of the press and expands its publishing scope beyond its original literary focus.

• 1965

  Quarry Press is established at Queen's University

  [1]Quarry Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Poets Tom Eadie, Tom Marshall, and Colin Norman establish Quarry Press in Kingston, Ontario, to publish poetry and fiction by unknown Canadian writers.

A Canadian literary and independent publisher that originated as a platform for emerging writers and later expanded into a broad range of book categories and literary periodicals.

• Publishing · 1965

  Books

  Quarry Press's book program developed from an initial emphasis on poetry and fiction into a broader list. During the 1990s, the company published as many as 20 books annually across children's literature, radio plays, biography, literary criticism, poetry, and fiction. The available sources do not provide a complete title-by-title catalog.

• Literary magazine

  Quarry Magazine

  A literary magazine produced by Quarry Press as part of its periodical publishing activities. It complemented the company's book list and supported its broader role in Canadian literary publishing.

• Poetry magazine

  Poetry Canada Review

  A poetry-focused periodical associated with Quarry Press. Its inclusion in the press's publishing activities reflects the company's continuing connection to poetry and Canadian literary culture.

• Literary magazine

  Canadian Fiction Magazine

  A Canadian literary periodical purchased by Quarry Press in 1996. The acquisition expanded the company's involvement in fiction-related magazine publishing.

• 1996

  Acquire Canadian Fiction MagazineM&A

  Background

  Quarry Press was already active in literary periodical publishing through Quarry Magazine and Poetry Canada Review.

  Action taken

  The press purchased Canadian Fiction Magazine.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition broadened Quarry Press's portfolio of literary magazines, although later publication details are not established in the available material.

  Source

• 1995

  Join Stoddart Publishing as a subsidiaryM&A

  Background

  Quarry Press experienced financial difficulties during the 1990s.

  Action taken

  The company became a subsidiary of Stoddart Publishing, a Toronto-based Canadian publisher.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement changed Quarry Press's status from an independent publishing company to a subsidiary. The later operating history and present status are not established by the available sources.

  Source

• 1986

  Broaden the publishing programStrategy

  Background

  After Bob Hilderley took control, Quarry Press moved beyond its original emphasis on poetry and fiction.

  Action taken

  The press expanded into children's literature, radio plays, biography, literary criticism, poetry, and fiction.

  Aftermath

  By the 1990s, Quarry Press was publishing as many as 20 books per year across the expanded range.

  Source

1. 1Quarry Pressen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Small Pressesthecanadianencyclopedia.ca