Talonbooks

Talonbooks is an independent Canadian publishing house based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Its list encompasses poetry, fiction, drama, and nonfiction addressing subjects such as ethnography, environmental concerns, social issues, cultural studies, and literary criticism. The press is especially associated with Canadian and experimental writing, and its catalogue has included work by authors such as Michel Tremblay, George Ryga, bpNichol, George Bowering, bill bissett, Daphne Marlatt, George F. Walker, M. A. C. Farrant, and Mary Meigs. The business originated in 1963 as Talon, a magazine established by David Robinson and several of his high-school friends. Jim Brown subsequently became involved as both a writer and editor. The organization expanded from magazine publishing into books through a collaboration with the small local press Very Stone House. That partnership produced Talon’s first sequence of poetry books in 1967, although the association ended the following year, after which the Talonbooks imprint was used independently. Talonbooks broadened its catalogue again in 1969 when Peter Háy joined as drama editor. The press published its first drama title, James Reaney’s "Colours in the Dark", that year. Over time, drama became an increasingly important part of the list and eventually the publisher’s principal area of specialization. This development helped establish Talonbooks as an important Canadian venue for playwrights and theatrical literature, while the company continued to publish poetry, fiction, and selected nonfiction. Karl Siegler joined the press in 1974 and later became its president and publisher. Karl and Christy Siegler led the company for several decades, maintaining its independent identity and literary focus. On December 31, 2007, Talonbooks was acquired by Kevin and Vicki Williams. Karl Siegler remained involved with the company through the end of 2011, providing continuity during the ownership transition. Public reference material identifies Talonbooks as an independent Vancouver-based publisher, but does not establish a complete current executive roster, detailed financial information, or a current official website URL.

Talonbooks began in Vancouver in 1963 as a magazine called Talon. It was founded by David Robinson and several of his high-school friends, reflecting the small-scale, locally rooted character of the project in its early years. Jim Brown later joined the venture as a writer and editor, helping develop its literary activity beyond the original magazine format. The organization entered book publishing through an association with Very Stone House, another small local press. Together, the two operations issued Talon’s first sequence of poetry books in 1967. The relationship was short-lived: the association ended in 1968, after which the Talonbooks imprint appeared on its own. This transition marked the formation of the independent publishing identity now associated with Talonbooks. A major editorial change occurred in 1969, when Peter Háy joined as drama editor. That year Talonbooks issued its first drama title, James Reaney’s "Colours in the Dark". Drama gradually moved from being one part of the list to becoming the press’s principal specialization. The company nevertheless retained a broader literary programme involving poetry, fiction, and nonfiction on ethnography, environmental and social issues, cultural studies, and literary criticism. Over the course of its history, Talonbooks became associated with a wide range of Canadian writers, including Michel Tremblay, George Ryga, bpNichol, George Bowering, bill bissett, Daphne Marlatt, George F. Walker, M. A. C. Farrant, and Mary Meigs. The list reflects the press’s interest in literary experimentation, regional and national Canadian writing, theatrical work, and subjects that connect literature with cultural and social inquiry. Karl Siegler joined Talonbooks in 1974 and later became its president and publisher. Karl and Christy Siegler ran the press for many years, maintaining its independent publishing orientation. On December 31, 2007, ownership passed to Kevin and Vicki Williams. Karl Siegler continued with Talonbooks during the transition and remained there until the end of 2011. Available reference material does not provide a complete account of subsequent management, financial performance, or individual publishing programmes, but describes Talonbooks as an active independent publisher headquartered in Vancouver.

• 2011

  Karl Siegler leaves Talonbooks

  [1]Talonbooksen.wikipedia.org

  Karl Siegler remains with the press until the end of 2011 after the 2007 ownership change.

• 2007

  Ownership changes

  [1]Talonbooksen.wikipedia.org

  Kevin and Vicki Williams acquire Talonbooks on December 31, while Karl Siegler remains with the company during the transition.

• 1974

  Karl Siegler joins the press

  [1]Talonbooksen.wikipedia.org

  Karl Siegler joins Talonbooks and later becomes its president and publisher.

• 1969

  Entry into drama publishing

  [1]Talonbooksen.wikipedia.org

  Peter Háy joins as drama editor, and Talonbooks publishes James Reaney’s Colours in the Dark, its first drama title.

• 1968

  Talonbooks becomes an independent imprint

  [1]Talonbooksen.wikipedia.org

  The association with Very Stone House ends, and the Talonbooks imprint begins appearing independently.

• 1967

  First poetry books

  [1]Talonbooksen.wikipedia.org

  Through an association with Very Stone House, the organization publishes its first sequence of poetry books.

• 1963

  Talon magazine begins

  [1]Talonbooksen.wikipedia.org

  David Robinson and several high-school friends establish Talon, the magazine that later develops into Talonbooks.

An independent Canadian literary press with a strong Vancouver identity and a distinctive specialization in drama, alongside poetry, fiction, and interdisciplinary nonfiction.

• Literary publishing · 1967

  Poetry

  Poetry was central to Talon’s transition from magazine publishing into books. The press issued its first sequence of poetry titles in 1967 and has remained associated with Canadian and formally adventurous poetry.

• Drama publishing · 1969

  Drama and plays

  Drama became Talonbooks’ defining specialization after Peter Háy joined as drama editor in 1969. The list includes published plays and dramatic literature, beginning with James Reaney’s Colours in the Dark.

• Literary publishing

  Fiction

  Talonbooks publishes literary fiction within its broader Canadian literature programme, alongside its stronger concentration in poetry and drama.

• Academic and cultural publishing

  Nonfiction

  The nonfiction list covers ethnography, environmental and social issues, cultural studies, and literary criticism, giving the press a role beyond conventional literary publishing.

• 2007

  Acquisition by Kevin and Vicki WilliamsM&A

  Background

  Karl and Christy Siegler had operated the independent press for many years.

  Action taken

  Kevin and Vicki Williams acquired Talonbooks on December 31, 2007.

  Aftermath

  Karl Siegler continued with the company until the end of 2011, providing continuity after the ownership transition.

  Source

• 1969

  Launch of the drama listProduct launch

  Background

  Talonbooks expanded beyond poetry as Peter Háy joined the organization as drama editor.

  Action taken

  The press published James Reaney’s Colours in the Dark as its first drama title.

  Aftermath

  Drama gradually became the company’s principal area of specialization.

  Source

• 1967

  Move from magazine publishing into booksStrategy

  Background

  Talon began as a magazine and sought to extend its literary activity through book publication.

  Action taken

  It collaborated with Very Stone House to publish an initial sequence of poetry books.

  Aftermath

  The collaboration ended in 1968, but the move established the publishing direction that became Talonbooks.

  Source

1. 1Talonbooksen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Talonbooks publishing records at Simon Fraser Universitylib.sfu.ca