Author Krista Ewert Is Writing (and Fighting) for a More Inclusive Future

Author Krista Ewert Is Writing (and Fighting) for a More Inclusive Future

Sending your child off to school is nerve wracking for any parent — particularly if that child has cognitive delay or other condition that makes them stand out from their peers. To ease her fun-loving daughter Ella’s transition into school, Krista Ewert started writing. Today, the picture book This is Ella has become an indispensable resource for families and classrooms all over the world. As part of our 15th anniversary celebration, we sat down with Krista to learn more about how the book continues to help parents of children with Down syndrome, the power of word of mouth and crowdfunding, and much more.

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Weaving Histories: An Interview with Award-Winning Author Fred Kennedy

Weaving Histories: An Interview with Award-Winning Author Fred Kennedy

Fred Kennedy is author of the award-winning book Firstborn, weaving together the histories of the 100-year-old GraceKennedy corporation, Jamaica as a country, and the Kennedy family. As part of our 15th anniversary celebration, we spoke with Fred about what led him to immortalize his father’s legacy in print, the freedom that came from publishing with FriesenPress, and much more.

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We Remember: Serena Virk Brings WWI’s Black Battalion to a New Generation

We Remember: Serena Virk Brings WWI’s Black Battalion to a New Generation

Serena Virk is the author of We Remember the Black Battalion, a picture book exploring the history of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, an all-Black labour unit of soldiers during WWI. We recently spoke with Serena about her unexpected journey from book idea to the cover of the Toronto Star, the incredible impact of her book on young readers, and so much more.

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The State of Book Printing and Publishing in 2024

The State of Book Printing and Publishing in 2024

There have been some logistical twists and turns for authors since 2020, but the year ahead looks like smooth sailing. We went behind the scenes with Friesens VP of Finance, Andrew Fennell, to find out how the book printing industry turned the tide in 2023 and what authors can expect in 2024.

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Turning Art into Action: Inside Leah den Bok’s 10-Year Journey to End Homelessness

Turning Art into Action: Inside Leah den Bok’s 10-Year Journey to End Homelessness

Since starting her career at age 15, Leah den Bok has garnered an international reputation as a photographer, traditionally published author, speaker, and advocate for those experiencing homelessness. As part of our 15th anniversary celebration, we caught up with Leah to learn how her mission has evolved over the years since self-publishing with FriesenPress, and much more.

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MuchMusic VJ Turned Bestselling Author Bill Welychka is Happy – and so Much More Than a Has-Been

MuchMusic VJ Turned Bestselling Author Bill Welychka is Happy – and so Much More Than a Has-Been

Former MuchMusic VJ Bill Welychka is topping the charts – as a bestselling author. As part of our 15th anniversary celebration, we interviewed Bill about his FriesenPress memoir A Happy Has-Been, what’s driving the current wave of MuchMusic nostalgia, and much more.

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13 Ways to Kill It: An Author Interview with Doug Griffiths

13 Ways to Kill It: An Author Interview with Doug Griffiths

With over 70,000 copies sold (and counting), 13 Ways to Kill Your Community has driven Doug Griffiths’s success in business since 2016. As part of our 15-year celebration, we spoke with the professional speaker, CEO, and FriesenPress author about sustaining his book’s runaway success, advice to consultants on publishing a book, and much more.

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A Textbook Example: An Interview with Foot Canada Training’s Julie Gauthier

A Textbook Example: An Interview with Foot Canada Training’s Julie Gauthier

Foot Canada Training has trained over 5,000 Canadian nurses since 1993, but it’s the textbook they published with FriesenPress that helps them make a global impact. As part of our 15-year celebration, we spoke with Executive Director Julie Gauthier about Foot Canada Training’s success, how a textbook like the ‘Art & Science of Foot Care’ comes together, and why print on demand is perfect for academic authors.

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Pages to Press: An Interview with Author & Magazine Publisher Andrew Snook

Pages to Press: An Interview with Author & Magazine Publisher Andrew Snook

In celebration of our 15th year in the publishing services business, we’re catching up with some of our many remarkable authors from over the years. Our first interview with award-winning author Andrew Snook discusses his evolution as a writer, why he started an author-focused magazine, and much more.

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Navigating Identity: A Pride Month Conversation with Alyy Patel, Author and South Asian Queer Advocate

Navigating Identity: A Pride Month Conversation with Alyy Patel, Author and South Asian Queer Advocate

Pride Month is a time to build a more inclusive and compassionate future, but LGBTQ+ activist, academic, and author Alyy Patel embodies those values year-round. 

Don’t Tell My Parents is Alyy’s debut poetry collection – a book that challenges prevailing narratives and sheds light on the complex experiences of being a South Asian queer person. We recently spoke with Alyy to learn more about her healing journey, what this book means to her and her community, and so much more.

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