Freehand Books

November.21.11

Hold Me Now reviewed in the Globe and Mail, the Vancouver Sun, and on CBC radio!

The reviews for Hold Me Now are rolling in! Jim Bartley in the Globe and Mail writes, “[Hold Me Now] is fascinating at every turn and it leads to a beautifully rendered catharsis. Have a handkerchief handy.” Joe Wiebe, writing in the Vancouver Sun, says, “Hold Me Now is a potent and poignant examination of a father’s grief. As irascible as Brenner is, I found myself drawn to him more and more as the novel unfolded and was honestly moved by his catharsis.” And Nikki Tate from CBC All Points West says, “[Hold Me Now] is an examination of a truly tortured soul….This story is so masterfully told.” Nikki also has some lovely things to say about the role of small presses in Canada. Listen to the full review here.

October.11.11

Not Being on a Boat reviewed in the National Post.

“Not Being On A Boat, the debut novel from Winnipeg’s Esmé Claire Keith, is an ambitious satire of luxury culture and all-inclusive cruises. It’s also a dystopia critical of the class structure that emerges in a society driven by the sales and service industries….it’s remarkable how much Keith can reveal about these men, their world, and our own, through conversations about itineraries and towel service.” Read the full review here.

October.4.11

Are you excited about The Reverse Cowgirl? Lynn Coady is.

“I’m looking forward to David Whitton’s collection, The Reverse Cowgirl…He is the kind of young up-and-comer that you talk up to your editor friends, insisting that they would be crazy not to beat his door down and publish whatever they find on his hard drive.” Read the rest of her comments in the National Post.

August.15.11

Freehand Books to temporarily suspend new acquisitions.

As many people are aware, conditions in the publishing industry have been disappointing this year. As a result, the Broadview Press Board of Directors has decided to temporarily suspend future Freehand Books acquisitions and to phase out the position of Acquiring Editor at Freehand Books, previously held by Robyn Read. Everyone at Broadview Press and Freehand Books would like to acknowledge the truly outstanding work that Robyn has done over the past three years—she has played a key part in building Freehand’s reputation as an exciting and innovative presence in Canadian literary publishing. We are very happy that Robyn has agreed to continue to work with Freehand Books in an editorial capacity on a contract basis. We remain committed to the highest standards of quality in terms of the editing, design, production, and promotion of all of our titles acquired to date.

August.10.11

Freehand Books featured in the Calgary Herald.

Check out Eric Volmers’ nifty piece about our Fall 2011 lineup here!

August.10.11

The Doctrine of Affections and Here Is Where We Disembark made the longlist for the ReLit Awards!

A huge congratulations to Paul Headrick and Clea Roberts, authors of The Doctrine of Affections and Here Is Where We Disembark, for making the ReLit Awards longlist! A huge congrats to all the other finalists too!

August.3.11

Sarah Leavitt profiled in the Toronto Quarterly and Montreal Gazette.

Sarah Leavitt recently travelled to Toronto to take part in a panel discussion on nonfiction writing, ”You Think You Know Me But You Have No Idea,” alongside Andrew Westoll and Julie Wilson. Check out the Toronto Quarterly’s review of the event here. Sarah also launched Tangles: A story about Alzheiemer’s, my mother, and me in Montreal and she sat down to talk about the book with the Montreal Gazette‘s Ian McGillis. Check out the full interview here. There’s also a nice post about the Montreal launch over at she reads and reads!

August.3.11

And Me Among Them reviewed in the Vancouver Sun and Quill & Quire, and on SailBooks.

The reviews keep rolling in for Kristen den Hartog’s And Me Among Them! The Vancouver Sun calls And Me Among Them ”a poignant coming-of-age story leavened by an endearing if vulnerable character whose world view is conveyed through inviting, effortless prose,” the Quill & Quire thinks that “den Hartog provides a vivid depiction of what it means to inhabit a gigantic body,” and Lindsay over at SailBooks writes, “The novel is sad and haunting but will appeal to anyone who’s ever tried to conceal a part of themselves…Thanks to Freehand Books (Broadview Press) for this wonderful story. It’s not at all what I expected but what a lovely surprise!” You’re very welcome Lindsay! (and thank you!)

August.3.11

A Description of the Blazing World reviewed in the Edmonton Journal.

“A Description of the Blazing World is Michael Murphy’s debut novel, and what a wild ride it is. Murphy shoves the reader down the rabbit hole and develops two linked narratives, both pulsating with fevered imagination.” Read the full review here.

June.21.11

A Description of the Blazing World reviewed in the National Post.

“… the book is full of deliciously gruesome riffs on death, dismemberment, and the cold face our biggest city often presents to outsiders.” Read the full review here.