Second Story Press

Second Story Press is an independent Canadian book publishing company based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1988 by Margie Wolfe and three other women, the press was established around a distinctly feminist publishing mission: to bring forward books centered on women's experiences, strong female characters, and subjects that have often been underrepresented in mainstream publishing. Its catalogue addresses feminism, social justice, human rights, disability and ability issues, and historical memory. The press publishes books for both adult and younger readers. Its work includes fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature, with an emphasis on narratives that examine identity, equality, oppression, resilience, and the lived experiences of women and marginalized communities. Authors associated with the press include Rachna Gilmore, Kathy Kacer, Joanne Robertson, Hana Brady, and Kathy Stinson. The company also publishes two identifiable series-oriented bodies of work: the Women's Hall of Fame series and children's books connected with Holocaust remembrance and education. Second Story Press occupies a distinctive position within Canadian independent publishing. Rather than presenting itself as a general-interest commercial house, it has built its identity around values-led editorial selection and books intended to contribute to cultural representation and public understanding. Its catalogue combines literary and educational purposes, particularly in children's publishing, where historical and human-rights themes can be introduced through accessible stories and biography. Margie Wolfe is identified as the press's publisher, owner, and president, providing continuity between its founding purpose and its current leadership. Second Story Press is affiliated with Canadian publishing organizations including the Association of Canadian Publishers, the Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario, and the Canadian Children's Book Centre. The press has also received support from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. No reliable public information in the supplied references establishes revenue, employee count, ownership structure beyond Wolfe's ownership, or a separate parent company.

Second Story Press was founded in Toronto in 1988 by Margie Wolfe and three other women. Its creation reflected a feminist publishing objective: to publish books that gave greater visibility to women's lives, perspectives, achievements, and struggles. From the beginning, the press's identity was linked not only to gender representation but also to broader questions of social justice, human rights, and inclusion. The company developed as an independent Canadian publisher rather than as an imprint of a large multinational publishing group. Its catalogue has included adult and children's books, allowing the press to address both literary and educational audiences. The subject matter has ranged across feminist themes, strong female protagonists, human-rights concerns, disability and ability issues, and accounts of historical trauma. This editorial profile has helped distinguish Second Story Press within Canada's independent publishing sector. Children's publishing became an important part of the company's work. Second Story Press publishes books connected with Holocaust remembrance, using literature for younger readers to explore historical persecution, memory, courage, and the consequences of prejudice. It also publishes the Women's Hall of Fame series, which highlights women whose accomplishments and contributions are significant in Canadian or broader historical contexts. These series demonstrate the press's interest in combining storytelling with educational and commemorative purposes. The press has published or been associated with works by authors including Rachna Gilmore, Kathy Kacer, Joanne Robertson, Hana Brady, and Kathy Stinson. Their inclusion in the catalogue reflects the company's interest in children's literature, historical narratives, and socially meaningful storytelling. The available reference material does not provide a complete bibliography or a reliable chronology of individual titles, so specific publication dates and commercial performance are not stated here. Margie Wolfe is identified as a co-founder and as the publisher, owner, and president of Second Story Press. Her continuing leadership links the organization's current operation to its founding mission. The company is also connected to the institutional infrastructure of Canadian publishing through membership in the Association of Canadian Publishers, the Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario, and the Canadian Children's Book Centre. Public arts support has included funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. Second Story Press remains characterized by its Toronto base, independent status, and focused editorial program. The supplied sources do not establish a precise employee count, annual revenue, international distribution arrangement, or formal corporate group. Its documented significance rests primarily on its sustained feminist publishing orientation and its contribution to Canadian books addressing equality, memory, social justice, and representation.

• 1988

  Second Story Press is founded

  [1]Second Story Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Margie Wolfe and three other women establish the Toronto-based publishing company with a feminist editorial mission.

An independent, feminist-oriented Canadian publishing house focused on inclusive literature, women's stories, social justice, human rights, and educational books for younger readers.

• Biographical and educational books

  Women's Hall of Fame series

  A series presenting the lives and achievements of notable women. It reflects Second Story Press's interest in making women's contributions more visible and providing readers with accessible historical and biographical material.

• Children's historical literature

  Holocaust Remembrance series

  A group of children's books focused on Holocaust remembrance and historical understanding. The series uses age-appropriate storytelling to address persecution, memory, human rights, and the importance of confronting prejudice.

• Adult and children's publishing · 1988

  Feminist and socially engaged books

  Second Story Press publishes fiction and nonfiction addressing feminism, social justice, human rights, ability issues, and the experiences of women and marginalized communities. The catalogue includes books for adults as well as younger readers.

1. 1Second Story Pressen.wikipedia.org