Back in 2016, having finished writing my first novel and grown tired of being rejected over and over again because ‘literary fiction is too hard to sell’, I launched my own small publishing business under the name of Alanna Rusnak Publishing and published my novel which went on to become a Canadian bestseller, a finalist for the Kobo Emerging Writer Award, and named one of the top reader-recommended books of 2017 by CBCBooks.ca.

At the same time, I launched the Canadian Literary Arts Magazine, Blank Spaces, and I slowly began taking on other service-based publishing projects. As of spring 2021, I had successfully published 33 titles and was ready to take the next steps towards my ultimate goal: to pursue publishing as a full time career.

While Ontario was under COVID quarantine lock-down, I decided to renovate an out-building on my property and turn it into my new publishing house. Because of the government order to stay home, we were not able to enlist the help of family, friends, or professionals, so it was up to my own household to bring my vision to light. We rallied together and turned an old chicken coop into the workspace I had been dreaming of.

You can see the whole process from initial idea to final product by watching my Chicken House Reno series.

As the renovation wrapped up I felt like I finally had enough clarity, tuned-in vision, and space to take the final step in launching my career: I gave my notice at work of my intention to leave my position as of December 31, 2021 and as of September 2021, Chicken House Press has opened its doors with new and exciting opportunities for writers looking to break into the market.

The mission of Chicken House Press is to champion the work of creatives and to make publishing accessible to anyone with a talent for words and a heart for story.