The Mercury Press
Encyclopedia
The Mercury Press is a Canadian
publishing company which publishes literary fiction, poetry, and non-fiction works by Canadians. Mercury has a substantial jazz list and has also published murder mysteries, priding itself in its eclecticism. Books published by Mercury have won or been shortlisted for numerous awards, including The Governor General's Award
, The City of Toronto Book Award, The Trillium Award
, and many others.
On January 1st, 1990, the Aya Press changed its name to The Mercury Press, meaning "messenger" or "signpost."
, the Ontario Arts Council
, the Ontario Media Development Corporation's Book Fund, and the Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit Program. It also receives funding from the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Book Publishing Industry Development Program.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
publishing company which publishes literary fiction, poetry, and non-fiction works by Canadians. Mercury has a substantial jazz list and has also published murder mysteries, priding itself in its eclecticism. Books published by Mercury have won or been shortlisted for numerous awards, including The Governor General's Award
Governor General's Award
The Governor General's Awards are a collection of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, marking distinction in a number of academic, artistic and social fields. The first was conceived in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction who created the Governor...
, The City of Toronto Book Award, The Trillium Award
Trillium Book Award
The Trillium Award is given annually by the government of the Province of Ontario and is open to books in any genre: fiction, non-fiction, drama, children's books, and poetry. Anthologies, new editions, re-issues and translations are not eligible. Three jury members per language judge the...
, and many others.
History
In 1978, Glynn Davies founded the Aya Press, first publishing Ancient Music by Itzy Borstein. Over its eleven year lifespan, the Aya Press became one of Canada's most important small literary presses, publishing the work of experimental poets and culturally significant fiction.On January 1st, 1990, the Aya Press changed its name to The Mercury Press, meaning "messenger" or "signpost."
Funding
The Mercury Press is funded by contributions from the Canadian Council For the ArtsCanada Council
The Canada Council for the Arts, commonly called the Canada Council, is a Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government of Canada, created to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. It funds Canadian artists and...
, the Ontario Arts Council
Ontario Arts Council
The Ontario Arts Council is a publicly-funded Canadian organization in the province of Ontario whose purpose is to promote and assist the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of all Ontarians...
, the Ontario Media Development Corporation's Book Fund, and the Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit Program. It also receives funding from the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Book Publishing Industry Development Program.