Indeed it has been amazing year at Five Rivers. Never did we imagine when we first started this publishing venture in 2007 it would grow to such an enterprise.

This year we published nine new books, bringing our catalogue to 22 publications. We also signed 15 additional authors and have committed to publishing in excess of 50 books over the next four years. We did something we never thought we would have to do: we closed our doors to any new submissions, simply because of this embarrassment of riches.

We also underwent a bit of a restructuring, separating the publishing house from the glass division of our business, so that now Five Rivers Publishing exists independently. We also took on a new partner, so that now we are truly a family-operated house, with Gary, Lorina and Kelly Stephens all equal partners.

Jeff Minkevics, a man of both literary and artistic genius, agreed to accept the position of Art Director.

One of our books, Mik Murdoch: Boy Superhero, received the attention of Mark Leslie Lefebvre at Kobo, who was so impressed by Michell Plested’s story that he recommended it to the merchandising manager at Kobo, and because of that sales of Mik Murdoch have significantly spiked.

In 2013 we hope to build upon the successes of 2012. We’ll be releasing some wonderful titles, from both established and début authors, both fiction and non-fiction. Here’s a taste of what’s to come in 2013:

1. My Life as a Troll, by Susan Bohnet (YA fiction debut)
2. The Terriers of Scotland and Ireland, by Bryan Cummins (non-fiction reprint)
3. The Terriers of England and Wales, by Bryan Cummins (non-fiction)
4. Black Wine, by Candas Jane Dorsey (speculative fiction reprint)
5. The Runner and the Wizard, by Dave Duncan (fantasy)
6. 88, by Michael R. Fletcher (science fiction debut)
7. The Loremasters, by Leslie Gadallah (science fiction reprint)
8. China: the new super-power, by Nate Hendley (non-fiction updated reprint)
9. Old Growth: a Sid Rafferty Thriller, by Matt Hughes (suspense)
10. Butterfly Stitching, by Shermin Nahid Kruse (fiction debut)
11. Out of Time, by David Laderoute (YA fiction debut)
12. Western King, Book 2: Rune Blades of Celi, by Ann Marston (YA fiction revised reprint)
13. A Touch of Poison, by Aaron Kite (YA fiction debut)
14. A Method to the Madness: A Guide to the Super Evil, edited by Michell Plested and Jeffrey Hite (YA short fiction)
15. A Quiet Place, by J.W. Schnarr (horror short story collection)
16. Your Home on Native Land, by Alan Scheoch (YA non-fiction revised reprint)
17. The Invisible Ape, by John Steckley (YA non-fiction)
18. 5000 Kilometre Journey, by Kelly Stephens (fiction debut)
19. Forevering, by Peter Such (science fiction revised reprint)

That list doesn’t include the YA non-fiction series we’ve undertaken to resurrect and complete on the Prime Ministers of Canada. Nor does that list include the audio-books which will be released through Iambik in 2013:

1. Downshift, by Matt Hughes
2. Kingmaker’s Sword, by Ann Marston
3. Mik Murdoch: Boy Superhero, by Michell Plested
4. From Mountains of Ice, by Lorina Stephens
5. Shadow Song, by Lorina Stephens

It’s going to be a busy year. And we’re looking forward to it with great excitement and hope.

We hope you’ll continue the journey with us.