Chicken House Press

01/16/2025

Don't sleep on this series! If you've been waiting until the whole thing is released, the time is now. Bring a little excitement and a whole lot of heart to your winter reading pile.

Susan Cullen's award-winning YA dystopian trilogy concludes with 'Uncounted.' When Rygita discovers life beyond the World Collective's perfect order, she must unlock hidden memories to save humanity's future.

01/15/2025

🔥 HOT NEW RELEASE 🔥

Uncover the thrilling conclusion to The World Collective trilogy in UNCOUNTED - available now! Join Rygita as she discovers a hidden community of free people in the mountains and races against time to unlock the memories that could save them all.

“It’s a perfect series for teens, young adults, or adults who love dystopian stories with rich world-building and complex characters.” —, author of When Grey Came to Stay

IN A WORLD WHERE TRUTH HAD BEEN BURIED UNDER LAYERS OF LIES, PERHAPS THE MOST POWERFUL DISCOVERY IS THAT HOPE’S SONG NEVER TRULY FADES - IT JUST NEEDS A WILLING HEART TO HEAR IT.

🍃Available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook
🍃Award-winning dystopian series
🍃Perfect for fans of thoughtful speculative fiction that explores technology’s impact on society

Grab your copy from the Chicken House Press online bookstore, Amazon, or order through your favourite indie bookstore. 📖

01/08/2025

The exciting finale to The World Collective series is almost here but there is still time to catch up with the first two books!

Order The World Collective and United People from Chicken House Press and use the code COLLECTIVE at checkout to save 20%.

The World Collective series is a YA dystopian with lots of action but no gore. Dive into a world of high tech where perfection comes at a cost.

01/08/2025

Oooo yeah… 2025 is coming in hot! 🔥 Are you ready?

01/07/2025

🚨 ACQUISITION NEWS! 🚨

Chicken House Press is so thrilled to welcome Cheryl Skory Suma to the coop! Her enchanting middle-grade fantasy HABITAN is coming July 2025!

Born from bedtime stories told to her children and inspired by her cherished relationship with her Cree grandmother, this magical adventure weaves together Canadian landscapes and Cree-inspired magic and language. Young readers will journey alongside brave heroes and unforgettable animal companions in a story that celebrates courage, friendship, and standing up for what’s right.

Perfect for fans of Narnia and Percy Jackson who are looking for a uniquely Canadian fantasy adventure!



https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/press/chicken-house-press-acquires-indigenous-inspired-middle-grade-fantasy

01/01/2025

✨ Hey creative souls! Are you ready to show AI what human imagination can do? 🖊️

Chicken House Press is building something special - an anthology of YOUR stories about creativity in the age of AI. No algorithms or chatbots here - just pure, messy, beautiful human imagination.

“ONE OF US IS A ROBOT” wants your voice (1000-4000 words). Make me feel something real. Make the world remember why human creativity can’t be replicated.

Will you answer the call? Submissions remain open until we hit 100k words of pure magic ✨

[Full guidelines in bio]

12/19/2024

It was so fun celebrating this win for K. R. Wilson last week. I can’t wait to share his story along with the other seven finalists in the Sticks & Stones anthology, coming from Chicken House Press in April of 2025.

12/19/2024

Recently nominated for the Shirley Jackson Award, INFECT refuses to be quiet and keeps finding new fans. Author Benjamin Rempel enjoyed meeting readers at the Barrie Indigo and people are loving his fresh take on the classic zombie trope. Mark your calendars for next November when MUTATE is unleashed!

12/18/2024

The anticipated sequel to Where Eagles Never Fly finally arrives, diving deeper into a world where technology’s collapse reveals humanity’s true nature.

In The Empty Swing, the second instalment of Brian C. Austin’s series, readers return to a world where technology’s failure has reshaped society into something both familiar and frightening. Austin has crafted a narrative that explores the delicate balance between survival and humanity in an increasingly authoritarian landscape.

The story follows Roland Handson, who must navigate the complex moral terrain between self-preservation and the duty to help others. His underground shelter represents both sanctuary and burden as he grapples with the decision to open his doors to survivors. The story takes a powerful turn when Roland encounters an Old Order Mennonite community facing persecution precisely because their traditional lifestyle has left them uniquely resilient to the technological collapse.

Austin, whose writing has been praised for its unique blend of apocalyptic and survival elements, continues to build on themes established in the first book, where readers were introduced to Roland’s transformation from tragedy-struck individual to reluctant hero.

The first book in the series garnered praise for its detailed portrayal of Canadian landscapes and its intelligent approach to the apocalyptic genre. One reviewer noted, “While the technology seems unbelievable there is just enough detail to make me think maybe it’s not science fiction after all.”

The Empty Swing promises to deliver the same careful attention to detail while raising the stakes in this thought-provoking exploration of human nature, technology, and the price of survival as the story sets itself up for the compelling conclusion, set to release in 2025.



In a world filled with persecution and hostility, it’s up to the brave ones to soar where eagles never fly. 🦅

12/11/2024

The Chicken House after dark. 🌙 ❄️

12/11/2024

Psst... I'll be sharing a very special new submission call for Chicken House Press at the end of this event that will not be widely shared until the new year. Come hang out for an hour of celebrating some Canadian writers and you can get in on the secret too.

Hint: 🤖🚫

Join us tonight as we honour the eight winning stories from our Sticks & Stones anthology contest and award over $300 to one lucky writer! Hear each author share an excerpt of their work and be there when we open up pre-orders for this amazing collection of Canadian talent. Get the zoom link by RSVPing here: https://www.blankspaces.ca/canada-calls/live-zoom-celebration-honouring-contest-finalists-2024

12/02/2024

📣NEW BOOK RELEASE📣

Marina L. Reed and Don Hawkins return with “Shadow Man,” the exciting second instalment in the Cole Buckman series, where a missing person case involving a young woman escalates into an international human trafficking investigation.

Following the warm reception of the first Cole Buckman book, On The Edge, the second novel, Shadow Man, plunges readers into a web of corruption and criminal intrigue. When Jim Morrison’s daughter disappears, what looks like teenage rebellion quickly evolves into something far more sinister. MI6 agent Cole Buckman and his elite team are called in, uncovering a sophisticated human trafficking operation that reaches into the highest levels of government.

The novel accelerates through high-speed car chases and clandestine operations. When one of Cole’s team goes undercover as a transport truck driver, a criminal network is exposed and Cole’s team is put into a race against time to rescue multiple victims and dismantle a powerful crime organization.

Reed wanted to create a story that not only entertains but also sheds light on real-world issues, so Shadow Man marries the atmospheric tension of a spy thriller with the urgent reality of modern-day human trafficking. Reed combines her storytelling prowess with Hawkins’ intelligence to create a pulse-pounding rush that balances action with authentic investigative detail. For readers who crave the atmospheric tension and strategic brilliance of Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne, Cole Buckman offers a fresh and equally compelling hero in the world of international espionage and high-stakes investigation.

11/19/2024

Rebecca Benison’s compelling novel Harvest Cruise, a powerful exploration of self-discovery and personal transformation, has been awarded the coveted October 2024 BREW Readers’ Choice Award. The novel, which follows the journey of a reserved professional named Geri as she reluctantly embarks on a life-changing cruise, has resonated deeply with readers.

The BREW Readers’ Choice Award, distinguished by its reader-driven selection process, celebrates literary works that forge meaningful connections with their audience. In their official review, BREW praised Harvest Cruise as “a heartfelt odyssey” that masterfully weaves psychological insights about resilience with the transformative power of new experiences.

Harvest Cruise captivates readers through its protagonist’s evolution from a routine-bound professional to someone open to life’s unexpected possibilities. The novel has garnered particular acclaim for its nuanced character development, evocative writing, and carefully crafted pacing. BREW’s review highlighted the book’s “vivid details that immerse the reader in Geri’s world” and praised its “intricate pacing” that maintains suspense throughout the narrative.

The novel’s strength lies in its delicate balance of fear and excitement, particularly evident in moments like Geri’s unexpected beach encounter, which the BREW review praised as exemplifying the book’s themes of embracing life’s spontaneous beauty. While the story may not cater to readers seeking high-action thrillers, it has found an enthusiastic audience among those who appreciate thoughtful explorations of friendship, self-discovery, and personal growth.

This achievement places Harvest Cruise in contention for the Reader’s Choice of the Year Awards, where it will compete alongside other monthly winners for the annual recognition.

Read the full announcement at chickenhousepress.ca/press

Rebecca Benison

11/13/2024

Chicken House Press is thrilled to announce that Red Brick Road by author J.T. Maxwell has been the recipient of multiple prestigious awards. Most recently, the book has won first place from The Book Fest in the categories of Fiction - Action & Adventure and Fiction - Fantasy - Action & Adventure, as well as second place in Fiction - Fantasy - Historical. Earlier this year, Red Brick Road was also honoured with the 2024 International Impact Award.

Red Brick Road is a bold re-imagining of the classic Wizard of Oz tale. When a freak blizzard throws Brendon Connor into a surreal reality, he must navigate unfamiliar territory and confront his deepest flaws. Filled with crude humour, violence, and irreverent twists, this literary fantasy is a tribute to old technology and new ideas. Beneath the chaos, however, lies a valuable lesson about being a good human in a broken world.

Chicken House Press is incredibly proud of J.T. Maxwell and the remarkable success of Red Brick Road. These accolades are a testament to the author’s exceptional storytelling and the book’s ability to captivate readers with its fresh perspective on a beloved classic.

In celebration, The Book Fest is launching a marketing campaign featuring Red Brick Road on the NASDAQ building in Times Square, New York City. This high-profile display will bring well-deserved attention to this innovative and thought-provoking work of fiction.

Congratulations on another great achievement, J.T.!

10/07/2024

It was wonderful to see a couple Chicken House Press authors represented at For The Love of Reading at the Durham Town Hall last weekend. I will never stop being proud of seeing these talents showcased out in the wild!

Big thanks to and Brian C. Austin for taking a Saturday to share your work with local readers.