WHAT IS PUBLISHING FOR?
At broke press, the purpose of publishing is seen simply as getting art to an audience. broke press fulfills this mandate by producing chapbooks and poetry zines, by both emerging and established Canadian writers.
broke press publications are produced using a mix of modern and traditional bookmaking processes. Digitally designed and printed, broke press chapbooks are then hand-folded, -trimmed, and -bound. Great care is put into the production of each literary creation.
Located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, in Vernon, British Columbia, broke press is operated solely by Clare Thiessen, who acts as editor, designer, and book maker.
ABOUT THE OPERATOR
Clare Thiessen resides on the unceded and traditional territory of the Syilx Okanagan peoples, in so-called Vernon, British Columbia, where she writes, creates, and works at the public library. Clare is a graduate of Okanagan College’s Diploma in Writing and Publishing Program. Apart from her work as a publisher, she sometimes writes some things too! Her chapbook tiger poems was published in 2023 as part of Gaspereau Press’ Devil’s Whim Chapbook Series, and her chapbook manuscript No One Cares About Your Break-Up Poem!!! was awarded the 2023 John Lent Poetry Prose Award. She has worked as a publisher for ryga, and does freelance book design for presses and self-publishing authors. Clare is a wannabe film photographer, passionate zinester, and multi-media mess-making extraordinaire.
featured on:
Why We Write: Poets of Vernon
documentary
Why We Write delves into the world of poets and bookmakers living in and around Vernon, British Columbia. The documentary explores the poetry and the lives of those who continue to assemble words far from the big city; those who continue to blacken pages despite declining readership and the noise of the digital age.
DUSIE
blog
Inspired Word Cafe
podcast
“On this episode of Inspired Word Café, we chat with Clare Thiessen about some of her poetry, and her small publishing company broke press.”
Live Your Art
podcast
“In this conversation, we dive into the power of words to influence others, overcoming writer’s block, and writing as a means of emotional healing & self-discovery.”
Small Press Interactive Map
by the Toronto International Festival of Authors
“This map, while not exhaustive of the small presses currently in existence in Canada, gives a taste of the ephemera and wonder on offer across the country. Happy reading!”
—Kate Siklosi, Co-Founding Editor, Gap Riot Press