The Big Why (39 page)

House of Anansi Press was founded in 1967 with a mandate to
publish Canadian-authored books, a mandate that continues to this day even as the list
has branched out to include internationally acclaimed thinkers and writers. The press
immediately gained attention for significant titles by notable writers such as Margaret
Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, George Grant, and Northrop Frye. Since then, Anansi's
commitment to finding, publishing and promoting challenging, excellent writing has won
it tremendous acclaim and solid staying power. Today Anansi is Canada's pre-eminent
independent press, and home to nationally and internationally bestselling and acclaimed
authors such as Gil Adamson, Margaret Atwood, Ken Babstock, Peter Behrens, Rawi Hage,
Misha Glenny, Jim Harrison, A. L. Kennedy, Pasha Malla, Lisa Moore, A. F. Moritz, Eric
Siblin, Karen Solie, and Ronald Wright. Anansi is also proud to publish the
award-winning nonfiction series The CBC Massey Lectures. In 2007, 2009, and 2010 Anansi
was honoured by the Canadian Booksellers Association as “Publisher of the Year.”