Thornapple Press publishes non-fiction books that discuss relationships, love, sexuality and relational ethics from unique and underrepresented perspectives. This includes books on consensual nonmonogamy, kink, sex work, harm reduction, queer identities, families, mental health, disability and related topics. We are sex-positive and recognize that gender and sexuality are non-binary.
We are particularly interested in receiving submissions from authors who can offer new insights on the themes of ethics, safety, community and consent. We welcome proposals from emerging authors and from perspectives that are underrepresented in sexuality literature. We aim to provide our readers with high-quality and well-researched content that is also accessible and engaging.
We have been publishing quality non-fiction books on human sexuality and relationships since 2014, originally as Thorntree Press, an independent publisher based in Portland, Oregon. As Thorntree, we published some foundational nonmonogamy texts such as More Than Two and Polysecure. In 2022 one of Thorntree’s cofounders, Eve Rickert, bought out her other cofounder, moved the company to Canada, and rebranded it as Thornapple Press.
The “thorn tree” in “Thorntree Press” was the hawthorn tree, a reference to the place that supported the genesis of the original company. Hawthorns are also sometimes called thornapples, and thornapple is also one name given to plants in the genus Datura. Both hawthorn and Datura have medicinal, ritual or magical uses in some cultures. The name “Thornapple” seemed a fitting name to acknowledge our origins while evoking our vision of books that are both healing and transformational.
Thornapple Press and its sister company, CanScience Books, are imprints of parent company Talk Science to Me Communications Inc. Founded by Eve in 2009, Talk Science offers editing, design, writing and other publications support services to clients involved in communicating science. Talk Science is a Certified Women Business Enterprise, a CGLCC certified 2SLGBTQi+ owned business, and a Certified Living Wage Employer, and contributes a portion of revenue to the South Island Indigenous Reciprocity Trust.
As a small press, we provide our authors with personal attention that they may not find in larger companies. Because we are dedicated to the topics of sexuality, love and relationships, we’re able to offer targeted marketing and promotion to the right audience for your book, and to leverage longstanding relationships with sex- and relationship-positive bookstores and other venues. Our editorial and design approach prioritizes the authenticity of the author’s own voice while providing a level of attention and care that is increasingly unusual in publishing.
We work on a traditional advance and royalties model, meaning that our authors do not pay for the publication of their book. We are not a hybrid or vanity press and all submissions are evaluated on the quality and potential market success of the proposal.
We encourage submissions from previously unpublished authors. You should be active within your field of interest with an established public presence (this could be through a blog, website, social media, your speaking history or general professional recognition).
We require this both because we seek to create books that offer first-hand, experienced perspective, and because a successful book is supported by a strong public presence.
Memoirs are an important part of our publishing program, but we are selective in the ones we accept. Before sending a proposal for a memoir or biography, consider whether it deals with universal themes of relevance to a broad readership. Your memoir should tell an interesting or unique story, come from a perspective that is not well-represented in literature, or feature a high-profile person with a fascinating life. We prioritize memoir submissions from Canadian authors.
We have published fiction but are not currently accepting submissions from new authors in this area.
During and after the acquisition and rebrand, we have maintained valued relationships with some of our long-term authors from the United States and Europe. We will consider new authors from outside Canada, but new non-Canadian proposals will be evaluated highly selectively. You will improve your chances if you work with a Canadian co-author, or have Canadians contributing content such as artwork or a foreword.
We are currently not accepting unsolicited proposals for new books. Sign up for our newsletter by filling in the box below or follow us on Instagram to get notified when submissions re-open, likely in early 2027.
