Our Story

Picasso’s famous painting immortalized the victims of a horrendous moment for humanity when fiery nationalists bombs rained down on men, women, children, and animals, reducing the Spanish city of Guernica into ruins. More than ever, that image has become a plea to end wars and man’s inhumanity towards man.

Guernica Editions was founded in Montreal in 1978 by writer and filmmaker Antonio D'Alfonso with the expressed mission to publish books that address social justice issues, discover and cultivate our innate humanity, and transcend individual cultures and nations. In 1991, Guernica’s head office was moved to Ontario where it still resides. In 2010, writers Michael Mirolla and Connie Guzzo-McParland took over the reins from Antonio D’Alfonso, maintaining the same original commitment of tearing down borders and creating ties between cultural and social groups. Since its founding, Guernica Editions has published over six hundred titles. 

We seek out books that are fresh, terse, edgy and self-aware; that dare to cross boundaries and that speak to readers on a universal level.

Apart from our traditional series of prose, poetry, and essays, we house two other imprints.

The MiroLand imprint, created in 2013 under the management of Michael Mirolla and Connie Guzzo-McParland, is a place for our more commercial projects. Since its inception, we have published various genres under its auspices, from genre literature to cookbooks, children’s books, self-help books and memoirs.

Our genre literature includes: mysteries, thrillers, speculative fiction and fantasy.

In 2017, we launched Guernica World Editions, for authors outside of Canada’s borders. To date, we have published authors from the US, the UK, France, Israel, Dubai, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, and many other countries across the world. 

Across our imprints and series, our mission remains the same: to expand our worldview in order to narrow the distance between us. “No Borders, No Limits.”

We are incredibly proud of the authors and titles that have come through our door. From margin to mainstream, this is writing that does it right. 

For a full list of authors and titles that we have published since 1979, including those that are no longer in print, visit Guernica Books 1979-2019.

Guernica is grateful for the financial support of the Canada Council of the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, the Canada Book Fund, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

Meet the team

Michael Mirolla

Co-Publisher & Editor-in-chief

michaelmirolla@guernicaeditions.com

Connie Guzzo-McParland

Co-Publisher & Chief Financial Advisor

conniemcparland@guernicaeditions.com

Anna van Valkenburg

Associate Publisher, Publicity, Sales and Rights

annavanvalkenburg@guernicaeditions.com

Crystal Fletcher

Social Media

crystal.fletcher@guernicaeditions.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you open for submissions?

Please see our submission guidelines for details about how and when to submit to each respective imprint. Please note that in 2023, our regular submissions will only be open during the month of February.

How can I connect with one of your authors?

To get in touch with us regarding publicity and media requests, please use our contact form below. Please direct any requests for media copies to Anna van Valkenburg (annavanvalkenburg@guernicaeditions.com). Advanced Readers Copies of our books are also available through NetGalley. See our catalogues page for forthcoming titles. All of our books are on Goodreads for consumer reviews. 

Where can I find more Canadian-authored books?

Our books are widely available on major online retailer sites as well as libraries and independent booksellers. Use BookManager's Shop Local button on our website to locate indies near you.

Other resources include All Lit Up and 49th Shelf.

I have a question about my Amazon page

For metadata inquires including information displayed on Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble and other online retailers, please contact Anna van Valkenburg.

Where are you located?

287 Templemead Drive, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8W 2W4

Guernica Editions is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.

Are you hiring?

Current job opportunities will be posted on our LinkedIn page. For internship or freelance inquires please use the contact form below.

Are your books available in other formats?

Click to see our available ebooks here as well as eligible audiobooks from Audible.

How soon should I expect my order?

Please use the contact form below. We aim to have our books shipped within 10-12 business days.

What is the Guernica Prize?

The Guernica Prize recognizes the best unpublished literary fiction novel that pushes boundaries and is cutting edge. The prize consists of $1,000 and a publication contract with Guernica Editions. Click here to learn more.

Media and Publicity Requests

To get in touch with us regarding publicity and media requests, please use our contact form below. Please direct any requests for media copies to Anna van Valkenburg (annavanvalkenburg@guernicaeditions.com). Advanced Readers Copies of our books are also available through NetGalley. See our catalogues page for forthcoming titles. All of our books are on Goodreads for consumer reviews. 

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