About Us

Black Moss

Black Moss focuses on publishing innovative narrative poetry and literature that tell the important stories of the lives, places and people of Canada.

Our publishing program and our values as a literary press are focused on telling those stories in a way that engages and connects as only narrative literature and poetry can.

“Black Moss Press is ... driven by a passion for literature and for producing high-quality publications.”

David Hayes, The Toronto Star

A Special Relationship with Windsor & Southwestern Ontario

Black Moss has a special role and responsibility in promoting literature and the arts in Windsor and across southwestern Ontario, publishing and promoting the work of writers from across the region and building an active and growing interest in Canadian writing and literature in the region. Every year, much of our list is composed of titles from southwestern Ontario writers. Our annual Poetry at the Manor reading at Willistead in Windsor is a community highlight.

The Team

Marty Gervais, Publisher

“And what of the presence in the city of Canada’s most widely celebrated literary publisher, Marty Gervais, poet laureate of the city of Windsor? His influence on generations of the practitioners of People’s Poetry is beyond measure…” – Toronto Star, June 2017

Alicia Labbé, Assistant to the Publisher & Editor

After receiving her B.A. in English with honours at the University of Windsor, Alicia decided to pursue a career in publishing. To date she has completed Humber College’s Creative Book Publishing Program, worked for Biblioasis, Random House of Canada and Scanner Press, and is excited to add Black Moss Press to her resume. In her spare time she likes to travel; she has eaten her way through Paris, London, Quebec City, New Orleans and Toronto, with plans for sampling the delicacies of many other famous cities

Videographer, Julienne Rousseau

Born and raised in Windsor, Rousseau is a historian, writer, and filmmaker and a part-time student at the University of Windsor completing a degree in History. She is compelled to write historical journals, poetry, and short-stories, and her journalistic work includes interviewing a wide range of local talent and recording oral histories to create articles and films. Above all, Rousseau is an equal rights activist who combines her love of history, art, and music to produce meaningful works.

Karen Veryle Monck, Designer

Karen Veryle Monck is a writer, editor and book designer whose beginnings as a journalist led to a fascination with the visual presentation of the written word and a passion for developing informative design based on content. Over two decades, she has designed more than 150 books, many of them for Black Moss Press. The recipient of several provincial and national awards for critical writing, newspaper layout and book design, Karen lives in Windsor.

Advice for aspiring writers

As part of our commitment to narrative poetry and literary publishing, we host a writer’s salon on an ad hoc basis. Aspiring writers can get advice from Black Moss Publisher Marty Gervais or our authors who volunteer their time. Completely free. Watch our site for information on the next Writers’ Salon or sign up for our newsletter.

Custom Publishing

We offer professional custom publishing services including editing, design and layout, printing, promotion and distribution services. If you have a story you would like told, email us with “Custom Publishing” in the subject line.