Second Story Press
Second Story Press is a Toronto-based independent Canadian feminist book publisher serving children, young adults, and adults with curated series on Holocaust education, Indigenous stories, feminist history, LGBTQ+ themes, and BIPOC creators, distributed via direct e-commerce, wholesale, and educational channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Second Story Press does
Second Story Press is an independent Canadian feminist book publisher headquartered in Toronto, founded in 1988 (legal entity record shows 1994), operating with a 1-10 employee headcount. The company publishes books for three primary readership segments: children (ages 0-12), young adults (13+), and adults, with thematic focus on Holocaust education, Indigenous stories, LGBTQ+, BIPOC creators, feminist history, and social justice. Its catalog is organized into curated collections and named series, including the Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers, A Mighty Muskrats Mystery (six Indigenous-themed middle-grade titles), the Azrieli Series of Holocaust Survivor Memoirs (83 titles), the Women's Hall of Fame Series, the Feminist History Society Series (15 titles), and the Alina Books early reader series. The company launched a French-language imprint called Petites Lunettes in 2024 and publishes Indigenous dual-language editions in Anishinaabemowin, Nishnaabemwin, Plains Cree, Mi'gmaq, and Blackfoot.
The business operates on a traditional publishing model with no proprietary technology platform. Core technology consists of print-on-demand production and a Shopify-based e-commerce storefront (secondstorypress.ca) for direct-to-consumer sales, supplemented by a wholesale/retail distribution program and direct sales to schools, school boards, and libraries. Pricing is unit-based at approximately $5-$26 CAD per title, with free shipping on Canadian orders over $60. Books are translated into 40+ languages and sold worldwide, with Holocaust education titles as the primary international driver.
The company has no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no institutional investor backing identified. Revenue is generated through three streams: direct e-commerce book sales, wholesale and retail distribution (including Black & Indigenous bookstores), and educational institution sales supported by free Teacher's Guides, Holocaust Teachers' Guides, Book Club Guides, and dedicated catalogues. Strategic partnerships anchor the content pipeline: Azrieli Foundation (Holocaust memoirs), Anne Frank House (All About Anne), Plan International Canada (children's rights series), the Feminist History Society, and BOOST Child & Youth Advocacy Centre. Recognition includes Governor General's Awards, Silver Birch Award, Jewish Book Awards, UNICEF Paolo Ungari Literary Award, and starred reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly.
Second Story Press firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Second Story Press
- Legal name
- Second Story Press
- Website
- https://secondstorypress.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Second Story Press is a Toronto-based independent Canadian feminist book publisher serving children, young adults, and adults with curated series on Holocaust education, Indigenous stories, feminist history, LGBTQ+ themes, and BIPOC creators, distributed via direct e-commerce, wholesale, and educational channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Second Story Press industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Book Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (51313)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Children’s Nonfiction Publishing (MPAJAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biography, Memoir & Narrative Nonfiction Publishing (MPAJAAAI), Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.) (MPAJAAAB), Children’s Nonfiction Educational (Science, History, Nature) (EDAGAIAC)
Keywords
Where Second Story Press is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Second Story Press business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Book Sales (Direct Consumer): Revenue generated through direct online sales to consumers through their e-commerce website secondstorypress.ca. Books are sold at various price points ranging from approximately $5 to $26 for individual titles.
- Wholesale and Retail Distribution: Books distributed through retailers and wholesalers, including specialized Black & Indigenous bookstores, general bookstore chains, and educational suppliers.
- Educational Sales: Sales to schools, libraries, and educational institutions. Resources include Teacher's Guides, Holocaust Teachers' Guides, and materials developed specifically for classroom use.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual book titles priced between $5-$26 CAD |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Second Story Press product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Second Story Press is a Canadian independent feminist book publisher that produces and sells children's, young adult, and adult books across curated series and collections focused on social justice themes including Holocaust education, Indigenous stories, LGBTQ+ representation, BIPOC voices, and feminist history. Sales occur via direct e-commerce (secondstorypress.ca), wholesale to retailers and wholesalers, specialized Black & Indigenous bookstores, and educational sales to schools and libraries, with supplemental free Teacher's Guides and Book Club Guides.
Product overview
Second Story Press is a Canadian feminist publishing house dedicated to publishing books for young readers and adults that entertain, educate, and empower. The company operates primarily as a book publisher offering a diverse catalog organized into curated collections and series. Their core offerings include themed book series such as the Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers (21 books), the A Mighty Muskrats Mystery series (6 books featuring Indigenous protagonists), The Azrieli Series of Holocaust Survivor Memoirs (83 titles), the Women's Hall of Fame Series (biography collections), and The Alina Books chapter book series. They also publish standalone titles across categories including Board Books, Picture Books, Early Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Children's Fiction, Children's Nonfiction, Teen, Biography & Memoir, Mystery, Adult Fiction, and Adult Nonfiction. The company operates a French-language imprint called Petites Lunettes and publishes dual-language Indigenous language books in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe), Nishnaabemwin, Plains Cree, Mi'gmaq, and Blackfoot. Their catalog spans multiple curated collections including Indigenous, Holocaust Education, LGBTQ+, Social Emotional Learning, BIPOC Creators, Asian AAPI Heritage, STEM, Kids Activism, Adventure, and Feminism themes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Petites Lunettes: French-language books imprint launched in 2024 for publishing French language books
Products and services
- Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers An award-winning book series of Holocaust education titles for young readers, including To Hope and Back (adopted by Ontario Elementary Holocaust Education program), Hana's Suitcase, and Last Known Address. Companion Teacher's Guides are available for download.
- A Mighty Muskrats Mystery Series A six-book middle-grade Indigenous mystery series by Michael Hutchinson featuring four Cree cousins living in Windy Lake First Nation, with titles including The Case of Windy Lake, The Case of the Missing Auntie, The Case of the Burgled Bundle, The Case of the Rigged Race, The Case of the Pilfered Pin, and The Case of the Movie Mayhem.
- The Azrieli Series of Holocaust Survivor Memoirs An 83-title memoir series published in partnership with The Azrieli Foundation's Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program, preserving stories written by Holocaust survivors for education about tolerance and diversity.
- The Women's Hall of Fame Series A series of books each profiling ten groundbreaking women from specific fields, documenting their lives, achievements, and challenges. Includes titles on women artists, explorers, scientists, inventors, journalists, and more.
- The Alina Books An award-nominated early reader chapter book series for ages 6+ following Alina, who loves cooking and exploring her Indo-African heritage with her Nani and cousin Safi from Kenya. Books include 'Alina in a Pinch,' a finalist for the Silver Birch Express and Hackmatack Children's Choice Book awards.
- The Olive Tran Series An early chapter book series for ages 6+ following the adventures of ten-year-old Olive Tran, who loves her friends, family, and the delicious food her grandma (Bà Nội) makes.
- The Shining Waters Series A two-book middle-grade adventure series featuring Bernice answering the call to adventure in the Great Lakes region during the early 1900s, inspired by author Jessica Outram's own Métis family heritage.
- Do You Know My Name? Series A series of middle-grade biography collections profiling activists from around the world, including titles such as Run the World Like a Girl, Pride and Persistence, and She's a Mensch!
- The Kids' Power Series Books inspired by real stories of young people who have taken action to make their lives and world better, for ages 9-12.
- Feminist History Society Series A 15-book series publishing books about the women's movement in Canada between 1960 and 2010, written by participants in the movement, in partnership with the Feminist History Society.
- I'm A Great Little Kid Series A series developed with Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre featuring diverse characters teaching lessons about communication, self-esteem, and making good choices, including A Tattle-tell Tale and That Uh-oh Feeling.
- First Nations Book for Young Readers A nine-book series profiling Indigenous people from across North America who are trailblazers in their fields, including titles on Environmentalists, Athletes, Musicians, and Women from First Nations.
- Plan International Canada Books A four-book series published in partnership with Plan International Canada covering children's rights and education, including titles such as Because I Am a Girl and The Way to School.
- A Russell and Leduc Mystery Series A contemporary thriller series featuring writer-turned-detective Marie Russell and Detective Inspector Roméo Leduc solving crimes from the Laurentians to Montréal.
- Petites Lunettes A French-language imprint offering books en français for young readers, launched in 2024 as a sub-brand of Second Story Press.
Quantifiable outcome
- Books sold around the world, translated into over 40 languages
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Second Story Press
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Second Story Press technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Second Story Press partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Plan International CanadacorePartnership to publish Plan International Canada Books series, including titles like 'Because I am a Girl' and 'As a Boy' that promote children's rights and gender equality.
- Azrieli Foundation - Holocaust Survivor Memoirs ProgramcorePartnership to publish the Azrieli Series of Holocaust Survivor Memoirs. This is a major publishing initiative preserving Holocaust survivor stories for education about tolerance and diversity. Series includes 83+ memoir titles.
- Anne Frank HousecorePartnership to publish 'All About Anne' - Anne Frank's life story told in words and pictures from the Anne Frank House museum.
- Feminist History SocietycorePartnership to publish the Feminist History Society Series documenting the women's movement in Canada between 1960 and 2010, written by movement participants.
- BOOST Child & Youth Advocacy CentreminorPartnership to develop the 'I'm A Great Little Kid' Series with BOOST CYAC, teaching children about communication, self-esteem, and making good choices through books like 'A Tattle-tell Tale' and 'That Uh-oh Feeling'.
- Black & Indigenous BookstoresminorDistribution partnership with Black and Indigenous-owned bookstores to ensure diverse communities have access to Second Story Press titles.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Second Story Press competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arsenal Pulp Press: Vancouver-based Canadian independent publisher with a strong feminist, LGBTQ+, and social justice mandate across fiction and nonfiction. Closely aligned editorial values and Canadian independent press positioning.
- Annick Press: Toronto-based Canadian independent children's book publisher producing picture books, middle grade, and YA titles. Operates with a similar size, mission-driven editorial focus, and educational sales channel as Second Story Press.
- Kids Can Press: Long-standing Canadian independent children's book publisher (owned by Hachette) producing picture books, early readers, middle grade, and nonfiction. Highly comparable catalog breadth and educational market overlap.
- Groundwood Books: Canadian independent children's book publisher (part of House of Anansi Press) publishing picture books, middle grade, and YA fiction and nonfiction with a focus on diverse, socially conscious titles. Directly comparable to Second Story Press in mandate, customer base, and distribution model.
- Lee & Low Books: US-based independent publisher focused on diversity in children's literature, including BIPOC creators, multicultural, and bilingual titles. Comparable mission-driven children's publishing model and educational market focus.
- Between the Lines Press: Canadian independent publisher focused on social justice, activism, feminism, and Indigenous issues across adult and YA titles. Aligned editorial mission with comparable educational and activist audience overlap.
- Orca Book Publishers: Canadian independent publisher with strong children's, YA, and educational/institutional sales focus, including Orca Soundings and Hi-Lo series. Comparable in scale, multi-channel distribution, and school/library market emphasis.
- Theytus Books: Canadian Indigenous-owned publisher focused on Indigenous voices, including children's books, Indigenous language titles, and educational resources. Direct overlap with Second Story Press's Indigenous catalog and dual-language offerings.
- Free Spirit Publishing: US independent publisher focused on social emotional learning, life skills, and character education for children and teens. Comparable overlap with Second Story Press's SEL and Kids' Power series offerings.
Broad incumbents
- House of Anansi Press: Major Canadian independent literary publisher (parent of Groundwood Books) covering adult fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children's. Broader mandate but overlapping author pool and Canadian independent press identity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Second Story Press social profiles
Digital presenceSecond Story Press financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Second Story Press leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Second Story Press funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Second Story Press M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Second Story Press
What does Second Story Press do?
Second Story Press is a Canadian independent feminist book publisher that produces and sells children's, young adult, and adult books across curated series and collections focused on social justice themes including Holocaust education, Indigenous stories, LGBTQ+ representation, BIPOC voices, and feminist history. Sales occur via direct e-commerce (secondstorypress.ca), wholesale to retailers and wholesalers, specialized Black & Indigenous bookstores, and educational sales to schools and libraries, with supplemental free Teacher's Guides and Book Club Guides.
Is Second Story Press a public or private company?
Second Story Press is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Second Story Press founded?
Second Story Press was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Second Story Press based?
Second Story Press is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Second Story Press make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Book Sales (Direct Consumer) is the primary driver. The others are wholesale and Retail Distribution and educational Sales.
Who are Second Story Press's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arsenal Pulp Press, Annick Press, Kids Can Press, Groundwood Books, Lee & Low Books, Between the Lines Press, Orca Book Publishers, Theytus Books and Free Spirit Publishing. House of Anansi Press is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Second Story Press have an API?
No public API is recorded for Second Story Press.
What industry is Second Story Press in?
Second Story Press's product category is Children's Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAFAE, Children’s Nonfiction Publishing, with a secondary code of MPAJAAAI, Biography, Memoir & Narrative Nonfiction Publishing. Its NAICS code is 51313 and its SIC code is 2731.