House of Parlance is a new media company and trade book publisher inspired by literary and visual storytelling. We work with authors, writers, artists, illustrators and spoken word poets. From high-quality titles to electronic media, our works promote new connections between artists, authors, and their worldwide audiences.

We find emerging talent from the 21st century’s richest and most potent creative incubator: Everywhere. We’re currently working on several new titles for kids, adults and everyone in between. We will also publish some fresh poetry and spoken word titles from some of the finest voices out there.

We began our journey with the publication of Shane Koyczan’s widely praised collection, Visiting Hours, which was featured as a Best Book of 2005 by the UK’s Guardian & Canada’s Globe and Mail newspapers. Visiting Hours was the only Canadian title---and the only collection of poetry---to receive both honors in 2005.

In 2006-07, we packaged Avril Lavigne’s Make 5 Wishes, a twovolume, full-color graphic novel for Random House in NYC. (Both titles have been fully sanctioned and endorsed by Avril Lavigne.) The first volume was nominated for the American Library Association / YASLA’s Great Graphic Novels category, and was recently named an ALA / YASLA Popular Paperback for 2008.

Our exciting Fall 2008 / Spring 2009 lists will include superstar Shane Koyczan’s ambitious first YA novel in verse, which speaks to a very important and timely topic: bullying. We’ve a lovely---and intense---poetry collection by award-winning musician Kinnie Starr, who is also the illustrator and photographer for her collection.

We’ve an amazingly fresh take on the old-fashioned picture book by Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, to be illustrated by renowned tattoo artist Matt Reid. We also have a new Avril-inspired title, Girlfriend: Sleight of Hand…and Heart, which was written by Gail Simone and illustrated by Nelson Garcia of Nomadic Alternatives. Girlfriend is a full-colour graphic novel geared toward 10-15 year olds, and has a different look and style than the first Avril titles. Avril Lavigne was a creative consultant for Girlfriend, so this title also has the full backing of both her and her team.

And there will be more. Much, much more. We promise.

Our Team:

Cathy Barrett co-founded House of Parlance Media after a long career in the music business with Nettwerk Music Group. She worked with Nettwerk since its inception in 1984 and held managerial positions in public relations, Internet marketing, multi-media design and production, e-commerce and mail order, and artists and repertoire. She also participated in the production of several books by Madrigal Press, Nettwerk's publishing company and was the co-producer of Lilith on Top, a film that chronicled the final year of the Lilith Fair tour. At the time of her departure from Nettwerk in 2004 she had also been a company director for several years.

As Publisher of House of Parlance Media, Cathy is responsible for corporate strategic planning and vision, project budgeting, hiring freelance writers and artists, editorial work, and working with corporate clients on publishing projects for the retail and online markets.

Sandy Garossino always wanted to be in the publishing industry.

Her detours through crime (as a Crown prosecutor), romance (three years, three kids), dubious cab rides through darkened streets (owning one of Canada’s largest taxi fleets), and thrillers and horrors (the markets!!) only sharpened her instincts for great stories and storytellers.

After paying her debt to society by serving time (10 years!) on the board of the Vancouver International Writers Festival, opportunity finally knocked, and Sandy started House of Parlance Media with Cathy Barrett.

She’s still a sucker for a good line.

As Publisher of House of Parlance Media, Sandy is responsible for corporate strategic planning and vision, project budgeting, hiring freelance writers and artists, editorial work, and working with corporate clients on publishing projects for the retail and online markets.

Tonya Alicia Martin has been in the publishing industry for over 20 years, 15 of which have been spent as a trade children’s book editor specializing in middlegrade and YA fiction (but she has much love for picture books, early chapter books, and licensed product, too). Tonya is best known for her work at Scholastic, Incorporated in New York City, which included K.A. Applegate’s top-selling series Animorphs, Everworld, and Remnants, as well as R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps franchise (Give Yourself Goosebumps), the Ripley’s Believe It or Not license, and many a teen “Thriller.”

Tonya has also worked in production at Temple University Press and as an editor for Current Science. Most recently, she held the position of Children’s Editor at Raincoast Books in Vancouver.

Tonya was born in the US city of Baltimore, went to university in Philadelphia where she earned a BA in Communications/Journalism, and ultimately landed in NYC’s children’s book publishing world. A few years ago, Tonya left fabulous Manhattan, New York, for stunning Vancouver, British Columbia.

She’s decided to stay there a while...

As Editorial Director Tonya’s responsible for acquisitions and overall direction of both the children’s and adult lists.