Publishers Andrew Steeves and Gary Dunfield were presented with the 2025 Atlantic Legacy Award. 

Since its founding in 1997, Gaspereau Press has quietly and modestly been forging its own way—creating books of great beauty, conviction, authenticity, and intelligence. Recognizing that staying small can be its own strength, publishers Andrew Steeves and Gary Dunfield kept everything inhouse—editing, design, printing, distribution. But equally important, they chose to be utterly “hands on”—to merge old printing technology with new, to emphasize the made-ness of each book. Using letterpress and offset technologies; sourcing fine papers, many handmade; and producing books of classic beauty and grace that garnered Steeves countless awards for design, they ignored publishing trends to be true to their own vision of their craft, and in doing so created one of the country’s most respected publishing houses: small, thoughtful, and committed to excellence rather than to market forces. Keeping things small and local has never meant being parochial—Gaspereau publications have received some of the country’s most prestigious awards, and delighted readers around the world. 

Steeves and Dunfield’s unflagging commitment to their work has been a remarkable gift to the Atlantic literary community, in which they have nurtured and uplifted dozens of writers; to the Canadian publishing community, of which they have been valued, knowledgeable, and generous colleagues for nearly three decades; and to the community of Kentville and environs, where their annual Waygooze events have welcomed young and old to share in the joy of printing and book arts.

Gaspereau Press is now owned by Keagan Hawthorne and has been relocated to Sackville, NB. Check out its website.