By Sandra O’Brien
Author and illustrator Danielle Daniel is embarking on an exciting new venture in 2026. She’s founding a publishing house, Mighty Village Books, on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario. As a Governor General’s Literary Award finalist and author/illustrator of eight critically acclaimed children’s titles, Danielle’s vision for Mighty Village Books comes from a deep love of children’s literature and the community of creators who make it happen. Danielle plans to publish titles from underrepresented voices from the North, and she’s hoping to see their first books hit the shelves in 2028. Danielle graciously shared details of her plans for Mighty Village Books with me in the interview below.
Tell me about your own experiences in the publishing world and what led you to found Mighty Village Books.
My path to founding Mighty Village Books grew out of both lived experience and a deep desire for alignment. I came to publishing later than many. My first book was published when I was 40, and my tenth at 49, after years as a full-time elementary school teacher.
Working with a range of Canadian publishers over that decade gave me a rich, practical education in how the industry functions and, just as importantly, clarity about how I wanted to participate in it. As someone who is always learning and evolving, I reached a point where I wanted to bring all my skills into one place—my background as a teacher, creativity as an author and illustrator, my entrepreneurial experience as a business owner, and my education, having earned an MFA. Mighty Village Books grew from that convergence. It felt like a natural next step to build a small, values-driven press that centres creative integrity, innovation, equity and an approach shaped by depth rather than volume, and that offers meaningful guidance to new authors and illustrators navigating a changing industry.
At its heart, the press is about community and stewardship, supporting creators thoughtfully and ensuring the people who write and illustrate the books share more fully in their success.
According to your website, your mission is founded on the principle that smaller is better. Can you explain how you plan to put that into practice?
At Mighty Village Books, smaller is better is not a slogan. It is a practical and intentional way of working. We choose to publish fewer titles so we can give each book and each creator the time and attention they deserve. That means thoughtful editorial collaboration, meaningful creative dialogue and long-term support rather than a fast, volume-driven approach. Staying small also allows us to build relationships rooted in trust and transparency. Our publishing model centres on sustainable partnerships with creators, including a more equitable compensation structure. Authors receive a 20% royalty, split evenly between authors and illustrators when applicable. This reflects our belief that the people who create the work should share more fully in its success. Just as importantly, staying small allows us to remain community-focused and values-led. By growing slowly and intentionally, we can remain responsive, adaptable, and deeply invested in the books we publish and the people behind them.
As you plan to publish stories from Northern Ontario, will you restrict submissions to authors/illustrators from this area only?
Mighty Village Books welcomes submissions from both debut and established Canadian and Indigenous authors and illustrators. Our goal is to publish a wide range of voices that reflect lived experiences across Canada, with a strong commitment to supporting storytellers from communities that have historically been underrepresented. While submissions are not restricted by region, we are especially interested in stories by Northern writers and stories set in Northern Ontario, as these voices and places continue to be underrepresented within the broader Canadian literary landscape. By holding space for both national and regional perspectives, we aim to build a list that reflects the full breadth of Canadian storytelling, rooted in place and community.
How many books do you plan to publish each year and when do you think your first book will hit the shelves?
We’re starting slow by design. In our first year, we expect to publish two to three books, so we can be fully present for each project and each creator. Long term, Mighty Village Books will remain a small press. We’re not aiming for volume, and I don’t see us publishing more than a small handful of titles in any given year. Our hope is to release our first books in spring 2028. Our publishing focus is firmly rooted in early literacy, with picture books and middle-grade fiction and non-fiction that support emerging readers while also helping children make sense of their inner worlds. For us, the pace matters as much as the outcome. It allows the work to unfold with purpose.
You've chosen to house your publishing house in Little Current on Manitoulin Island. Why did you choose this location?
Mighty Village Books is based in Little Current, within Treaty 45, where I live and work, on Mnidoo Mnis, Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. It is home to six First Nations, including Wikwemikong, the only unceded territory in Canada. Locating the press here is both practical and intentional. Place shapes perspective and living in Northern Ontario keeps me grounded in community, land and stewardship. The landscape, wildlife and the North Channel of Lake Huron are not only a source of ongoing inspiration in my creative work, but a daily reminder of the importance of listening, observing and working in a way that is thoughtful and attentive.
Tell me about your staff at Mighty Village Books.
Mighty Village Books operates with a small, trusted team of collaborators who support areas such as graphic design and editing. While I lead the press as a sole proprietorship, I work closely with experienced professionals as needed across the publishing process to ensure each book receives the expertise it deserves. This structure allows the press to remain flexible and responsive. By staying small, we are able to take thoughtful risks, work collaboratively and direct more resources toward the books themselves and the people who create them.
Tell me about the print and resource side of the business.
As a former primary/junior teacher, I know how important it is to bring thoughtful, well-made resources into classrooms and libraries. Alongside our publishing program, Mighty Village Books offers a growing range of Canadian-made art prints, posters, bookmarks, and stickers. These items directly support the development of our books and the creators behind them.
Our resources are designed to support early literary and emotional literacy, inspire curiosity and foster inclusion and connection. We’re deeply committed to creating analogue resources that invite children to slow down, create with their hands and engage creatively at home and in the classroom. In an increasingly digital world, these tactile, open-ended materials invite exploration, imagination and personal expression, making them essential tools for learning. New resources will begin to roll out later this fall.
Our online shops are open now, with wholesale options available for independent retailers and bulk savings for schools and libraries. Over time, these resources will continue to sustain the press by extending the life of our stories beyond the page and offering families, educators and librarians book-related resources that support our publishing program.
Will you continue to write and illustrate stories yourself?
Absolutely. I will continue to write, and I plan to illustrate again as well. Story has always been at the centre of my creative life, and that work continues alongside building the press. Writing and making art are not optional for me. And I’m looking forward to the moment when my first book is published by Mighty Village Books, as both a creator and a publisher.
Are there any particular authors or illustrators you'd like to work with? Or any authors or illustrators that have inspired or influenced you recently?
I’m continually inspired by the work of Julie Flett and Heather Smith, whose books I admire deeply. As we begin building our list, I’m interested in working with established authors and illustrators who are looking for a more personal, collaborative experience within a small, values-driven press, where we work closely with the creators we publish. At the same time, I remain deeply committed to discovering new voices who may not yet have had the opportunity to share their work. Many talented creators don’t have access to local classes, workshops or industry networks, and I’m motivated to help create pathways for those storytellers as well. Whether emerging or established, we want the authors and illustrators we work with to feel valued, seen, and fairly compensated. That principle guides how we build our list and our relationships.
Many thanks to Danielle for answering all our questions with such thoughtful responses. The CCBC would also like to wish Mighty Village Books, Danielle and her team much success in all they endeavour to achieve. A reminder to authors and illustrators that Mighty Village Books is now open for submissions for its first season of books.
Visit mightyvillagebooks.com for more information.
Sandra O’Brien is the former editor of Canadian Children’s Book News, who is enjoying spending more time with her dogs, Alfie and Audi, gardening and quilting.