I’m sixty years old and long past the time when I’m afraid to speak out for fear of how I’m perceived. That’s the benefit of age. Still, these past few years, I’ve suffered from a form of Impostor Syndrome. I’ve written extensively about the marginalization of Jewish voices in literature, especially after October 7, 2023, and whenever I appear on panels, authors step up to thank me afterward for all I do. I get messages every day from people grateful that I’m calling attention to the way Jewish, Zionist, and Israeli voices are being silenced.
In the back of my mind, though, I think, But I haven’t really done anything. I’ve just pointed out the problem.
Along the way, I’ve tapped into an ecosystem of trusted authors, editors, designers, marketers, and even lawyers who are volunteering their time and expertise to what can only be called a movement. And by engaging with this movement, I feel, at last, that I’m doing something besides complaining about the issue.
My old journalism professor would be horrified at this post because I’m absolutely burying the lede. But I thought it was important to let everybody know that the launch of Canary Publishing is the culmination of three years of advocacy, a decade in the publishing business, and a lifetime of writing about Jewish issues. If I don’t do this, or at least try, then what else has my life and career been leading toward? It’s that important to me.
So, here’s the lede: Canary Publishing will officially launch Wednesday, September 2 at 1 p.m. Eastern in an online launch event featuring a few guests and me. I’ll be interviewed by trusted colleague, author, professor, and activist Andrew Pessin. Joining me will be Scott Shay—business leader, author, philanthropist, and longtime supporter of Jewish causes—one of the funders providing seed money for the press.
We’ll be available to answer your questions. All you need to do is register at this link.
Emet-Truth will remain my personal voice, but for official Canary Publishing news, please subscribe to the separate company Substack newsletter.
I’ve written extensively about the problems and the proposed solutions on these pages, so I won’t repeat them here. But I’m excited to talk to everybody about the kind of company Canary Publishing is and how we are part of this historic moment in Jewish literature. This is when we refuse to be silenced.
And maybe, after this official launch, I’ll recover from my Imposter Syndrome.
Kol hakavod Howard! This is a big, positive moment for Jewish literary voices and our people's stories and, indeed, heritage. Bravo!
So very excited for you and the launch of the press. It feels exactly the right time for this.