Top Independent book stores that focus on celebrating queer and racialized writers

Top book stores in Edmonton, Calgary and across Canada, that are both independent owners and focus on celebrating queer and racialized writers.

Edmonton

Glass Bookshop

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Glass Bookshop is an independent bookstore located in amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6, Edmonton, Alberta. Founded by Jason Purcell and Matthew Stepanic in 2018, Glass Bookshop is interested in uplifting interesting and challenging writing from Canada and beyond with a special focus on the work of queer and racialized writers, uplift independent publishers, and support local arts communities.

Audreys Books

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Audreys Books Ltd., incorporated in 1975, traces its roots back to bookstores founded by Mel Hurtig in the mid-fifties. Their mission is to support Canadian writers by offering an excellent book selection and by providing a suitable environment for the local literary experience, while ensuring the existence of a professional practical alternative.

Calgary

Owl’s Nest Books

Proudly carrying on the tradition of book industry legend Evelyn deMille in what is Calgary'slongest established independent bookstore. Evelyn de Mille (August 1, 1919 – October 31, 2013) is known for being the first woman in Calgary, Alberta to own her own stand-alone bookstore.

Vancouver Area

Strong Nations

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Indigenous & Native American Books, Aboriginal Kids Books, First Nations Kids Books, Inuit, Métis - Building Strong Nations Together!

Indigenous owned and operated publishing house and online bookstore located in Nanaimo on the traditional and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Since 2010 we have created and facilitated the acquisition of authentic Indigenous resources with the aim of developing a deeper understanding of Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and rights among all people.

Iron Dog Books

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Iron Dog Books is a book truck and bookstore in Vancouver, British Columbia. Iron dog sells new, used and remaindered books in Tsleil-Waututh, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Musqueam territories (metro Vancouver) in an effort to keep books affordable.

Massy Books

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Massy Books also partners with and supports many community non-profit and social justice organizations such as the Writer’s Exchange and Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs (RAVEN).

Little Sister`s Book & Art Emporium Online

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Store co-founder Bruce Smyth ( - 2019) (along with his late partner Jim Deva (1950-2014) for whom the nearby Jim Deva Plaza is named), first opened the doors to Little Sister's Book & Art Emporium at its original location, upstairs in an old residential house at 1221 Thurlow Street in April 1983. Little Sister's Book & Art Emporium continues to offer a great selection of queer reads for all ages, vital coming out info...all in a friendly, relaxed, non-judgmental environment.

Glad Day Bookshop

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Glad Day Bookshop is the oldest queer bookstore in the world. Serving the LGBTQ community since 1970, we offer the widest possible selection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, and queer literature.

Across Canada

Good Minds

GoodMinds.com remains a leading source of Indigenous education resources for schools and libraries in North America, while continuing to promote Indigenous authors, illustrators and translators.

What is your favorite independent shop that supports inclusivity, equity and diversity?