This N.L. author is going 'all in' on publishing her own books

Ida Linehan Young is going "all in" with her own publishing company to publish her own stories when she wants to.

Linehan Young, an award-winning author, already has a lengthy catalog of nine books published through other publishing companies, but her 10th offering — Blinders — hit store shelves under the Seaweed Publishing banner.

"It gives me flexibility to publish when I want, like in my time frame. Because not many authors even do a book a year, let alone, say, have two books a year or three. So I just wanted to do something different," Linehan Young told CBC News.

Linehan Young released the children's book Tilly the Too-Tall Clover earlier in 2025 through Flanker Press. Blinders and a yet to be released Christmas book are her first through Seaweed.

But even without a traditional publisher, Linehan Young said she wants her books to be professionally done and hired an editor to work on Blinder.

"I went all in for this one because I want it to be a success," she said. "If somebody is willing to buy your book, then you have to be willing to make it the best that it can be."

Flexibility

Writers' Union of Canada CEO John Degen said he's seeing more authors choose a mixed model of publishing — self-publishing some titles while releasing others through a traditional publisher.

"What this tells me is that this author … has gathered a really strong readership around her and can take her business out on her own at this point," Degen told CBC News.

He said becoming a publisher on top of being an author means more works, but it can lead to bigger financial gains and higher royalties.

"It's easier to go the self-published route these days than it ever has been. But it's not easy.… It's an awful lot of work," Degen said.

On shelves

Linehan Young said her previous books will still be available on bookstore shelves like Chapters and Coles.

"I don't have any rights for any of my work, yet," she said, adding the titles are still popular with readers and she has to adhere to the contract she signed with the publisher.

She said once she gets the rights back, she's considering re-publishing them through Seaweed.

Linehan Young said she is excited to launch her business, but she knows it will take up time.

"I don't want to become a business machine and not have the opportunity to be the writer that I want to be, either," she said.

Her Seaweed published books will also be available through Chapters and Coles, she said, and distributed across the province through Downhome Distribution. She's also gotten orders from across the country.

"It's a really wonderful feeling," Linehan Young said.

A combined Blinders and Seaweed Publishing launch party is planned for Aug. 3 in St. Bride's. Linehan Young will also have hats, T-shirts and mugs ready.

In the future, she said she's also open to publishing the works of other authors.

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