thornapplepress.ca

What It Is

Thornapple Press is an independent publisher based in Canada, positioned around nonfiction books on love, sexuality, and relational ethics. It is the successor to Thorntree Press, which published influential books in the fields of non-monogamy and intimate relationships, including Polysecure and More Than Two. Strictly speaking, it is not an online course platform and does not offer certificate-based training; instead, it provides knowledge and perspectives through books.

Core Content and Institutional Background

Its topics cover consensual nonmonogamy, kink, sex work, harm reduction, queer identities, families, mental health, disability, and more. It emphasizes sex-positivity and recognizes the non-binary nature of gender and sexual orientation. The publisher values fresh perspectives from underrepresented groups, with particular attention to ethics, safety, community, and consent. The organization was founded and restructured in connection with Eve Rickert, moving from the U.S.-based Thorntree Press to Canada in 2022 and changing its name. Its parent company, Talk Science to Me Communications Inc., was founded in 2009 and provides editorial, design, writing, and publishing support services.

Pricing and Formats

The text does not provide specific book prices, ebook prices, or subscription plans. On the author side, Thornapple Press clearly uses a traditional advance-and-royalty model: authors do not need to pay to be published, and it is not a hybrid press or vanity press. For readers, learning primarily takes place through purchasing books. Distribution in Canada is handled by UTP/Ampersand, while international distribution, including in the United States, is handled by Ingram.

Pros and Cons

Its strengths lie in its highly focused subject selection, centering on sexuality, relational ethics, and minority experiences that are less commonly covered by mainstream educational resources. It also continues the editorial and design team and field resources of the original Thorntree Press, making it a valuable reference for readers interested in these topics. Its limitations are that it does not provide structured courses, learning paths, quizzes, or certifications. It is also not currently accepting unsolicited submissions and is not expected to reopen them until 2027. The barrier to entry is relatively high for non-Canadian authors.

Who It’s For and Access in China

It is suitable for sexuality education researchers, professionals involved in intimate relationship counseling, readers of queer and gender studies, and those who want to understand relational ethics through original English-language books. If users are looking for Chinese-language courses, certificates, or hands-on practical training, it is not a good match. Access from mainland China is not specified in the text, and topics of this kind may face cultural and platform visibility restrictions, so china_access is rated as unknown.