Publishing & Production Services

House of ShAkE offers a full range of services from project development, organization and planning, through writing and editing, to layout, design and production. For any project requiring skills we don't have in-house, a network of consultants and experts is just a call away.

Michael R. Caplan is highly regarded not only for his sense of design, but also for his gifts as a writer and editor, and as the facilitator of enjoyable and highly successful client collaborations.

He began experimenting with page layout as a teenager, creating and designing his own science fiction fanzine. He started working professionally in the field in the 1990, designing a catalogue for the special events company where he worked at the time. His subsequent clients included independent artists and arts company, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and specialist publishing houses Spring Journal & Books, publishers of the longest-running journal of Jungian psychology in the world, and Dance Collection Danse Press/es, a Canadian dance history archive and publisher.

Michael's primary interest is in book design, and House of ShAkE is dedicated to the enduring cultural value of the book. Michael has also created magazines, manuals, policy documents, CD covers, press kits, grant applications and reports, branding and logos, occasional documents for conferences and other events, programs, websites (including this one), and promotional materials such as flyers and ads. The details below are taken from his complete résumé.

Michael Caplan

Copywriting, Editing, Design, Layout and Production Clients

Michael Caplan's House of ShAkE (Toronto, 2022)

Website editing and design.

Bill Coleman, dancer/choreographer (Toronto, 2000–date)

Writing, editing, and design of promotional materials, grant applications, press kits, and occasional materials, both during and after his work Coleman-Lemieux & Compagnie (2000–2015).

Ansible Marketing (Toronto, 2016–2020)

Research, copywriting and copyediting of two monthly newsletters for the real estate industry, The Essential Apps Report and The Wealthy Homeowner.

A Handbook for Ecstatic Survival by David Earle (House of ShAkE, Toronto, 2017)

Design, editing, layout and typesetting for the inaugural publication of Michael Caplan's House of ShAkE, in hardcover and paperback.

Dancetheatre David Earle (Guelph, Toronto, 2008-2020)

Editing and design of posters, programs, press kits, and occasional materials.

ISPDI (International Society for Psychology as the Discipline of Interiority; 2014–2018)

Editing and design of programs for annual conferences and workshops, including Berlin, Toronto, Dublin, and Malibu.

Dance Collection Danse Press/Presses (Toronto, 2004–2018)

Design, layout and editorial assistance on 27 issues of the DCD Magazine, between the passing of one of the organization’s co-founders and editors, Laurence Adams, and the retirement of the other, Miriam Adams. Other projects included catalogues for this Canadian dance history archive and publisher, as well as the book David Earle: A Choreographic Biography.

Study for "A Handbook for Ecstatic Survival” by David Earle (House of ShAkE, Toronto, 2016)

Design, editing, layout and typesetting of this prototype publication, a limited-run hardcover sold to raise funds toward the Handbook for Ecstatic Survival.

Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie (Toronto, 2000-2015)

Writing, editing, design and layout of promotional materials and documents for this dance and community-based performance company, including press kit, postcards, business cards, newsletter, news releases, event invitations, grants, etc.

CMAS (Childminding Monitoring Advisory & Support; Toronto, 1998-2012)

Copywriting, copyediting, design and layout for this independent consulting firm contracted to the LINC childminding program (see below), managed by Citizenship & Immigration Canada. Projects included branding, manuals, booklets, policy documents, newsletters, resources and checklists, reports, forms, posters and website development.

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada; Toronto, 2002-2012)

Copywriting, copyediting, branding, design, layout and liaison with printers on projects including manuals, policy documents, and calendars. Through Citizenship & Immigration Canada, LINC offers childcare and resources for families of adults attending English classes.

Spring Journal & Books (New Orleans, 2008–2010)

Design, typesetting and copyediting for Spring Journal and Books, including

C.G. Jung and the Sioux Traditions by renowned Dakota Sioux author Vine Deloria, Jr.
The Call to Create by bestselling Jungian author Linda Schierse Leonard
the play Mary of Magdala by the distinguished Portuguese writer, Armando Nascimento Rosa
C.G. Jung in the Humanities by Susan Rowland
Psyche & the City: A Soul’s Guide to the Modern Metropolis, edited by Thomas Singer. See the feature at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/psyche-and-the-city-a-sou_b_717744

The International Trade Club of Toronto (Toronto, 1992-2009)

Writing and design of invitational flyers for monthly luncheons of this non-profit association of public- and private-sector trade officers.

The “Tempest” Trailer (The Citadel, Toronto; 2008)

Writing and design of all promotional materials this for self-produced adaptation of the play.

Nurturing New Roots: Supporting the Newcomer Family (2006-2008)

Branding, design, editing and layout of all materials and documents for the 5th, 6th and 7th Ontario Professional Development Conferences for LINC Childminders, including calls for presentations, postcards, registration and other forms, and conference programs. Michael’s contributions were acknowledged in 2008 when he was made a member of the Steering Committee.

Steelpan Country (Toronto; 2006)

Packaging design for the CD Michael recorded with steel drum player Gabriel Chartrand.

David Earle: A Choreographic Biography (Toronto, 2006)

Design, layout and typesetting of book by Michele Green documenting the life and works of David Earle. Described by Leland Windreich in Ballet-Dance Magazine as a “magnificent new volume” and by Michael Crabb in Dance International as “elegantly designed”, the book was selected by Susan Walker of The Toronto Star – who praised its “beautiful production”– as part of “The Complete Dance Library”, 2006.

Carol Priest Entertainment (Toronto, 1997-2002)

Writing, editing and design of promotional and occasional materials for special event company working with corporate clients.

Rent-A-Wife Home Services Inc. (Toronto, 1997-2002)

Writing, editing, design, and layout of brochures, posters, press releases and website for this cleaning, home renovations and property staging company.

Innovations Plus, Inc. (Montreal, 1990-91)

Writing and design of catalogues and occasional materials for special events company working with corporate, non-profit and private clients.

Clients with smaller, occasional projects have also included the Toronto District School Board, I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble, the Yoga House, Sweet Comforts Desserts, and other organizations and artists.

Recommendations

Michael is meticulous. He takes great care with every aspect of the job, is willing to experiment with different concepts, works diligently with colleagues, and truly overextends himself with each individual project. Indeed, we had asked him only to create good looking publications, but as a writer and editor himself, he went so far as to read the all the texts and articles and make intelligent suggestions for possible changes to the writings.

His work is inventive and appealing and he has been able to capture the essence and spirit of each of our varied magazine articles through his design. And the David Earle book is one which continues to receive glowing compliments from readers.

Miriam Adams

Co-founder/Director

Dance Collection Danse

His work is meticulous, well thought out and always delivered in a timely fashion. Michael takes care of the design element as well as the text. He is one of the best writers we have worked with. I am also aware of Michael’s other work, which includes the much praised book on choreographer David Earle. I recommend him highly.

Bill Coleman

As the operator of a small business which manages various government projects, standing out is often difficult with so many big organizations to compete against. From the start up of our organization to the present, we have had a lot of success in our business presentation thanks to Michael and his ideas.

Michael’s company made everything we developed go from good to great. We do a lot of reports, booklets and written documentation, and while our content was always excellent our presentation often did not capture our audience. With Michael’s help we have been able to do that.

Michael is aware that we want to do what we do best – meet the terms of our contracts with our funders – and so he works within budget and within our frame of reference. He creates what we need without requiring huge time commitments. Michael is quick to grasp the concepts we are trying to project, and put them out in a manner that works for our audience. He has been very helpful in writing and or rewriting our documents, and in helping us to craft the right image for our work.

Working with Michael is also easy, as he can handle time crunches and comes across as very relaxed – helpful with a team that sometimes becomes quite anxious.

Susan Hoo

Coordinator, CMAS

You should also know that before the pages were prepared some extra work on the editing was done by Michael Caplan, with the permission of Tom Singer, to make the chapter read more smoothly. He is a very sensitive, intelligent, and aesthetically minded senior editor, who also has attended to the layout and has decided to get the Chinese characters in after all.

Heyong Shen, author of “Heart and Soul in Shanghai” (in Spring's Psyche and the City, ed. Tom Singer)

Michael –

Putting pen to paper to make material my gratitude for the beauty of your work designing the book on my choreographic oeuvre.

People are astonished by it – you have to keep turning the pages – the eye is refreshed every time – It could have been so dry and repetitive in less creative hands.

You can imagine that it is a milestone for my existence – There is a before the book and after.

I feel largely invisible until now – Being somewhat shy – it is an adjustment – still one made gratefully.

Thank you

David Earle, transcription of handwritten letter on the publication of David Earle: A Choreographic Biography (DCD Press/es)

Michael Caplan’s House of ShAkE