About Richard

Meet Richard Tardif: the heart and hustle behind Smiling Eyes Press.

Richard isn’t just a publisher—he’s a one-man literary cheer squad. He founded Smiling Eyes Press in Montreal in 2016 with a simple mission: to help writers bring their stories into the world their way. Think of him as part editor, coach, designer and godfather of indie publishing.

Before diving into the world of books, Richard served in the military and then swapped boots for bylines, graduating from Concordia’s journalism program. He cut his teeth as a full-time reporter and assistant editor at The Eastern Door, a Mohawk community newspaper, where he learned to listen deeply and write truthfully. Those years inspired his thoughtful memoir, My Side of the River, about the delicate art of reporting across cultures.

He’s also penned a few of his own titles—from fitness myths (Stop the Denial) to motivational speaking (Good Speakers Gone Great). But his absolute joy? Helping other authors shine. Whether you need an editor with a kind heart or a publishing guide who answers emails, Richard’s your publisher.

Through Smiling Eyes Press, he’s helped turn passion projects into Amazon bestsellers and quietly built a reputation for being the real deal—intelligent, sincere, and just the right amount of quirky.

In short, Richard Tardif proves that publishing doesn’t have to be scary. With the right guide, it can even be…fun.