Skarwood marked its official debut with the publication of Geof Isherwood's futuristic science fiction adventure comic Lincoln-16 in 1997. Since then, the immensely talented artist has extended his career path into film and new creative extravaganzas, not least of all the development of his own graphic novels. Although still in the works, Lani the Leopard Queen (for kids), Erox (for adults), Glydia and Krugall (a faerie fantasy) and Krudge (a kitchen sink comedy drama for adults) promise to rock the realm of popular entertainment. 

By the time Skarwood made its on-line début in 1999, Colleen B. McCool was making her own musical première with the release of her CD, Fiat Voluntas Tua. Ms McCool continues to evolve as a singer and, most recently, her venture into the visual arts.

Bowler, survivor and adventurer Jean Lafaurie was discovered by the founders of Skarwood when they visited a Montreal bowling alley in the winter of 2006. Despite all of the impediments that life has served him,this maverick continues to work towards the achievement of such goals as the Guiness record for longest consecutive games bowled.

However, Skarwood's impetus is rooted in  Empyreal Press, which was established by Sonja A. Skarstedt as an independent literary venue in 1990. Empyreal Press itself was rooted in the short-lived but significant literary review, Zymergy. The Empyreal Press catalogue  features new and established writers of poetry, prose and non-fiction whose voices range from the traditional to the experimental, from the passionate to the provocative. 

Empyreal’s devotion to aesthetic detail and unique literary vision ensure that these elegant volumes will be sought after and treasured for many years to come. One of Empyreal's most shimmering highlights is its publication of three volumes by the legendary poet and thinker Louis Dudek. When Dudek passed away in 2001, a number of his colleagues and friends contributed memoirs, poems and photographs to a keepsake volume entitled Eternal Conversations.