Industry Overview
More than 10,000 books are published each year in Canada. Publishing firms take calculated financial risks every time they publish a book, investing funds in editing, marketing, and production before the book earns any sales. Most publishing houses are inundated with unsolicited manuscripts, so publishing successfully takes a lot of determination and research, and a little bit of luck.
Writers’ Grants
Canada Council for the Arts
Writers are eligible for funding through a variety of programs available through the Canada Council. Please note that these grants are for professional writers.
Public Lending Right
The Canada Council distributes annual payments to Canadian authors through the Public Lending Right (PLR) Program as compensation for the free public access to their books through Canadian public libraries. The registration period is open from February 15 through May 1 each year.
Establish Your Credibility
You must prove your ability to a prospective publisher: are you an expert on the subject at hand? Do you have writing experience? Do you write regularly as a part of your job? Have you had work published in the past or taken a writing course?
You can gain invaluable experience and recognition by having your writing published by a magazine, newspaper, literary journal, or even a newsletter. A published story or article will give you credibility, and allow you to gauge the interest in your ideas and style. Literary journals are especially good for burgeoning fiction writers or poets.
Visit Magazines Canada for a list.
Another good way to learn the value of your work is to take advantage of the manuscript evaluation service provided by the Writers’ Union of Canada.
Know Your Market
Sending your manuscript to the right publisher is extremely important. Valuable time—both yours and the publisher’s—can be wasted by sending manuscripts to publishers who are not publishing in your genre.
Do some research! Determine which publisher is best suited for your manuscript and which publishers are publishing material that is similar to yours by visiting bookstores or your public library. Bookstore shelves offer a wealth of information, including the titles your book would be competing against, how popular your genre is, and which publishers are involved in the market. Similar information can usually be found online by visiting publishers’ websites and online bookstores. Browse around, take your time—it is probably the most important aspect of the entire process.
If you write fiction or poetry, literary journals and magazines are a good way to explore the fiction and poetry that is currently being published.
Proposals & Letters of Inquiry
It is best to send a publisher a proposal or letter of inquiry instead of the entire manuscript since few publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts. Be sure to review a publisher’s submission guidelines before sending a proposal or query as these guidelines vary from publisher to publisher.
Anatomy of a Book Proposal
The most important aspect of a manuscript submission to publishers is the book proposal. The author needs to prepare a carefully detailed and compelling proposal to convince a publisher that their book is worth publishing. The proposal is extremely valuable in negotiating a good sale by allowing publishers to evaluate the project quickly and to determine their ability to market the book successfully.
Your proposal represents the promise of your book; it must be distinctive and engaging so that the editor becomes enthusiastic about signing your project. The difference between a good proposal and an excellent one can determine whether you receive an offer—and can make the difference between a modest advance and a large one.
Every book is unique, but almost every proposal contains the elements listed below:
About the book
Give a brief (three to five pages) overview and introduction to your project. Think of this section as the information that would be used in the jacket copy, book synopsis and market survey.
Describe the reasons you were inspired to write the book and what makes it valuable. Make sure to explain what makes your book different from other, similar books and mention any special features or approaches you offer.
Give a two or three paragraph synopsis of the contents, illustrating in detail the logic your book follows to satisfy its premise.
Explain why you as an author are uniquely qualified to write this book. Include relevant experience and credentials, as well as any supporting professional expertise or publishing credits.
Market & Competition
Who is the audience for your book, and why do they need to buy your book? Provide demographic data that reinforces your hypothesis.
Address the competition. List each title that would be in direct competition with your book, along with the author, publisher, and year of publication. Explain why your book would be better, or how it fills a vacant niche in the market.
Chapter Outline
Provide a brief chapter-by-chapter outline of the book. Try to convey both the content and tone of each chapter succinctly. Where possible, use quotations, anecdotes and examples to describe your chapters.
Sample Chapter
Include one or two sample chapters, preferably not the introduction or first chapter, to give the publisher an idea of your writing style and the actual content of the book.
Publishing Details
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proposed book length, measured in words;
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state how many, and what sort of, photographs and/or illustrations will be used;
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list any special considerations for book size, format, design or layout;
- estimate how much time you will need to deliver the completed manuscript.
About the Author
Provide a detailed biography of yourself. Stress your background experience in your field and credentials relevant to your book.
If you have an established audience through social media, a blog, or other online platforms, let the publisher know. If applicable, attach a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae.
Copyrights & Contracts
Writers protect their work by reading and understanding the Canadian Copyright laws.
Understanding how contracts are drawn and how rights are determined is also a very important part of this journey.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office offers a useful beginner guide to copyright, free of charge.
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
An ISBN (or International Standard Book Number) is a 13-digit identifying number used on all published materials, including print books, ebooks, pamphlets, CD-ROM and braille publications.
Specific ISBN numbers are assigned to each publisher, thus allowing their titles to be recognized quickly and easily. Learn more about ISBN numbers and how you can apply for them.
Canadian ISBN Agency
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4
(819) 994-6872 (Tel)
(613) 995-6274 (Fax)
bac.isbn.lac@canada.ca
Barcodes
Once you have your ISBN number, you’ll need a barcode for your book cover. You may obtain your barcode by two different methods:
- Purchasing special software to create the barcode yourself.
- Paying to have the barcode created for you.
Barcode software or services may be purchased from a variety of sources, and many businesses will offer both software and service.
Publicity
Many publishers have a publicity department that will handle this while the book is on the front list. However, once the next season is published, or you have published the book on your own, the job of getting publicity exposure for the book falls to the authors themselves.
The first step to obtaining good publicity is your media list. Knowing where to mail review copies and having the full contact information for follow-up calls and letters is vitally important. Social media has become a valuable tool in book promotion, and offers another channel for authors and publishers to reach readers.
Once you have your contacts in order, you will have to start writing press releases and dealing with the media. This is a very different process than that of writing a book. For authors who would rather not do it all on their own, we suggest contacting one of the freelance book publicists that operate in Canada
Literary Agents
Literary agents represent authors to publishers. They negotiate contract details and provide representation if any part of the book is illegally reproduced.
Literary agents are selective about who they will represent, and it is usually helpful for an author to be referred by people who work in or are familiar with the publishing industry. Typically, agents only accept a few new clients each year.
British Columbia
Carolyn Swayze Literary Agency
swayzeagency.com
Carolyn Swayze, Principal Agent
D.Barry Jones, Associate Agent
Kris Rothstein, Associate Agent
Interests: Literary and commercial adult fiction, booklength non-fiction (including biography, history, science writing, travel, humour and cookbooks), young adult novels. No science fiction, fantasy, romance, poetry, or screenplays.
Submission Guidelines: Not accepting unsolicited submissions.
Integral Artists Inc.
integralartists.com
196 West 3rd Ave., #102
Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1E9
Tel: (604) 620-6001
literarypublishing@integralartists.ca
Submission guidelines: Query prior to submitting manuscripts.
Seventh Avenue Literary Agency Inc.
seventhavenuelit.com
16708-20th Avenue
South Surrey, BC V3Z 9R4
(604) 538-7252 (Tel)
Robert Mackwood, Director
info@seventhavenuelit.com
Interests: Non-fiction
Lucas Talent Inc.
lucastalent.com
#6 1238 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2Y5
Tel: (604) 685-0345
info@lucastalent.com
Ontario
Rick Broadhead & Associates
rbaliterary.com
47 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite #501
Toronto, Ontario M4V 3A5
Tel: (416) 929-0516
Rick Broadhead, President
info@rbaliterary.com
Interests: Non fiction, including history, politics, business, natural history/environment, national security/intelligence, current affairs, biography, science, pop culture, pop science, relationships, self-help, health, medicine, military history, and humor.
The Bukowski Agency
bukowskiagency.com
14 Prince Arthur Avenue, Suite 202
Toronto, ON M5R 1A9
Tel: (416) 928-6728
assistant@bukowskiagency.com
Interests: Non-fiction as well as commercial fiction and non-fiction.
CookeMcDermid Literary Management
cookemcdermid.com
320 Front Street West, Suite 1105
Toronto, ON M5V 3B6
Tel: (647) 788-4010
admin@cookemcdermid.com
Interests: literary and commercial fiction (including science fiction, fantasy and crime); narrative-driven nonfiction (specifically in the areas of health and well-being, popular culture, science, history, politics, natural history and personal reference); mind/body/spirit resources; and middle-grade and young adult books.
Arnold Gosewich, Literary Agent and Book Publishing Consultant
arnoldgbooks.com
278 Bloor St E St 506
Toronto, Ontario, M4W3M4
Tel: (416) 925-7836
jackee@sympatico.ca
Interests: Non-fiction in all adult categories, young adult novels.
Helen Heller Agency
helenhelleragency.com
4-216 Heath Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5P 1N7
Tel: (416) 489-0396
info@helenhelleragency.com
Interests: Adult fiction and non-fiction (excluding children’s literature, screenplays, or genre fiction).
i2i Art Inc.
i2iart.com
20 Maud Street, Suite 202
Toronto, ON M5V 2M5
(416) 505-9522 (Tel)
info@i2iart.com
Interests: Representation for illustrators working for the publishing industry.
Kelly Consulting Agency
kellyconsultingagency.com
159 Oakcrest Ave.
Toronto ON M4C1B8
Tel: (416) 303-1247
Lloyd@KellyConsultingAgency.com
Interests: Adult and children’s nonfiction; current affairs, social responsibilities, justice, health, wealth, wisdom, environmental issues, humour, biography, pop culture, relationships, and spirituality.
Bella Pomer Agency Inc.
bellapomeragency.com
355 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 801
Toronto, Canada M5P 1N5
belpom@sympatico.ca
The Rights Factory
therightsfactory.com
Box 499, Stn C
Toronto, ON M6J 3P6
Beverly Slopen Literary Agency
slopenagency.ca
131 Bloor Street West, Suite 711
Toronto, ON M5S 1S3
Tel: (416) 964-9598
beverley@slopenagency.ca
Interests: Fiction and non-fiction. Tends not to handle illustrated or children’s manuscripts or genre fiction (fantasy, horror, romance). No poetry.
Transatlantic Literary Agency (TLA)
transatlanticagency.com
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 3500,
Toronto Ontario Canada M4W 1A8
Tel: (416) 488-9214
info@transatlanticagency.com
Interests: Children’s literature and adult literature.
Westwood Creative Artists Ltd.
wcaltd.com
138 Sussex Mews
Toronto, ON M5S 2K1
Tel: (416) 964-3302
wca_office@WCALTD.com
Carolyn Forde, Literary Agent and International Rights Director
Jackie Kaiser, Literary Agent, President and COO
Michael Levine, Film & TV Agent, Chairman
Hilary McMahon, Literary Agent, Executive Vice President
John Pearce, Literary Agent
Bruce Westwood, Literary Agent, Founder, Managing Director and CEO
Interests: Representation for fiction, non-fiction, film and TV. No unsolicited manuscripts.
P.S. Literary Agency
psliterary.com
2010 Winston Park Drive, 2nd Floor
Oakville, Ontario
L6H 5R7
Tel: 416-907-8325
General questions: info@psliterary.com Queries: query@psliterary.com
Interests: Fiction and Non-fiction
Willenfield Literary Agency
www.willenfield.com
207 Bank Street, Suite 457
Ottawa, ON K2P 2N2
Tel: (613) 518-2855
info@willenfield.com
Interests: Literary fiction (novels and full-length short story collections) and literary/creative nonfiction (including literary memoirs, book-length essays and essay collections, social or cultural criticism, literary journalism, nature and environment writing, travel writing, and food narratives).
Guidelines: Query first. No unsolicited manuscripts or book proposals.
Quebec
Robert Lecker Agency Inc.
leckeragency.com
4055 Melrose Avenue
Montreal, QC H4A 2S5
Tel: (514) 830-4818
robert.lecker@gmail.com
Agence Littéraire Laëns
agencelitterairelaens.com
128, Richelieu Suite 2
Québec (Qc) G1R 1J5
info@agencelitterairelaens.com
Interests: Fiction and non-fiction. No theatre, no poetry
Distribution
Once a book has been published it will need a distributor.
If your book has been published by an established publishing house they will already have distribution contacts. If you self-publish or publish with a very small house that does not have distribution set up, you may need to make this contact on your own. Remember that distributors will generally take 55-65% of the cover price (40% of which is going to the bookseller). Make sure your pricing formula has taken this into account.
British Columbia
Heritage Group
hgdistribution.com
#8 – 19272 96th Avenue
Surrey, BC V4N-4C1
Tel: (604) 881-7067
Toll-free: (800) 665-3302
info@hgdistribution.com
Raincoast Books
raincoast.com
2440 Viking Way
Richmond, BC V6V 1N2
Tel: (604) 448-7100
info@raincoastbooks.com
Red Tuque Books Inc.
redtuquebooks.ca
Unit #6, 477 Martin Street
Penticton, BC V2A 5L2
Tel: 778-476-5750
orders@redtuquebooks.ca
Sandhill Book Marketing Ltd.
sandhillbooks.com
Distribution for Small Press & Independent Publishers
Unit #4 – 3308 Appaloosa Road
Kelowna, BC V1V 2W9
Tel: (250) 491-1446
info@sandhillbooks.com
University of British Columbia Press
ubcpress.ca
2029 West Mall
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Tel: (604) 822-5959
frontdesk@ubcpress.ca
Ontario
Georgetown Terminal Warehouses
gtwcanada.com
34 Armstrong Avenue
Georgetown, ON L7G 4R9
(905) 873-2750 (Tel)
info@gtwcanada.com
Fraser Direct
fraserdirect.net
8300 Lawson Road
Milton, ON L9T 0A4
Tel: (905) 877-4411
info@fraserdirect.ca
LitDistCo
litdistco.ca
LPG Distribution Collective
8300 Lawson Rd.
Milton, ON L9T 0A4
Toll-free: (800) 591-6250
ordering@litdistco.ca
Publishers Group Canada Inc.
pgcbooks.ca
300-76 Stafford St.
Toronto, ON M6J 2S1
Tel: (416) 934-9900
Toll-free: (800) 747-8147
info@pgcbooks.ca
University of Toronto Press
utpress.utoronto.ca
5201 Dufferin Street
Toronto, ON M3H 5T8
Tel: (416) 667-7791
Toll-free: (800) 565-9523
utpbooks@utpress.utoronto.ca
Nova Scotia
Nimbus Publishing
nimbus.ca
3731 Mackintosh Street
Halifax, NS B3K 5A5
Tel: (902) 455-4286
Toll-free: (800) 646-2879
customerservice@nimbus.ca
Education
Interested in pursuing a career in publishing?
Many new employees who enter the book publishing industry have completed a publishing program. While it is not a requirement to enter the industry, many presses and organizations see the completion of publishing certificates and relative post-secondary programs as an asset for employment.
Updated December 10, 2020
Publishing Certificates
Centennial College – Book, Magazine and Electronic Publishing Certificate
The Book, Magazine and Electronic Publishing Program at Centennial College is one of the oldest and most prestigious programs of its kind in Canada. Established in 1974, the program has won awards and accolades for academic excellence and for the career success of its graduates. This unique post-graduate program specializes in practical, hands-on studies and prepares you for a wide variety of jobs in the exciting world of book, magazine and electronic publishing.
Humber College – Creative Book Publishing Graduate Certificate
Combining creativity and entrepreneurship, this graduate certificate program is an opportunity for students interested in book publishing and book-related enterprise. This intense concentration on books provides students with foundational knowledge in business models, acquisitions, contracts, copyright, technology, operations and content management. Students also choose three of four specializations: editorial, marketing, literary agenting/rights management, or advanced technology.
Ryerson University – Publishing Certificate
This program teaches the skills necessary to publish books successfully. The program will be of interest to:
- Those who want to enter the publishing industry.
- Those who are employed in the publishing industry or in areas where publishing skills are required.
- Those who are working as freelancers in publishing-related fields.
- Those who wish to upgrade their credentials with a view to career change.
Simon Fraser University – Summer Publishing Workshops
The SFU Summer Publishing Workshops offer participants the chance to learn from and work with some of North America’s top publishing professionals. Each July and August, participants and faculty gather at SFU Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver for immersion and seminar workshops in books, magazines, editing, design, and new media.
Bachelor Degrees
The majority of English, Professional Writing, Business, and Communication programs provide the foundations for success in your publishing career. In the past decades, some institutions have begun to offer publishing-specific bachelor programs.
Sheridan College – Honours BA of Creative Writing and Publishing
Sheridan’s Honours BA program offers experience in a variety of writing genres and media platforms and provides students a broad skill set for a career in today’s publishing industry — and the opportunity to choose a variety of career paths.
York University – Professional Writing Honours BA (Book Publishing)
York’s Professional Writing program connects the traditional strengths of a Liberal Arts degree with practical, professional experience. The experiential Book Publishing Capstone course builds on the theoretical and critical knowledge and practical skills developed throughout the first three years of the Professional Writing Program.
Masters & Doctorate Programs
Simon Fraser University – Master of Publishing Program
Founded in 1987, Simon Fraser University’s Canadian Centre for Studies in Publishing (CCSP) is a university/industry initiative dedicated to the development of publishing in Canada and internationally. Our special focus is on books, magazines and electronic media.
University of Alberta – PhD Concentration in Editing and Publishing
The Concentration in Editing and Publishing lets you design a thesis-project on any aspect of editing and publishing, and provides an internship at the University of Alberta Press for two years while you do your degree. You teach in your fourth year. When you graduate, you will have experience in editing, marketing and book design in addition to the other skills and knowledge you acquire during your PhD in English.
Careers in Publishing
Working in publishing is a dream job for many book lovers, but aspiring publishing professionals often set their sights on the industry without knowing quite what it entails.
Publishing combines a love of the written word with a keen sense of business; editing, sales, marketing, and production are just a few of the paths that careers in book publishing can take. Publishing is a creative and exciting industry filled with passionate professionals. Employment environments in this cultural sector are varied: you could work for a large or small press, a literary press, university press, scholarly or educational press.
Like any other career, jobs in publishing are varied and complex, and there is no right or sure-fire way to get a job in the industry. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while you pursue a career in book publishing.
Decide What Area Of Publishing Interests You
As mentioned above, there are many different types of publishing firms. Determine what type or genres of book, or books, you would like to work on — novels, poetry, textbooks, nonfiction, etc. — and then find out which companies publish those books by visiting 49thShelf.com, the library, a bookstore, or taking a close look at our membership directory.
Once you’ve determined where your interest lies, watch for position openings on various job boards, like at Quill & Quire or WorkInCulture, or follow firms on social media platforms and join mailing lists to receive the most up to date information.
Publishing Programs
Many universities and colleges offer certificate or masters programs in publishing, with different areas of specialization. Search for “Masters in Publishing” or “Publishing Programs” to find courses and programs in your area, or look at our “Education” section above. These programs can serve as a valuable introduction to the industry, provide hands-on skills, and also help with career connections and networking.
Internships/Co-op Placements
Internships and/or co-op placements are a valuable way to gain practical experience in the industry and are a very common feature in publishing houses. Most internships are offered to students enrolled in, or recently graduated from, publishing or related programs. Internships vary in length, can be completed on a full- or part-time basis, and can last anywhere from three months to a year. For a first-hand look at being an intern at a Canadian publishing house, watch our interview with former ECW intern Rahaf Khalil.
Editorial vs. Sales & Marketing vs. Production
When looking to break into publishing, it is important to consider what type of job might interest you — and to realize that there is more to publishing than just editing manuscripts. There are several main areas of focus in publishing: editorial, sales and marketing, production, rights, and digital. Editorial staff help to create books; sales and marketing staff sell them; the production team ensures that books are made properly; the rights team sells and manages film, tv, and foreign rights for the books; and the digital team produces ebooks, audits metadata, and helps with other tech-related processes. It is important to note that digital elements of publishing are crucial to the success of publishers, and almost every publishing job will encompass a digital element. For those interested in editorial work, Editors Canada has published an information guide “So You Want to Be an Editor: Information about a career in editing.”
Some companies also handle their own distribution, in which case there are warehouse jobs available. For the artistically inclined, many firms also need in-house designers.
Research about jobs will help you determine where your interest lies and what jobs would best suit you. Keep an open mind when applying for publishing jobs—in many cases, publishing professionals start out (or end up) in roles they hadn’t considered before.
If you would like to learn more about the different types of careers publishing, check out ACP’s video series “A Day in the Life: Inside the Canadian Publishing Industry,” which features interviews with twelve different roles in the sector, from Intern to Publisher.
Freelance & Related Jobs
Full time jobs in publishing can sometimes be difficult to land. However, many publishing houses contract smaller projects out to qualified individuals. Firms are often looking for freelance editors, proofreaders, copywriters, designers, marketers, and more. Freelancing with publishing companies can be a good way to get your foot in the door for more stable employment, but it can also be a lucrative career path on its own. If applicable, consider joining our Book Publishing Freelancers from Diverse Communities Database.
Related jobs outside of book publishing are also a good way to get into the publishing industry. A job at a bookstore would expose you to an important facet of book publishing, and you’ll likely come in contact with sales representatives, who routinely visit bookstores on sales calls. Their visits allow you to learn about each company’s publishing program and potentially establish a contact person inside a publishing firm.
Jobs are available at various industry associations and at authors’ festivals and book fairs. Any kind of exposure to books and the book industry will help.
Salary Expectations
Salaries in the publishing industry vary based on roles, experience, and the size of firms. Publishers generally cannot afford to pay their staff high salaries, and a typical entry-level job in publishing pays roughly between $30,000 and $35,000 per year, depending on skills and required experience. (From the publishing industry trade magazine Quill & Quire’s latest publishing industry salary survey from 2018.
Cultural & Government Organizations
Access Copyright
69 Yonge Street, Suite 1100
Toronto, ON M5E 1K3
1-800-893-5777
416-868-1620
info@accesscopyright.ca
accesscopyright.ca
For over 30 years, Access Copyright has facilitated content use for educational and professional purposes. Access Copyright has helped people make customized use of published materials combined with an assurance that the original creators and publishers also benefit, so that they can continue creating new and innovative works. This is vitally important to a strong Canadian culture and to all who rely on quality publications.
Association nationale des editeurs de livres (ANEL)
2514 Rosemount Boulevard
Montreal, QC H1Y 1K4
info@anel.qc.ca
anel.qc.ca
The Association nationale des editeurs de livres was established in 1992 from the merger of Association des editeurs and the Societe des editeurs de manuels scolaires. It now represents the majority of French language fiction, non-fiction and educational publishers in Quebec and French Canada. The objectives of the organization are to defend freedom of speech and copyright; to promote reading; to promote books as an essential tool of self-development; to support the development of a national French-language publishing industry and promote its creations; to study and defend the business and political interests of its members; to review all questions related to the industry and transit information to its members; and to maintain harmonious relationships among its members.
Association of Canadian University Presses (ACUP)
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700
Toronto, ON M4Y 2W8
(416)978-2239 ext.237 (Tel)
(416)978-4738 (Fax)
clarose@utpress.utoronto.ca
www.acup.ca
The association serves the interests of Canadian scholarship by encouraging the dissemination of the fruits of research and scholarship.
Book and Periodical Council (BPC)
192 Spadina Avenue, Suite 107
Toronto, ON M5T 2C2
(416)975-9366 (Tel)
(416)975-1839 (Fax)
info@thebpc.ca
thebpc.ca
freedomtoread.ca
The Book and Periodical Council is the umbrella organization for associations involved in the writing, editing, publishing, manufacturing, distributing, selling and lending of books and periodicals in Canada.
BookNet Canada
401 Richmond St W, Ste. 376
Toronto ON M5V 1X3
(416) 362-5057
info@booknetcanada.ca
booknetcanada.ca
BookNet Canada is the not-for-profit agency responsible for driving technology innovation for Canadian publishers, distributors, and booksellers great and small.
Canada Council for the Arts
150 Elgin Street
PO Box 1047
Ottawa, ON K1P 5V8
(613) 566-4414 (Tel)
Toll free: 1 (800) 263-5588
(613) 566-4410 (Fax)
canadacouncil.ca
Offers a range of grants for professional Canadian publishers, collectives and writers, that provide support for the creation, translation, publication and promotion of Canadian literature.
Canadian Authors Association (CAA)
c/o Anita Purcell, Executive Director
45 Penetang Street,
Orillia, ON L3V 3N3
(705) 955 0716 (Tel)
admin@canadianauthors.org
canadianauthors.org/national
A national association for writers of every kind, for people actively seeking to become writers, and for those who want to support writers. Founded in Montreal in 1921, the CAA is incorporated under federal charter.
The Canadian Authors Association provides writers with a wide variety of programs, services and resources to help them develop their skills in both the craft and the business of writing, enhance their ability to earn a living as a writer, and have access to a Canada-wide network of writers and publishing industry professionals.
Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC)
425 Adelaide Street West
Suite 200
Toronto, ON M5V 3C1
(416) 975-0010 (Tel)
(416) 975-8970 (Fax)
info@bookcentre.ca
bookcentre.ca
The CCBC is a national, not-for-profit organization founded in 1976 to promote the reading, writing, and illustrating of Canadian books for young readers. The CCBC provides programs, publications, and resources for teachers, librarians, authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, and parents.
Canadian Copyright Institute (CCI)
192 Spadina Avenue, Suite 107
Toronto, ON M5T 2C2
(416) 975-1756 (Tel)
(416) 975-1839 (Fax)
info@thecci.ca
thecci.ca
The Canadian Copyright Institute (CCI) is an association of creators, producers, publishers and distributors of copyright works. Founded in 1965, the Institute has sought to encourage a better understanding of the law of copyright and to engage in and foster research and dialogue on the promotion of ideas and works of the mind.
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (CFHSS)
200-141 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1P 5J3
(613) 238-6112 ext. 350 (Tel)
(613) 238-6114 (Fax)
contact@federationhss.ca
federationhss.ca
The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences is an independent non-governmental organization of scholars representing the various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. The Award to Scholarly Publications Program, administering funds provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, is designed to assist the publications of works of advanced scholarship.
Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA)
info@cfla-fcab.caThe Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA-FCAB) is the united, national voice of Canada’s library community. As the national voice of Canada’s library communities, CFLA-FCAB will work to: advance library excellence in Canada; champion library values and the value of libraries; and influence national and international public policy impacting libraries and their communities.
Canadian Independent Booksellers' Association (CIBA)
info@cibabooks.ca
https://cibabooks.ca/
The Canadian Independent Booksellers’ Association (CIBA) offers programs and services to Canadian independent booksellers and advocates to support the strengthening of the independent bookselling sector.
Canadian ISBN Agency
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4
(819) 994-6872 (Tel)
Toll-free: 1 (866) 578-7777
(819) 997-7517 (Fax)
BAC.ISBN.LAC@canada.ca
www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/services/isbn-canada/pages/isbn-canada.aspx
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) Canada online system is a free service that allows publishers to manage their ISBN account and logbook, to assign their ISBNs to future publications, and to modify information about their publications.
Canadian Organization for Development Through Education (CODE)
321 Chapel Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 7Z2
(613) 232-3569 (Tel)
(613) 232-7435 (Fax)
codehq@codecan.org
codecan.org
CODE is Canada’s leading international development agency uniquely focused on advancing literacy and education in some of the world’s regions in greatest need. CODE enables people to learn by developing partnerships that provide resources for learning; promote awareness and understanding; and encourage self-reliance.
Canadian Printing Industries Association (CPIA)
4000 Blvd Industriel
Laval, QC H7L 4R9
www.cpia-aci.ca
CPIA is a national association dedicated to the advancement of the pre-press, press and bindery industries. We promote, the interests of all members by providing government representation, networking opportunities, member services, and membership benefits.
Canadian Publishers' Council (CPC)
3080 Yonge Street, Suite 6060
Toronto ON, M4N 3N1
(647) 255-8880 (Tel)
dswail@pubcouncil.ca
pubcouncil.ca
Trade association of English-language publishers that represents the domestic and international interests of member companies. Members publish books and other media for general interest fiction/non-fiction titles, secondary, post-secondary institutions and the professional/reference markets.
Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP)
720 Bathurst St, Suite 503
Toronto, ON M5S 2R4
office@canscaip.org
canscaip.org
The Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP), is a national membership organization. We promote the professional development of creators for children and teens, through support for their creativity, craft, and business practice. As well our Members who are professionally published authors and illustrators or professional performers, CANSCAIP’s membership includes Friends who are emerging or self-published writers or illustrators, plus educators, librarians, publishers, and journalists.
Department of Canadian Heritage/Ministere du Patrimoine canadien
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, QC K1A 0M5
1 (866) 811-0055 (Tel)
819-997-0055 (Tel)
PCH.info-info.PCH@canada.ca
canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage
The Canada Book Fund (CBF) ensures access to a diverse range of Canadian-authored books nationally and internationally, by fostering a strong book industry that publishes and markets Canadian-authored books.
Editors' Association of Canada (EAC)
27 Carlton Street, Suite 502
Toronto, ON M5B 1L2
(416) 975-1379 (Tel)
(416) 975-1637 (Fax)
info@editors.ca
editors.ca
EAC, the voice of Canadian editors, promotes professional editing as key in producing effective communication. Its 1600 members, salaried and freelance, work with individuals and in the corporate, technical, government, non-profit, and publishing sectors.
Indigenous Editors Association
Indigenous Editors Association
#302 – 2475 Saint Catherines St.
Vancouver, BC, V5T 3Y1
info@indigenouseditorsassociation.ca
indigenouseditorsassociation.com
The Indigenous Editors Association is a membership organization that was formed by Indigenous editors and publishing professionals in lands claimed by Canada as a mutual support network. The IEA aims to carry out the vision of its early organizers by advocating for the respectful representation of Indigenous Peoples in published books and support its members through professional development and networking opportunities.
League of Canadian Poets
192 Yonge Street, Suite 312
Toronto, ON M5T 2C2
(416) 504-1657 (Tel)
(416) 504-0096 (Fax)
info@poets.ca
poets.ca
The League of Canadian Poets is a national registered arts service organization, with 700 members. The league’s mandate is to promote Canadian poetry nationally and internationally.
Livres Canada Books
1 Nicholas Street, Suite 504
Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7
613-562-2324 (Tel)
613-562-2329 (Fax)
info@livrescanadabooks.com
livrescanadabooks.com
Livres Canada Books is an industry association that assists Canadian book publishers to develop and increase their sales in international markets by providing market intelligence as well as financial, promotional and logistical support.
Magazines Canada
425 Adelaide Street, West Suite 700
Toronto, ON M5V 3C1
(416) 504-0274 (Tel)
(416) 504-0437 (Fax)
info@magazinescanada.ca
magazinescanada.ca
Magazines Canada is the national trade association representing Canadian-owned, Canadian-content consumer, cultural, specialty, professional and business media magazines. The association focuses on government affairs, services to the advertising trade, circulation marketing and the development of career skills for and the recognition of excellence among the people who work in Canada’s magazine media.
PEN Canada
PEN Canada is a literary and human rights association of writers and supporters formed in 1926 to defend freedom of expression and raise awareness of that right. It is one of 145 centres of International PEN in 102 countries, and uses the power of the word to assist writers around the world persecuted or exiled for the expression of their thoughts.
PEN Canada is the Canadian chapter of International PEN, founded in England in 1921 to represent poets, essayists and novelists. PEN Canada is a non-governmental charitable organization. Their Writers in Peril committee advocates on behalf of writers around the world who are persecuted and imprisoned for their work; their Writers in Exile Network helps writers who have fled their homelands to make new lives in Canada; their Legal Affairs committee defends freedom of expression in Canada.
Public Lending Right Commission (PLR)
150 Elgin Street
PO Box 1047
Ottawa ON K1P 5V8
(613) 566-4378 (Tel)
Toll-free: 1 (800) 521-5721
(613) 566-4418 (Fax)
plr@canadacouncil.ca
plr-dpp.ca
The Canada Council for the Arts distributes annual payments to Canadian authors through the Public Lending Right (PLR) Program as compensation for the free public access to their books in Canadian public libraries.
The professional expertise of the PLR Commission serves to provide oversight and guidance to the criteria and operations of the PLR Program.
The Word on the Street
(416) 658-3144 (Tel)
helena.aalto@rogers.com
thewordonthestreet.ca
The Word on the Street is Canada’s largest book and magazine festival, featuring a vibrant and creative exhibitor marketplace offering an unprecedented selection of books for more than 200,000 book lovers. One of Toronto’s eight signature events, The Word on the Street takes place on the last Sunday in September.
Writers' Trust of Canada
460 Richmond St W
Suite 600
Toronto, ON M5V 1Y1
(416) 504-8222 (Tel)
(416) 504-9090 (Fax)
info@writerstrust.com
writerstrust.com
The Writers’ Trust of Canada is a charitable organization that seeks to advance, nurture, and celebrate Canadian writers and writing.Writers’ Trust programming is designed to champion excellence in Canadian writing, to improve the status of writers, and to create connections between writers and readers.
The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC)
460 Richmond St W
Suite 600
Toronto, ON M5V 1Y1
(416) 703-8982
info@writersunion.ca
writersunion.ca
The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is the national organization of professionally published writers. TWUC was founded in 1973 to work with governments, publishers, booksellers, and readers to improve the conditions of Canadian writers. Now over 2,300 members strong, TWUC advocates on behalf of writers’ collective interests, and delivers value to members through advocacy, community, and information. TWUC believes in a thriving, diverse Canadian culture that values and supports writers.
Funding Sources
Publishing houses can apply for funding from a number of national, regional, and provincial organizations. Funding may be project-based or core operational funding. Ampersand Inc. has created a non-exhaustive list of different funding sources available to publishers across Canada.
Want to learn more about ACP?
ACP contributes to the development and maintenance of vibrant, competitive book publishing companies in order to support and strengthen the contribution that Canadian books make to Canada’s cultural, economic, and educational landscape.