CANADA INSIDE: PUBLISHING | AUTHORS | BOOKSELLING | STATISTICS | RIGHTS LITERARY CANADA A Broad Overview » Page 6

CANADIAN PUBLISHERS Get to know publishers across the country » Page 20 & 25

ANGLOPHONE AUTHORS Established and debut writers to know » Page 14

FRANCOPHONE AUTHORS and titles from Québec publishers » Page 28 & 32

RIGHTS & AGENTS Anglophone and Francophone markets » Page 20 & 34

EVENTS & FAIRS Where to meet Canadian publishers » Page 44

© Frankfurter Buchmesse / Fernando Baptista LETTER | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS

LETTER TO READERS

ivres Canada Books and Publishing Perspectives sity Presses (ACUP), the Literary Press Group Lare proud to bring you this new magazine of Canada (LPG), le Regroupement des éditeurs about the Canadian publishing community. I use canadiens-français (RECF), The Writers’ Union the word “community” because that’s what we are: of Canada (TWUC), Union des écrivaines et des a true community. écrivains québécois (UNEQ), Québec Édition, Canada has two official languages, with many Livres Canada Books, and others—ensures that more being spoken around the country. We advo- the interests of publishers and authors are heard. cate for the book publishing industry as a means of The people who work hard to organize our promoting Canada’s diversity, values, and identity country’s many literary festivals and events means to the rest of the world. that Canadian publishers can showcase our au- The strength of the Canadian book industry thors to the reading public and the media. can be seen in its support for the diverse needs and There are also a number of industry initia- priorities of its publishers’ book export activities tives, publishers, and associations that support and international marketing strategies, and in its Canada’s Indigenous authors and support readers ability to anticipate and adapt to economic and who want to see more diversity reflected in the structural changes. books they read. FRANÇOIS CHARETTE Canada is fortunate to have a government This magazine presents just a small part of Executive Director that is committed to supporting our cultural in- Canada’s book market, just a handful of the ded- Livres Canada Books dustries. The government of Canada, through the icated publishing professionals whose passion Department of Canadian Heritage, ensures that and hard work bring to light the many talented 1 Nicholas Street, Suite 504 our vibrant publishing industry thrives and that authors, scholars, illustrators, and creators from Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7 readers have access to a diverse range of books by across Canada. Canada Canadian authors and publishers. I invite you to get to know the Canadian pub- The Department of Canadian Heritage is also lishers here at the Frankfurt Book Fair (Hall 6.0 Telephone: +1 613 562-2324 supporting Canada’s participation as Guest of B65 and Hall 5.1 E111) and at other book fairs Email: [email protected] Honour at the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair. Over around the world. And I invite you to visit us in the next several years, the CANADA FBM2020 Canada and to learn more about our book market. organization will bring you additional translation funding, information about Canadian publishers Download this magazine and our and authors, and networking opportunities. Rights Canada Catalogue at: Support from our industry associations— François Charette www.livrescanadabooks.com the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP), Executive Director | Directeur général the Association nationale des éditeurs de livres Livres Canada Books (ANEL), the Association of Canadian Univer- www.livrescanadabooks.com

ABOUT LIVRES CANADA BOOKS

Founded in 1972, Livres Canada Books is a not- national book fairs, including the Canada Stand, a for-profit organization based in Ottawa. Its man- turnkey collective exhibition stand. date is to support Canadian-owned and controlled Livres Canada Books also develops cooper- book publishers’ export sales activities in order to ative initiatives to promote Canadian publish- help publishers improve their overall export re- ing. Rights Canada (a collective foreign rights sults. As the only national industry association for catalogue) and its Canadian Studies Collection to English- and French-language book publishers, introduce Canadian books to publishers, literary Livres Canada Books connects publishers across agents, distributors, booksellers, librarians, and Canada and provides services in both languages. academics around the world. In addition to providing direct financial assis- Livres Canada Books also publishes in-depth tance to publishers, Livres Canada Books plays a intelligence about foreign markets, offers profes- significant role in advancing international sales sional development through seminars and work- and building export expertise among Canadian shops, and works with other publishing associa- publishers. It provides a range of services to help tions to ensure Canadian publishers are strongly publishers maximize their presence at key inter- positioned to expand into export markets.

2 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS INSIDE THIS MAGAZINE | TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT PUBLISHING PERSPECTIVES CONTENTS: WHAT’S INSIDE

Publishing Perspectives is the leading source of information about the global book publishing CANADIAN PUBLISHING PUBLISHERS & AGENTS business. Since 2009, we have been publishing daily email editions with news and features from 5 Recent News 16 Independent Publishers in English Canada around the book world. 6 Overview of the Market Our mission is to help build and contribute to 18 Focus on Diversity: Children’s 36 University Press Publishing the international publishing community by offer- Publishers in English Canada ing information that publishing and media pro- 42 The Role Multinational Publishers fessionals need to connect, cooperate, and work 20 Agents on the English Canadian in Canada together year-round and across borders. Rights Market In addition to our daily online coverage, we 43 Canada’s Independent and 28 French Canadian Publishers also offer an online monthly rights edition, as well Chain Booksellers as print magazines at special events including the 32 Children’s Book Publishers in London Book Fair and the Frankfurt Book Fair. French Canada As a project of the Frankfurt Book Fair New York, Publishing Perspectives works with our col- PROJECTS & ORGANIZATIONS 34 The Rights Market in French Canada leagues in Frankfurt and the Fair’s international 10 Guest of Honour in Frankfurt 2020 offices, as well as IPR License, to share with you the latest trends and opportunities, people to 12 Translation Funding from AUTHORS & TITLES know, companies to watch, and more. Canada Council for the Arts 14 Anglophone Authors to Know Read and subscribe at: 22 ACP’s #WeHaveDiverseBooks publishingperspectives.com Catalogue and Campaign 24 Important Francophone Literary Voices in Canada 35 ANEL’s Work to Grow the French Canadian Book Market 25 French Canadian Titles 37 Titles from University Presses EVENTS 40 Canada’s Indigenous Authors ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE 44 Salon du Livre de Montréal: Canada’s Largest Book Fair The magazine about the Canadian literary and book publishing market was jointly produced by 45 Global Literature in Toronto: Livres Canada Books and Publishing Perspectives. International Festival of Authors 46 Events: Where to Meet Canadian Publisher: Hannah Johnson Publishers and Authors Editor-in-Chief: Porter Anderson 47 Find Canadian Exhibitors at the Contributors to this magazine: 2017 Frankfurt Book Fair Carla Douglas Thad McIlroy Luca Palladino

Special thanks to: Association of Canadian Publishers; Association nationale des éditeurs de livres; Association of Canadian University Presses / Association des presses universitaires canadiennes; BookNet Canada; BTLF; Canada Council for the Arts; Canadian Publishers Council; Literary Press Group of Canada; Québec Édition; Regroupement des éditeurs canadiens-français; The Writers Union of Canada; Union des écrivaines et des écrivains québécois and the Canadian publishers, agents, and others who contributed their expertise. FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR 2017: Visit the Canada Stands Hall 6.0 B65 and Hall 5.1 E111

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 3 Find your next great Canadian read More Canadian books than any other source in the world

anel Pub LCB - Droits du Canada_17.09_F.qxp_Layout 1 2017-09-13 9:25 AM Page 1

Découvrez l’édition québécoise et franco-canadienne Discover Québec and French Canadian publishing Un stand collectif de Québec Édition à : A Québec Édition collective stand at: • La Foire du livre de Bruxelles • The Brussels Book Fair • Le Salon du livre et de la presse de Genève • The Geneva Book and Press Fair • Livre Paris • Paris Book Fair • Le Salon du livre et de la presse jeunesse en Seine-Saint-Denis • Seine-Saint-Denis Youth Press and Book Fair • La Foire du livre de Francfort • Frankfurt Book Fair • La Foire du livre jeunesse de Bologne (avec Livres Canada Books) • Bologna Children’s Book Fair (with Livres Canada Books)

Le programme de The fellowship fellowship à Montréal program in Montréal Chaque année, en novembre, à l’occasion Each year in November, during the Salon du livre du Salon du livre de Montréal, Québec Édition de Montréal, Québec Édition welcomes 10 foreign reçoit 10 éditeurs étrangers, pour six jours d’activités publishers for six days of activities and meetings et de rencontres dans une ambiance conviviale. in a friendly atmosphere. For the 2018 edition, Pour l’édition 2018, l’appel de candidature sera the call for applications will be launched in January. lancé en janvier. Date limite pour postuler : 1er juin 2018 Application deadline: June 1st, 2018 Visitez : quebecedition.qc.ca/fellowship Go to: quebecedition.qc.ca/fellowship

Pour découvrir des titres, consultez la Vitrine de l’Entrepôt du livre numérique Discover titles on the Vitrine de l’Entrepôt du livre numérique vitrine.entrepotnumerique.com

quebecedition.qc.ca CANADIAN PUBLISHING | RECENT NEWS & UPDATES

RECENT NEWS FROM CANADIAN PUBLISHING

MARGARET ATWOOD TO RECEIVE PEACE PRIZE OF THE GERMAN BOOK TRADE

ermany’s Booksellers and Publishers Associ- In its statement, the prize jury said, “Canadian Gation has named Canadian author Margaret author Margaret Atwood has demonstrated a keen Atwood as the recipient of German book trade’s political intuition and a deeply perceptive ability 2017 Peace Prize. to detect dangerous and underlying developments The Peace Prize, awarded since 1950, carries and tendencies.” a purse of €25,000 (US$28,012). The prize will Atwood, 78, has had a big year. Earlier this be awarded to Atwood at a ceremony during the year, she received the 2016 PEN Pinter Prize. And Frankfurt Book Fair on Sunday, October 15 at St. her 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, was made Margaret Atwood (Photo: Jean Malek) Paul’s Church in Frankfurt. into an Emmy award-winning Hulu miniseries.

COPYRIGHT UPDATE: FEDERAL COURT RULING BACKS PUBLISHERS’ POSITION

he Copyright Modernization Act of 2012 guidelines as unfair. Non-profit organization Ac- Tamended Canada’s copyright legislation to cess Copyright calls the decision “a big win for cre- include the word “education” among exceptions— ators and publishers.” leading many educators to use copyrighted mate- Many publishers hope the next step will be a rial without seeking permission, and publishers to change in the Copyright Act when the govern- anel Pub LCB - Droits du Canada_17.09_F.qxp_Layout 1 2017-09-13 9:25 AM Page 1 lose as much as $50 million a year. ment reviews the law, which could happen in In July, a federal court rejected the current 2017 or 2018.

Découvrez l’édition québécoise et franco-canadienne Discover Québec and French Canadian publishing WATTPAD PARTNERS WITH HACHETTE AND Un stand collectif de Québec Édition à : A Québec Édition collective stand at: HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S • La Foire du livre de Bruxelles • The Brussels Book Fair n July, Canada-based online writing platform to bring the platform’s teen stories to the print • Le Salon du livre et de la presse de Genève • The Geneva Book and Press Fair IWattpad announced a deal with Hachette that market. • Livre Paris • Paris Book Fair will bring several top-performing Wattpad serials “We have insights no other company has and • Le Salon du livre et de la presse jeunesse en Seine-Saint-Denis • Seine-Saint-Denis Youth Press and Book Fair to France as print books. The first three titles in are eager to help HarperCollins discover some of • La Foire du livre de Francfort • Frankfurt Book Fair this deal were read online millions of times. the best YA storytellers and the most viral content • La Foire du livre jeunesse de Bologne (avec Livres Canada Books) • Bologna Children’s Book Fair (with Livres Canada Books) Several days later, Wattpad announced an- on the Internet,” said Wattpad’s chief of partner- other deal with HarperCollins Children’s Books ships, Ashleigh Gardner.

Le programme de The fellowship fellowship à Montréal program in Montréal Chaque année, en novembre, à l’occasion Each year in November, during the Salon du livre BOOKNET CANADA: 82% OF CANADIANS READ A BOOK du Salon du livre de Montréal, Québec Édition de Montréal, Québec Édition welcomes 10 foreign IN THE LAST YEAR reçoit 10 éditeurs étrangers, pour six jours d’activités publishers for six days of activities and meetings et de rencontres dans une ambiance conviviale. in a friendly atmosphere. For the 2018 edition, his August, BookNet Canada released results browsing online and browsing in physical book- Pour l’édition 2018, l’appel de candidature sera the call for applications will be launched in January. er st from its survey on leisure activities. Eighty- stores, at 38 percent each. Word-of-mouth rec- lancé en janvier. Date limite pour postuler : 1 juin 2018 Application deadline: June 1 , 2018 T Visitez : quebecedition.qc.ca/fellowship Go to: quebecedition.qc.ca/fellowship two percent of respondents said they read at least ommendations, however, remain the largest in- on book last year, and more people reported lis- fluence on book buying. tening to audiobooks. Reading on smartphones Over 55 percent of respondents said they par- increased by 6 percent over last year. ticipate in some kind of online book community Pour découvrir des titres, consultez la Vitrine de l’Entrepôt du livre numérique Book discovery was evenly split between or social media group. Discover titles on the Vitrine de l’Entrepôt du livre numérique vitrine.entrepotnumerique.com quebecedition.qc.ca PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 5 TWO LANGUAGES, ONE MARKET | CANADIAN PUBLISHING

LITERARY CANADA: A BROAD OVERVIEW OF THE MARKET

Since the 1960s, Canada’s book publishers have flourished, actively building and exporting the country’s literature. By Livres Canada Books and Publishing Perspectives

A Diverse Nation over 80 percent of the country’s francophones anada—with the second largest land mass reside. More francophone communities can be Cfacing three oceans and one of the longest found across Canada, primarily in New Brunswick borders in the world—is a country of 36 million and Ontario, as well as in the prairie provinces. people. About 22 percent of the population are francophones primarily living in Québec, while 60 Publishing in Canada percent are anglophones. Canada is a country of readers with literacy rates Celebrating 150 years of Confederation this among the highest in the world. This is evident year, this is a country of ten provinces and three from the latest print and ebook domestic sales territories, each with specific regional character- from the independent English and French lan- istics. Canada’s geography and historic openness guage publishers, totaling $283 million. to others have challenged and shaped its politics, What kinds of books do Canadians read? social programs, and culture. BookNet Canada’s most recent survey indicates More remarkable is the short period of time, that print rules for 90 percent of respondents, 48 since the early 1960s, in which the book publish- percent read on mobile devices, and 26 percent ing industry has come of age. Historically there prefer audio. were many imported titles from the UK, US, and National publisher associations have offices in France, and still many today against which Cana- cities where the majority of book publishers are dian-owned publishers must compete. based, but independent publishers are found ev- The official French and English languag- erywhere, and regional affiliates provide services es have been joined by an impressive expanse of and advocacy at the local level. These are nim- cultures across the country, while First Nations, ble and creative houses, using many strategies to Métis, and Inuit languages gain needed attention. reach new audiences and encourage innovation Toronto, the largest city, boasts a diverse pop- (read more about Canadian-owned publishers on pages ulation, with over half its citizens born outside 16, 18, 28, and 32). the country. That openness to welcoming others The earliest bookseller opened in Halifax on is evident in the languages heard daily, constantly the Atlantic coast in 1761. More stores opened in infusing the city with culture in many forms. Montréal in the 1840s carrying imported books This year, Montréal is celebrating its 375th from the UK and US, as well as books printed anniversary. It is the largest city in Québec, where locally under license. Some booksellers became French is the majority official language and where agents and eventually, wholesalers. In time, book- stores could be found across Canada, mainly sin- gle-owner businesses within drugstores or in rail- Canada’s way stations. Later, small chains took hold in the more populated centers in Ontario and Québec. geography and Today, however, with the advent of online book buying and various formats available to the consumer, the bookselling landscape has under- historic openness gone big changes. In Ontario and throughout the country, the to others have Chapters-Indigo bookstore chain has a monopo- ly, although independent booksellers are holding challenged and their ground (read about bookselling on page 43). Years ago, the Québec government instituted shaped its politics, a requirement that all books be sold by accredited bookstores as a means of providing support and social programs, financial stability, and to lessen the impact of im- ports from overseas. Since 2015, changing mar- and culture. kets and store mergers have resulted in just one French-language chain, Renaud-Bray. Canadian publishing professionals gather at Export Exchange, organized by Livres Canada Books

6 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS CANADIAN PUBLISHING | TWO LANGUAGES, ONE MARKET

These are nimble and creative houses, using many new strategies to reach new audiences and encourage innovation.

Independent Canadian publishers in both lan- guages have been active in export sales for more than 45 years. Recent figures show almost $98 million in export sales, of which $90 million are rights and translation sales from trade publishers. With respect to ebooks, export sales went from $2.3 million in 2013-2014 to $5.9 million in 2016-2017, almost a 160-percent increase (read more about agents and rights on pages 20 and 34). “Though print book sales remain central to Canadian publishers’ business model, independent firms are fully engaged in the ebook market, and more are experimenting with audiobook produc- tion as well,” says Kate Edwards, executive direc- tor of the Association of Canadian Publishers. Canadian books are sold around the world as export sales of finished books, ebooks, and trans- lated titles. They are made into award-winning films reaching wide audiences. A diverse list of authors and illustrators with a uniquely Canadi- an perspective on an even longer list of stories and subjects have brought the country, its people, and its vibrancy to enviable attention and acclaim (read more about authors on pages 14, 24, 37, and 41).

CANADIAN PUBLISHING ORGANIZATIONS

In Montréal: L’Association nationale des éditeurs de livres (ANEL) has 100 French-language members from Québec and within Canada that publish a vari- ety of literary genres. ANEL’s mission is to sup- port the growth of French-language publishing through professional development, promoting reading, and marketing of members’ books. “In an- ticipation of Frankfurt 2020, when Canada will be Guest of Honour, more of our member publishers will be active during this prestigious international Canadian publishing professionals gather at Export Exchange, organized by Livres Canada Books book meeting,” says Richard Prieur, next page »

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 7 TWO LANGUAGES, ONE MARKET | ENGLISH & FRENCH PUBLISHING

« from previous page executive director of ANEL publishing a variety of genres including children’s, it digital arm, reports sales of Canadian ebooks (read the interview on page 35). general trade, educational, and scholarly works in more than 100 territories around the world. Québec Édition is a committee of ANEL (read the interview on page 22). It provides conversion, distribution, digital as- dedicated to promoting Québécois and Canadian The Literary Press Group of Canada (LPG) set management (DAM), reporting, and other French-language publishing by supporting pub- started in 1975 as an ACP affiliate. Its mandate is research information with the aim of advancing lishers’ export activities, organizing collective to support the growth of Canadian literary cul- digitization of books. stands at fairs like Frankfurt for over thirty years, ture, helping its 60 member publishers from The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) and putting together scouting missions to various across Canada to sell, distribute, and market their is a national organization with over 2,000 profes- export markets. books primarily of poetry, fiction, drama, and cre- sionally published authors, working to improve Banque de titres de langue française ative nonfiction. the conditions of Canadian writers. TWUC is re- (BTLF) provides technology and services to the The Canadian Publishers Council (CPC) sponsible for the establishment of Public Lending French-language publishing supply chain. BTLF has 16 members, comprising foreign-owned pub- Right and Access Copyright, providing writers aggregates metadata from publishers and distribu- lishing companies. Their history in Canada goes with financial compensation for the use of their tors, tracks sales data, and promotes industry stan- back to when imported books from the UK and work by libraries and electronic reproduction. dards like EPUB. US were the norm. These international publishers Entrepôt du livre numérique is the digital hace continue to dominate the market and have In Ottawa, the nation’s bilingual capital: arm of ANEL, forging an alliance with De Marque, developed publishing programs with Canadian Regroupement des éditeurs canadiens a digital publishing service provider, to establish a writers and illustrators. -français (RECF) represents francophone pub- collective electronic warehouse with over 25,000 The 16-members of the Association of Ca- lishers in Canada located outside Québec. RECF French-language ebook titles published by ANEL nadian University Presses / Association des has 15 members and focuses on activities around and RECF publishers members. presses universitaires canadiennes (ACUP/ marketing, promotion, sales representation, and Since its founding in 1977, UNEQ (l’Union APUC) publish, distribute, and support the in- professional development. des écrivaines et des écrivains québécois) now terest of Canadian scholarship, assisting higher Livres Canada Books has a mandate to sup- has more than 1,600 members—writers from all learning institutions and their scholars through port Canadian-owned and controlled English- and genres. UNEQ works on the promotion and dis- the exchange of ideas to a broader public (read French-language book publishers’ export sales tribution of Québec literature while also defend- more about the ACUP/APUC on page 36). activities to help improve overall export results. ing the socio-economic rights of its members. BookNet Canada is a non-profit organi- Livres Canada Books develops and implements zation that develops technology, standards, and policies and programs to assist exporting pub- In Toronto: education to serve all those involved in the book lishers, organizing a stand at major book fairs. In The Association of Canadian Publishers chain, from creation and production through to 2016-2017 over 150 publishers received support (ACP) represents approximately 115 Canadi- retailers and wholesalers. BookNet Canada tracks to export their books and take advantage of the an-owned and controlled book publishers from 85% of all English-language Canadian print book Livres Canada Books’ mentorship program. • across the country, a diverse group proving vital sales through BNC SalesData. to the development of new Canadian authors by E-bound Canada, the ACP’s not-for-prof-

8 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS Canadian university presses publish authoritative works of high-quality non-fiction in the social sciences and humanities. Books that contribute to cultural, social, and political life. Thoughtful Books that reach global audiences and promote a greater understanding of our world. books Books that we need now.

A NATION OF IDEAS DISCOVER THE BEST BOOKS ON CANADA

The Canadian Studies Collection is a multi-disciplinary catalogue promoting the latest offerings from Canada’s great thinkers. A must for buyers and readers of Canadian Studies content.

Get Your Copy bit.ly/CanadianStudies_2017 Join Our Mailing List bit.ly/CanadianStudies_Mailing

facebook.com/LivresCanadaBooks @livresCAbooks www.livrescanadabooks.com GUEST OF HONOUR | FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR 2020

“This is a fantastic #CANADAFBM2020: CANADA PREPARES TO opportunity to BE GUEST OF HONOUR IN FRANKFURT enable Canada’s artists and cultural International networking and rights activities are already entrepreneurs to heating up as Canada looks ahead to 2020. maximize their full By Hannah Johnson a successful and impactful event, and has consoli- export potential, dated support across Canada for the project.” little less than a year ago, Canadian Heritage More specifically, the committee is at work to help increase Aminister Mélanie Joly and Frankfurt Book right now putting together information for the Fair director Juergen Boos signed a contract put- international book industry about Canadian pub- their competitive ting Canada in the spotlight as the Fair’s 2020 lishers and authors, as well as programs that will Guest of Honour. cultivate international networking, export sales, position on the “Our government is committed to ensuring and translation (read more about available translation that readers everywhere have access to a wide funding on page 12). international range of Canadian-authored books, and I look for- The committee is made up of representatives ward to showcasing Canada’s book industry at the from both the Association of Canadian Publishers stage, and to Frankfurt Book Fair in 2020,” said Joly in a press (ACP) and Association nationale des éditeurs de statement. livres (ANEL), and is supported by export associ- ensure long-term “Given the high levels of cultural exchange ations Livres Canada Books and Québec Édition. between Canada and Europe, we believe there For international publishers wanting to build sustainability.” is strong international interest in learning more more connections with Canadian publishers, now about Canadian publishers, authors, culture and is a good time. According to Livres Canada Books, media,” said Boos. the number of Canadian publishers has tripled in The program is several years away, but the the last 25 years. There are more than 1,500 Cana- —the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Guest of Honour organizing committee, CAN- dian-owned publishing companies, and they pro- Minister of Canadian Heritage ADA FBM2020, reports that the country’s “book duce some 10,000 new titles by Canadian authors industry is already focusing its efforts on planning each year. •

Left to right, at the signing ceremony: Nicole Saint Jean (Guy Saint-Jean Éditeur and then-president of the Association nationale des éditeurs de livres), Caroline Fortin (Québec Amérique and president of CANADA FBM2020), Mélanie Joly (Minister of Canadian Heritage), Matt Williams (House of Anansi Press and then-president of the Association of Canadian Publishers)

10 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR 2020 | GUEST OF HONOUR

“UNITED IN SUPPORT OF A SHARED INTERNATIONAL PROJECT”

As executive director of CANADA FBM2020, Gillian Fizet sees the Canadian publishing industry coming together to find new export opportunities abroad.

members, and the support for the project is indeed widespread, coast to coast. People are eager to EVENTS & PLANS FROM make the most of Frankfurt 2020, and view it as CANADA FBM2020 a strategic way to promote our rich literary tra- dition and culture on the international stage and Over the next two years, CANADA open the door to new business in Germany and FBM 2020 will organize a number of other export markets. events and activities: PP: In a way, the Canadian book industry is really two markets in one (French and English • Translation support program language). How will this dynamic influence the • Translation catalogue of Canadian-au- Guest of Honour planning and programming? thored titles for German publishers GF: The GoH project presents the first time • Consultation sessions between publish- that the Canadian publishing industry and Cana- ers and German market consultants dian authors, both anglophone and francophone, • Two fellowship trips taking German are united in support of a shared international editors to Canada project. We are very excited by this unique op- • Fellowship trip taking Canadian editors portunity and have no doubt that our exchanges to Germany and collaborations will produce an incredibly rich • Networking opportunities to strength- program that is reflective of our diverse literary, en business efforts leading up to cultural, and linguistic heritage. Frankfurt 2020 PP: Before you started as Executive Director • Promotional opportunities with other of CANADA FBM2020, you worked in rights. cultural events in Germany What challenges and opportunities do you see for Canadian publishers selling rights abroad? GF: In meeting with publishers from across Canada during these first few months on the proj- ect, I’m continuously reminded of just how many RESOURCES: Gillian Fizet excellent books we publish every year. And while there is a fair deal of export exper- GET TO KNOW THE tise in our industry, I’m more convinced than ever CANADIAN BOOK MARKET By Hannah Johnson that there exists a lot of untapped potential and a lot more opportunity for Canadian books to be Networking Events eople are eager to make the most of Frank- discovered internationally. “In the lead-up to 2020, and beginning this “Pfurt 2020,” says Gillian Fizet, executive di- The biggest challenge facing publishers right year at FBM 2017, we will be hosting a se- rector of Canada FBM2020, the organization that now is that they lack the resources (time, person- ries of meet-and-greets and networking is responsible for Canada’s Guest of Honour ap- nel, financials, etc.) to support export initiatives. opportunities between Canadian and Ger- pearance at the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair. Happily, the GoH initiative has the potential to man publishers whether at home in Canada Fizet is already working on a growing list of change that. or abroad at international book and trade events and projects leading up to 2020 that will That said, having worked in rights for nearly fairs,” says Fizet. help Canadian publishers network, promote, and 10 years, I know first-hand how much work it can do more business internationally. be to make connections and build business rela- Reading Canada: A Literary Tour in Publishing Perspectives: What has been tionships. The project has the potential to serve Seven Parts / Lire le Canada: un the Canadian publishing industry’s response so far as a springboard for future export activity for voyage littéraire en sept escales to the Guest of Honour plans? publishers who understand the significance of the “A beautiful visual tool to inform and pro- Gillian Fizet: French-language and En- investment and are committed to developing their mote potential partners about Canada’s di- glish-language Canadian publishing industry expertise beyond 2020. verse publishing landscape.” members, including both independent and mul- PP: What is it about the book publishing in- tinational publishers, as well as other affiliated dustry that energizes you and gets you out of bed October Issue of Granta Magazine groups and associations such as the Association on Monday morning? “Curated by literary heavyweights Made- of Canadian University Presses (ACUP), the Pro- GF: The fact that I get to connect with peo- leine Thien and Catherine Leroux, it will be fessional Association of Canadian Literary Agents ple from around the world who are as passionate devoted to Canada’s literature and promises (PACLA) and Editors Canada, have welcomed about books as I am and equally as curious about to provide a thorough sampling of some of the news of Canada being the GoH with great ideas, experiences, and the world. Publishing is, today’s most interesting writers from En- enthusiasm. Since CANADA FBM2020’s incep- through and through, one of the most noble and glish and French Canada.” tion this past February, we have been doing out- stimulating professions out there—and I seriously reach across the country to connect with industry can’t picture myself doing anything else. •

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 11 TRANSLATION | CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS Exzellenz in all ihrer Vielfalt: Kanada als Ehrengast auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse 2020

“There’s a perception that the INTERNATIONAL francophone community is much TRANSLATION FUNDING smaller than the anglophone FROM CANADA COUNCIL community. The fact is that there FOR THE ARTS are more books published in Québec and francophone Canada What types of writing does the than in the English language.” funding cover? Translation funding is available for fiction —Arash Mohtashami-Maali and short stories, poetry, drama, graphic novels, children’s and YA literature, and literary nonfiction. Texts originally written in English, French, or one of Canada’s Ab- Excellence in all its diversity: L’excellence dans toute sa diversité : original languages are eligible for funding. Canada as guest of honour at Frankfurt 2020 le Canada à l’honneur à Francfort en 2020 How much funding can I get? canadacouncil.ca conseildesarts.ca CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS: Up to CA$20,000 for each translation. Each applicant is eligible to receive up to two INDUSTRY-WIDE, MULTI-LINGUAL SUPPORT translation grants per year. Costs are calcu- lated based on translation fees. 2018 In Kürze | Coming soon | Bientôt How do I apply? Mehr Fördermittel für Übersetzungen ins Deutsche The Canada Council for the Arts provides funding and grants First, register at the Canada Council’s on- More funding oered for translation into German for the publishing community—both at home and abroad. line portal (apply.canadacouncil.ca). You’ll Fonds additionnels pour la traduction vers l’allemand need to allow 30 days for the Council to confirm your eligibility before you can sub- mit an application. By Carla Douglas PP: Can you give us a brief overview of the many grants and programs for writing and pub- What are the requirements? n a country with two official languages and the lishing that the Canada Council oversees? Among other information, you’ll need to Iworld’s second-largest geographical area, pro- AM-M: We have programs open to writers, include copies of signed contracts with the viding broad and equitable support to diverse lit- poets, translators, literary book publishers, book Canadian rightsholder (like a publisher or erary communities in Canada can be a challenge. fairs and festivals, reading series, libraries, liter- literary agent) and with a translator. The The Canada Council for the Arts administers ary event organizers, associations, literary groups, application should also include a project grants, services, prizes, and payments to Canadian literary and arts magazines, literary agents, and overview, budget, promotion and market- artists and arts organizations, with programs that foreign publishers—to translate Canadian literary ing plan, and a copy of the book you intend support French and English writers and publish- books. to translate. ers in all regions of the country. All programs are available to francophones, Publishing Perspectives spoke with Arash anglophones and Aboriginal communities. Guest of Honour 2020 Mohtashami-Maali, director of Arts Across Cana- PP: Are there challenges to administering Translation Funding da at the Canada Council about how the organiza- programs when one group is significantly smaller? Canada will be the Guest of Honour at tion adapts to best serve Canadian artists and arts AM-M: There’s a perception that the franco- the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2020. The organizations in both official languages. phone community is much smaller than the anglo- Council is pleased to be associated with Publishing Perspectives: How do the phone community. The fact is that there are more this important event and will offer a special French and English sectors of Canada’s literary books published in Québec and francophone Can- incentive for the translation of Canadian community work together? ada than in the English language. books into German starting in 2018 . . . Arash Mohtashami-Maali: They do work Thanks to some provincial laws that promote watch our website for more details. together on several levels. In fact, although their arts and culture in Québec, publishers are able to industries operate differently, they’re able to find produce a very good number of books. Contact: common ground. PP: Have there been recent changes to Can- Nicole Lavigne The Canada Council also has initiated more ada Council funding for writers and publishers? Associate Program Officer collaboration among the communities. In 2014, AM-M: In the last two years, Canada Coun- Arts Abroad we convened more than 250 francophones, anglo- cil restructured all its programs. Last spring, we +1-613-566-4414, ext. 4249 phones, and Aboriginal participants in a national launched our new set of programs and all disci- [email protected] forum on literature. Last year, writers’ associa- plinary sections and programs were replaced by tions from across the country organized a bilin- seven non-disciplinary programs. Website & Information: gual national forum in Toronto. Literary professionals and organizations may canadacouncil.ca/funding/grants/arts- Since 2009, the Canada Council has organized apply to these programs and their applications will abroad/translation The Translation Rights Fair, where English and be assessed in disciplinary juries. We have a lot of French publishers and agents meet to sell rights material and documentation on our website about and to share ideas. these new programs. •

12 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS Exzellenz in all ihrer Vielfalt: Kanada als Ehrengast auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse 2020

Excellence in all its diversity: L’excellence dans toute sa diversité : Canada as guest of honour at Frankfurt 2020 le Canada à l’honneur à Francfort en 2020 canadacouncil.ca conseildesarts.ca

2018 In Kürze | Coming soon | Bientôt Mehr Fördermittel für Übersetzungen ins Deutsche More funding oered for translation into German Fonds additionnels pour la traduction vers l’allemand

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www.facebook.com/LivresCanadaBooks @livrescabooks www.livrescanadabooks.com AUTHORS | ANGLOPHONE

ANGLOPHONE AUTHORS TO KNOW

Recommended by Geoffrey Taylor, director of the International Festival of Authors in Toronto, this list of anglophone Canadian authors runs from established literary figures to up-and-coming talent. These are the writers you shouldn’t miss. —Hannah Johnson

GLOBAL BESTSELLERS Coupland’s latest book, Bit Rot, was also shortlisted for the Man (2016) is a series of essays and short Booker Prize and selected as an Margaret Atwood stories that explore a range of sub- Oprah’s Book Club pick. Toronto, Ontario jects from economics of Grexit to surveillance culture and the effects Perhaps Canada’s most well-known of the internet on our brains. author right now, Margaret Atwood Alice Munro just got another boost as the televi- Wingham, Ontario sion adaptation of her 1985 dystopi- Yann Martel an novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, won Saskatoon, Saskatchewan The announcement that short story three Emmy awards this September. writer Alice Munro had won the No- Atwood is incredibly prolific, Yann Martel is best known for his bel Prize for Literature came during having written 16 novels, 8 short 2001 novel, Life of Pi, which sold the 2013 Frankfurt Book Fair. She fiction collections, 10 nonfiction more than 12 million copies world- was the first Canadian to win the books, 8 children’s books, a graphic wide and won the Man Booker prestigous award. The Swedish novel, and numerous collections of Prize, among other literary awards. academy described her as “a master poetry. She has, of course, won many The film adaptaion was directed by of the contemporary short story.” literary awards for her writing. Ang Lee and received 11 Academy She’s also won the Man Booker Her writing is often dystopian, Award nominations. Prize, the Governor’s General Prize, with themes of feminism, politics, Life of Pi was Martel’s second the Giller Prize (twice), and many and justice. She’s also credited with novel. The New York Times reported other awards for her work. advancing the definition of the Ca- that rights to his third novel, a Ho- Many of her stories are set in nadian literary identity, both in her locaust allegory titled Beatrice and small-town Ontario, and she’s pub- fiction and nonfiction. Virgil, sold at auction to US pub- lished 14 short story collections since Her most recent novel, Hag-Seed lisher Spiegel & Grau for around $3 her first in 1968. Her most recent (2016) retells Shakespeare’s The Tem- million. His latest novel, The High book, Dear Life, came out in 2012. pest. She also published last year her Mountains of Portugal, was published first graphic novel, Angel Catbird, in February 2016. about a genetic engineer/superhero. Michael Ondaatje Toronto, Ontario Rohinton Mistry Douglas Coupland Brampton, Ontario Best known for his WWII nov- Vancouver, British Columbia el-turned-blockbuster, The English Much of Rohinton Mistry’s work Patient, Michael Ondaatje’s work Douglas Coupland’s first novel, Gen- focuses on social and political issues, also includes poetry, memoir, and eration X, was published in 1991 by both in his native country of India film. He’s won the Governor’s Gen- St. Martins Press and became an and for Indian emigrants abroad. His eral Prize five times, as well as the international bestseller. The book work has been recognized by some Man Booker Prize, the Giller Prize, popularized the term “generation X” of the most prestigious literary priz- and others. and captured the zeitgeist of twen- es and sparked controversy in India. Ondaatje first made a literary tysomethings disappointed with the His first novel, Such a Long Jour- name for himself as a poet, publish- nine-to-five office life. ney, won the Governor General’s ing his first collection in 1967. In Coupland has since published Award, the Commonwealth Writ- total, he’s published 13 works of po- 13 novels, 2 short story collections, ers Prize for Best Book, the W.H. etry, six novels, a memoir, and edited 7 nonfiction books, and numerous Smith Books in Canada First Novel numerous books. articles. Much of his work focuses Award, and was shortlisted for the His most recent novel, The Cat’s on modern culture and working life. Man Booker. It was also banned by Table, was published in 2011. It fol- His books have been translated into Mumbai University, which gave in lows an 11-year-old boy’s ocean liner more than 35 languages. Oh, and he’s to pressure from a political group. voyage from Sri Lanka, through the also a visual artist. His 1995 novel, A Fine Balance, Suez Canal, and on to England.

14 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS ANGLOPHONE | AUTHORS

CANADIAN STARS Anne Michaels Lisa Moore Anne Michaels’ poetry and novels Lisa Moore’s commercial success Joseph Boyden have been widely translated and won began in 2002 with her short sto- Three Day Road, Joseph Boyden’s dozens of international literary priz- ry collection, Open. Her 2010 novel debut novel, won multiple awards es. Her 1996 novel about a Jewish February was shortlisted for the Man and literary recognition. Much of his boy, Fugitive Pieces, was made into a Booker Prize and was about an oil work focuses on the current and his- feature film. A new book of her po- rig that sank in 1982. YA novel Flan- torical experiences of Canada’s First etry, All We Saw, comes out in Octo- nery (Groundwood Books, 2016) is Nations people. His recent novella, ber 2017 (Penguin Random House). her latest work. Wenjack (Penguin Random House Canada, 2016), is the story of an Heather O’Neill Eden Robinson Ojibwa boy who runs away from a Heather O’Neill’s debut novel, Lulla- From the Haisla First Nation, Eden residential school. bies for Little Criminals (HarperCol- Robinson is known for her writing lins Canada, 2006), was an interna- about Indigenous communities in Dionne Brand tional bestseller and shortlisted for Canada, and for her second nov- Originally from Trinidad, Dionne eight major awards. Her 2017 nov- el, Monkey Beach (Vintage Canada, Brand writes poetry, nonfiction, el, The Lonely Hearts Hotel, is a story 2000), which incorporates mythical and fiction. She’s won the Governor about two orphans in Montréal. elements from her Haisla culture. General’s Award for Poetry, among others, and her most recent book, Miriam Toews Madeleine Thien Love Enough (Knopf Canada, 2014) is Miriam Toews grew up in a small, Best known for her short stories a collection of stories set in Toronto. Mennonite community in Manitoba, and novels about Asian immigrant which influenced much of her writ- communities, Madeleine Thien was Emma Donoghue ing. She is best known for her 2004 born in Vancouver to Chinese par- She is best known for her 2010 nov- novel, A Complicated Kindness (Knopf ents. Her novel Do Not Say We Have el, Room (HarperCollins Canada), Canada), about a Mennonite family. Nothing (Granta Books, 2016) was which was shortlisted for the Man Her latest novel, All My Puny Sorrows shortlisted for the 2016 Man Booker Booker Prize, became an interna- (Knopf Canada, 2014) is about two Prize and won the 2016 Governor tional bestseller, and was adapted sisters wrestling with depression. General’s Award. into a feature film. Her newest book, The Lottery Plus One (HarperCollins Jane Urquhart Children’s Books, 2017), is the first A nationally bestselling author, Jane of an illustrated middle-grade series. Urquhart’s work been recognized by Canadian and international literary BONUS LIST: Will Ferguson prizes. Her work often examines life MYSTERY WRITERS The author of more than a dozen in Canada, past and present. Urqu- books ranging from travel writing to hart’s latest work is an illustrated Linwood Barclay literary fiction, Will Ferguson is also book, A Number of Things: Stories Getting his big break in 2007 the winner of the 2012 Scotia Gill- of Canada Told through Fifty Objects with No Time for Goodbye, er Prize for his novel, 419. His latest (HarperCollins Canada, 2016). Linwood Barclay is an inter- book is The Shoe on the Roof (Simon & national bestselling author of Schuster Canada, 2017). 13 detective novels.

Lawrence Hill AUTHORS TO WATCH Alan Bradley A writer of nonfiction and fiction, Alan Bradley became a best- Lawrence Hill’s work often deals André Alexis selling author at age 69 with with social issues of identity, belong- This year, André Alexis was one of the first of his Flavia de Luce ing, and race. His novel, The Book of eight recipients of the internation- crime series, set in a small Negroes, was adapted for television. al Wyndham Campbell prize for town in the 1950s. His recent novel, The Illegal (2016 his body of work. Originally from HarperCollins Canada) was as the Trinidad and Tobago, Alexis is best Louise Penny 2016 Canada Reads title of the year. known for his 2015 novel, Fifteen Translated into 23 languag- Dogs (Coach House Books) about es, Louise Penny’s detective Thomas King dogs with human intelligence. series feature Chief Inspector Known for writing about First Na- Armand Gamache and are set tions people in North America, Ami McKay in Québec. Thomas King is the author of 15 Ami McKay’s debut novel, The Birth novels, including Green Grass, Run- House (Knopf Canada, 2006), be- Peter Robinson ning Water and The Back of the Tur- came an instant bestseller in Canada Peter Robinson is best known tle. He frequently incorporates oral and was longlisted for the IMPAC for his Inspector Banks series storytelling traditions in his writ- award. She followed that with an- set in Yorkshire, UK. Several ing, and is an activist for Aboriginal other bestselling novel, The Virgin books in the series have been rights in North America. Cure. Her latest work is The Witches adapted for television. of New York.

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 15 TRADE PUBLISHERS | ENGLISH CANADA

JAMES LANGER ALANA WILCOX JOHN AGNEW Managing Editor Editorial Director Publisher Breakwater Books Coach House Books Coteau Books St. John’s, Newfoundland Toronto, Ontario Regina, Saskatchewan

6 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS IN ENGLISH CANADA: A DIVERSE SLICE OF CANADIAN LITERARY LIFE

By Thad McIlroy “We’re a small regional publisher,” Langer award-winning bestseller Fifteen Dogs. Christian says. “We’re very regional.” This summer the press Bök’s cult poetry classic Eunoia is a perennial hit. he Canadian publishing industry came of acquired Creative Book Publishing, combining “Our Exploded Views series is attracting a lot Tage in the 1960s and ’70s. Coach House was two strong literary publishers in Newfoundland. of praise, and it’s selling well,” says Wilcox. “The founded in 1965. House of Anansi in 1967. The “It’s exciting,” he says. “I’m an editor, and here latest two books in the series are Julia Cooper’s same is true for the francophone market. I was out in the warehouse opening boxes and The Last Word: Reviving the Dying Art of Eulogy and The average Canadian-owned publishing marveling at all the great books arriving.” Naben Ruthnum’s Curry: Eating, Reading, and Race. company has annual sales of around a few hun- One of the company’s top sellers is Barry “International rights sales for André Alexis’s dred thousand dollars. Government funding is a Parsons’ Rock Recipes: The Best Food From My New- Giller-winning Fifteen Dogs are going strong. Our significant factor for many parts of Canadian pub- foundland Kitchen. It’s a book that Breakwater can most recent sale is to South Korea,” she says. lishing, with funding coming from the federal and get onto the tables at the local Costco. “They sell “We’re now working with Cursor Marketing the provincial level. an insane number of books,” Langer says of the Services for publicity and marketing in the US, “The Canadian publisher’s mandate is cultural big-box retailer. and we’ve been getting good attention there, in- more than it is commercial,” says Michael Mirolla, “And Newfoundlanders read Newfoundland cluding in the The New Yorker and the The New vice president and editor-in-chief at Guernica books,” he says. “It’s quite remarkable. We really York Times.” Editions. “In Canada, not one independent pub- like ourselves.” lisher could survive without government funding. We have to be very grateful to all the agencies that Coteau Books work with independent book publishers.” Coach House Books These independent publishers achieve incred- oteau Books was founded in 1975 in Moose ible results by leveraging their lean operations, oach House Books, founded in 1965, is the CJaw, Saskatchewan, before relocating to Re- passion for books, and talented authors. Cavant-garde bibliophile’s favorite story: a bo- gina, the province’s capital. Coteau’s mission is to hemian lands in Toronto in the 1960s, opens shop publish “new voices and works of literary excel- in two 19th-century carpenter’s sheds behind a lence from the Canadian literary community, with Breakwater Books student-run, alternative educational co-op, Roch- an emphasis on Saskatchewan and prairie writers.” dale College, and is soon producing some of the With annual sales of about $150,000, they ounded in a garage by Clyde Rose in St. John’s, most significant Canadian literature of the era. have three full-time staffers and work with many FNewfoundland, Breakwater Books has pub- Coach House Books celebrated its 50th anni- freelancers. They’ve published more than 400 ti- lished more than 500 education and trade titles, versary in 2015, and founder Stan Bevington, now tles and have an active backlist of some 100 books. between 12 and 14 new titles per year since 1973. publisher, is still active on the production side of The company is a non-profit cooperative, unusual Rose’s daughter Rebecca, who grew up in the busi- the operation. The press prints nearly all of its in Canadian publishing. ness, took over when her father retired in 2008. own books though Coach House Printing. John Agnew was appointed publisher about Since taking the reins, she’s been steering the In 1996, government funding cuts bankrupted two years ago, taking over from one of the com- list more toward trade than education. the company, but it was resurrected by Bevington pany’s founders. He has more than a dozen years James Langer, Breakwater’s managing editor, the following year. in management at the Canadian Broadcasting is himself a published poet and an editor of the an- Alana Wilcox, editorial director of Coach Corporation (CBC), including a decade at CBC thology The Breakwater Book of Contemporary New- House Books, supervises a list of some 15 ti- North in Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest foundland Poetry (2013). tles a year. A big recent success is André Alexis’ Territories.

16 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS ENGLISH CANADA | TRADE PUBLISHERS

MICHAEL MIROLLA HOWARD WHITE SARAH MACLACHLAN Vice President, Editor-in-Chief Co-Founder President, Publisher Guernica Editions Harbour Publishing House of Anansi Oakville, Ontario Pender Harbour, British Columbia Toronto, Ontario

The company has a board of nine people to One of the projects Mirolla says he’s enthusi- “I think our customers are book collectors as choose the manuscripts. “In that way, with each astic about is Guernica’s First Poets Series, which much as they are readers,” he says. “They tend to new book they’re choosing the direction of the publishes debut poetry collections by writers aged want the physical object and to keep it. We favor company,” Agnew says. 35 and younger. hardcovers and printing on good paper. Coteau, like House of Anansi, has developed The company continues to produce ebooks, “We’re happy to be selling print,” White says. a recent focus on Indigenous stories. “There’s although they represent only two to three per- “We know how to do that.” all sorts of creative stuff going on,” Agnew says. cent of sales. “Ebooks started with a bang,” Mirolla “There’s a genuine interest—the Canadian public says, “but our poetry books just don’t sell well as really wants to know.” ebooks. Readers want the tactile experience.” House of Anansi A recent book of poetry, Burning in this Mid- night Dream by Louise Halfe, Agnew says “is selling arah MacLachlan, president and publisher of very, very well—already about a thousand copies, Harbour Publishing Sthe House of Anansi Press, spoke with Publish- and it’s new.” Halfe has won a number of awards, ing Perspectives from the Writers at Woody Point including a longlist nomination for the Governor ounded by Howard White and his wife Mary literary festival. Woody Point is a historic New- General’s Award for Poetry in 1998. Fin 1974, Harbour Publishing is one of British foundland village in Gros Morne National Park. Agnew says he sees a marked difference in the Columbia’s largest and most important publishers. House of Anansi, founded in 1967, is celebrat- support Coteau receives from independent book- The population of Pender Harbour is under 3,000, ing its 50th anniversary this year. The press was sellers and from Indigo. “When I go into McNally and it’s about three hours north of Vancouver by founded by two Canadian writers, Dennis Lee and Robinson,” a large local independent, “they know car and ferry. With sales of about $2 million, the Dave Godfrey. Like Coach House and McClel- our books. They know who our authors are.” company is a tireless promoter of books that “cap- land & Stewart, Anansi has published some of the Ebooks represent about five percent of Co- ture the essence of British Columbia.” work of Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje. teau’s sales and are growing “marginally,” Agnew Recent titles include Pacific Seaweeds: A Guide Today, the company specializes in “finding and says, adding that he perceives a difference between to Common Seaweeds of the West Coast and Hel- developing Canadian writers of literary fiction, customers’ experience of print and digital. lo Humpback!, a board book for babies featuring poetry, drama, and nonfiction.” With a staff of 30 “You put a book into someone’s hand and “iconic West Coast animals, from hungry sea ot- and roughly $7 million in sales, it is ranked as the they’re generally appreciative and excited,” he says. ters to hopping orca whales.” largest Canadian-owned trade publisher. In early 2013, White purchased Douglas & Like Coach House, the company survived a McIntyre, which had been in bankruptcy pro- bankruptcy. In 2002 its parent company Stoddart Guernica Editions tection since the preceding October. Rather than Publishing went out of business. Scott Griffin, functioning as an imprint of Harbour, Douglas & founder of the Griffin Poetry Prize, bought An- ounded in Montréal in 1978, Guernica Edi- McIntyre operates with considerable autonomy ansi that year, and the publisher has seen steady Ftions has published more than 500 titles from and with a list that goes beyond the regional to a growth ever since. many parts of the world and moved to Oakville national and an international focus. The combined As at other Canadian publishers, Anansi is in 1992. Annual sales are about $200,000. There companies publish some 40 new titles a year. putting Indigenous writers front and center on are seven full-time and part-time staffers. Michael “Things are looking up,” White says. “After 10 their list. MacLachlan points to three prominent Mirolla is vice president and editor-in-chief. tough years, we’ve had two years of sales increases. titles: Katherena Vermette’s novel The Break; Tan- “I describe us as a literary press that’s publish- It’s been against all predictions.” ya Talaga’s nonfiction Seven Fallen Feathers; and a ing prose, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction,” Mirolla White has some keen insights into the impact collection of stories and songs This Accident of Be- says. “We have an emphasis on diversity, choosing of the “print is dead” gloom that has depressed ing Lost by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson. material that’s not mainstream.” some in the industry. “Improved sales have done “Canadian independent publishers are discov- More to the point, Mirolla says, “Our authors wonders for confidence in the business,” he says. ering new talent and putting it out into the world,” aren’t often on the front lines where the trumpets “A lot of the trouble was lack of confidence.” MacLachlan says. are blaring.” White also has a firm opinion on ebooks, “The big guys focus on the bestsellers. We’re The company publishes many translations, which account for two percent of Harbour sales looking for work that we think is cutting-edge lit- and its backlist includes a lot of European titles. and less than 10 percent at Douglas & McIntyre. erature. For us, quality is number one.” •

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 17 CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHERS | ENGLISH CANADA

Rick Wilks

Barbara Howson Lisa Lyons Johnston EMBRACING DIVERSITY, OPEN TO DIFFERENCES: 6 CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHERS IN ENGLISH CANADA

These Canadian children’s publishers are teaching kids about acceptance, perserverance, and how to have fun. —Carla Douglas (with reporting by Hannah Johnson)

Annick Press Competition from big books: “The mega Trends and challenges: “Diversity is still a Toronto, Ontario and titles remind readers that books have a place in key interest and a trend which has always been Vancouver, British Columbia their lives. While many readers of the big books central to our publishing program,” says Howson. don’t necessarily go on to read other publications, “The independent bookstore market in the US ick Wilks co-founded Books By Kids with there’s always an appetite for a good story.” still a challenge for us. Trying to be seen in a very RAnne Millyard in 1975. A year later, they re- crowded market is difficult, but the institutional named their publishing house Annick Press. market continues to be key for us.” “Annick has been deeply committed to an ed- Groundwood Books Competition from big books: “When big itorial philosophy that emphasizes both a joy of Toronto, Ontario books are new, they seem to take all of the airtime reading and the recognition that books can enrich and focus from media, stores, etc. However, they and bring change to the lives of young people. wned by House of Anansi Press, Ground- do drive customers to stores, and they do put the For more than 40 years, our publications have Owood Books has been in business since focus on reading.” sought to offer an authentic reassurance that kids 1978. “We’re a general children’s book publisher can cope and even work to improve their lives,” and many of our books tell the stories of people says Wilks. “We model young people finding their whose voices are not always heard,” says Barbara Kids Can Press places in their communities . . . We’re particularly Howson, vice president of sales and licensing at Toronto, Ontario interested in depicting the pluralistic society that’s Groundwood Books. the reality for young people. “Books by the First Peoples of North Amer- ounded in 1973 as a small press publishing so- “We publish for all ages, from board books ica have always been a special interest,” she says. Fcially responsible children’s books, Kids Can to picture books to edgy YA,” says Wilks. “We’re Groundwood Books also publishes works by Latin Press is the largest Canadian-owned children’s particularly interested in nonfiction and have tak- American authors. book publisher. Today, they publish a broad range en on subjects like Bad Girls of Fashion and the dan- “I think the key to our identity,” says Howson, of titles for kids and teens. “One of our signature gers of internet tracking.” ”is that we were publishing diverse books before it branded collections is CitizenKid, which tackles Market outlook: “While there are enormous became a trend.” big world issues and is designed to inspire global pressures—such as competition for readers’ time Market outlook: “It looks fantastic. We are citizenship amongst kids ages 8 to 12,” says presi- and attention, a lack of reviews, and an education- having one of our best years ever and it is because dent Lisa Lyons Johnston. al system that has yet to appropriately recognize of the books we are publishing . . . books that re- Market outlook: “Our own experience is the value of trade books in the classroom—the flect our core value of giving voice to characters one of growth in all channels. Kids Can Press is market is holding up very nicely. We particularly that might be overlooked.” having a tremendous year, bookended by the Bo- appreciate the efforts of a committed bookselling Rights sales: “Rights are a huge part of our logna Prize for Best Children’s Publisher in North community and the many librarians who champi- business. One of our most recent successes was America, and an exclusive McDonald’s Canada on good literature.” Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and illustrat- Happy Meal Book promotion.” Rights sales: “Our books are found through- ed by Sydney Smith. This book was on The New Rights sales: “Our international rights sales out the world, in translation and in the original York Times Best Illustrated list, and has sold thou- continue to be strong amid a variety of economic Annick editions, which are distributed globally.” sands of copies for us and has been translated into climates. We often find that when sales in one ter- Trends and challenges: “A key challenge is 16 languages. ritory slow down, they pick up in another, and so getting the word out. We’re constantly explor- “We are very active in selling film rights, as it comes down to investing in the global markets ing new ways to get our publications to our au- well, and the middle-grade novel The Goat was that show the most potential for growth at a given dience through generating buzz with engaging recently sold to a new company in the US called time—and that is always changing.” storylines.” Cirrina Studios.” “For example, in the past few years the pub-

18 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS ENGLISH CANADA | CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHERS

Ruth Linka

Catherine Mitchell Margie Wolfe lishing market in Brazil—usually a dependable many. In 2016–17, we sold rights to one picture series have indeed encouraged YA writers. Paja- rights territory for us—has quieted considerably book to Germany, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam, Brazil, ma Press has no shortage of readers for the many [during that country’s economic crisis]. But our Australian, the Netherlands, and Japan.” award-winning authors. Good writing and stories rights sales in Turkey are booming, and we’ve Trends and challenges: “In the North Amer- will always find a home.” made a lot of new contacts.” ican market, we’re seeing a fair bit of interest in In addition to that, says Johnston, “we’ve had audio and read-along (EPUB with audio) books.” a great year in China—a lot of our backlist titles Competition from big books: “The right se- Second Story Press that had previously been passed over are being ries can be really big. We haven’t had that sort of Toronto, Ontario snapped up.” penetration into the YA market, but we’re seeing Trends and challenges: Topics like “STEM, modest growth that’s encouraging. And anything econd Story Press, a leader in the field of di- diversity, wellness—including mental health—are that encourages more reading for kids is good.” Sverse children’s books in Canada, “specializes the themes that educators are most eager for. And in social justice and human rights with a strong in terms of formats, board books, comic books, emphasis on diversity,” says co-founder and pub- and graphic novels are in demand,” says Johnston. Pajama Press lisher Margie Wolfe. The press has been recog- “One of the biggest challenges continues to be Toronto, Ontario nized by the Canadian Civil Liberties association discoverability. How do you stand out in a sea of for their work, and their books have been trans- books being published each year?” relative newcomer to the children’s publish- lated into more than 40 languages. Outlook for children’s books in Canada: Aing scene, Pajama Press launched in 2011 and “The goal has always been to marry important “Many Canadian children’s publishers, includ- describes itself as “a small literary press with big and often challenging content with compelling ing Kids Can Press, are experiencing much more ideas. We endeavor to publish titles of exceptional writing for young people,” Wolfe says. growth in the US market than in Canada, and a quality that will receive wide critical acclaim and Market outlook: “2017 will be our most fi- great deal of that has to do with the size of the awards; our books are designed to successfully ap- nancially successful year ever! In part, I think that market.” peal to children, young adults, librarians, teachers, the challenging subjects addressed in our kid’s Domestically, says Johnston, “there has also and parents.” books reflect current political and social issues. We been increased interest in celebrating and promot- Market outlook: “Happily, interest in chil- have a child refugee book, Indigenous stories on ing Canadian books, including children’s books.” dren’s and YA books remains high,” says Cather- the impact of residential schools, violence against ine Mitchell, rights manager for special markets girls, racism and anti-Semitism, and more.” at Pajama Press. “The market requires targeted Rights sales: “Rights sales have always been Orca Book Publishers attention, especially in Canada, where there are important to the company. Smaller publishers like Victoria, British Columbia fewer bookstores. The US school and library mar- ourselves have both expanded readership for our kets have been strong purchasers.” authors and revenues for the company through e have almost 1,000 books in print and Rights sales: “Our most recent sales have rights.” says Wolfe. “Wpublish about 85 a year,” says Ruth Lin- been to Korea, Colombia, France, and Québec. “Recently, titles have been sold to compa- ka, associate publisher at Orca Book Publishers. Sales to Mexico are very good. Germany, Italy, nies in Australia, Europe, Asia, North and South “We publish books for young readers, everything and Australia are great partners for the list. The America, with film rights also optioned. Where from board books for babies, picture books, ear- meeting list at Bologna Children’s Book Fair was Will I Live, a recent title done with images from ly chapters books, fiction for middle readers, and long and varied.” the UN High Commission on Refugees, has just YA. Also we have a strong nonfiction list, primar- Trends and challenges: “Inclusivity has been published in numerous countries with more ily for middle readers. Our nonfiction tends to en- been growing in appeal, which happily coincides forthcoming.” courage social or environmental consciousness.” with three of our new books: on deafness (Macy Trends and challenges: “Some current Market outlook: “In North America, we sell McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess), on becoming trends seem to reflect our mandate and list. Books into the trade and institutional market and contin- one’s true self (The Theory of Hummingbirds), and dealing with diversity, including Indigenous con- ue to see a strong foundational market, especially on autism spectrum disorder (Slug Days), all re- tent, remains of keen interest. in classrooms.” On children’s books in Canada, ceiving attention and great reviews. Seeing more “While support from the retail sector in Can- Linka says, “We’re having some real success with Canadian books in schools and libraries would be ada and the USA has increased in the last year, we our nonfiction right now and enjoying ongoing wonderful,” says Mitchell. still have much work to do.” interest in our middle-grade fiction.” “Canada is a country that’s open to all kinds Competition from big books: “I can’t focus Rights sales: “We have a rights agent we of people and stories. That willingness to accept on other people’s books, only do the best that we work with but are coming to Frankfurt this year difference is of huge appeal internationally, which can with our own niche of publishing. Fortunate- to see what more we can do,” says Linka. in turn helps rights sales as well as helps grow do- ly, some of those titles do extraordinarily well “We currently sell rights to between 25 and 30 mestic sales.” both in and outside of Canada—so we are contin- titles a year, to countries like China, Korea, Ger- Competition from big books: “Bestselling ually encouraged to keep on.” •

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 19 RIGHTS | ENGLISH CANADA

Dean Cooke Denise Bukowski

LITERARY AGENTS ON CANADA’S RIGHTS MARKET

Canada’s authors are undergoing an evolution, according to the country’s literary agents, addressing global issues and achieving recognition on the international stage.

By Thad McIlroy, with additional reporting by But more recently, he says he’s finding a mat- tude of Canadian writers to the world has changed Hannah Johnson uration in the writers he works with. and of the world to Canada. “The current generation of Canadian writers, “They don’t think of Canadians as guys in s Howard White at Harbour Publishing says, he says, “don’t feel they need to write about small- lumberjack shirts anymore. A Canadian writer can A“When an agent brings me a title, it’s almost town Ontario, about lakes and trees and bears,” he be considered as a world writer.” always worth looking at.” says. “They don’t think about what they do in the And in terms of a new title’s viability, McDer- It all starts with the author, of course, but same way.” mid says an author’s nationality may matter less when it comes to the publisher and the agent, Of course the quality has to be there. than some think. Regardless of origin, “The book “We’re equally important,” says Sam Hiyate, presi- “Twenty years ago, writers were being mea- has to be an original of its kind, whatever that is,” dent of The Rights Factory literary agency. sured against other Canadian fiction,” Cooke says. McDermid says. Here are six English Canadian agencies of sig- “Now, they’re being measured against the world.” “It needs a character who we want to follow nificance that represent a range of authors. on the journey. As an editor once said to me, ‘I always ask myself, Why am I reading this? Will it change my life in any way? What will I learn?’ ” The McDermid Agency The Cooke Agency nne McDermid founded The McDermid his year, The Cooke Agency celebrates its AAgency in Toronto in 1996, having been The Bukowski Agency T25th anniversary. With a staff of seven, the with London’s Curtis Brown as a senior partner firm represents both literary and commercial fic- for several years. Today, along with three partners enise Bukowski has worked in book pub- tion, as well as a range of nonfiction and children’s and associates, McDermid represents literary fic- Dlishing in Canada since 1970—for the first 16 books. A spinoff, Cooke International, handles tion, “commercial novelists of high quality,” and a years as an in-house editor at publishers including the foreign rights for all Penguin Random House broad range of nonfiction. McClelland and Stewart, and Douglas & McIntyre. Canada imprints and a handful of other Canadian A current high-profile title is Omar El Akkad’s She founded The Bukowski Agency in 1986 and literary agents. debut novel American War. Michiko Kakutani, now handles some 70 authors. Agency principal Dean Cooke had a career former book critic at The New York Times called Her clients include mystery writer Alan Brad- with several Canadian publishers before founding it “powerful,” “haunting,” and “devastating.” El ley, author of the eight-book Flavia de Luce series, the agency. Akkad—a reflection of increasing diversity among and Yasuko Thanh, author of Mysterious Fragrance He says he’s concerned about the mergers of Canadian authors—was born in Cairo, moved to of the Yellow Mountains, which won the $25,000 the large US publishers. “With the consolidation Canada as a teenager, worked as a reporter for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize in 2016. of the US publishers, we’re down essentially to Globe and Mail, and now lives in Portland, Oregon. “Canada sits on the shoulder of the Ameri- three large clients,” Cooke says. McDermid says she’s feeling the effects of can industry,” Bukowski says. “The challenge is “Contract negotiations have become a mara- industry consolidation. “It’s not just three major to make a book stand out beside what’s published thon, fighting for every penny. There’s very little publishers in Canada,” she says. “It’s obvious to me next door.” room for negotiation.” that Penguin Random House is the major publish- Bukowski says she finds that “European pub- And selling Canadian writers abroad can er. They control something like one-third of the lishers want to know who in the US has bought sometimes be a challenge, Cooke says. market. HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster just the book before they consider it.” And so she leads “We often hear the comment, ‘It’s a quiet nov- aren’t as big. And Simon & Schuster is relatively with the titles she’s sold there. el; it’s too quiet.’ That comes up again and again,” new with their publishing program” in Canada. The business isn’t getting easier, she says. “The Cooke says. “ ‘There’s not enough plot.’ ‘The end- As for authors, “In the past 20 years, Canadian Europeans are buying more of their own authors ing doesn’t have impact.’ ‘The pace is too slow.’ ” writers have evolved,” McDermid says. “The atti- or authors from other neighboring countries. And

20 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS ENGLISH CANADA | RIGHTS

Sam Hiyate

suddenly everyone is looking for thrillers.” companion and putting an ad in the newspaper, has, agents there have developed a keen sense of She went to London Book Fair a couple of saying ‘Here I am,’ ” Broadhead says. “How am I what types of books sell best in both the Canadian years ago with a strong literary fiction title, she going to find my soulmate?” and US markets. says, “and all people were talking about was thrill- Agency co-founder David Bennett told Pub- ers full of dismembered bodies. ” lishing Perspectives last year, “Scouts and our inter- Digital publishing is proving to be a positive national co-agents are always interested in which for many of her authors, Bukowski says. The Rights Factory books are successful in our market, including “One advantage of ebooks is that I’ve been able prize-winners, but what’s successful here isn’t to keep more of my authors’ backlists available.” he Rights Factory was founded in 2004 with necessarily going to travel to other markets.” And, as BookNet Canada’s survey numbers Tjust a handful of clients. The agency now has There have been many recent successes for indicate, audiobooks are taking off. nine agents and represents hundreds of clients Transatlantic. Among them is Gary Barwin’s nov- “They’re all looking for audiobooks,” Bukow- from around the world. el, Yiddish for Pirates, which was shortlisted for the ski says. “I’m going through my whole backlist Agency principal Sam Hiyate worked at the 2016 Giller Prize and longlisted for the Governor’s searching for available rights. There was a point literary magazines Blood & Aphorisms and The General Prize. Middle-grade novel Shooter by Car- when you couldn’t give away a Margaret Atwood Quarterly in the 1990s. He ran the micropublisher oline Pignat was chosen for several prominent audiobook.” Gutter Press from 1993 to 2002. His newest proj- reading lists in Canada and won the 2017 Red Ma- ect is donttalktomeaboutlove.org, “an online mag- ple Fiction Award. azine exploring love in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art.” Rick Broadhead & Associates Hiyate is hot on the German market. “It’s the second-biggest in the world,” he says. Westwood Creative Artists ick Broadhead & Associates was established in On The Rights Agency’s list, The Film Club by R2002. The associates don’t work in the same leading client David Gilmour has sold more than estwood Creative Artists calls itself Can- office, though. Rick Broadhead is a one-man band. 500,000 copies in Germany. “There’s no better Wada’s largest literary agency. The group “I have no staff or offices in the US,” he says. place in the world to have a bestseller,” Hiyate tells includes five literary agents, an in-house inter- He’s never been to Frankfurt and has never been Publishing Perspectives. national rights team, and a network of 26 inter- to London. He uses Cooke International for for- “Books in Europe are still culture, not just national co-agencies. Westwood Creative Artists eign rights sales. entertainment,” he says. “The US is so consum- also works in film, television, and stage rights. Broadhead focuses exclusively on nonfiction. er-driven, always looking for the best price. We Bruce Westwood came to agenting after a And not just any nonfiction, he says, “Commercial represent international authors. We don’t care long career in the business, including a stint with as opposed to literary nonfiction. From sports to where they’re from, only if they’re interesting and Meridian Technology, at which he served as CEO humor to history. talented. We’re looking for distinct voices. from 1978 to 1985. “I have a better handle on nonfiction,” he says. “We’re old-fashioned agents,” Hiyate says. “We’re having one of our better years,” West- “I have a better sense of what’s saleable. It’s where “We live in the reflected glory of our writers.” wood tells Publishing Perspectives. “Good writing is my passion lies. I find fiction harder to gauge.” in demand. Our authors are in demand.” Broadhead is unusual among Canadian agents, His top clients include Yann Martel, the Span- in that he represents a lot of American authors. ish-born Canadian author of the Man Booker “There are a lot of Canadians represented by US Transatlantic Literary Agency Prize-winning Life of Pi, and Rohinton Mistry, the agents,” he says, “but not a lot of American authors Indian-born Canadian author who won the 2012 represented by a Canadian agent.” eadquartered in Toronto, Transatlantic has a Neustadt International Prize for Literature and is He says he knows this may seem like an odd Hpresence on both coasts of the US (New York, best known for his books Such a Long Journey and arrangement, but he’s made it work for his cli- NY and Portland, OR) and Canada (Vancouver, A Fine Balance. ents. “Being in Toronto, I’m geographically closer BC and Petite Rivière, NS). Like Denise Bukowski’s clients, Westwood’s to New York than a lot of US agents who are my The agency represents both Canadian and authors are enjoying the audiobook boom. competition.” American authors, they work with co-agents in 28 “Amazon’s Audible is just unbelievable,” he Broadhead also has an MBA and was himself territories, and they represent foreign rights for says. “One of my colleagues in the UK said to me, a bestselling author of 35 books relating to the in- several independent publishers including graphic ‘They’re Hoovering up the market!’ ternet. He has a singular view of the role of the novel publisher Drawn & Quarterly and children’s “We used to get $2,000 or $3,000 for an audio- literary agent. book specialist Orca Book Publishers. book. Now we’re talking six-figure advances for “Being an agent is like someone looking for a Given the wide footprint that Transatlantic our largest authors.” •

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 21 DIVERSITY | #WEHAVEDIVERSEBOOKS DÉCOUVREZ LA LITTÉRATURE DE L’OUEST CANADIEN, DE L’ONTARIO FRANÇAIS ET DE L’ACADIE ! #WEHAVEDIVERSEBOOKS: THE ASSOCIATION OF CANADIAN PUBLISHERS’ WIDE FOCUS ON ‘THE DIVERSITIES’

Kate Edwards #WEHAVEDIVERSEBOOKS CATALOGUE

About the catalogue: “Canadian publishers feel strongly that it is important to publish diverse books for children and teens from K-12 with multicultural characters and stories featuring diversity in the areas of: ability, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, race, and religion.”

DOWNLOAD: diversity.49thshelf.com

By Porter Anderson “Before we children’s publishers introduced it to Indeed, Williams joins many in praising Canada, Violet—one of [Second Story’s] picture publisher Gregory Younging, whose Theytus

n so many parts of the publishing world today, books about a mixed-race child—was the only Ca- Books is one of the country’s outstanding Indige- an Ontario government agency refc.ca un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario Ithe issue of diversity is gaining rightful focus nadian title included in the first American #We- nous-owned and -operated presses. It’s Younging and holding out tantalizing potential for richer NeedDiverseBooks kit of recommended titles.” who, as an ACP member, has led the association mixes of literary voices and broader consumer The campaign brought many of Canada’s chil- to endorse Reconciliation Canada’s report and bases for books. But “diversity” can mean different dren’s book publishers together in support of an recommendations (read more on Indigenous literary things with different challenges. Nowhere may issue they care about. voices in Canada on page 41). this be clearer than in a proudly, consciously mul- “The Children’s Publishers Committee that REFC_CanadaBooks_170922.indd 1 17-09-22 07:56 ticultural nation like Canada. includes Groundwood Books, Orca, Kids Can Any conversation about the issue quickly be- Press, Annick Press, and others” came together “The strength of the from the comes about “diversities,” some requiring nuanced to create the #WeHaveDiverseBooks catalogue handling of their social and political importance. of diverse Canadian children’s and YA titles. The publishing industry is Kate Edwards, executive director of the Asso- catalogue has drawn interest from school boards our diversity and our ciation of Canadian Publishers (ACP) points out both in Canada and the US. AVANT-GARDE OF CANADIAN LITERATURE that the role of an association in these matters can “The initiative is important because it recog- breadth.” be critical and lies in the dynamic of guidance, ad- nizes the diversity of peoples within our society vocacy, and enlightenment. and the need for a literature to reflect that reality,” —Matt Williams “We’re an association of 115 publishers,” Ed- says Wolfe. anvil press ¶ arp books ¶ arsenal pulp press ¶ banff centre press ¶ baraka books wards says, “and ultimately, the decisions around One reason Canada is committed to discus- bayeux arts inc. ¶ biblioasis ¶ bookland press ¶ bookthug ¶ breakwater books what’s published and what those staffs look like sions of and focus on diversity is the country’s “The ACP has also used its meetings each are all made at the firm level, of course. But an as- many First Nations and Indigenous populations. year,” Williams says, “to look at such issues as brick books ¶ brindle & glass ¶ caitlin press ¶ coach house books sociation like ACP can certainly take a leadership House of Anansi’s Matt Williams, a past president the oral traditions and how they intersect with conundrum press ¶ coteau books ¶ dc books ¶ ecw press ¶ freehand books role in looking at some of these questions.” of the ACP, notes that the association has proudly publishing, cultural, and editorial protocols in In children’s literature, for example, the as- endorsed the recommendations of Reconciliation manuscripts by Indigenous writers—questions gaspereau press ¶ goose lane editions ¶ guernica editions ¶ hagios press sociation has a Children’s Committee, and mem- Canada, an organization that aims to revitalize of communal ownership and its implications for inanna publications ¶ insomniac press ¶ invisible publishing ber-publishers are known for their emphasis on “the relationships between Indigenous Peoples copyright.” diversity. “We have a number of companies that and all Canadians in order to build vibrant, resil- Together, the country’s publishers and asso- j.g. shillingford publishing ¶ kegedonce press ¶ latitude 46 ¶ linda leith publishing have published books on diverse topics and by au- ient and sustainable communities.” ciations are working to raise their awareness of mansfield press ¶ mawenzi house ¶ mother tongue publishing ¶ newest press thors with a wide range of backgrounds. For some “There’s two parts” to the focus in Canada on what respectful engagement means. companies that’s an important part of their man- the country’s Indigenous voices and creativity, Today, the demands of deeply diversified nightwood editions ¶ now or never ¶ oolichan books ¶ palimpsest press ¶ pedlar press date, to showcase a wide range of perspectives. says Williams. “One part is authors and the other readerships and the capabilities of a thoughtfully playwrights canada press pow pow press promontory press quattro books A couple years ago, Edwards says, Canadian is publishers. Certainly, the range of Indigenous diversified publishing workforce can come to- ¶ ¶ ¶

publishers were “very attuned” to calls for US li- authors published here is excellent. And we hope gether in ways that bring literature into a more DISPATCHES ronsdale press ¶ roseway publishing ¶ signature editions ¶ stonehouse publishing braries to carry and promote diverse books. The that Canada’s Frankfurt Guest of Honour program expansive, mind-opening construct than before. talonbooks the porcupine s quill theytus press thistledown press tightrope books #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign was especially in 2020 is going to help us bring a lot of attention Kate Edwards, Williams says, “is admired ¶ ’ ¶ ¶ ¶ successful in focusing this interest. to these writers. here as our executive director because there are turnstone press ¶ vehicule press ¶ wolsak & wynn So how did the Canadian industry respond? “And on the publishers’ side,” Williams says, so many things today to attend to” related to di- #WeHaveDiverseBooks. “the ACP includes Indigenous publishers. There versity. “These are big issues. And the strength of “I love the whole idea of the campaign,” says aren’t as many as we’d like yet, but they certainly the the publishing industry,” Williams says, “is our Margie Wolfe, publisher of Second Story Press. are there.” diversity and our breadth.” • a.k.a. the STORIED MEMBERSHIP of the 22 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS find out more about our members at www.lpg.ca DÉCOUVREZ LA LITTÉRATURE DE L’OUEST CANADIEN, DE L’ONTARIO FRANÇAIS ET DE L’ACADIE !

an Ontario government agency refc.ca un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario

REFC_CanadaBooks_170922.indd 1 17-09-22 07:56 from the AVANT-GARDE OF CANADIAN LITERATURE

anvil press ¶ arp books ¶ arsenal pulp press ¶ banff centre press ¶ baraka books bayeux arts inc. ¶ biblioasis ¶ bookland press ¶ bookthug ¶ breakwater books brick books ¶ brindle & glass ¶ caitlin press ¶ coach house books conundrum press ¶ coteau books ¶ dc books ¶ ecw press ¶ freehand books gaspereau press ¶ goose lane editions ¶ guernica editions ¶ hagios press inanna publications ¶ insomniac press ¶ invisible publishing j.g. shillingford publishing ¶ kegedonce press ¶ latitude 46 ¶ linda leith publishing mansfield press ¶ mawenzi house ¶ mother tongue publishing ¶ newest press nightwood editions ¶ now or never ¶ oolichan books ¶ palimpsest press ¶ pedlar press playwrights canada press ¶ pow pow press ¶ promontory press ¶ quattro books

DISPATCHES ronsdale press ¶ roseway publishing ¶ signature editions ¶ stonehouse publishing talonbooks ¶ the porcupine’s quill ¶ theytus press ¶ thistledown press ¶ tightrope books turnstone press ¶ vehicule press ¶ wolsak & wynn

a.k.a. the STORIED MEMBERSHIP of the find out more about our members at www.lpg.ca AUTHORS | FRANCOHPONE

4 LEADING AND DIVERSE LITERARY VOICES FROM FRENCH CANADA

A small cross-section of French Canada’s literary scene. —Luca Palladino

Kim Thùy An Innu poet, painter, actress, and league was murdered, something activist, Natasha Kanapé Fontaine dealt with in his 2000 novel, Le Cri Notable awards: has a strong social media following des oiseaux fous. In 1990, he emigrat- Governor General’s Award and Can- and is a spokeswoman of the Idle No ed to the United States and spends ada Reads’ 2015 for her novel Ru More movement in Québec, which time in both Montréal and Miami. supports a rising visibility for talent- Publishers: ed Aboriginal youth. Stanké, Libre Expression, Trécarré Through her activism, she has recruited many advocates for her Michel Tremblay Recommended titles: cause and works to trace “the paths • Ru (2009) of racism” that can become inher- Notable awards: • À toi (2011) ent in language. She is an emerging Prix Victor-Morin (1974); the Gov- • Mãn (2013) voice and an unmistakable talent. ernor General’s Performing Arts • Vi (2016) Fontaine’s writing reflects her Award (1999); Officier de l’Ordre de activism and pride in her Indigenous France and Chevalier de l’Ordre Na- Kim Thùy is a Saigon-born Québé- community. Her poems address is- tional du Québec (1991) cois author whose award-winning sues of identity and racism, as well as Ru was translated into English by dialogue and reconciliation. Publishers: Sheila Fischman. Powerful and yet Leméac, Guy Saint-Jean Éditeur, delicate, her writings have been Nomades translated in more than 25 countries. Along the way to her success as Dany Laferrière Recommended titles: an author, Thùy worked as a seam- • La grosse femme d’à côté est enceinte stress, interpretor, attorney, and a Notable awards: (The Fat Woman Next Door Is Preg- restaurateur. Prix Médicis for L’énigme du retour nant, 1978) She said that Ru, her debut, is in (The Return) • Thérèse et Pierrette à l’école des part a tribute to the many Canadians Saints-Anges (Thérèse and Pierrette who welcomed her when she left Publishers: and the Little Hanging Angel, 1980) home during the Vietnam War. The VLB Éditeur, Éditions du Boréal, • Les Clefs du Paradise (The Keys to author based that first book on her Lanctôt Éditeur, Grasset Paradise, 2013) experiences emigrating to Canada by way of a Malaysian refugee camp. Recommended titles: Now 75, Michel Tremblay is an ac- • Comment faire l’amour avec un complished playwright and author. nègre sans se fatiguer (How To He wrote his theatrical debut, Le Make Love to a Negro Without Get- Train, in 1959 and would go on to Natasha Kanapé Fontaine ting Tired, 1985) win the Concours des jeunes auteurs • Je suis fou de Vava (I’m Crazy About sponsored by Radio Canada in 1964. Notable awards: Vava, 2005) His writing often features homo- Finalist, Émile-Nelligan Award; • L’énigme du retour (The Return, sexual and strong female characters. Société des écrivains francophones 2009) And his career accomplishments in- d’Amérique Award cludes translation, adaption, screen- In 2013, Dany Laferrière became the writing, short stories, and novels. Publishers: first Canadian, the first Québécois, Tremblay’s focus on fiction be- Mémoire d’encrier, Écosociété and the first Haitian to be elected gan in the mid-1980s, and he’s an to l’Académie française, the highest acutely sensitive writer to social and Recommended titles: honor for a francophone author. political issues, particularly in Qué- • N’entre pas dans mon âme avec tes Born in Haiti, Laferrière worked bec life. chaussures (Do Not Enter My Soul as a journalist prior to emigrating to At times, he’s advocated for se- in Your Shoes, in an English trans- Canada in the late 1970s. He has con- cession of the province from Cana- lation by Howard Scott, 2012) tinued some of his journalistic work da, and he’s credited by many for his • Assi Manifesto (2016) by hosting programming on V, the evocations of liberal and nationalist • Bleuets et abricots (2016) francophone television network for- thinking, which promoted the Quiet • Kuei, je te salue, with Deni Ellis merly known in Québec as TQS. Revolution of the 1960s. • Béchard (2016) Laferrière left Haiti when a col-

24 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS FRANCOPHONE | HIGHLIGHTED TITLES

HIGHLIGHTED TITLES FROM FRENCH-CANADIAN PUBLISHERS

A selection of award-winning and critically acclaimed titles from members of the Association nationale des éditeurs de livres (ANEL).

CHILDREN’S BOOKS CrackBoom! Books (Chouette) Leméac

Princess Lila Builds a Tower L’enfant mascara Les 400 coups by Anne Paradis (author), by Simon Boulerice Karina Dupuis (illustrator) Inspired by a true story, this book is 752 lapins From the imprint that first published about a transgender teen who falls in by François Blais the popular Caillou series, this illus- love with a boy—a boy who eventu- A princess loves each and every one trated book is about a determined ally murders him. of her 752 rabbits. When one goes princess who undertakes a vast con- missing, she’s heartbroken and de- struction project in the forest. Lui termined to find it. by Patrick Isabelle CONTACT: A teen who committed a shooting is CONTACT: Geneviève Lagacé released home after serving his sen- Simon De Jocas genevieve.lagace@editions- tence. The public reacts with anger, [email protected] chouette.com and his friend tries to understand.

CONTACT: Jean-Marie Jot La courte échelle Hurtubise [email protected]

Un ami lumineux Hackers by Simon Boulerice (author), by Isabelle Roy Marilyn Faucher (illustrator) In this YA thriller a teen takes his Éditions Michel Quintin At his father’s house in the city, Ludo computer hacking skills a step too believes a tiny man is hiding inside far. With the help of his friends, he Series: Les Dragouilles the traffic light, changing the colors. tries to fix his mistakes. by Karine Gottot, Maxim Cyr In this series of comic books, little CONTACT: CONTACT: creatures called “dragouilles” explore Marianne Dalpé Sandra Felteau major cities around the world. The [email protected] [email protected] series is an award-winning hit across Québec and Canada.

About the Association nationale des éditeurs de livres (ANEL)

Celebrating its 25th anniversa- Édition supports its members’ ry this year, the the Association international activities with col- nationale des éditeurs de livres lective stands at book fairs, net- (ANEL) represents nearly 100 working events, and more. publishers across Québec and The executive director of French Canada. ANEL is Richard Prieur, and the The association represents current president is Nicole Saint- its members’ interests to the Jean, publisher of Guy Saint-Jean government, promotes reading Éditeur. For more information in Canada, and organizes events. about the association and its ac- ANEL subsidiary Québec tivities, visit: www.anel.qc.ca

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 25 HIGHLIGHTED TITLES | FRANCOPHONE

Savais-tu? Les dinosaures FICTION a journey that is sometimes troubled by Alain M. Bergeron, yet also filled with loving moments. Michel Quintin These humorous and intelligent Éditions Alto CONTACT: documentaries use a cartoon format Sandra Felteau to teach about little-known Madame Victoria [email protected] animals and their habits. by Catherine Leroux In this award-winning novel, a skel- CONTACT: eton is discovered at the edge of the Chélanie Beaudin-Quintin woods, steps from the Royal Victoria Leméac foreignrights@ Hospital in Montréal. An investiga- editionsmichelquintin.ca tion begins to discover her identity. Le corps des bêtes by Audrée Wilhelmy CONTACT: Author Audrée Wilhelmy is not Christiane Vadnais afraid to tackle taboo subjects. In a Éditions de Mortagne [email protected] remote seaside village, three family members move toward an incestu- Tabou Series ous love triangle. by various authors This series of teen novels presents Éditions du Boréal Tsubaki: Le poids des candid stories about “taboo” subjects secrets like sex, abuse, cyberbullying, alco- Autour d’Eva by Aki Shimazaki hol, and more. These fictional stories by Louis Hamelin In a letter left to her daughter after help teens deal with tough issues. Éva moves to her hometown on her death, Yukiko, a survivor of the Lake Kaganoma, where she launches atomic bomb, recalls the episodes of CONTACT: a protest against American develop- her childhood and adolescence. Sandy Pellerin ers threatening to destroy the lake. [email protected] CONTACT: Owen Hopkins, Esquire Jean-Marie Jot by Simon Roy [email protected] Owen Hopkins is dying in Yorkshire. Québec Amérique His son must come home to fulfill a promise he made years ago, and he Le dernier qui sort éteint la must deal with the difficult relation- Le Quartanier lumière ship between father and son. by Simon Boulerice L’année la plus longue Twins Arnold and Alia live with CONTACT: by Daniel Grenier their two fathers and are about to Sandra Gonthier Born on February 29 in a leap year, turn thirteen years old. Their fathers [email protected] Thomas Langlois ages one year write 13 letters to reveal which of for every four that pass. He travels the two is the biological father. North American and experiences the the 18th and 19th centuries. CONTACT: Les Éditions de l’Homme Alexandra Valiquette Le plongeur [email protected] La mort d’une princesse by Stéphane Larue by India Desjardins Twentysomething compulsive gam- Deeply hurt by a breakup at 31 years bler Stéphane drinks too much and is old, Sarah throws herself into her ca- deeply in debt. When he takes a job Éditions XYZ reer and renounces love. Years later, as a dishwasher, he meets a fellow she starts to wonder if she really can delinquent who inspires him to find Grand père et la Lune give up on love. the right path. by Stéphanie Lapointe (author) Rogé (illustrator) CONTACT: CONTACT: A poignant graphic novel about a Florence Bisch Céline Hostiou girl’s relationship with her grandfa- [email protected] [email protected] ther. This book won a 2016 Gover- nor General’s Award.

CONTACT: Hurtubise Québec Amérique Sandra Felteau [email protected] Les petites tempêtes À l’abri des hommes et des by Valérie Chevalier choses This feel-good novel follows the by Stéphanie Boulay life of Raphaëlle from girl to adult, Growing up isolated in a forest, an

26 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS FRANCOPHONE | HIGHLIGHTED TITLES

anonymous narrator only has Titi, a CONTACT: he would be her Prince Charming. big sister figure, to explain life and Marise Labrecque adulthood to her. [email protected] CONTACT: Carole Boutin Routes secondaires [email protected] by Andrée A. Michaud Who is Heather Thorne, this young Écosociété woman with amnesia? A writer be- comes obsessed with trying to figure Une escroquerie légalisée Lux Éditeur out who this woman is and risks get- by Alain Deneault ting dragged into her dark past. This book examines the ramifica- La peur du peuple tions of tax havens on society, in- by Francis Dupuis-Déri CONTACT: cluding growing inequality. Dene- What is the ideal democracy? Is it Alexandra Valiquette ault questions why this mechanism the version in power today, or the [email protected] still exists. vision promoted by popular move- ments like Occupy? De quoi Total est-elle la somme? L‘anarchie expliquée à mon Stanké by Alain Deneault père Multinational corporations have by Francis Dupuis-Déri, Abattre la bête become institutions that dominate Thomas Déri by David Goudreault our societies. They make laws and A father-son dialogue explores the In this last book of David Gou- to overrule governments. This book roots and fundamentals of anarchy dreault’s trilogy (which will soon hit urges people to reclaim their political and democracy to better understand the big screen). a troubled and vio- sovereignty from these companies. each school of thought. lent young man escapes a psychiatric hospital in search of his mother. CONTACT: CONTACT: Élodie Comtois Alexandre Sanchez CONTACT: [email protected] [email protected] Carole Boutin [email protected]

Les Éditions de l’Homme Éditions MultiMondes

Éditions XYZ La douleur repensée Qu’est-ce que le boson de by Dr. Gaétan Brouillard Higgs mange en hiver Autopsie d’une femme Bestselling author Dr. Brouillard ex- by Pauline Gagnon plate plores the root of chronic pain and In 2012, the CERN laboratory con- by Marie-Renée Lavoie offers physical and psychological firmed the existence of the Higgs When Diane’s husband of nearly 25 techniques to treat and relieve it. boson. In this book, Pauline Gagnon years leaves her for a younger wom- explains what this particle is and an, she must re-evaluate her rela- Mon cerveau a besoin de why it is important. tionships in this tragicomic novel. lunettes by Annick Vincent CONTACT: CONTACT: This book is the diary of a fictitious, Sandra Felteau Sandra Felteau 8-year-old boy named Tom who has [email protected] [email protected] ADHD. It helps children, parents and caregivers cope by using stories, illustrations, and concrete examples. Éditions Trécarré CONTACT: NONFICTION Florence Bisch L’autisme expliqué aux non- [email protected] autistes by Brigitte Harrisson, Éditions du CHU Sainte- Lise St-Charles Justine This book provides a unique way to Librex Expression communicate with people who have Aider l’enfant anxieux autism. It includes insights from au- by Sophie Leroux Le Monstre tistic author Brigitte Harrisson’s life. Many children experience anxiety. by Ingrid Falaise This guide is designed to help with In this personal account, the author CONTACT: illustrated and therapeutic tales for tells of escaping an abusive mar- Carole Boutin prevention and intervention. riage to a man she followed to Africa [email protected] when she was 18 years old, believing

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 27 TRADE PUBLISHERS | FRENCH CANADA

8 FRENCH CANADIAN PUBLISHERS BRINGING THEIR AUTHORS TO THE GLOBAL STAGE

These are just some of the publishers in French Canada supporting local authors and making sure that French Canadian talent gets more global recognition. Interviews by Luca Palladino

ANTOINE TANGUAY PASCAL ASSATHIANY ÉLODIE COMTOIS Founder, President, Publisher CEO Business Manager, Communications Éditions Alto Éditions du Boréal Director Écosociété Notable positions: journalist; Notable positions: 50 years in independent bookseller; involved in the book industry as a bookseller, Notable positions: spokesperson for launching Les libraires (the largest commercial manager, editor; he has Sauvons les livres; vice-president of literary monthly in Québec) occupied almost every facet of the the Association nationale des éditeurs book industry de livres (ANEL)

Éditions Alto For Antoine Tanguay, the newest generation Brault and presented at Cannes in 2017); the late of publishers that have grown up with the internet Gaétan Soucy (most known for The Little Girl Who ditions Alto took the literary world by surprise and social media now have a global vision of liter- Was Too Fond of Matches, his work has been trans- É12 years ago by publishing Nikolski by Nicolas ature. They read a lot, they are curious, inspired by lated into more than 20 languages); and Louis Dickner, a little-known author at the time. A zig- what they read on the international stage. Accord- Hamelin (whose daring novel on Québec’s October zagging, raucous book that spewed good storytell- ing to Tanguay, they want to take over the world Crisis won him four prestigious awards in 2010) ing, the novel, much like the publishing house, has and he has no doubt that they will succeed. have passed through the doors of Boréal. since received countless accolades for the breadth “Our role at Boréal is to accompany Québec of its vision and for the touch of lunacy present in and Canadian authors and make sure their work its publishing projects. stands the test of time,” says Assathiany, “whether And if you want to point fingers, its all An- Éditions du Boréal those works are creative or philosophical.” toine Tanguay’s fault. Always the visionary, Assathiany is now look- “For the past fifteen years, a new wind is ascal Assathiany gives the impression that he ing towards the future and how to create new blowing on Québec’s literary scene. New publish- Pis part rock star, part publisher. With over 50 readers in Québec society, especially among the ers take their place next to, but without replacing, years’ experience in the publishing industry and 30 younger generations. In order for Boréal’s books larger publishing houses (Boréal, Leméac, Québec years building Boréal, he has helped usher in cul- to be successful, they have to be read in a society Amérique, Libre Expression),” says Tanguay. ture-defining authors who have marked Québec’s that can read works critically and have the capacity “For me, this is a sign of literary maturity as history and etched Boréal’s name into the publish- to debate ideas. And that battle is never won. the newcomers inspire ourselves from established ers’ hall of fame—if such a thing were to exist. publishing houses, and then we go our own way, Boréal is a house built on authors, and it has showing our own true colors. This wind has been run by authors who love to read. Giants like brought new voices (Nicolas Dickner, Samuel Ar- Marie-Claire Blais (Winner of the Médicis for A Écosociété chibald, Kim Thúy, Audrée Wilhelmy, Éric Du- Season in the Life of Emmanuel); Dany Laferrière pont, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, Perrine Leblanc) (who was recently inducted in France’s most ven- cosociété, as the publisher’s name implies, is and a unique enthusiasm, a fresh vision in addi- erable institution, L’Académie française); Robert Éanchored in ecological and other socially rel- tion to a desire to carve out a place not only in Lalonde (author of The Heart is What Dies Last evant (and sometimes controversial) issues and Québec but also in the rest of the world.” which was turned into a film by Alexis Durant trends. Topics treated in its works include milita-

28 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS FRENCH CANADA | TRADE PUBLISHERS

rism, globalization, media criticism, and more, all for the sake of engaging readers. This is an independent publishing house celebrating 25 years in business. Élodie Com- tois—who spearheaded the fixed price for books movement (Sauvons les livres) and who has helped defend Écosociété against lawsuits from multina- tional corporations—is no stranger to practicing what she publishes. “By condemning the abuses of capitalism and encouraging a transition towards ecologism, so- cial justice, and political engagement,” she says, “our authors patiently and intensely cultivate knowledge.” ARNAUD FOULON JUDITH LANDRY While Écosociété is well-established in Qué- Vice President, Publishing Executive Director bec, it has been working on business development Operations Groupe Homme on the other side of the Atlantic for the past few Éditions Hurtubise, Groupe HMH years. For a publisher whose philosophy is the free Notable positions: previously circulation of ideas, it was an obvious choice for Notable positions: treasurer of the communications director for several the house to seek out other French-speaking pop- Association nationale des éditeurs de publishing houses and distributors ulations in Europe. livres (ANEL) A consultant now works full-time from Paris to promote Écosociété titles in France, Switzer- land, and Belgium. And Écosociété has announced that it will be distributed by Harmonia Mundi starting in January 2018, another clear indication Award and by the response of independent book- In 2018, les Éditions de l’Homme, the found- of its international expansion. sellers in Paris and Brussels. ing publishing house of the group, will celebrate “Among our most successful titles are books “These things encourage us to think that there 60 years in the business, making it one of the old- by Rob Hopkins, Jan Gehl, and Alain Deneault, as are many convergence points between our respec- est publishing houses in Québec. well as translations of Noam Chomsky. tive industries.” Judith Landry, a veteran in the business, has “Also on our list of bestsellers is Jean-Mar- Groupe HMH has long been recognized as a adapted Groupe Homme’s business model to ac- tin Fortier’s seminal work The Market Gardener, leader in the Québec book industry, and the Fou- company the shifting tides of online entertain- which has sold over 50,000 copies worldwide.” lon family has been closely involved in guiding ment and internet culture. and structuring the market to strengthen its au- “In the world of free internet content and so- thors and fellow publishers. cial media, our role as publishers is not only to of- “With the emergence of new prominent au- fer readers exclusive, original, and quality content, Groupe HMH thors such as Jocelyne Saucier, Kim Thúy, or but also to provide our authors guidance through Nicolas Dickner,” says Arnaud Foulon, “Québec creative and professional platforms that promotes ogether with his sister Alexandrine, Arnaud literature unveils its richness and complexity—of their content,” she says. “It’s really a hallmark of TFoulon is heir to the Groupe HMH business which Dany Laferrière is our best-known leading our publishing house to be in a position to offer started by Claude Hurtubise and bought by Ar- light of the ‘old continent.’ this global service, thanks to our innovative meth- naud’s father, the venerable (and still involved) “This is a French literature, so to speak,” he ods and risk-taking spirit.” Hervé Foulon. says, “but one that showcases the American-ness The future looks very bright for Groupe The Foulons are fifth-generation publishers that defines us, translating our own identity and Homme and its international activities. It is one of from their great-grandfather’s side, and today our attachment to language.” the only publishing houses with an office in Paris, Groupe HMH comprises four publishing hous- and the company has created a niche for itself as es—Éditions XYZ, Marcel Didier (MD), Éditions one of the largest sellers of self-help books on the Hurtubise, and Éditions MultiMondes—each with European market. Groupe Homme also created an a distinct niche in the market. Groupe Homme English-language publishing house in 2014 (Juni- The company also operates Distribution per) and looks to add to its 500 translated titles in HMH, which handles distribution for at least nine roupe Homme is the single largest publisher 31 languages. publishing companies, including Black Cat Cideb, Gof general literature in French Canada. The Eli Publishing, Bibliothèque Québécoise, and Édi- group publishes over 150 titles a year and has tions Hatier. more than 3,000 titles in its catalogue. It bene- “The Québec book industry has neither the fits from being part of powerful media company Groupe Librex size nor the characteristics of France’s book mar- Groupe Québécor. ket,” Foulon says. “In many ways, we work as if The publishing group includes les Éditions de roupe Librex unites more than 12 publish- we’re in two parallel universes. l’Homme, Le Jour éditeur, Petit homme, La Griffe, Gers under one roof—the oldest of which has “Despite that, our recent successes are en- La Semaine, Québec Livres, and Juniper. been in business for more than 40 years—and are couraging. We can point to Québec being guest of Group Homme publishes a wide range of titles known for their excellence in general literature. honour at high-profile European literary events from self-help and spirituality books to practical Librex Expression, Stanké, Trécarré, Logiques, including Foire du livre de Bruxelles 2015 and Sa- books (health, nutrition, cooking, sports), refer- and Publistar are among them. lon du livre et de la presse de Genève 2017. ence, nonfiction books for children and adults, as The group publishes fiction, biographies, “We’re also heartened by the France-Québec well as teen fiction. practical guides and reference works next page »

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 29 PUBLISHERS | FRENCH CANADA

JOHANNE GUAY ALEXANDRE SÁNCHEZ CAROLINE FORTIN Vice President of Publishing, France Editor Executive Director Editor-in-Chief Lux Éditeur Québec Amérique Groupe Librex Notable positions: translator; worked Notable positions: current president Notable positions: manager of the with publishers Éditions du Boréal, of CANADA FBM2020, organizing the Association nationale des éditeurs de Les Allusifs and Le Quartanier Guest of Honour program in Frankfurt livres (ANEL) for 5 years

« from previous page in health and self-help, For the past two years, Lux has initiated a new Québec Amérique, Jacques and Caroline Fortin, all designed for the general public. Novelist Kim phase of its development in France by opening an are admired as smart decision-makers with killer Thúy and biochemist Richard Béliveau are among office in Paris. Alexandre Sánchez is the compa- business instincts and an eye for international ex- their best known authors. Groupe Librex is a phe- ny’s permanent presence there, and as such, she pansion. Québec Amérique specializes in publish- nomenal ambassador for the creativity and knowl- facilitates commercial planning and enables an on- ing literary works, essays, visual dictionaries, and edge of Canadian writers. going expansion of the house’s French catalogue. reference books. A veteran of the book industry, Johanne Guay “We’re publishing more and more French au- “From expanding our flagship product—The believes that publishing is in a state of constant thors whose ideas echo our Québec authors’ ideas,” Visual Dictionary in more than 40 languages—to evolution. says Sánchez, “and that, in effect, fits perfectly into the sale of rights in our fiction catalog, our pres- “The arrival of new types of entertainment di- our original editorial mission: half of our cata- ence in international markets has been an indis- rectly impacts time spent reading today,” she says. logue has long been dedicated to translations. pensable element for the growth of our company.” “It is an every day challenge. Also, the book as an “Lux presents itself as a bridgehead in America Caroline Fortin is the newly elected president object is itself finding new roads. We have to be for European readers, but also as an exploration of Canada’s Frankfurt Book Fair Guest of Honour constantly curious about emerging reader inter- base in Europe for French readers.” 2020 committee, and she sees the coming-of-age ests and how they consume information.” For this Québec publishing house, the Eu- for Québec literature as a recent trend. Johanne Guay was the first editor to publish ropean market is important because it can vastly “We’ve seen a genuine international interest Kim Thùy and has fostered a close relationship to increase sales. But because Lux is specialized in so- in Québécois literature,” she says, “and this has her author. She believes author relationships are a cial sciences and essays, the challenge for the pub- translated into sales and the success for our au- key to Groupe Librex’s success. lisher is to find a way to reach the greatest number thors on the world stage.” “A successful publisher has to be more and of readers. One example Fortin points to is Andrée A. more imaginative, tread on new ground, and be a “Since we’ve begun selling our works in Michaud, whose novel Boundrée (Boundary) is trailblazer. And all of that has to be done at warp France,” says Alexandre Sánchez, “the editing a haunting crime novel set on the frontier be- speed. The publishers in Québec are quite cre- process we offer to our authors is also aimed at tween Québec and Maine in 1967. It was recently ative because they have had to develop within a adapting their ideas so they can find traction in the longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize very small market. Thankfully, we are able to find wider markets outside of Québec. “Many of our authors write and are edited many of their books now published and distribut- “When submitted to this transatlantic litmus now with the express intention of being read far ed worldwide. Groupe Librex is of those houses test,” she says, “Québec thinkers—such as Alain beyond our national walls,” says Fortin. whose progression has skipped over the border.” Deneault, Francis Dupuis-Déri, or Normand Bail- It’s a testament to the evolutionary gains being largeon—only shine brighter because of it.” made by Québec’s publishers and their authors, she says, that so many observers in other parts of the world can see universally recognizable narra- tives in the daily struggles of the Québécois. Lux Éditeur “Throughout my travels to participate in Québec Amérique international book events,” Caroline Fortin says, he catalogue of Lux Éditeur reads like a who’s “I recognize just how vigorous the French-lan- Twho of 20th- and 21st-century progressive fter more than 40 years in business and with guage Canadian book industry has become. philosophers, economists, and other writers. Asome 800 titles active in its catalogue, terms “Many of our very innovative publishing Their essays are meant to be provocative. The in- frequently heard to describe this quintessential houses provoke curiosity and entice readers with tent is to influence policymakers and civil society, Québécois publishing house are “audacity,” “risk,” their inventiveness and their audacity.” prompting them to action and plunging citizens and “thirst.” Audacity as a business philosophy is certainly into debate. The father-daughter team at the heart of paying off for Québec Amérique. •

30 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS The Writers’ Union of Canada is the voice of Canada’s professional book authors. We promote the rights, freedoms, and economic well-being of all writers.

Learn more www.writersunion.ca thewritersunionofcanada @twuc

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Create your account today at www.iprlicense.com CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHERS | FRENCH CANADA “We had to take every opportunity and use our expertise to develop new BIG BRANDS, LOCAL TALENT: collections.” CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHERS —Simon Payette, Éditions Chouette IN FRENCH CANADA

These four children’s publishers are part of a larger community in French Canada using innovative ideas to reach young readers. —Luca Palladino “We’ve noticed that international publishers now have more knowledge of the Québec market.”

—Chélanie Beaudin-Quintin, Éditions Michel Quintin

SIMON PAYETTE CHÉLANIE BEAUDIN-QUINTIN Executive Director Rights Director “By publishing Éditions Chouette Éditions Michel Quintin children’s books, Notable positions: started his Notable positions: author and we participate publishing career in 2005 analyzing illustrator children’s book trends with Héritage wholeheartedly in the Jeunesse great adventure of being human.” Éditions Chouette City Monsters allows kids to discover cities and regions of the world through hidden monsters of —Simon de Jocas, nown for its international hit series, Caillou, the most amusing kind. Kpublished in 20 languages and distributed in And some of the titles from the CrackBoom! Les 400 coups 50 countries, Éditions Chouette is a made-in-Qué- imprint feature a built-in, smiling moon night- bec success story. To date, the company has sold light. In Goodnight Farm Animals, for example, the more than 15 million units of this series. farmyard creatures gather to say goodnight, and Simon Payette has been quickly recognized for little readers then doze off in the gentle warmth of his business acumen. He now leads the worldwide the book’s moonshine. sales development of one of Québec’s publishing Such innovative, parent-friendly efforts are of gems, Éditions Chouette, and he is keenly aware interest to Payette. “We’re also experimenting and “New publishing of the challenges for smaller houses. developing book formats that allow us to extend houses have “Children’s book publishing has become in- our print runs and remain competitive,” he says. creasingly difficult for smaller players on the big spurred authors and stage,” he says. “In order to ensure our presence and our growth, we had to take every opportunity publishers to take and use our expertise to develop new collections their rightful place in such as CrackBoom! Books and City Monsters.” Éditions Michel Quintin Always aware of how children’s development France, Belgium, and affects their interaction with books, Payette says ounded in 1982, Éditions Michel Quintin that his team at Chouette has designed books that Foriginally published popular books about an- Switzerland.” take toddlers through their pre-reading phase imals, nature, and the environment. Thanks to with their City Monsters series (for ages 3 and up). the sustained efforts of a dynamic team constantly —Frédéric Gauthier, The books’ sturdy design is meant to withstand proposing original and adventurous concepts, the La Pastéque any book-throwing or page-chewing enthusiasm. publishing house was able to diversify its offering

32 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS FRENCH CANADA | CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHERS

through fiction, comic books, practical guides, and illustrated books in many styles. Today, Éditions Michel Quintin is one of the largest publishers of young adult literature and can boast as being the fourth-largest, French-language comic book publisher in Canada. The publisher’s catalogue includes over 700 titles and over 300 digital books. They publish 50 new titles per year. These titles are distributed in French-speaking countries around the world. Chélanie Beaudin-Quintin spearheads the foreign rights department and has seen her international strategy pay dividends. “For the past few years, we’ve made sus- SIMON DE JOCAS FRÉDÉRIC GAUTHIER tained efforts to develop new partnerships with President, Owner Co-Founder, La Pastèque like-minded publishers, and we’ve noticed that in- Les 400 coups President, Livres Canada Books ternational publishers now have more knowledge of the Québec market. Our efforts were rewarded Notable positions: president, BTLF; Notable positions: edited books for when we were able to enter markets like the US, president, Québec Édition; president, Les 400 coup before co-founding La Japan, China, Mexico, Brazil, Bulgaria, Belgium, National Reading Campaign Pastéque and many more,” she says. “A few years ago, we noticed the graphic novel and comic book trend hitting Québec, whereas be- el and her charmingly illustrated monsters. benchmarks not only in Canada but also for chil- fore it was much more of an import product. We Having studied early childhood education, dren’s book publishers worldwide. were able to create our own product, put forward Simon de Jocas has the right combination of wit, “The Québec publishing industry now freely homegrown authors and illustrators, and capital- charm and experience for this job. He took over exports [books] to all French-language markets,” ize on the trend rather than simply watch as im- as president of Les 400 coups in 2013. His back- says Gauthier. “With the exceptional quality of ported products were resold.” ground in teaching—especially in First Nations their editorial lines, new publishing houses have Because of this adventurous strategy, Éditions communities—and his work with school boards, spurred authors and publishers to take their right- Michel Quintin is in a resilient position today educational publishers, and digital book content ful place in France, Belgium, and Switzerland.” even as many book markets are facing challenges distributor De Marque gave him a unique per- La Pastèque’s excellence has certainly garnered as a result of industry upheavals. spective on how to craft books that captivate a more international recognition in recent years. In child’s imagination. 2014, they won a Prix Ragazzi for Le Noël de Mar- “With over 450 titles in print, we boast a guerite by India Desjardins and Pascal Blanchet. In publishing legacy that includes authors and illus- 2015, their title Le voleur de sandwichs by Patrick trators from Canada, Europe, South America, and Doyon and André Marois won several prizes. And Les 400 coups Asia,” says de Jocas. again in 2015, Le Grand Antonio by Élise Gravel “We are distributed in Canada and in Europe, received a Prix Lux. pecializing in illustrated children’s books, Les and have over 150 translated titles. By publishing For its outstanding work, La Pastèque cele- S400 coups recently celebrated their 20th anni- children’s books, we participate wholeheartedly in brated its 15th anniversary by being the first com- versary. Founded in 1995 by Serge Théroux and the great adventure of being human with all of its ic book and graphic novel publisher to be invited Pierre Belle and acquired recently by Simon de infinite nuances.” to the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts. Jocas, Les 400 coups is one of the top players in “For the past few years, the Québec publishing French Canadian children’s publishing. industry was performing well in export markets Their team has put together award-winning for the sale of rights, but over time it appeared titles that dive into the entire spectrum of life’s more and more important, or rather vital, that . . . emotions, aim to awaken the mind, and spark La Pastèque books from the Québécois catalogues be physically curiosity. With series such as Carré blanc, for ex- present in French-language booksellers across Eu- ample, Les 400 coups wades into uncommon ter- omic book specialist La Pastèque has seen a rope,” says Gauthier. ritory for children’s books by exploring the lives of Cmeteoritic rise thanks to its attention to de- “It is really a question of identity. There has children who face serious, sometimes life-threat- tail and uncompromising commitment to quality been monumental work done by authors, creators, ening, emotional challenges. and originality. They are careful with author and and publishers to fashion books that are worthy of Other series focus on the fun and silly side of illustrator selection, and it shows. Co-founders existing on these markets. I believe we can call this life, like books from author/illustrator Élise Grav- Frédéric Gauthier and Martin Brault have set new success a fine maturity.” •

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 33 RIGHTS | FRENCH CANADA

Patrick Leimgruber

AGENTS & PUBLISHERS: QUÉBEC’S RIGHTS MARKET

In French Canada, the author-publisher relationship is paramount, and literary agents are rare. Rights directors travel the world to find the right international publishers for their authors.

By Luca Palladino says, Québec’s publishers today might offer sam- ple translations of their books or use subagents iterary agents are very uncommon in Québec. for certain territories such as China or the Span- “To be a literary LLike in France, publishers in francophone ish-language markets of Latin America. Canada typically handle rights sales and represen- agent in any country, tation for their authors themselves. Québec Literary Agents This means the author-publisher relation- Patrick Leimgruber is one of two literary agents you have to be a ship is of the utmost importance in this market. in Québec. He has been in the agenting business Authors rely more on their publishers, and pub- for the past 17 years and says he prefers to see the chameleon and learn lishers commit more time and resources to each glass as half-full. of their authors. “To be a literary agent in any country,” Leim- to adapt yourself to “The objective is to find a foreign pub- bruber says, “you have to be a chameleon and learn lisher with a common goal,” says Chélanie to adapt yourself to different models. Representing different models.” Beaudin-Quintin, foreign rights director for Les Québec authors is neither easier nor more difficult Éditions Michel Quintin, “who really has the same than dealing with authors of another nation.” —Patrick Leimgruber way of looking at the book industry that you have.” Running Agence littéraire Patrick Leimgru- She says that the right match may require an ber, he says he knows his way around the French, endless number of meetings and sit-downs. To Swiss, and Québec literary worlds. He worked for take a short cut through the maze of book fairs and several years in Parisian publishing houses includ- “On the contrary, they see me as an asset to the emails, Beaudin-Quintin says she’s meeting more ing Éditions du Seuil and Éditions Autrement, team, helping build the authors’ reputations and and more with international scouts. then emigrated to Québec and worked for Édi- make connections that publishers couldn’t do by Another hurdle to selling rights to French Ca- tions internationales Alain Stanké. themselves.” nadian titles? The language. His work in contract negotiations from the Newer to Québec’s agenting scene is Piedad “More often than not,” Beaudin-Quintin publisher side prepared Leimgruber to make the Saenz, owner and manager of Montréal’s Lady- says, “international publishers will zero in on En- move to agenting. Books. Her company is some four years old, and glish-language books because it’s easier to trans- His clients include Pierre Szalowski, whose she specializes in representing North American late them.” debut novel Le froid modifie la trajectoire des pois- publishers in Latin America. “The biggest chal- That means publishers from Québec are put- sons (Fish Change Direction in Cold Water) from lenge for publishers is to build a solid contact base” ting in more face-time at professional events to Éditions Hurtubise, won the Grand Prix de la in other markets, she says. sell rights. “English-language publishers can often relève Archambault, which aims to raise the vis- Saenz speaks French, English, and Spanish. get published by sending their titles to a book fair ibility of new Québécois authors. She stresses that the key to what she does is “main- without even being physically present,” says Beau- Leimgruber says that for him, the only real taining a constant and fluid communication with tin-Quintin. “For Québec publishers, without be- difference in Québec is that he’s on his home turf publishers despite important language barriers. I ing present at events and representing our books, and can more easily work his network. think there’s also a misconception of how, for ex- there’s next to no chance of striking a deal.” “I work for my authors,” he says, “and publish- ample, Latin Americans do business. And that can To open new markets for their authors, she ers definitely don’t see me as a negative element. make lasting relationships difficult.” •

34 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS FRENCH CANADIAN PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION | ANEL

ANEL’S RICHARD PRIEUR ON THE STRENGTHS OF THE FRENCH CANADIAN BOOK MARKET

The executive director of the Association nationale des éditeurs de livres (ANEL) talks about the association’s work to support the flourishing francophone book market in Canada.

By Hannah Johnson There are a number of key players in the industry today. Publishers like La Pastèque (graphic books), ne of the strengths of the French Canadi- Lux and Écosociété (essays), Le Quartanier, Alto, “Oan book market is that French Canadian la Peuplade, Mémoire d’encrier, Marchand de authors remain loyal to their Canadian publish- feuilles and many others in literature have seen ing houses,” says Richard Prieur, executive direc- international success. Plus there are well-known tor of the Association nationale des éditeurs de publishers like Québec Amérique, Boréal, and livres (ANEL) since 2010. “If they are published in many more. France under a French brand, they still choose a [In addition to developments domestically], Canadian brand for the local market.” the French Canadian market shows great vitality ANEL is the Canadian publishers association and interest in publishing authors in translation for French-language publishers and is this year from English and Indigenous Canada. celebrating its 25th anniversary. Under Prieur’s PP: How much of an impact does France have direction, ANEL works to promote the interests on Québec’s book market? and growth of French-language publishing in RP: In the early ’70s, 90 percent of the Québec and across Canada. French-language book market in Québec was con- Working to support its members export ac- trolled by publishers from France. These days, it tivities, ANEL’s export committee, Québec Édi- has narrowed to 55-60 percent. “In the early ’70s, tion, organizes collective stands at book fairs in Text books for elementary and secondary Frankfurt, Paris, Montreuil, Geneva, and Brus- schools are mainly Canadian (95 percent), which 90 percent of the sels. It also cooperates with Livres Canada Books gives a boost to Canadian publishers. In general French-language book on trade missions to other countries. And since literature, Québec and French Canadian publish- 2014, the committee has organized fellowships for ers have a market share of close to 40 percent. market in Québec was international publishers to attend Canada’s largest PP: Recently, copyright collection agency controlled by publishers book fair, the Salon du livre de Montréal. Copibec filed a class action lawsuit against Laval “The Quebec Édition committee, which is run University in Québec for using copyrighted ma- from France. These days, it by Karine Vachon, is a great achievement,” says terial without permission. Does ANEL have an Prieur, who has been ANEL’s director since 2010. official position regarding this case, or Canada’s has narrowed to As ANEL looks back at its 25-year history and Copyright Modernisation Act? 55-60 percent.” forward to its next projects, Publishing Perspectives RP: ANEL fully supports Copibec and takes spoke with Prieur about ANEL’s perspective on the position that those universities must not only the French Canadian book market. be respectful of authors’ rights (droit d’auteur), but —Richard Prieur, Publishing Perspectives: What are some must also be promoters of the idea that without Executive Director, ANEL of the unique characteristics of the French Cana- copyright, there is no creation, writing, or culture. dian book market? Regarding the Copyright Act (Loi sur le droit Richard Prieur: The book industry is well d’auteur), ANEL was part of the group of cultur- pretnumerique.ca, a system that allows libraries to supported by the provincial government of Qué- al associations who strongly fought the new law lend digital books from Québec and French Cana- bec, and export activities are subsidized through and asked for numerous amendments without any dian publishers. Québec Édition, an ANEL committee that orga- result from the federal government. We are get- And through the efforts of ANEL, Montréal nizes collective stands. ting ready for the review of the law scheduled for was named World Book Capital (Capitale mondiale A provincial law known as Bill 51 that was next November, and we are working with writers du livre) in 2005. approved in 1981 has been really helpful in sup- unions, Copibec, Access Copyright, and others. PP: ANEL publishes a magazine called Collec- porting independent bookstores and libraries PP: ANEL is celebrating its 25th anniversary tions. Can you tell us more about this magazine? throughout Québec. The bill requires public in- this year. Are there some achievements or high- RP: It was at the start a promotion tool to help stitutions like libraries and government offices to lights from ANEL’s history you want to mention? libraries in Québec and abroad to complete their acquire their books from a bookstore in its region. RP: In 2008, ANEL spearheaded the creation collections of Québec and French Canadian books. Independent bookstores are doing well in Québec of a digital book warehouse in cooperation with Then we extended the distribution to bookstores [as a result], and there are plenty of them. Québec-based tech firm De Marque. The technol- and started offering subscription to general public. PP: How has French Canadian publishing ogy was developed by De Marque and then sold to Each magazine (published 4 times a year) has evolved in recent years? French, Italian, Spanish publishing groups. a special theme. The list of themes is put together RP: A lot of new publishing houses have ap- In 2012, De Marque, in cooperation with in collaboration with librarians. Some issues have peared, and only a few have gone out of business. ANEL and public libraries in Québec, launched even been inserted in daily newspapers. •

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 35 UNIVERSITY PRESSES | CANADA’S ACADEMIC COMMUNITY

CANADA’S UNIVERSITY PRESSES NAVIGATE A COMPLEX BUSINESS

The smaller size of the academic market in Canada amplifies both the challenges and the opportunities for the country’s university presses.

By Hannah Johnson from ten organizations, including the ACUP. According to the final CSPWG report released he business of publishing scholarly mono- in July of this year, Canada has a “productive jour- Tgraphs—single academic titles, as opposed to nal sector” and “a vibrant network of university journals—is done primarily by university presses presses” but lacks, among other things, standard in Canada. And it’s a complex business. Not only data about the cost of publishing in Canada and a do university presses have to navigate the dual de- “unifying national mandate.” mands of commercial success and academic integ- To the point about costs, the report cited a rity, but now they are also taking open access (OA) 2016 study from Ithaka S+R, a research firm for business models into account. the academic community, which looked at how The Association of Canadian Universi- much it costs to publish scholarly monographs in ty Presses (ACUP) estimates that the average the US. Data from American university presses scholarly monograph sells “fewer than 75 copies showed that the per-title costs ranged “from a low in Canada,” with worldwide sales per title in the of $15,140 to a high of $129,909.” The study also range of 300-600. Its members collectively publish found that the fees some presses charge for open some 800 titles per year in English and French. access publishing (in which the author pays) aren’t In order to operate a sustainable university high enough to cover these costs. “With less than 0.5% of press in a smaller market like Canada, publishers In light of this discrepancy, the CSPWG re- need income from several sources. Some finan- port acknowledged that there is a difference of the world’s population, cial support comes from public funding and oth- opinion among the working group members er grants, including the Canada Foundation for when it comes to open access. Canada’s researchers Innovation, the Social Sciences and Humanities The ACUP issued a response, concerned Research Council, the Department of Canadian about the CSPWG’s proposed framework, which produce 4.1% of the Heritage, and the Canada Council for the Arts. the ACUP says “is heavily focussed on open access world’s scholarly papers Other revenue comes from book sales to in- solutions . . . at the expense of market-based or hy- stitutions and individuals, with some university brid options.” In order to build a framework that and nearly 5% of the presses also trying open access monograph pub- will support university presses, the ACUP writes, lishing (Athabasca, Ottawa, Calgary, and others). the proposed framework will need to take into world’s most frequently In order to address the issue of sustainability account “the whole costs of publishing” and allow in academic publishing, the Canadian Association for hybrid business models. cited papers.” of Research Libraries (CARL) created the Cana- The ACUP writes that they “welcome oppor- dian Scholarly Publishing Working Group (CSP- tunities to partner and experiment as we continue WG) to establish a “shared vision” and framework to adapt to an evolving scholarly communications —CSPWG Final Report, July 2017 for the future. The group included representatives and publishing environment.” •

About the Association of Canadian University Presses

The Association of Canadian University Press- an organization through which the exchange sociations, institutions of higher learning, and es / Association des presses universitaires of ideas relating to university presses and their individual scholars and is the major voice of canadiennes exists to serve the interest of functions may be facilitated. The members of the scholarly publishing community to govern- Canadian scholarship. By their publishing ac- our community practice a unique kind of pub- ment, to the media, and to the public. tivity, ACUP / APUC members encourage the lishing, which needs a public voice. The ACUP For more information about the association broadest distribution of the fruits of research / APUC is a source for publishing advice and and to download a list of members, visit the and scholarship. The ACUP / APUC provides assistance to learned bodies, scholarly as- ACUP / APUC website: www.acup.ca

36 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS SELECTED TITLES | UNIVERSITY PRESSES

TITLES FROM CANADIAN UNIVERSITY PRESSES

A selection of the latest and forthcoming titles from members of the Association of Canadian University Presses / Association des presses universitaires canadiennes

Athabasca University Press ISER Books logical team from Parks Canada had Memorial University of located and identified the wreck of Reading Vincent Van Gogh Newfoundland HMS Erebus, the flagship of Sir John by Patrick Grant PO Box 4200 Franklin’s lost expedition to find the (October 2016) St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7 Northwest Passage. Finding Franklin Soon after his death, Vincent van 709-864-2865 outlines the larger story and the cast Gogh’s reputation grew and de- [email protected] of detectives from every walk of life veloped through the extraordinary www.arts.mun.ca/iserbooks that led to the discovery, solving one symbiosis evident between his paint- of the Arctic’s greatest mysteries. ings and letters. Reading Vincent van Gogh is at once an interpretive guide CONTACT: to the letters and a distillation of Van McGill-Queen’s University Natalie Blachere Gogh’s key themes and ideas. This is Press McGill-Queen’s University the third book by Patrick Grant on Press the letters of Vincent van Gogh. It Restructuring the European 1010 Sherbrooke West, Suite 1720 builds on his previous work in The State Montréal, Quebec H3A 2R7 Letters of Vincent van Gogh (2014), by Paolo Dardanelli 514-398-2121 a practical-critical study, and “My (December 2017) [email protected] Own Portrait in Writing” (2015), a Restructuring the European State uses a www.mqup.ca literary theoretical analysis. comparative analysis to present a sys- tematic investigation of the connec- CONTACT: tions between European integration Megan Hall and state restructuring. Dardanelli Nunavut Arctic College Media Athabasca University Press points to a striking paradox of inte- 1200, 10011-109 St. NW gration, whereby an ethos of Europe Too Many People Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8 growing ever closer to union has be- by Willem Rasing 780-428-2067 come associated with fragmentation, (April 2017) [email protected] divergence, and increased complexi- Too Many People: Contact, Disorder, www.aupress.ca ty, rather than a seamless system of Change in an Inuit Society, 1822–2015 multilevel governance. examines the history of contact be- tween the outside world and a group Missing the Tide of Inuit, the Iglulingmiut, living in ISER Books by Donald J. Johnston Canada’s Eastern Arctic. Seeking to (May 2017) understand how order was brought Place Peripheral The 1990s were a decade character- about and maintained during this Edited by Kelly Vodden, ized by optimism about a great fu- period of nearly two centuries, the Ryan Gibson, Godfrey ture that lay ahead for generations ongoing historical narrative that Baldacchino to follow. Major challenges were ap- evolves displays a pattern of inter- (February 2015) proached with a realization that the connected social, economic, politi- Place Peripheral examines communi- world leadership had the capacity cal, cognitive, and volitional changes ty and regional development in ru- not only to meet them, but to turn in Iglulingmiut society. ral, island, and remote locales from them into unprecedented opportu- a place-based approach. This is a nities for global social and economic Thou Shalt Do No Murder timely edited collection, addressing progress. In Missing the Tide, Donald by Kenn Harper themes that are receiving consid- Johnston demonstrates that none of (July 2017) erable attention in Canada and in- these opportunities achieved their High Arctic, 1920: Three Inuit men ternationally as local communities, objectives, and in some cases failed delivered justice to an abusive New- scholars, researchers and public pol- completely. foundland trader. This is a story of icy analysts strive to better under- fur trade rivalry and duplicity, iso- stand and apply place-based strate- Finding Franklin lation and abandonment, greed and gies in rural and remote regions. by Russell A. Potter madness, and a struggle for the af- (July 2016) fections of an Inuit woman during CONTACT: In 2014 media around the world a time of major social change in the Randy Drover buzzed with news that an archaeo- High Arctic. The show trial that took

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 37 UNIVERSITY PRESSES | SELECTED TITLES

place in Pond Inlet in 1923 marked a concepts and mechanisms that will tenth consecutive year. This book collision of two cultures with vastly allow them to interpret different seeks to understand why by examin- different conceptions of justice and perceptual phenomena. ing 40 cases of democratic reversal. conflict resolution. Peter A. Ferguson finds that legis- CONTACT: lative gridlock and other factors can CONTACT: Denis Dion increase the possibility of a reversal. Sean Guistini Presses de l’Université Laval Nunavut Arctic College Media Pavillon de l’Est CONTACT: PO Box 600 2180, chemin Sainte-Foy, Valerie Nair Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0 1er étage University of British Columbia 867-979-7257 Québec (Québec) G1V 0A6 Press [email protected] 418-656-2803 2029 West Mall www.nacmedia.ca [email protected] Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 www.pulaval.com 604-822-4161 [email protected] www.ubcpress.ca Presses de l’Université du Québec University of Alberta Press

Effective Classroom Remembering Air India University of Manitoba Press Management Edited by Chandrima by Nancy Gaudreau Chakraborty, Amber Dean, A Two-Spirit Journey (August 2017) Angela Failler by Ma-Nee Chacaby, with Classroom management is a very (June 2017) Mary Louisa Plummer complex task that requires a broad On June 23, 1985, the bombing of (June 2017) range of skills from teachers, and Air India Flight 182 killed 329 peo- A Two-Spirit Journey is Ma-Nee Cha- it forms the basis of a healthy, safe ple, most of them Canadians. Today caby’s extraordinary account of her and learning-friendly climate. This this pivotal event in Canada’s history life as an Ojibwa-Cree lesbian. From book helps teachers and education is hazily remembered, yet certain in- her early, often harrowing memories professionals implement effective terests have shaped how the tragedy of life and abuse in a remote Ojibwa classroom management practices. is woven into public memory, and community riven by poverty and al- Bridging the gap between theory and even exploited to advance a strategic coholism, Chacaby’s story is one of practice, this book suggests a variety national narrative. This collection enduring and ultimately overcom- of strategies supported by research. investigates the Air India bombing ing the social, economic, and health and its implications for current de- legacies of colonialism. Her memoir CONTACT: bates about racism, terrorism, and provides unprecedented insights Sarah B. Michaud citizenship. into the challenges still faced by Presses de l’Université du many Indigenous Peoples. Québec CONTACT: Édifice Le Delta 1, Cathie Crooks CONTACT: 2875, boul. Laurier, bur. 450, University of Alberta Press David Carr Québec (QC) G1V 2M2 Ring House 2 University of Manitoba Press 418-657-4075 ext. 243 Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1 301 St. John’s College [email protected] 780-492-5820 University of Manitoba www.puq.ca [email protected] Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M5 www.uap.ualberta.ca 204-474-9242 [email protected] uofmpress.ca Presses de l’Université Laval University of British Columbia Psychology of Perception Press by Simon Grondin University of Toronto Press (December 2013) Shifting the Liberal Human This book is primarily intended for Rights Regime In the Children’s Best undergraduate students. It offers an by Nicole Marshall Interests introduction to the study of psycho- The way that states frame migration by Lynne Taylor physics, auditory perception, visual rights is increasingly falling out of (October 2017) perception, and attention. Students step with modern realities. Among the hundreds of thousands will become familiar with the termi- of displaced persons in Germany at nology related to sensation and per- Undertow in the Third Wave the end of World War II, approx- ception, and learn about the relative by Peter Allyn Ferguson imately 40,000 were unaccompa- nature of perception. In addition, (2017) nied children. This situation posed the book provides students with an In 2015, the world suffered a net serious practical, legal, ethical, and understanding of many fundamental decline in political freedom for the political problems for the agencies

38 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS SELECTED TITLES | UNIVERSITY PRESSES

responsible for their care. This is the ucation and scholarship. In The Slow Wilfrid Laurier University first work to delve deeply into the Professor, Maggie Berg and Barbara Press records of the United Nations Relief K. Seeber discuss how adopting the and Rehabilitation Administration principles of the Slow movement in Why Indigenous Literatures and the International Refugee Or- academic life can counter this ero- Matter ganization, and to reveal the heat- sion of humanistic education. by Daniel Heath Justice ed battles that erupted amongst the (June 2017) various entities responsible for their Twilight of Empire Part survey of the field of Indigenous care and disposition. by Borislav Chernev literary studies, part cultural histo- (June 2017) ry, and part literary polemic, Why Working in a Multicultural Twilight of Empire is the first book Indigenous Literatures Matter asserts World in English to examine the Brest-Li- the vital significance of literary ex- by Luciara Nardon tovsk Peace Conference during the pression to the political, creative, (November 2017) later stages of World War I with and intellectual efforts of Indigenous Measureable, data-driven outcomes the use of extensive archival sourc- Peoples today. Blending personal are not the only indicators of success es. Two separate peace treaties were narrative and broader historical and in today’s multicultural and global- signed at Brest-Litovsk—the first cultural analysis with close readings ized workforce. How employees between the Central Powers and of key creative and critical texts, Jus- interact with their colleagues and Ukraine, and the second between tice argues that Indigenous writers customers is also a significant factor the Central Powers and Bolshevik engage with these questions in part in their career development. Luciara Russia. Borislav Chernev, through to challenge settler-colonial policies Nardon draws on her extensive re- an insightful and in-depth analysis of and practices that have targeted In- search and international experience primary sources and archival materi- digenous connections to land, histo- to guide employees and managers al, argues that although its duration ry, family, and self. through the ambiguous and uncer- was short lived, the Brest-Litovsk tain waters of today’s multicultural settlement significantly affected the CONTACT: workplace. post-Imperial transformation of East Lisa Quinn Central Europe. Wilfrid Laurier University Press The Slow Professor 75 University Ave W by Maggie Berg and Barbara CONTACT: Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5 Seeber Lynn Fisher 519-884-0710 (May 2017) University of Toronto Press [email protected] If there is one sector of society that 10 St Mary Street, Suite 700 www.wlupress.wlu.ca should be cultivating deep thought Toronto, ON, M4Y 2W8 in itself and others, it is academia. 416-978-2239 Yet the corporatisation of the con- [email protected] temporary university has sped up www.utorontopress.com the clock, demanding increased speed and efficiency from faculty re- gardless of the consequences for ed-

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 39 AUTHORS | INDIGENOUS VOICES

INDIGENOUS VOICES IN CANADA: BUILDING WIDER READERSHIP AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING

More readers “have access to the beautiful stories of Indigenous people” in Canada today, but there’s more work to be done in recognizing Indigenous literary talent.

“By whose standards are we judging? Who are the judges and where does their understanding of ‘the best literature’ come from?”

—Cherie Dimaline, Author and Executive Director of The Riel Centre

Cherie Dimaline

By Carla Douglas and Porter Anderson In 2014, Dimaline was named Emerging These removals and relocations of a culture Artist of the Year at the at the Ontario Premier’s are specific to my community, although experi- ore than 1.4 million people in Canada, or Award for Excellence in the Arts. And she is the enced in different ways by all Indigenous people. Mabout 4 percent of the population, are part first writer in residence for Aboriginal literature It’s part of our stories. And it’s a huge piece of why of the three Aboriginal groups in the country, ac- at the Toronto Public Library. we share stories and keep that history intact, just cording to the Canadian government. There are Publishing Perspectives asked Dimaline to share as we’ve kept our culture intact. There must al- 630-plus First Nations communities representing her vision of what the oral and written traditions ways be connection to nation when we tell stories. more than 50 Nations from across the country. that Aboriginal cultures in Canada are bringing to Taking a pan-Indigenous approach doesn’t There are the Inuit, Aboriginal people of the Arc- the publishing industry and to readers. work. Taking a colonial viewpoint doesn’t work. tic who live in more than 50 communities in Can- Publishing Perspectives: What are some This changes the narrative of specific nations and ada. And there are the Métis, a people of mixed of the challenges of Indigenous talents working in is highly problematic. It leads to misunderstand- Indigenous and European ancestry who formed a publishing? ing, misrepresentation, and stereotypes. distinct culture in the 18th and 19th centuries. Cherie Dimaline: In conversations with PP: Can you describe or pinpoint the reader- Today in Canada, more initiatives are un- Indigenous publishers, I’ve seen that trying to bal- ship for First Nations writing? derway to highlight the talents and skills of an ance community stories and the requirements of CD: My primary readership is Indigenous engaged and robust community of Indigenous au- being viable in the marketplace is always a con- readers, but I’ve enjoyed a wide readership, partic- thors, illustrators, editors, publishers, and others. cern. And like most publishers, resources are al- ularly with my latest book, a YA dystopian novel One of the best known Indigenous publishing ways at a premium. called The Marrow Thieves. I write what I under- houses in Canada is Theytus Books in Penticton, PP: There are more than 600 First Nations stand and what fascinates and comforts me from British Columbia. The company is owned and communities in Canada, in addition to Inuit and within a place of knowing. I’m not sure that when operated by Greg Younging, himself an author Métis settlements. How is diversity perceived and I set out to write that I have a particular reader- whose Midnight Sweatlodge (2011) is a gold medal- understood within Indigenous cultures? ship in mind, but I’m always really grateful when ist in the international 2012 Independent Publish- CD: It’s imperative when we tell stories in an both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people pick er Book Awards and a winner of the same year’s Indigenous context that we’re in connection to the up the work. Northern Lit Award. nation(s) that we’re speaking of—or speaking on We need better educated and positioned allies, And one of the best known representatives behalf of—even in fiction. and literature is one way to make this happen. of Indigenous voices in Canada’s book industry is I belong to the Métis Nation on the Georgian Indigenous literature has been gathering wid- Cherie Dimaline. An award-winning author and Bay. We used to live on Drummond Island and er audiences, and I think that has a lot to do with editor from the Georgian Bay Métis community, were then forcibly removed—when the island was readers finally having access to the beautiful sto- Dimaline is also executive director of The Riel being annexed to the US—to the shores of the bay ries of Indigenous people—and that has a lot to do Centre, which reflects a groundswell of interest in across from the town of Penetanguishene. That with all publishers realizing the value and place of Indigenous storytelling today. land then became very valuable as “cottage coun- our stories. Dimaline’s books include Red Rooms (2007) try.” We’re only 1.5 hours from Toronto with its PP: How important are awards? Are juries and The Girl Who Drew a Galaxy (2013), published wealthy weekenders. And we were moved again, equipped to fairly evaluate submissions from In- by Younging’s Theytus Books, and this year’s The away from the water. Now we largely reside in digenous authors? Marrow Thieves, published by Dancing Cat Books the French/Métis town of LaFontaine, just up the CD: Awards are incredibly important in lit- and a finalist for the 2017 Kirkus Prize. road, on less valuable land. erature for a few reasons. Recognition and the

40 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS INDIGENOUS VOICES | AUTHORS

SELECTED NEW TITLES BY INDIGENOUS AUTHORS

My Conversations With Canadians Full-Metal Indigiqueer Elements of Indigenous Style by Lee Maracle by Joshua Whitehead by Gregory Younging (Book Thug, October 2017) (Talonbooks, October 2017) (Brush Education, October 2017)

Lee Maracle is a prolific writer whose original Poet Joshua Whitehead writes with a clear Gregory Younging spent years editing and pro- work becomes more relavant with time, while voice. He speaks to a history and reality that are moting the work of Indigenous writers as the her new writing continues to shine. She is an both familial and relational. His work delves publisher of Theytus Books, Canada’s oldest award-winning author of novels, short stories, into generational love and trauma and adds a Indigenous press. Now he’s releasing a remark- collaborative anthologies, and is founder of the necessary perspective with mastery and grace. able collection of thought, instruction, and En’owkin International School of Writing and Also forthcoming from Joshua Whitehead guidance—Elements of Indigenous Style—to help and the cultural director of the Centre for Indig- is his YA novel, Jonny Appleseed (Arsenal Pulp writers, editors, and publishers produce mate- enous Theatre in Toronto. Press, April 2018). rial that reflects Indigenous people in an appro- priate and respectful manner. It’s especially timely given recent discus- Keetsahnak: Our Missing and Murdered North End Love Songs sions about legitimacy and approporiation. Indigenous Sisters by Katherena Vermette edited by Maria Campbell (J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing, 2012) (University of Alberta Press, The Pemmican Eaters May 2018) Katherena Vermette’s first book of poetry, by Marilyn Dumont North End Love Songs, nabbed the Governor (ECW Press, 2015) In 1973, Maria Campbell released her most fa- General’s Award for poetry in 2013. Her first mous work, the memoir Half-Breed, and gave novel, The Break (House of Anansi Press, 2016), Marilyn Dumont’s poetry is orchestral in reach voice to the Métis people. Since then, she has won, among others prizes, the Amazon.ca First and volume. She has been one of the most pow- blazed a trail though a variety of media includ- Novel Award. erful and unique voices in North American po- ing literature, theater, radio, and film. Her use Vermette’s short documentary film, This etry for decades. Dumont crafts narratives and of language and traditional stories were ground- River, was produced for the National Film Board imagery with uncommon skill. She remains an breaking and paved the way for grassroots In- and won a 2017 Canadian Screen Award. She’s important figure in Indigenous literature for digenous literature. an astounding storyteller. both her talent and her mentorship. •

To this I say, by whose standards are we judg- dled. We are a generous people and [we] share, “We need better ing? Who are the judges and where does their but [our stories are] not out there to be “cherry understanding of “the best literature” come from? picked” and morphed. educated and The best way to ensure awards juries are PP: Do Indigenous authors look forward to a equipped and inclusive it to make sure they’re di- time when they are not “Indigenous” but just “au- positioned allies, verse themselves, particularly when it comes to thors?” Or is it important to retain these identities? the fundamental understanding of global and In- CD: Because we are the people of story, it is a and literature is digenous literatures—our histories, worldviews, great honor for me to be called a Métis writer. It narratives, and formats. denotes a title, an honor, and a certain knowledge. one way to make PP: There’s a sense that Indigenous pub- In fact, I feel demoted when I’m referred to as only lishing and Indigenous authors are having their a Canadian writer. My community has struggled this happen.” time—that there’s been a perceptible shift and that and survived, and I’m enormously proud to be able works by Indigenous writers are now in the main- to carry our voices forward. I can’t speak for ev- —Cherie Dimaline stream, not in a niche or category. Would you say ery writer, but for myself, I am a writer. But being this is the case? called an Indigenous author is like having a PhD at associated marketing will translate into sales. And CD: I would say that globally, readers and the the end of your signature. awards open doors into other communities and industry that has been built around them are be- With regards to staying true to protocols countries for the writers. There’s also the value of coming privy to our stories and the skill in which around community ownership and dissemination, prizes that come with purses for the under-appre- they’re told and preserved. We’re going through that has never “had its time.” It’s how we’ve sur- ciated writer! a pretty brutal learning curve right now because vived genocide. It’s how we still have our languag- I’m often drawn into conversations about just Indigenous literature is unlike any other, and the es and our ceremonies and our distinct cultures. what it means to be inclusive, just what the im- rules are different. In terms of writing stories, we are all welcome portance is in separating out Indigenous awards, It’s why we’re having to call out writers and to write our own narratives and tell our own tales. funding, literatures. The opposing argument is stories that are harmful or that misrepresent. I just wrote a book about the future. What we always a form of “meritocracy,” as in “I believe The resulting skirmishes over “free speech” bring into all our works, no matter what the time we must all be judged together and that the best and “appropriation” were bound to happen since frame or subject, is a community-specific worl- literature will naturally rise to the top, that there this is new territory to the publishing world and dview and understanding of story. We write the should be no segregation of art, story, or the asso- there’s no precedent. Many of our stories are cer- unknown, but we come at it from within an Indig- ciated arts funding.” emony, history, teachings, and cannot be mishan- enous worldview and perspective. •

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 41 MULTINATIONAL PUBLISHERS | GLOBAL PUBLISHING

David Swail Markus Dohle Kristin Cochrane Kevin Hanson

THE ROLE OF MULTINATIONAL PUBLISHERS IN CANADA

Sharing a common language, international book publishing companies from the United States work alongside independent publishers in English-speaking Canada.

By Thad McIlroy Scope and Scale The five largest trade publishers all have offices in enguin Random House Canada (PRH Canada) Canada, although only Penguin Random House “We try to acquire Pis unquestionably Canada’s largest trade book (PRH), HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster publisher, controlling about a third of the market. work on programs specifically for Canadian titles. world rights when But more to the point, PRH Canada is now the Hachette maintains a marketing office, and Mac- owner of McClelland & Stewart (M&S)—a com- millan has an educational publishing office. we feel the book has pany most Canadians would agree is one of the Here are some high-view observations about a world audience.” country’s most iconic trade publishers. Founded the most active of multinational houses in Canada. in 1906, M&S has published Margaret Atwood, Leonard Cohen, Farley Mowat, Michael Ondaat- Penguin Random House Canada —Kristin Cochrane, je, and Mordecai Richler—each of them known Penguin Random House has 50 editorial staffers Penguin Random House internationally and across Canada. (out of more than 200 employees) in Canada, and Canada they publish some 500 new books a year. The list of prominent Canadian authors in the PRH catalog is huge, in part because of the Mc- Harlequin, founded in Canada in 1949. By the Clelland & Stewart backlist. The top star is Mar- 1970s, a reported 70 percent of Harlequin sales The story of global garet Atwood. Other recent notables include Shari were coming from the United States. The publish- publishing in the Lapena, Lilly Singh, and Linwood Barclay. er acquired its first American author in 1975. Kristin Cochrane, president and publisher In May 2014, HarperCollins acquired Harle- 21st century, after of Penguin Random House Canada confirms the quin from its parent company Torstar for a re- view of several Canadian agents that PRH is in- ported C$455 million. The company, still seated all, is one of mergers creasingly looking to acquire world rights instead in Toronto, is internationally respected as one of of territorial rights. the most successful divisions of HarperCollins. and acquisitions. “We try to acquire world rights when we feel the book has world audience,” she says. “We try to Simon & Schuster Canada bring the clout of the overall company. We only Kevin Hanson is president and publisher of Si- acquire rights that we intend to exploit.” mon & Schuster Canada. He joined the company In 2012, Random House Canada acquired the as president in 2005 from HarperCollins Canada. final 75 percent ownership of M&S from the Uni- HarperCollins Canada In an interview with Simon Fraser University versity of Toronto. HarperCollins Canada is an outgrowth of UK earlier this year, Hanson was asked, “What is the McClelland & Stewart is now owned by the publisher William Collins, which had established biggest challenge facing the Canadian publishing German media company Bertelsmann, the parent a Canadian branch in 1930. Today, HarperCol- industry?” He unhesitatingly replied: “Globaliza- company of Penguin Random House—which also lin’s top Canadian authors include Lawrence Hill, tion. We need to shift from thinking locally to owns iconic American and UK publishing brands. Emma Donoghue, and Sharon Butala. globally which means thinking about publishing The story of global publishing in the 21st cen- Perhaps the biggest story in HarperCollins’ global authors in Canada and Canadian authors in tury, after all, is one of mergers and acquisitions. Canada portfolio has been romance publisher the global environment.” •

42 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS INDIES & NATIONAL CHAINS | BOOKSELLERS

MAJOR PLAYERS IN CANADIAN BOOKSELLING

Despite shifts in the retail industry, the outlook for Canada’s bookstores is generally positive.

By Thad McIlroy, with additional reporting by Hannah Johnson

hile some independent bookstores in oth- Wer countries (the US and UK, in particular) cautiously report something of an upturn, book- selling in Canada has definitively shifted online, in keeping with international trends. According to BookNet Canada, in 2016, on- line channels accounted for 48 percent of print sales, with brick-and-mortar sales at 52 percent. Indigo is English Canada’s chain bookseller, and Renaud-Bray is the top chain in Québec. In ebooks, Kobo holds an edge over Amazon.ca, with and created a system of accrediting bookstores, the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award) Apple in the number three spot. Barnes & Noble publishers, and distributors. Accredited book- bestows $40,000 (US$32,000) on the winner. This and Google Books do only negligible business in stores must be 100-percent Québec-owned, and year’s prize went to Katherena Vermette. the Canadian market. libraries and government offices must buy books Amazon.ca also sponsors 49thShelf.com, a from an accredited store. In essence, it prevented website that offers book recommendations to help Independent Booksellers companies in France and elsewhere from domi- readers discover Canadian books and authors. In 2012, the Canadian Booksellers Association nating the Québec market. was folded into the Retail Council of Canada. It’s These stores are also eligible for financial sup- Kobo unclear how many bookstores are in the associa- port from the Québec government. According to “In Canada we’re the largest ebook reseller by tion; the information isn’t made public. the Québec government’s website, there are cur- market share,” says Michael Tamblyn, Kobo pres- Michael Neill, founding president of the book- rently 185 accredited bookstores in the province. ident and CEO. Tamblyn is happy to talk about store-inventory software provider Bookmanager, Prieur points to stores like Pantoute in Qué- a product that many industry observers now dis- estimates the number of indie bookstores in En- bec city, Librairie Monet (Montréal), Librairie de miss as a dinosaur—the dedicated e-reader. “Our glish Canada at some 400. His company currently Verdun (Montréal), and Le Port de tête (Mon- latest e-readers have been massive critical and has 311 bookselling entities as clients in Canada. tréal) as “good examples of dynamic bookstores.” sales successes,” he says. “Sales are very consistent Independent booksellers in Canada say they from year to year.” can’t be sure whether Amazon or Indigo is their Indigo The other big news is international markets. biggest threat. Self-described as “the world’s first cultural depart- “We’re watching publishers find success with their “The problem the industry has with Indigo is ment store for booklovers,” Indigo is succeeding books internationally, including in non-English that they’ve taken over most of the urban floor- as a chain bookseller while similar outlets in the markets,” Tamblyn says. space for bookselling,” says Howard White, pres- US and UK see slowly shrinking sales. Rakuten, Kobo’s Japanese parent company, ident of Harbour Publishing. “At one point there The financial results are solid. After a 2.6-per- doesn’t provide detail on Kobo’s financial results, were 37 bookstores in Vancouver. Now there are cent increase for the 2016 fiscal year, the first quar- but we know that the company is no longer writ- less than 10.” ter of 2017 (ended July 1) saw revenue increase by ing down the value of its Kobo investment, after Sue Carter, editor-in-chief at book trade 6.8 percent year-over-year, although print sales taking charges equal to 44 percent of its original magazine Quill & Quire is bullish on bookstores. were up less than .01 percent. More significantly, $315 million dollar acquisition. Rakuten’s latest “There’s been a resurgence in the last few years,” print decreased to some 59 percent of total sales, report shows Kobo’s second quarter 2017 results she says. “They’re being inventive, creative. I’m versus nearly 70 percent in the 2013 fiscal year. up 82.7 percent (including Tolino sales). seeing successful bookstores across the country.” As of July 1 of this year, Indigo reported hav- And at Novel Idea, an indie bookshop in ing 89 superstores in Canada under the names Renaud-Bray Kingston, Ontario, owner Oscar Malan says that Chapters and Indigo, plus 122 small-format stores. Renaud-Bray is the second largest bookstore chain what bookstores have gone through “isn’t about Indigo employs some 6,500 people in Canada— in Canada after Indigo and the largest French-lan- the book business. It’s about a shift in the nature more than all of the independent and multination- guage book chain in North America. Founded in of retail,” he said. “In the 1990s, there was an ex- al publishers combined. 1965, this privately owned chain now operates plosion of big box stores. Now there’s another nearly 30 retail locations across Québec. shift occurring—box stores are in trouble because Amazon In September 2015, Renaud Bray acquired of online sales.” After a slow start in Canada, Amazon is now a competing retailer Archambault and English-lan- In Québec, independent booksellers “are do- major player in Canadian retail. Its bookselling guage bookstore Paragraphe from media company ing well,” says Richard Prieur, executive director efforts are based in Seattle, but the online retailer Quebecor. of French Canadian publishers association ANEL, has launched some only-in-Canada programs. Although the chain does not disclose sales fig- in large part because of a piece of legislation called Kaan Yalkin, PR lead for Amazon.ca, filled in ures, it was estimated at the time of the sale that Bill 51. But, he says, “concentration is a threat.” some of the details. the acquisition would give Renaud-Bray a 40-per- This bill went into effect in Québec in 1981, The Amazon.ca First Novel Award (formerly cent share of Québec’s book retail market. •

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 43 EVENTS | SALON DU LIVRE DE MONTRÉAL

SALON DU LIVRE DE MONTRÉAL BRINGS FRENCH AND ENGLISH COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

Canada’s largest book fair, the Salon du livre de Montréal, draws industry professionals and the reading public. It’s also home to the French-English Translation Rights Fair.

Francine Bois

Salon du Livre de Montréal (Photo: Jean-Guy Thibodeau)

By Carla Douglas mate to international” sums it up pretty nicely. It’s essentially an annual one-day event where When it was launched in 1950, the Salon was anglophone and francophone Canadian publish- he Salon du livre de Montréal is a highlight an intimate event with just a few thousand franco- ers and literary agents come together to buy and Tof the Canadian publishing calendar and the phone readers in a reception hall, co-organized by sell translation rights. This takes place through a largest event for publishing professionals in Can- the Société d’études et de conférence and the As- series of 30‑minute, one-on-one meetings. ada. And it will celebrate its 40th anniversary this sociation nationale des éditeurs de livres [ANEL]. Last year, along with 93 participants repre- year (November 15-20, 2017). Now it is a large, multicultural, international senting 64 publishing houses (39 francophone and The first Salon took place in 1950, but it event that attracts throngs of people to participate 25 anglophone publishers), two anglophone liter- wasn’t until 1978 that the event moved to a larger in conferences and meet their favorite authors. ary agencies joined. venue and officially became a book fair. PP: How did it the Translation Rights Fair With the Translation Rights Fair being part The Salon draws a crowd of 115,000 visitors become part of the Salon du livre? of the Salon du livre de Montréal, publishers and each year who come to see the 2,000 writers and FB: The Salon du livre de Montréal was look- their teams also have the chance to take part in stands of 1,000 publishers in attendance. There ing to strengthen its offer for its increasing num- workshops on best business practices, meet writ- are more than 240 cultural events, as well as ac- ber of professional clients. The board was looking ers and illustrators, and talk to peers. tivities for publishers, bookstores, libraries, and to partner with a significant event or company in PP: Are there opportunities for international other industry professionals. the field, or to create a large-scale event. publishers to be involved in the Salon du livre? The Salon also hosts the Translation Rights At the same time, the Canada Council for the FB: Each year, the national book publisher’s Fair (November 16, 2017), a one-day event aimed Arts, with the support of the Department of Cana- association, ANEL, offers the Rendez-vous fellow- at bringing Canada’s anglophone and francophone dian Heritage, was looking to pass on the Trans- ship to bring a delegation of 10 foreign publishers publishers and agents together. The Translation lation Rights Fair to a unifying event in the liter- to the Salon. This is organized by the Québec Édi- Rights Fair was started by the Canada Council for ature and publishing field. After all, it’s the only tion, an ANEL committee dedicated to promoting the Arts, in partnership with Canadian Heritage. event in the country that brings together publish- publishers abroad. Through this, the Translation It took place for the first time in 2011, and at the ers from both Canadian linguistic communities. Rights Fair raises the visibility of more publishers Salon du livre for the first time in 2016. This new partnership is an important part of and increases the number and range of works ac- Publishing Perspectives spoke with Francine the Salon du livre de Montréal’s evolution. quired, all the while showcasing Canadian books Bois, director of Salon du livre, about this year’s PP: How would you describe the Rights Fair? and literature to the world. event, and what organizers call its natural partner- What are some of the activities taking place? The Salon’s international presenters—writers, ship with the Translation Rights Fair. FB: The Translation Rights Fair was designed publishers, etc.—will also participate in certain Publishing Perspectives: The Salon du to bring together Canada’s two linguistic commu- Translation Rights Fair activities organized in col- livre in Montréal is described as the largest Cana- nities, so it’s only open to Canadian publishing laboration with the Salon. If, in the future, the Sa- dian book fair. What were its origins? houses. The partnerships established there are lon is able to regularly host the Translation Rights Francine Bois: To give you an idea of the critical in helping Canadian writers and literature Fair, there will be many more opportunities for Salon’s scope and evolution, I think “from inti- to be discovered all across the country. workshops with international contributors. •

44 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS TORONTO’S INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS | EVENTS

Michael Ondaatje and Sunila Galappatti

Francesca Melandri, Eleanor Wachtel, and Christopher Kloeble A GLOBAL VIEW OF LITERATURE FROM TORONTO

Geoffrey Taylor, director of Toronto-based International Festival of Authors (IFOA), talks about the expanding festival activities and Canada’s evolving literary scene.

By Hannah Johnson of story and the power of the written word. The international body of donors. The founding fes- exchange of these stories is important because we tivals included: the Edinburgh International Book ince 1974, the International Festival of Au- are Canadian, but we are also part of a global lit- Festival; Étonnants-voyageurs, Saint-Malo; the Sthors has been a showcase for literary talent erary community. International Festival of Authors, Toronto; In- from Canada and abroad. The primary festival As an English-language literary festival we are ternational Literature Festival, Berlin; Melbourne takes place every October in Toronto (October often limited in that we only present works in En- Writers Festival; The Bookworm International 19-29, 2017), and the IFOA organizes additional glish, but more stories are available in translations Literary Festival, Beijing; PEN World Voices Fes- events and exchanges throughout the year. nowadays. Similarly, finding ways to share Cana- tival of International Literature, New York; and Festival director Geoffrey Taylor has over- dian stories is a priority, so that we also join the the Jaipur Literature Festival. seen many of the IFOA’s new initiatives, and he worldwide conversation. We will continue to seek new member fes- talks here about his latest work and the literary Stories of different cultures, places, and peo- tivals from emerging regions such as Africa and trends in Canada. ple need a platform, and we hope to continue to Latin America to continue this international ex- Publishing Perspectives: You’ve been showcase as many stories as possible from every change, and my wish is that the Word Alliance working with the IFOA for nearly three decades, corner of the globe at the IFOA. will continue to grow until each international lit- and you’ve been the festival director for 15 years. PP: You obviously enjoy what you do. What erary festival is a member. • How has the festival evolved? keeps you energized and excited about your work? Geoffrey Taylor: There have been so many GT: In the books and publishing industry we opportunities for the Festival to grow over the are working with a contemporary art form that is years, and I’ve been happy to be involved in IF- constantly changing. The excitement for me lies in OA’s development. IFOA has grown broader in the new works being created and published, and scope, and there has been an increase in the num- the new talent that can be discovered. Meeting au- ber and types of events we program. For instance, thors from across Canada and the world—either at the Festival now features more nonfiction, graph- the Festival in Toronto or at the festivals I visit—is ic novel, and debut authors. IFOA has expanded also part of what I enjoy about my work. Everyone our partnerships to include post-secondary in- always has such interesting stories to tell. stitutions . . . as well as government and cultural PP: Are you seeing any issues or writing organizations. trends in recent years that have shaped Canada’s Over the past decade, we have worked with publishing scene? municipalities, libraries, cultural centers, schools, GT: Over the past few decades and as the de- and bookstores to present national and interna- mographics of Canada change, more stories from tional talent at author events across the province around the world are now Canadian stories. The “Over the past few through our IFOA Ontario program. The Inter- vast number of stories set in the Canadian wilder- national Visitors Programme has brought groups ness, though they do still exist, are no longer what decades and as the of international publishing leaders to Canada . . . the world strongly associates with our literary [and] operates as an informal rights fair—a new canon, and now our stories can truly be set any- demographics of Canada initiative in the Canadian market. where in the world. change, more stories from Our year-round programming has also grown PP: You’re a founding member of the Word to feature more children’s literature programming Alliance, a group of eight international literary around the world are now and international touring of Canadian authors festivals. Can you tell us more about it? Canadian stories.” through the IFOA International programme. GT: Word Alliance was formed in 2010 with PP: Why is this international exchange of au- three initial priorities in mind: securing authors thors important to you and the festival? for international travel, sharing knowledge about —Geoffrey Taylor, Director, IFOA GT: I have always believed in the universality local markets, and generating funding from an

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 45 EVENTS | FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

EVENTS, CONFERENCES, FAIRS: WHERE TO MEET CANADIAN AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS

BookNet Canada Tech Forum Festival international de la littérature March, Toronto September, Montréal

This annual conference from BookNet Canada is This 10-day literary festival in an around Mon- the country’s largest technology-focused publish- tréal was created by the Union des écrivaines et BookNet Canada Tech Forum (Photo: Yvonne Bambrick) ing conference. The event is attended by hundreds des écrivains québécois (UNEQ), a French Cana- of publishing professionals, and topics range from dian writers association. Hosting more than 200 production and marketing to digital tools and writers and 50 events each year, the Festival inter- consumer research data. national de la littérature is a multidisciplinary plat- techforum.booknetcanada.ca form for Québec writers to present their work. www.festival-fil.qc.ca

Blue Metropolis Literature Festival April, Montréal International Festival of Authors October, Toronto Blue Metropolis is a non-profit foundation that organizes, among other things, an annual literary With its primary event in Toronto and satellite festival. The festival attracts more than 60,000 events around the country, the International Fes- visitors, and the program includes events in both tival of Authors is an internationally recognized French and English. The 2016 festival featured forum for authors from Canada and around the authors from 10 countries, dedicicated children’s world. It was founded in 1974, and continuous- Word on the Street Toronto (Photo: Kuru Selvarajah) book programming, and several literary prizes. ly works toward its mission to advance literature www.metropolisbleu.org with events, trips, and readings all year long. ifoa.org

2018 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences Vancouver Writers Fest May, Regina October, Vancouver

Canada’s largest scholarly gathering, the Congress With more than 90 events across the city and includes a week of presentations, lectures, work- regular appearances from top Canadian and inter- shops and panels, as well as the country’s largest national authors, the Vancouver Writers Fest is academic trade show. Organized by the Federa- one of Canada’s largest literary events. The Fest’s tion for the Humanities and Social Sciences, the activities include both year-round programming Congress takes place at a different university in and its flagship, annual literary festival. Canada each year and draws over 70 scholarly as- writersfest.bc.ca Translation Rights Fair (Photo: Canada Council for the Arts) sociations together. www.congress2018.ca Salon du Livre de Montréal November, Montréal Word on the Street September, Toronto The Salon du livre de Montréal is the largest book fair in Canada, with both professional and pub- Word on the Street is Canada’s largest book and lic components. Nearly 115,000 people attended magazine festival, with sister events in Halifax, in 2016. While the exhibitors are predominantly Lethbridge, and Saskatoon. The program features from French Canada, the Salon attracts interna- writers working in multiple languages, as well as tional visitors from the public and the book trade. critics and industry professionals. The event be- In addition, the Salon hosts the annual Transla- gan as the Toronto Book and Magazine Fair, and tion Rights Fair, where anglophone and franco- was reimagined as literary festival in 1990. phone publishers and agents meet. thewordonthestreet.ca www.salondulivredemontreal.com Rose-Line Brasset at the Salon du livre de Montréal (Photo: Jean-Guy Thibodeau)

46 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR 2017 | EXHIBITORS

DIRECTORY OF CANADIAN EXHIBITORS AT THE 2017 FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR

6.0/B 65 6.0/B 36 6.0/B 47 5.1/E 111 6.0/A 41 6.0/A 57 Livres Canada Books / De Marque Greystone Books Ltd. Le Quartanier Nimbus Publishing TC Média Livres Canada National Stand Québec British Columbia Québec Nova Scotia Québec Ontario 6.0/B 56 5.1/E 111 6.0/B 40 4.2/M 94 6.3/LitAg 4.2/L 66 Dundurn Groupe d’édition la Leméac Éditeur Notion Wave Inc. The Cooke Agency 1science Ontario courte échelle Québec Ontario International Québec Québec 6.0/B 77 Ontario 6.0/B 65 6.0/B 42 Novalis Publishing Inc. 5.1/E 111 eBOUND Canada 5.1/E 111 Les Allusifs Inc. Ontario 6.0/B 72 Alto Ontario Groupe Fides Québec The Novelty Book Québec Québec 6.2/D 61 Company 6.0/B 39 5.1/E 111 Onixedit Inc. Québec 6.0/B 37 ECW Press 5.1/E 111 Les Éditions de Québec Annick Press Ltd. Ontario Groupe HMH Mortagne 6.0/B 34 Ontario Québec Québec 6.0/B 35 The Right Rights Book 6.0/A 51 Orca Book Publishers Agency 4.2/J 15 Éditions ADA 6.0/B 50 5.1/E 111 British Columbia Québec Arcler Education Inc. Québec Groupe Homme Les Éditions du Ontario Québec remue-menage 6.0/B 77 6.3/LitAg 5.1/E 111 Québec Owlkids Books The Rights Factory 6.0/B 52 Éditions du Boréal 5.1/E 111 Ontario Ontario Arsenal Pulp Press Québec Groupe Librex/Groupe 5.1/E 111 British Columbia Ville-Marie Littérature Les Éditions 6.0/A 59 6.3/LitAg 5.1/E 111 Québec Écosociété Pembroke Publishers Transatlantic Literary 6.1/B 12 Éditions du CHU Québec Ontario Agency, Inc. Beaver Books Sainte-Justine 6.0/A 43 Ontario Publishing, division of Québec Guernica Editions 6.0/A 35 6.0/B 55 PAPP International Inc. Ontario Les éditions les Malins Phidal Publishing Inc. 6.0/B 65 Québec 6.1/D 145 Québec Québec UBC Press Éditions Glenat 5.1/E 111 British Columbia 6.0/A 126 Québec Guy Saint-Jean Éditeur 6.0/B 78 6.0/A 53 Between the Lines Québec Les Éditions Michel Prologue Inc. 6.0/B 65 Ontario 5.1/E 111 Quintin Québec University of Ottawa Éditions Les 400 coups 6.3/LitAg Québec Press 6.3/LitAg Québec Helen Heller Agency 6.0/B 66 Ontario Beverley Slopen Ontario 5.1/E 111 QA International / Literary Agency 6.0/B 46 Lux Éditeur Québec Amérique 6.0/B 43 Ontario Firefly Books Ltd. 6.0/B 69 Québec Québec University of Toronto Ontario House of Anansi and Press 6.0/A 43 Groundwood Books 6.0/B 38 5.1/E 111 Ontario Biblioasis 6.0/B 33 Ontario Marquis Book Printing Québec Édition Ontario Fitzhenry & Whiteside Québec Québec 6.0/B 65 Ontario 6.0/A 126 Vidacom Publications | 6.0/A 55 Inanna Publications 6.0/B 45 6.0/B 44 Éditions des Plaines Broquet Inc. 6.1/C 30 Ontario McGill-Queen’s Robert Rose Inc. Manitoba Québec Flowerpot Children’s University Press Ontario Press 6.0/D 7 Québec 6.0/A 37 6.0/B 65 Ontario Inhabit Media Inc. 6.2/C 57 Webcom Inc Brush Education Ontario 5.1/E 111 Scholastic Canada Ltd. Ontario Alberta 6.0/D 48 Médiaspaul Ontario FOCUS 4.2/J 72 Québec 6.3/LitAg 6.0/B 76 Ontario International Civil 6.0/B 58 Westwood Creative Chouette Publishing Aviation Organization 5.1/E 111 Second Story Press Artists Ltd. Québec 6.0/B 54 (ICAO) Mémoire d’encrier Ontario Ontario Formac Lorimer Books Québec Québec 6.0/B 65 Nova Scotia 6.1/E 9 6.0/A 45 Crabtree Publishing 3.1/J 130 6.0/A 118 Shoebox Media Wilfrid Laurier Company 6.0/A 47 ITMB Publishing Ltd. Mosaic Press / IPI Québec University Press Ontario Friesens British Columbia Ontario Ontario Manitoba 6.1/E 40 3.1/L 137 6.0/B 73 6.0/A 39 Spicebox Production D&D Publishing 6.1/C 68 Kids Can Press Ltd. New Society Development Ltd. Vancouver Goélette International Ontario Publishers Ontario Québec British Columbia

PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS 47 Canada is thrilled to be the Guest of Honour at the FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR in 2020

Le Canada est ravi d’être à l’honneur à la FOIRE DU LIVRE DE FRANCFORT en 2020

For more information Pour plus d’information on the project visit: sur le projet, consultez: www.canadafbm2020.com

48 PUBLISHING IN CANADA | LIVRES CANADA BOOKS