featured publisher:
Caitlin Press

Caitlin Press publishes writers who reflect the concerns, culture and history of that part of Canada called the “middle north” which lies between the southern, heavily-populated areas and the far north. In addition Caitlin Press seeks work by and about BC women.

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What We Do

Advocacy on behalf of BC book publishers

We are the voice of the BC publishing industry. Books BC conducts industry research and consults with stakeholders and cultural partners to effectively communicate the impact of our sector. We build and maintain strong relationships with municipal, provincial, and federal government representatives and funding bodies, and work to ensure that the cultural and industrial activities of our membership are addressed in enlightened public policy 

Our current policy objectives are articulated in the following documents:

• Key Priorities 2023

• Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services-Budget 2024

Additionally, we advocate on other industry-relevant issues, including, but not limited to:

• fair compensation for creators under the Copyright Act

• the health of school and public libraries

• the use of Canadian and BC books in schools

• the vital contributions of local independent bookstores to the region’s economy and culture

• accessible publishing practices

• inclusivity and diversity in publishing

Successful collaborations between the book industry through the ABPBC and government have resulted in the following initiatives:

Operating and Project Assistance

BC Arts Council (BCAC) funding programs support the publication of culturally relevant titles from eligible BC publishers.

BC Book Publishing Tax Credit

The BC Book Publishing Tax Credit provides refundable credits to eligible BC book publishers through the tax system. The ABPBC believes the BC Book Publishing Tax Credit is the single most important program delivered to book publishers in BC, ensuring the industry’s cultural and economic growth. The BPTC became effective in September 2002 and has been renewed through until 2021.

Creative BC Market Expansion Fund for Book Publishers

The Market Expansion Fund for Book Publishers, funded through Creative BC, provides financial support for BC book publishers to attend select book fairs, conferences, and events for the purpose of promoting their publishing list in both foreign and domestic markets, and expanding business opportunities through foreign and subsidiary rights sales.

BC Archives

The BC Archives ensures valuable cultural material is available to the public through book publication. Discounted rates for the reproduction of images from the BC Archives are available to ABPBC members.

BC Books on BC Ferries

In the 1980s the association urged the government of the day to improve the retailing of BC books on the ferries. When the contract was tendered to a professional book retailer sales tripled. Today the BC Ferries BC books sections of their gift shops sell over 300 different titles and are an important sales venue and showcase for BC published and authored titles. The current distributor for the BC Ferries books sections is The News Group. The executive director of Books BC currently sits on an advisory committee to the BC Ferries to ensure that the BC books section of the gift shops continues to showcase BC books as well as generate the best possible returns.

BC Book Day

Books BC members and representatives from the writing, publishing, bookselling, and library community gather at the Legislature annually to demonstrate the diversity of BC books to our elected representatives and their staff.