The BPC

Save the Date for Book Summit 2012

BPCeditor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:04:12 +0000

The Book and Periodical Council and Humber College, in association with Authors at Harbourfront Centre, areproud to announce

BOOK SUMMIT 2012
THE PAGE AND PERSUASION: DISCOVERABILITY IN AN AGE OF ABUNDANCE

Thursday, June 21, 2012
Harbourfront Centre, Toronto

We now have more choice than ever in what we read. New genres, formats, platforms and publishing opportunities mean there is now an abundance of content to explore, but how exactly do readers make their choices?

Book Summit 2012 will examine ways to connect with your audience and encourage sales. We will look at new models within all sectors of the book industry and be guided by panels of experts through the practicalities and creative considerations of reader engagement.

Join writers, publishing professionals, editors, librarians, educators, booksellers, literary agents, policy makers, publishing students and an excellent slate of speakers as we explore the persuasive factors that influence what readers discover in the age of abundance.
For more information, contact the Book and Periodical Council: publicity@theBPC.ca.

Updates coming soon: BookSummit.ca

Presented by the Book and Periodical Council and Humber College, in Association with Authors at Harbourfront Centre

eBOUND Canada/Follett Announce Partnership

BPCeditor — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:33:34 +0000

Follett of Canada, an education solutions company, has partnered with eBOUND Canada, a not-for-profit organization advancing Canadian publishers’ digital efforts, to offer schools nationwide eBooks from independent publishers across Canada.

Through the FollettShelf, a free online eBook shelf, and Follett’s Destiny Library Manager, students will have quick and easy access to quality eContent supporting Canadian curriculum standards.

Frank Coster, Vice President of Follett’s Canadian K-12 operations says, “Canadian educators want to ensure their collections of eBooks support the curriculum of their schools, which means purchasing a lot of content from Canadian publishers. This is the same as they have done in the past with print. We are looking forward to working with eBound Canada to make a lot of eContent available from a large number of Canadian publishers.”

“With this agreement, a significant number of Canadian eBooks will finally be available to Canadian schools,” says Robert Hayashi, President and CEO of eBOUND. “Follett’s expertise in the K-12 area is well known to our publishers and educators. We are delighted to bring their services to our membership and we are looking forward to Follett promoting our publisher’s content to educators here in Canada and around the world.”

TD National Reading Campaign: Joy of Reading Drops in Ontario Schools

BPCeditor — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:13 +0000

The December, 2011 “Reading for Joy” report from People for Education reveals that while reading scores have increased in elementary school, children’s enjoyment of reading has gone down. The percentage of students in grade 3 who report they “like to read” has dropped from 75% in 1998/99 to 50% in 2010/11 and the number of students in grade 6 who “like to read” fell from 65% to 50% during the same period.

These findings are very troubling for the National Reading Campaign, a coalition of Canadians working to ensure that Canada remains a nation of readers.

The National Reading Campaign believes that reading is essential to the well-being and happiness of an individual, and to that person’s capacity to act as a citizen in a democracy. A reading culture begins with the youngest members of society. To establish a strong reading culture in Canada we need to start from the idea that reading is one of the most pleasurable things one can do and build from there.

Patsy Aldana, co-chair of the National Reading Campaign said, “The news in this report, that children in Ontario are losing their love of reading, is shocking. If reading scores are going up at the expense of children’s acquiring a love of reading we need to be very concerned. I hope policy makers take this as a wake-up call. After all, a love of reading underlies student achievement. It also opens the way for a life of pleasure and empowerment. Free choice in and out of school, a wonderful, abundant choice of reading materials and knowledgeable supportive teacher librarians are the best way to give children this joy. We seem to have forgotten why public education has such an important and fundamental role to play in our society—that of creating critical, thinking, empathetic citizens who have all the tools required to tackle the huge challenges that lie ahead. We believe that loving to read is the most important gift we can give our children.”

The “Reading for Joy” report was developed using data from the provincial Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). It also includes research from the OECD showing that reading enjoyment affects learning in all subjects as well as students’ sense of social and civic engagement. The report also notes that teacher-librarians have an impact on students’ attitudes toward reading. A study by People for Education and Queen’s University found that in elementary schools with teach-librarians, students are more likely to “like to read”. In spite of these findings, percentage of Ontario elementary schools with teacher-librarians has fallen from 76% in 1998/99 to 56% in 2010/11.

“Our education system should be focused on building students’ enjoyment of reading,” says Annie Kidder, Executive Director of People for Education. “Instead, the evidence seems to show we’re stifling it. We must begin to expand our educational goals for Ontario schools and students beyond targets for test scores in reading, writing and math. Reading for joy has an impact on students’ lives while they are in school and long after they leave it. It is vital that we begin to pay more attention to something we know contributes to broad and long-lasting success for young people. ”

The National Reading Campaign calls on the Ministry of Education, teachers, teacher librarians, parents and others concerned with how we teach reading in schools, to enter into a dialogue on how to ensure that children’s love of reading is nurtured and reinforced by our school system and our families.

The full report is available on the National Reading Campaign’s website at www.nationalreadingcampaign.ca

Buy 2 Canadian Magazines, Get 1 Free

BPCeditor — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:36:51 +0000

Everyone needs a hand to kick start their New Year’s resolutions. The Magazines Canada Buy 2 Get 1 FREE magazine subscription campaign can help, with over 200 great titles available (in both print and digital formats) to offer advice, current events and inspiration all year long.

Customers can order online, by mail or by phone. Buy two subscriptions and the third is totally free – a welcome savings post-holiday season. Canadian titles on offer include a broad range of national, regional-interest and niche publications covering a wide array of topics, including; family, fashion, business, arts & literature, recreation, lifestyle and more.

“This program is another example of how the industry continues to present Canadians with more ways to experience the great work of hundreds of publications,” said Deborah Morrison; Chair of the Magazines Canada Board. “Even though the industry is changing, we remain committed to giving Canadian readers the most for their money.”

Canadians who received an e-reader or tablet over the holidays will find the Buy 2, Get 1 FREE offer especially hard to resist. Digital subscriptions provide the same material as the print publication, plus exclusive features like video, audio and live links.

“E-readers are really providing an exciting and affordable new way to experience magazines, whether they’re your old favourites or new indie titles,” said Barbara Bates, Executive Director of Circulation Marketing at Magazines Canada. “This technology also makes sharing your favourites or new discoveries with techie friends amazingly easy.”

The Buy 2 Get 1 FREE campaign is a national, cooperative subscription-selling effort promoted by brochures sent via Canada Post and in participating magazine polybags. It is supported by print and online advertising, search engine marketing and social media promotions. The campaign works to particularly extend awareness of and promote sales for over 100 smaller-circulation, independent magazines, full of the work of Canadian creators (writers, editors, photographers, illustrators).

Customers can visit the Buy 2, Get 1 FREE website at promo.magazinescanada.ca to browse the selection, choose any three magazines (in print, digital, or a combination)—and pay for only two.

The offer is valid until February 28, 2012.

Webinar Wednesdays from Magazines Canada

BPCeditor — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:04:52 +0000

Magazines Canada is offering a series of targeted webinars for the new year. Each webinar features an expert in magazine publishing speaking on a very specific topic. And, of course, answering your specific questions. You can sign your magazine up for one, two (Members $40; Non-Members $60) or the entire series (Members $60; Non-Members $80).

Creating Great Service Content
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 2:00 p.m. EST

Stuck in a service rut? Find out how to create service stories that sing with long-time editor Kathy Ullyott. At Homemaker’s, Canadian Living and elsewhere, Ullyott has led teams in crafting service stories that meet readers’ needs in interesting, engaging and enticing ways. Ullyott will lead us through the key steps to coming up with great service story ideas, the secrets to getting freelancers to deliver top-notch copy, and the magic behind packaging a service piece in unexpected, fresh ways. Members $25; Non-Members $35. Register.

Buzzing about Data-Based Journalism
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 2:00 p.m. EST

What data is your magazine sitting on that you could be sharing with readers? What data-driven story packages do you have in the works–and how might they be enhanced by creating interaction with readers around that data? How can you tap into an international network of data geeks who will challenge, mash and improve your data? Join us as we talk with the team at BuzzData.com, a new social media site built on the premise that data is better when it’s shared. See how news media like The Economist, The Globe and Mail, and others are using the platform to engage readers and a wider audience with the data behind stories; how teams can share data privately on the network; and how letting others play with your numbers can lead to stronger stories, unexpected correlations and social media buzz. Members $25; Non-Members$35. Register.

What Makes a Great Cover?
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 2:00 p.m. EST

Join John Macfarlane, editor and co-publisher of The Walrus, and Scott Bullock, circulation expert and the man behind Coverssell.com, as they debate what makes a great magazine cover. We’ll be featuring a wide range of covers for them to weigh in on, as they discuss what sells, what sings and what sinks. Members $25; Non-Members$35. Register.

Building Great B2B Events
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 2:00 p.m. EST

Join the team from Halifax’s Progress Media Group as they share their insights for creating must-attend B2B events. Their Face to Face conference, now in its 14th year, attracts more than 100 entrepreneurs and business leaders annually for an intimate gathering focused on leadership and performance in a fast-changing world. In 2011, they launched the region’s first francophone business conference, Face a Face. Their other events include the Best Places to Work Awards Luncheon, the TOP 101 Companies Networking Tour, and the Fastest Growing Companies Awards & Roundtable–all events that draw the region’s business leaders, support and highlight key magazine editorial, and foster stronger ties between the Progress team and their business audiences. Find out how they make it all come together in this one-hour session. Members $25; Non-Members $35. Register.

Managing a Redesign with a Small Budget
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 2:00 p.m. EST

Join Daniel Wells, publisher of literary magazine CNQ (Canadian Notes & Queries), as he discusses the magazine’s recent redesign and the lessons he’s learned about managing a redesign on a tight budget. Find out how to know if it’s time for a redesign, what steps you’ll need to take to refresh your look without abandoning your history (or your audience) and how to manage staff time, freelance resources—oh, and money—as you find the look that’s right for you. $10. Register.

New Look Announced for MagNet 2012

BPCeditor — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:13:18 +0000

In anticipation of the 6^th annual MagNet conference, Magazines Canada and K9 Design have announced the new MagNet 2012 logo.

“We’re very excited about the MagNet redesign. It’s bold, cool and vibrant, and provides the perfect backdrop for the conference,” says Barbara Zatyko, General Manager of MagNet. “The team at K9 Design have created an arresting visual identity that conveys the energy and focus of North America’s biggest magazine event. The design says, ‘focus forward,’ and that’s exactly what will define MagNet 2012.”

The logo reflects the future-focused evolution of Canada’s magazines. With its spinning circular motif, the image suggests the change that is a part of growth, while the strong vibrant colour accents embody the excitement MagNet generates annually among delegates and in the industry in general. This early unveiling is sure to be met with anticipation by magazine professionals across the country.

“We strived to capture the chaotic pace and constant moving that is publishing today while also defining MagNet as the eye of the storm, the calm where our industry can gather,” says Norm Lourenco, Principal at K9 Design Co. ”Publishing is no longer just about ink and paper so we wanted to stray from the more obvious visuals and instead focus on the abstract representations that capture the essence rather than just the product we produce.”

MagNet, happening June 5–8, 2012 in downtown Toronto, is Canada’s premiere public policy, professional development and networking conference for magazine professionals. It represents a collaborative effort from the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors, Circulation Management Association of Canada, Kenneth R. Wilson Awards, Magazines Canada, National Magazine Awards Foundation and the Professional Writers Association of Canada. Together, these associations have worked closely to deliver a stellar line-up of sessions, workshops and keynote speakers featuring North America’s top magazine publishing leaders, thinkers and visionaries.

For more information, visit: www.magazinescanada.ca

School Libraries IDEA Exchange – Continue the Discussion!

BPCeditor — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:57:50 +0000

Thank you to everyone who participated in and attended the BPC IDEA Exchange “Crisis or Opportunity? School Libraries in the 21st Century” co-hosted by the Ontario Library Association on December 6, 2011. The panel and audience raised many questions, concerns, and ideas about the state of school libraries and library programs in Canada.

A brief summary of the conversation is available at www.accessola.com with a link to resources and tools.

We welcome your further input – feel free to contact us with any ideas or comments.

For those who are on Twitter, you can use the #bpcideaexchange tag – we’ll be following your tweets!

A special thank you to our wonderful moderator and panel with links to things they are involved with:

Kevin Sylvester
Patsy Aldana, Chair of the TD Reading Summit
Annie Kidder, People for Education
Diana Maliszewski

The BPC would like to thank our co-sponsors: the Ontario Library Association, Canpar and Quill & Quire

Call for Nominations for the 2011 Tom Fairley Award for Editorial Excellence

BPCeditor — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:08:57 +0000

Do you know a deserving editor who played an important role in the success of an outstanding piece of text during the 2011 calendar year? Help EAC shine a spotlight on great editing by nominating them for the Editors’ Association of Canada’s 2011 Tom Fairley Award for Editorial Excellence!

At its best, editing is often an invisible art. Yet so many editors deserve our recognition—editors who dedicate countless hours to refining written communication to ensure the meaning is clear and effective. These are editors who work on all types of documents, ranging from website content, advertisements and reports to magazines, books and software documentation. When it comes to editing, the variety of material is limitless!

The Tom Fairley Award was established in 1983 to honour the memory of Tom Fairley. Tom was a founding member of the Editors’ Association of Canada and a respected editor and writer who gave his advice generously to novice editors.

The $2,000 cash award will be presented at the June 2, 2012, awards banquet of the Editors’ Association of Canada conference in Ottawa.

The deadline for your letter of nomination is Friday, January 13. Supporting material must be received by Friday, January 27. Self-nominations are encouraged!

Complete nomination instructions and more information about the Tom Fairley Award for Editorial Excellence are available online at www.editors.ca/tomfairley.

Call for Submissions for the LCP Jessamy Stursberg Contest for Youth

BPCeditor — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:07:14 +0000

The League of Canadian Poets is inviting all Canadian youth to participate in its Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Youth.

There are two age categories, junior (grades 7-9) and senior (grades 10-12).

First place poems in each category will receive a cash prize of $350, second place winners will receive $300 and third place winners will receive $250.

All winning poems will be published in the League of Canadian Poets’ e-zine, Re:verse at www.youngpoets.ca. All winners will receive Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Youth certificates and student membership in the League of Canadian Poets for one year.

Deadline: January 15, 2012.

Entry Guidelines

All submissions should be sent by e-mail to readings@poets.ca with the subject Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Youth.
There are two age categories: Junior, grades 7 – 9 and Senior, grades 10 – 12
Poems must be previously unpublished and must be your own work.
Length of each poem submitted must not exceed 50 lines. Limit 2 poems per poet.
Each submission should include the poet’s name, address, and phone number, age, grade, name of school, and the titles of the poems entered.
Poems should not be sent as attachments, but as plain text files in the body of the message.
There is no entry fee.
Winners will be announced during National Young Poet’s Week in April and posted on the League’s websites www.poets.ca andwww.youngpoets.ca. Announcements will be sent to the media, and the winners will be notified by mail and email.
Copyright remains with the poet. Winners will be asked for the first rights to publish their work. Should an entry be published elsewhere during the course of the contest, we ask that the entrant notify the League immediately. Revisions on any poem will not be accepted after it has been entered. All decisions of the jury are final. Contest is open to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants. Members of the League’s National Council, staff or the contest judges or their families are not eligible to enter these competitions.

Jury Announced and Call for Submissions Issued for the 15th Annual Danuta Gleed Literary Award

BPCeditor — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:45:30 +0000

The Writers’ Union of Canada and John Gleed are pleased to announce the jury for the $10,000 Danuta Gleed Literary Award, Canada’s pre-eminent award for the best first Canadian collection of short fiction in the English language, now celebrating its 15^th year.

This year’s jury comprises authors Gail Anderson-Dargatz, Robin McGrath and Hal Niedzviecki.

A short list will be announced in early May 2012, with the winner and two finalists being named in late May 2012, in conjunction with The Writers’ Union of Canada’s Annual General Meeting. The winner receives $10,000 and each of the two finalists is awarded $500.

To be eligible, books must be first collections of short fiction written by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and published in Canada in the English language in the 2011 calendar year. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2012. Eligible titles may be submitted by publishers according to submission guidelines available at http://writersunion.ca/cn_danutagleed.asp.

The Danuta Gleed Literary Award was first given in 1998 for books published in 1997. The 2012 awards ceremony, for books published in 2011, will mark the 15^th anniversary of the prize.