Seventeen publishers receive foreign and domestic export support from Creative BC

Vancouver, B.C. (December 12, 2023) – Today, Creative BC is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023/24 Market Expansion Fund (the Fund). This Fund provides financial support for B.C. publishers to attend select fairs, conferences, and events for the purpose of promoting their publishing lists. B.C.’s publishers are dependent on export marketing to sustain and grow their businesses. 

Applicants to the Fund can secure financial assistance for in-person presence at any of the long list of qualifying markets now accessible through the Fund. This year’s list included four domestic Canadian markets and 28 international markets, where publishers can expand their business opportunities through foreign and subsidiary rights sales and the development of digital marketing materials or campaigns. 

The following 17 companies will be granted up to $13,000, totaling $167,680 for eligible activities: 

1. Anvil Press, Vancouver ($11,970)  
2. Arsenal Pulp Press Ltd., Vancouver ($10,000)  
3. Douglas & McIntyre, Vancouver ($11,000)  
4. Greystone Books, Vancouver ($13,000)  
5. Hancock House Publishers, Surrey ($6,500)  
6. Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park ($11,000) 
7. Heritage House Publishing, Victoria ($8,920) 
8. Medicine Wheel Education, Victoria ($10,000)  
9. Nightwood Editions, Gibsons ($10,000) 
10. Now or Never Publishing, Surrey ($9,060)  
11. Orca Book Publishers, Victoria ($13,000)  
12. Ronsdale Press, Vancouver ($9,281)  
13. Rocky Mountain Books, Victoria ($9,165) 
14. Strong Nations Publishing Inc., Nanaimo ($9,930)  
15. Talon Books Ltd., Vancouver ($10,739)  
16. Tidewater Press, New Westminster ($3,750) 
17. Touchwood Editions Ltd., Victoria ($10,365)
     

View a list of the recipients by program online here.     

To learn more about Creative BC’s website: www.creativebc.com/market-expansion-fund  

Quotes:  

Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“Books are powerful tools that connect communities, promote literacy and education, celebrate diverse cultures and uplift people from all walks of life,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We are pleased to support B.C publishers so they can share their amazing, B.C.-made content by attending these important Canadian and global markets.”

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
“Creative BC is proud to support these B.C. book publishing companies to market their content at domestic and foreign markets. International sales and exports are essential to sustaining and growing B.C. publishing companies’ revenues.”  

Leslie Bootle, Interim Executive Director, Books BC
“The Association of Book Publishers of BC (Books BC) is grateful to Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia for their ongoing support of B.C. publishers in their initiatives to bring locally-published books to wider markets and international audiences. Notable in this announcement is the increased number of companies who will be receiving financial assistance, from 11 companies last year up to 17 this year. Thank you for your commitment to and confidence in our publishers—this support makes a world of difference!” 

Andrew Wooldridge, Orca Book Publishers, Program Recipient 
“The Market Expansion Fund through Creative BC is critical to Orca’s export activities. With this support, we are able to attend events that we otherwise would not be able to manage. This support has help contribute to a 40% increase in sales to U.S. retail accounts and has aided our enhanced export efforts, including sales to a number of different countries including Sweden, Korea and Germany.” 

Annie Boyar, Director of Marketing, Harbour Publishing, Program Recipient
“The Market Expansion Fund has allowed us to undertake strategic initiatives—such as attending trade events in the United States and reaching school and library audiences through our website, KnowBC. These initiatives have been so important in opening doors to new readers, both locally and abroad.”

Media Contact:
Creative BC
Lisa Escudero
media@creativebc.com
+1 604-730-2235 

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About Creative BC
Creative BC is an independent society created and supported by the Province to sustain and help grow British Columbia’s creative industries: motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and sound recording, and magazine and book publishing. The society delivers a wide range of programs and services with a mandate to expand B.C.’s creative economy. These activities include: administration of the provincial government’s motion picture tax credit programs; delivery of program funding and export marketing support for the sector; and provincial film commission services. Combined, these activities serve to attract inward investment and market B.C. as a partner and destination of choice for domestic and international content creation. The society acts as an industry catalyst and ambassador to help B.C.’s creative sector reach its economic, social, environmental and creative potential both at home, and globally. Website: www.creativebc.com