About British Columbia’s Book Publishing Industry
British Columbia is home to Canada’s second-largest English-language book publishing sector, representing 18% of the Canadian-owned English-language publishing industry. The province’s publishing ecosystem is anchored by 46 award-winning publishers, including 26 literary publishers that are members of Books BC. B.C. publishing companies are characterized by their independence and commitment to ensuring that B.C.’s stories reach readers locally and globally.
B.C.’s book publishing industry is entirely Canadian-owned and independent, with no multinational publishers based in the province. This independence is a defining feature with at least 40% of active products by B.C. authors, with the local industry playing a critical role in amplifying Indigenous voices and regional stories.
Beyond publishers, the industry supports a network of 270+ businesses—from editors and designers to printers and distributors—that sustain B.C.’s book culture and economy. Publishers are entrepreneurs and employers who provide meaningful work for professionals passionate about storytelling, while contributing to the province’s cultural identity and creative exports.
Book publishing matters because it delivers B.C.’s unique perspectives to the world through a beloved medium, enriching communities and strengthening the province’s creative economy.
Books BC is the industry’s association.
You Hold Me Up, Orca Book Publishers
Poetry in Transit
Upstart and Crow
$51M
Total GDP in B.C.
$57M
Direct Output in B.C.
569
Total Jobs*
808
Est. People
All results exclude any government subsidies received by industry. 1 GDP includes: labour compensation (wages, salaries, benefits), operating surplus (similar to profit), and taxes on production (excluding payroll taxes and product taxes like VAT), minus subsidies. GDP does not include: total sales, VAT, or payroll taxes; 2 Compound Annual Growth Rate; 3 Jobs are measured by hours worked (part- and full-time), not by the number of individuals; 4 overall economic spend including on supplies and services.
The Book Publishing Industry Value Chain
CIERA™ maps business activity classified by Statistics Canada through what is known as the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). These NAICS codes are attributed in full or in part to a three-part sector value chain: Creation > Production > Sales + Distribution.
Some of the “culture industries” as defined by Statistics Canada contribute to more than one creative industry, therefore these NAICS cannot easily be attributed to a single creative industry, nor can their business activities be proportionally allocated. In these cases, their economic contributions have been aggregated into CIERA™’s Multi-Creative Industry figures. Outlined bullets below are Multi-Creative Industry Services that do contribute to some extent to this value chain. See Multi-Creative Industry Services impacts.
See full annual CIERA™ tables and multiple years of data here.
Literary Publishers
Literary publishers in B.C. are predominantly independent and mission-driven, prioritizing Canadian voices and culturally significant works. They face structural challenges—rising paper and printing costs, supply-chain volatility, and inflationary pressures—that erode profitability. At the same time, digital transformation remains uneven: while audiobooks and eBooks are gaining traction nationally, many small presses lack resources for technology adoption. BookNet Canada’s 2023 survey shows 58% of publishers now produce audiobooks, and AI tools are increasingly used for marketing (49%), signaling a shift toward digital-first strategies. [ibisworld.org]
Research + Reports
View Creative BC funding programs
Insights and Ecosystem
Associations & Communities (BC & Canada)
- Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia (ABPBC)
A trade association supporting BC-owned book publishers through advocacy, marketing initiatives, and professional development. [books.bc.ca] - Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP)
National voice for English-language Canadian-owned publishers, offering advocacy, research, and collaborative marketing programs. [publishers.ca] - Canadian Publishers’ Council (CPC)
Represents major educational and trade publishers in Canada, focusing on policy, copyright, and industry insights. [pubcouncil.ca] - Book and Periodical Council (BPC)
Umbrella organization for Canadian associations in writing and publishing; hosts Freedom to Read Week and industry networking. [thebpc.ca] - Literary Press Group of Canada (LPG)
Supports independent literary publishers with marketing, advocacy, and distribution programs. - Livres Canada Books
Promotes Canadian books internationally through export marketing programs and collective stands at global book fairs. [livrescana…abooks.com] - Magazine Association of BC (MagsBC)
Includes cross-sector publishing associations and resources for editors, writers, and publishers. [magsbc.com]
Educational Programs & Training
- Humber College – Professional Book Publishing
Intensive online graduate certificate program covering acquisitions, editorial, marketing, and digital publishing. [mediaarts.humber.ca] - Centennial College – Publishing: Book, Magazine & Electronic
Prestigious graduate certificate program with hands-on experience and industry placements. [centennialcollege.ca] - Toronto Metropolitan University – Publishing Certificate
Flexible, part-time online certificate program offering over 25 courses in print and digital publishing. [continuing…rontomu.ca] - York University – Book Publishing Specialization
Undergraduate specialization with practical projects and industry collaborations. [yorku.ca]
Funding Programs (Grants, Tax Credits, Subsidies)
Federal
- Canada Book Fund – Publishing Support
Provides up to $850,000 for production, marketing, and distribution of Canadian-authored books; includes export sales incentives. [canada.ca] - Canada Book Fund – Business Development
Supports internships and business planning projects; funding up to $50,000 (higher for equity-seeking groups). [canadabusi…grants.com] - Canada Council for the Arts – Literary Publishers
Core funding and project grants for literary publishers.
Provincial
- BC Arts Council – Operating Assistance for Book Publishers
Provides operating and project assistance for BC publishers. [publishers.ca] - Creative BC – Book Publishers Market Fund
Supports BC publishers in accessing new markets and trade opportunities. [creativebc.com]
Other Supports
- Livres Canada Books – Export Marketing Programs
Includes Foreign Rights Marketing Assistance Program and Canada Stand at international fairs. [livrescana…abooks.com]
#ReadLocalBC | #ReadBC
